29er Premium Adult Mountain Bike $449
Internally routed alloy frame.
Shimano Deore 1 x 10 drive train with clutch derailleur.
Tektro hydraulic disk brakes.
Medium or Large Frame.
1 Year Warranty.
Review
29er Mountain Bike $449, Cell Children's Bike $179 @ ALDI
1280
Arthur Dunger on 24/03/2020 - 13:24 aldi.com.au (15075 clicks)
Last edited 30/03/2020 - 12:44 by 1 other user
Last edited 30/03/2020 - 12:44 by 1 other user
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Any of these in your area?
https://www.rebelsport.com.au/p/flight-trail-1-650b-mens-mou…
They were around $800 originally. Been clearance for a while, may be all gone.
Look up Gumtree for used bikes if you don't want this or can't bring yourself to buy one from the department stores.
Facebook marketplace
Love mine. Swapped the tyres for hybrids. Probably ride it more than my Giant Trance which was worth at least 10 times the price when new.
I got this bike last year and even at this higher price it is still a steal. Some of the MTB forums I've read think that this bike is on par with the $800+ offerings from the big brands.
Been taking it on proper MTB trails almost weekly and it is still holding up. Even upgraded it with a dropper post.
Same, same. $400 bike + $200 dropper. Fantastic ride for the price!
You're spot on… https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/2020-bicycles-online-premi…
$700 at Bicycles Online.
Hey, noticed another comment here saying the chainring is welded to the crank… does the $700 BOA 29er have the same setup?
Also, is this a big issue? I'm brand new to mountain biking and worried if the chainring or crank becomes damaged, it will be costly to repair. I know the bike is inexpensive, but i'd like it to be upgradable in the future.
1 unlikely to be damaged anyway
2. Cranksets aren’t very expensive and are easy to upgrade.
Thanks!
I am a big guy, 96 kg and 192cm height. Do you know if this bike gonna fit me? Thanks
I'm 180cm and 110 and it's fine for me. I bought the 29er last year, I ride 10km each way to work a few times a week.
I am 195cm and have a comment a bit further up regarding fit with the older model in case you missed it.
At 192cm you may want to look at a longer seat pole with the size L frame.
One thing I did not mention in my other comment was that I ride flat pedals, if you use clip less depending on the shoe adjustability and your inseam etc you may find some ergonomic issues for longer in seat riding, less of an issue for pure MTB riding.I'm 180cm and 75kg - I think large is the perfect size for me.
It lets me adjust my seat height without having to get off my bike, so I can keep up my momentum. It's great for me, as I like to adjust my seat nice and low for long downhill trails and quickly get it up again for uphill stretches.
I bought the ETEN-I and it worked well (I had to drill a hole in my frame for the internal routing though).
Great going downhill. Ever tried going down stairs or similar and head the seat hit you in the bum in an attempt to launch you over the handlebars?
With a dropper post you can lower the seat without getting off the bike and put it back up again when you need it.
How's the kids bike? Worthwhile? Anyone know the minimum age/height for said kid?
With that frame type, I's say 130 to 160cm.
The low top-tube gives a big range.
It looks like you can put on a longer stem to increase the reach if needed. (under $10 on ebay)But small wheels, and looks like a small chainring.
If it has a cheapo 14-28 freewheel, top speed will be low. Any chance of a cassette in 2020?
Love this bike, bought mine for $399 and really enjoy it. So light too!
How’s this riding on road or is it better to get a hybrid?
Don't get a hybrid, it only exists as a marketing gimmick.
For on road use just get a regular roadie or one with flatbar if you prefer more upright sitting.
The fork that comes with most hybrid is usually rubbish, it only adds weight and reduces efficiency. If budget allows, get one with composite fork.
Yeah, forget hybrid.
But a decent real road-bike will cost a lot more.You could just buy this and put some slick tyres on.
Approx price guide on changing tyres? How does one go about doing this? What sort of tyres? Thanks :)
29er is the same as 700C. You just need wide versions, 32-35mm probably.
You'll find them for under $20 at online shops. e.g. https://www.wiggle.com.au/onza-allegra-zai-road-tyre/
Worth spending more if you commute a lot.edit: am realising from other comments how small the chainring is on this. Not suitable if you are fit and want to do something close to road-bike speeds on a downhill or with tailwind.
Can the chainring be easily replaced with something bigger? (Or course the chain will need extending. The bike shop or a friend might give you an offcut.)
@bargaino: NO you can't change the chainring as it is welded to the right-hand crank. You would need to replace the cranks as well!
@Grey Wolf: So not really a "Deore 1x10 drivetrain" as claimed?
Is the crankset Hollowtech II ? Square taper even?
I changed mine to these - https://www.wiggle.com.au/schwalbe-marathon-original-greengu… - for much more efficient riding.
Bulky item, bring a friend.
Do you also bring a friend when riding this bulky item?
The derailleur alone is probably worth $100.
The "clutch" is basically an on/off switch. It should be "on" when riding, it pulls the chain tight and reduces chain slack. You would set it to off to relax the chain when removing the rear wheel.
So the clutch is not a feature that makes the bike easier to ride.
The clutch doesn’t pull the chain right. That’s what the spring (in every derailleur) does. The clutch prevents the spring moving forward too quickly, like a shock absorber. So when you go over bumps the derailleur won’t spring forwards and allow the chain to slap around.
Is this the one that says "Not for off-road use' on the box?
Don't be a jv. These are real, proper, off-road bikes.
Will the large bike fit 192cm guy pls?
The bike is made by Polygon, their large is designed for riders between 175cm. and 185cm.
I'm 186cm and the Large feels right for me. I'd say at 192cm you'd be fine.
Will the large bike fit 192cm guy pls?
I'd say so. The picture shows a very short stem, so if the reach feels too short, you can put a longer stem on. ($20 at wiggle)
https://www.bicyclesuperstore.com.au/avanti-black-thunder-1-…
Any ideas How will this bike compare to this one from bicycle superstore?This one is better, spec wise. Namely:
- Suntour XCM fork, it's entry level, but it works
- Tektro hydro disc, generally better than mechanical ones
- Deore derailleur, better quality than non-series components
- Internal cable routing
The biggest difference though is that this one has 1X drive train, much simpler, no front derailleur/shifter to adjust and 1 less cable to maintain. It's a personal preference, it's more common to see 1X system on mountain and gravel bikes these days. 1X system has similar high-low gear range as double or triple chain rings, but it has bigger jumps between gears and some people doesn't like that.
I got this exact bike in September 2019 for $399. It's a pretty good bike if you are only using it for mountain biking where you will not be getting up to fast speeds. I found that if you want to commute with this bike or use paved bike paths around town, you will miss not having a second chain ring on the front, which means you can't get up to decent speeds. For the money though, it is still worth getting this bike and modding it later to your preference.
Exactly this. I ride a lot and regularly commute to work on a road bike at ¬35/kmh and with this Aldi bike I can get maybe ¬30/kmh and it's not fun at that speed.
It's also pretty heavy but that's most likely me going from a full carbon road bike to this Aldi thing.
Can you pedal faster?
This bike is heavier, the fork is not as efficient even with locked out, it has got heavier and nobby tyres. Geometry is also different, wind resistance, etc.
So it just can't go as fast as a road bike even with identical gearing.
Agreed. The speed difference is noticeable, especially down hills. It's still great value, but don't expect to get anywhere on flat or downhill roads as fast as regular bikes with larger/more chainrings at the front.
identical to last year, i got last years bike and its absolutely fantastic.
Would a medium fit a 162cm female?
Yes, it would.
You might find it a bit big. 170cm is really the minimum height for medium.
Thoughts on using this mtb for an ebike conversion (Bafung kit etc)?
Perfect for a mid-drive conversion. I have fitted bafang motors to a couple of these bikes.
Awesome :D
Anyone have any experience if Aldi "60 Day Satisfaction Guarantee" even accept a return given the nature of the bike being used if I feel it isn't right for me? I assume the whole bike will need to be assembled or do they typically come semi assembled
I'm planning to line up as I bet they only have a few bikes in stock per store. Missed out last time.
I almost consider it a form of false advertising when a product is featured (without mentioning limited stock) in a catalogue that is unavailable for 99.9% of customers 99.9% of the time.
Yeah I do wish they kind of had more stock, or even be able to backorder these special buys…
It says limited stock at the bottom of the very page the bike is advertised on https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/325568/78208/img_20200…
Big difference between the Aldi bike and this one? https://www.99bikes.com.au/merida-matts-6-5-v-14in-red-black…
Would this bike be overkill for what will most likely be leisurely enough rides with a toddler in a back seat?
That Merida is not worth the $399. Get the one from Aldi if you can.
Good grief, there is a massive difference. The Merida has 26" wheels, V-brakes and twist grips to name three bad (cheap) features. The Aldi bike is worth double the Merida - avoid it and get the Aldi bike (if you can).
OK, here is the lowdown on this bike. It is the exact same model Aldi were selling last September. It was also $449 then so no price increase. In the past Aldi have sold their Premium mountain bikes only once a year in September so it is unusual to see it again so soon. Maybe because it sold so well last year or maybe they are taking advantage of the current situation - bike sales have increased as people are looking for an activity they can safely do outdoors. Although I am not sure if mountain biking is a safe thing to do in these times with the hospitals stretched so much!!??!!
I bought one last year just to have a look at it then I took it back. It is a big improvement on the previous model – this new model has a 10x1 Deore drivetrain and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes being the difference, It’s definitely worth the extra $50 over the previous model. I bought a few of the 2018 model with a 9x2 Acera drivetrain and mechanical disc brakes. The previous model was still good value at $399. I actually bought them when they went on sale – one only cost me $179. I am not sure that will happen with the current model – they sold out pretty quickly last year.
Firstly though, it is not a mountain bike in the modern sense of the word. Go to your local trails and you will see that the vast majority of riders have duel suspension bikes – for a reason – and mainly that of traction rather than comfort. You need that rear wheel to stay planted to the ground when riding on technical trails. Hardtails, like the Aldi bike, are not good on all but the easiest of trails - unless you are a really good rider – on top of that, the Aldi bike has old fashioned geometry – the front fork angle is quite steep. This is a good thing when climbing hills but try riding on a tricky single-track or go fast downhill and you will feel very unsteady. I just wouldn’t risk it – who wants to end up in hospital in these times?
So, it’s Ok for the easiest of trails or fire roads but if you get the mountain biking bug you will want to sell it and buy a more suitable bike very quickly.
So, is a good commuter bike then? No, definitely not!
1x drivetrains are good for the chain line and keep things simple but you only have one chainring and this dictates how fast or slow the bike can go. The new Aldi bike has a small chainring - I think 30T (T = teeth) or could be 32T, I can’t remember exactly but it’s small. 1x mountain bikes usually have chainrings between 30T and 36T as they need to climb mountains and are less concerned about top speed – you get plenty of that effortlessly once you ride the downhill – that’s the fun bit. For commuting though, you need at least a chainring with 42T. Unless you are super unfit, you will find it very frustrating riding on a flat or downhill road with a small chainring as you will not be able to increase speed by pedaling!
Oh, and it is not a simple job to replace the chainring on the new Aldi bike as it is welded to the right-hand crank. You would need to replace the complete crankset which could be costly.
Hey, I am not trying to put you off the bike. I just want you to know its limitations. In my opinion the bike works best as a donor bike for an e-bike conversion. I converted two of the 2018 models by fitting a Bafang mid-drive electronic motor. It is a great bike to convert (including the latest model as it has the same frame) – the bottom bracket and cranks are removed and replaced with the motor. There is plenty of space on the frame's downtube to fit a battery – even the medium is large enough. It costs around $1,100 for the complete Bafang kit and it’s a great way of getting an e-bike for an affordable price.
Anyway, I know I have gone on a bit but I hope if you have read this far, you have found it helpful.
Thank you! Exactly what I wanted to know.
Thanks Grey Wolf for that detailed and to-the-point review.
Thanks manic. In answer to your earlier question. It has. 68mm square tapered bottom bracket. The crank appears to be a generic brand.
A quick correction to the pricing. As others have suggested, it was $399 back in September so there has been a price increase - probably due to the falling Australian dollar :(
The 2018 model was $349 but as I mentioned above, some stores were selling them at half price by October/November.
I am going to keep an eye out and see it is comes down in price - they may sell like hots cakes or maybe not this time around.
Hey GreyWolf you seem very knowledgeable on mountain bikes, I was looking at getting this bike so I can get into mountain biking as it is pretty cheap and seems good. You said it’s better to get a dual suspension but don’t they start at around $2.5-3 thousand? Do you think there are better bikes to get at lower price point or it’s better to save up for a dual suspension?
Wondering the same thing too
Well, most people start out on hardtails and the Aldi bike isn't a bad way to start. Strangely though, I ride at Ironbark Gully near Samford and I see very few hardtails - I guess people either lose interest or upgrade very quickly. I don't think the trails at Ironbark Gully are particularly difficult although there are only a couple of the trails (1 and 2) which I would consider OK to ride on with the Aldi bike.
I assume that as a beginner you wont be riding it on the intermediate or advanced trails.I am not saying you can't but you would need a fair bit of skill riding a hardtail like the Aldi bike on some of the more technical trails. I find I feel much safer on a dual suspension bike. My one only cost $1000 new. Check out Bicycles Online (the people who supply Aldi), Cycling Deal and Reid Cycles. These are the major online bike sellers in Australia and I have had good experiences with all three of them. I just had a quick look on their web sites and they all have pretty decent entry-level dual suspension bikes costing between $900 and $1300.
Like the Aldi bike, they come in a box, You just need to attach the front wheel, handlebars, seat post and pedals.
I don't advise buying a second-hand bike which has been used for trail riding (unless you know the owner). They take a lot of punishment riding over rocks etc.
I started out on this bike and used it for about 6 months. Took it down some pretty hefty trails as well. Ended up upgrading to a dual suspension polygon (was about $2.7k) but definitely do not regret getting the Aldi bike. It's the perfect entry price and will help you decide if mountain biking is for you. Stick to flowy trails and you'll have a blast. Not as well suited to rocky, technical stuff, but as a beginner wouldn't recommend anyway.
I'd also say if your budget is less than around $1.5k, get a hardtail. The dualies below that usually have to compromise in some way and a premium hardtail will usually be better.
Yep, I have heard others say "better a good hardtail than a cheap dualie". Fair enough but all I can say if I have both a hardtail and a dualie which cost around the same price. The Polygon Entiat cost me $1,100 and is a 27.5+ with 3.0 tyres. It's great and the wide tyres inspire confidence however for trail riding I still prefer my Voodoo Zobop dualie which I bought from Cycling deal for under $900. To be fair the Voodoo was old stock and sold at a very good price - it's probably worth around double that I paid.
@Nedward: The rims are not tubeless ready. I have managed it though using the split tube method. You should find instructions on YouTube.
@Grey Wolf: It sounds like you're pretty happy with the Voodoo Zobop.
Any issues you've come across.
Looks like its now $1049 but according to ebay was sold for $899 during march and january this year.
Were there special sales going on then if you can remember?
Cheers.
@prxy: I noticed a price increase siite wide. Almost certainly due to a drop in the Aussie dollar due to Covid-19. Voodoo is an old model and is selling at about half of what it is worth. Was sold by Halfords in the UK for 1000 pounds. It great for the price.
"I bought one last year just to have a look at it then I took it back." Did you end up riding the bike or not?
Na, never even put it together - I could see it was mostly the same as the previous model which I did ride a lot. Looking at my quote I may have been a bit misleading - I bought it with the intention of converting it to an e-bike and selling it on Gumtree but after losing money on a previous conversion I have decided it is not something that is profitable to do. Pity.
Hey, noticed another comment here saying the chainring is welded to the crank… is this a big issue? I'm brand new to mountain biking and worried if the chainring or crank becomes damaged, it will be costly to repair. I know the bike is inexpensive, but i'd like it to be upgradable in the future.
Hoping I can get there in time on Saturday! haha
It's not a big issue in my opinion unless you think you would like to replace the chainring at some point - most people don't. I take your point re: damage - yes chain rings can wear out I guess and with this bike you would need to replace the crankset at the same time. Maybe even the bottom bracket too.
I just looked online and this was the cheapest crankset I could see that would be suitable. Cost $113.99
https://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/samox-mountain-bike-singl…
Agree with Grey Wolf. It’s not a deal breaker. Cranksets aren’t too expensive, although a decent proportion of such a good value bike. You are unlikely to damage a crankset unless you are going pretty hardcore off road. In the unlikely event you do bend the chainring you can probably hammer it back to shape once or twice.
If you did replace upgrading to a hollowtech II bottom bracket would be a decent upgrade and not too pricey.
Might be a stupid question, but do the wheels have the quick release thingys?
Trying to work out if the medium would fit in the backseat of a falcon sedan with 1 or both wheels off.
Yes front and rear have QR skewers.
Great, thanks.
Are the wheels compatible with tubeless tyres?
Does anyone know how to find out which Aldi stores will be stocking the bikes? Seems like you have to be at the store before it opens to pick up the size you want, but how do we know if they'll be stocking it at that particular place ?
Mine only had 3
Managed to snag the only large!
2 at my local. 1 of each size. Managed to get the large frame. Lined up since 7am after finishing my night shift.
Only 2, how dismal.
Yep went in at 9:30am and only had one medium left. Guessing was only one large given the empty space on the pallet.
I was surprised that no one went for them except me. I also got toilet paper too!!
Boxes aren't clear on what is medium or large, but last year this was 44/48.
Three 44s in stock at Carnegie Victoria.
Macedon Plaza Aldi in VIC had 2 Large, 1 Medium, and the kids bike.
I managed to grab the medium and large, leaving a spare large.Large Bike was still there an hour later
My local had 5 of each size.
Medium/large was in small writing on one of the white stickers on the sides of the box - not very obvious. Different item numbers on the boxes as well for medium/large so you can match against the price tags on the pallet if you’re not sure.
There are 4 left at my local Aldi. Picked up a large one. Happy times!
Forgot the location, Ashmore 4214. 2 L and 2 M
Aldi Hope Island (QLD) opened at 9am instead of 9.30am. No queues.
6 in stock (4L and 2M) and about 6 kids bikes.
I got one L and one M. Sizes are not on the box, but on the white sticker with a picture of the bike.
Reasonably light to carry (with grab handles) to the car by one person.
Now to find that assembly video again!Went to my Aldi in Eastern suburbs Melbourne at 10:15am and there were 2 Large + 1 Medium left.
Baught 1 Large + 1 Medium because I'm unsure of my size. (I'm exactly 180cm).
What do you guys reckon I should do with the left over one?, refund it to Aldi or try pawn it online for a profit…?
Refund it and let someone else get an open box discount bargain.
I'm still not sure on my sizing to know which to return.
The Aldi guide shows 170cm-180cm for the Medium size while BicyclesOnline shows 165cm1-175cm for Medium size even though they're meant to be the same bike?
I might have to assemble them first to find out, but not sure if you can return it if the box is opened.
Yeah I'm in the same boat, 175cm here… Shame they don't have clearer sizing but oh well 🤷
I'm also after a used bike around the $150 range. What about this bike makes it so good verses a decent used $150 bike?