Hi people,
Wanting to upgrade my bike and Merida Speeder 400 is what is suitable for my budget.
The bike is:
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/bike/74/speeder-400
What do you think about the specs? Is there any way I can do better on a new bike?
Another one I am considering is Triban RC 500:
https://decathlon.com.au/products/triban-rc-500-cycle-tourin…?
yeh some nice features for the money!
lots of negs but no answers…
You can still buy a bike that costs $25 out of China, it’ll only cost you $100.
The more you pay, the less weight you get and better wear resistance - within reason. It gets to a point where the super light stuff doesn’t last very long at all because materials are to soft.
With bikes: light, strong, cheap. Pick two.
Not sure why you want an answer. Isn't it obvious why you got negged?
Find me a bike with genuine Shimano 105 components, internal cable routing, hydraulic disc brakes and a carbon fork for ~$25.
Good luck.
Unfortunately (fortunately) for China the minimum quality of bikes that they're pushing out has been upped.
The days of $100/$150 bikes at Kmart have been numbered (i'm sure there's been more than a few legal cases from these catastrophically failing).
Yes bike's are disproportionately more expensive than say an equivalent motorbike with far more intricate parts, where else can you get 100kg of a combination of engineered metal, a motor, brakes, batteries etc for $2,000.
However in the case of bikes you're paying for lighter parts, more expensive metals, carbon fibre in some cases, oh and the health benefit of riding.
Maybe the $100 bikes from china which you can find in K-mart.
The more serious bikes, which are made in places like Taiwan are not not made in sweatshop style production lines. If you see some videos, the people work on each bike meticulously like a creation space.
Agree on Merida. Shimano 105 is a solid dependable groupset.
Sadly, I don't think you'll be able to get a Triban RC 500 from Decathlon any more. I've been told that the RC 520 has been discontinued and I believe that this also applies to the RC 500.
RC500 is still available.
The website is only showing XS size available for me.
I checked in store yesterday. They have more sizes available.
The Speeder 200 is $350 cheaper with the same frame/fork/wheels. You are paying for sora —> tiagra —> 105.
The Merida are a nice bike to ride, and you could always keep an eye open for secondhand bargains.
Is 105 worth $350 over Sora?
Yes.
I bought a Speeder 400 bit over a year ago. Excellent bike for the cost/weight/components.
The 11 speeds and weight of the Merida trump the specs of the 'Triban'.
A year ago i was after a flat bar road bike (wasnt ready to go straight from mtb to roadbike) with at least shimano 105 components. After testing many bikes i went with Speeder 400. Other mainstream brands in the same price range come with 1 or 2 levels lower components.
And it was very easy to convert it to a commuter by adding fenders and pannier rack
Merida. The Decathlon bike has mechanical brakes and will have lower resale value because it’s a dept store brand.
Thanks all for responding. Will be looking at buying Merida. No stock anywhere at the moment unfortunately.
Geez, I'd go this; more versatile, stronger wheels etc https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/bike/2063/silex-200
Merida is supposed to be great value in Australia
You didn't say what sort of riding you will be doing. Commuting? What distance? What terrain? All weather? Bunch rides? Touring?
Riding will mostly be on bike trails/road. I am riding to get fit and do around 50-60 km on the weekend. Weather wise, I don't ride when it is raining. I ride mostly solo and occasionally I have my friend riding with me.
With the current bike that I have, I have noticed that a lot of riders zoom past me. Of course, they are more experienced… But I think the bike also plays a part.
Are you sure you don’t want a drop bar? Even if not using the drops, more comfortable hand position with access to brakes and gears
Are you sure you don’t want a drop bar?
Not opposed to getting one. Have never ridden a drop bar, so not really sure what to expect.
@RSmith: It takes a bit of getting used to, but becomes very intuitive. Only downside I see is that they’re more expensive for equivalent specs, but definitely worth trying one out
Only downside I see is that they’re more expensive for equivalent specs
You are right about that.
I will try it out to see how it feels like.
I have the Merida Scultura 400, which is the drop bar version. I paid $1500 for the rim brake version. This is a great deal you’re looking at, and a fantastic bike. 100% worth it.
What are you upgrading from?
For my day to day commuting, the flat bar road bike is perfect (for me). For weekend rides, I bought a second-hand drop-bar road bike, which was an expensive bike 10 years ago. Its certainly faster for the same effort and I tag along with some casual group rides.
Then yeah, the Merida should feel like a good performance boost. A lighter bike will feel a lot more responsive if nothing else. I've got about 11,000km on my Giant Fastroad, with 10spd Tiagra groupset (1 level lower than 105), and its been perfect - barely had to adjust it over the whole time.
The alternative is keep that bike and buy a good, older, drop bar road bike for more more speed.
The alternative is keep that bike and buy a good, older, drop bar road bike for more more speed.
Something like this…
https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road-bikes/giant/vic/malve…
@RSmith: I reckon thats listed at about double what it should be. Join some Facebook marketplace groups, e.g. Buy/Sell Road Cycling Victoria (if not Vic, im sure theres one for your State), Bicycle Market Australia. Also Gumtree and eBay are good sources. If theres no rush, just wait for the right one to pop up. For reference, I bought a Giant 2011 TCR Advanced in pretty much 90% new condition, full carbon bike, Ultegra Groupset, at $1,200 a year or so ago.
I reckon thats listed at about double what it should be
That's the only thing that worries me about the second hand bikes. I wouldn't really know how much would be a fair price.
I have been checking gumtree and facebook market place. Haven't found anything suitable yet.
@RSmith: Pre-covid a used bike should have cost around 50% RRP if ‘used’. Underused and well kept worth a bit more, worn out or neglected less, but 50% was a decent start point.
Now supply of new has been decimated and demand for cycling has risen used bike prices are higher.
Cannot go wrong with 105 components. Absolute reliable and true work horse gear. Check out GCN on YouTube for Shimano groupset.
Checkout 99bikes. Retails for $1549.00, Join the club membership for $5 and the bike is $1409.00
Sign up for gold membership $35 and the bike is $1268.10
There is no waiting period to get discounts.
Thank me later.
You can easily get a second hand road bike with ultegra group set fol under $600 on Gumtree.
Bought Merida scultura 400.
Get the Merida.1500 for 105 components is good. Plus hydraulic disc and internal cable routing.