I purchased the Aldi mountain bike originally as something to just get me back into riding again but I have really disappointed with this bike and regret buying it. My budget is around $1000~ and have been looking at the Polygon Xtrada range. Any suggestions for this price range?
I haven't ridden any trails yet but hoping to find something to get me into lite trail riding while also allowing me to ride to the shops or general usage road use to improve my fitness.
Possibly the polygon. My take is you want to spend about $1500 on a hardtail if you want to take on ‘proper’ mountain bike trails.
Maybe your disappointment was because a mountain bike isn’t great on the roads.
Good point, I didn't consider that.
Although, the lack of decent parts was also an issue.
Have a look at this one https://bikezonefitzroy.com.au/a/hardtail-mountain-bikes/mer…
Try to get a price beat at 99 bikes and you'll get it for around $850.
Very decent bike I think
I'm happy with my Polygon (Siskiu T7 from a few years back). The features I couldn't go without now are a 1x drivetrain and the dropper post. They both really improve the experience, especially on cross country trails.
The Xtrada 6 1x11 is currently $1200 (maybe cheaper boxing day?) and you can add a dropper later if you want.
the Aldi mountain bike
If this was last year's or the 2019 Aldi bike, you already have a Polygon bike. The 2021 is not a Polygon.
Should of specified, 2021 Aldi bike
Gumtree or marketplace for any bike under $1000,
Polygon however do make some of the best value bikes out there (their mtb's rate quite well).
although i feel hardtails for trails these days will get long in the tooth fast.
I second Gumtree once you know what you are looking for.
I recently bought a merida big nine slx edition second hand.
However I was very close to getting the Merida Big Nine 200.
Works out around 1100 new from 99 bikes.
This was the best value 1x hardtail with an air fork i could find.
This year's Aldi bike specs certainly aren't as good as previous years, but they're still decent and should allow you to tackle basic single tracks without any issues. Maybe you've read too many posts on that bike and are now having second thoughts. IMO, you only need to upgrade when you've built enough skills and confidence to want to tackle more hardcore downhill or black tracks. If you want to ride to the shops, on the road or just the suburban trails to build fitness, you'll be better off with a hybrid, flat bar or drop bar road bike, or for a bit of fun, a gravel bike. You'll get much more use out of them and they're much more efficient than a mtb.
look for Xtrada on gumtree. I did and got a 2018 Xtrada 8 (1x11, hydraulic brakes, lockable air fork, boost frame) for $400. Had to spend another $300 getting it up to scratch. Really nice bike for the money so see if u can find one.
see here
https://www.polygonbikes.com/product/mountain/xtrada-8/
pete
Hi suhdude, which year model is the Aldi bike as I'm after one?
doesn't see like you need an mtb, u need a hybrid or road bike.