Budget Mountain Bike around $500

iShibby on 16/01/2024 - 15:06
Last edited 16/01/2024 - 15:15

Just after advice for a budget mountain bike.

Mainly to ride with the kids. Mostly on the road but hoping to take it down some easy trails one day.

Budget around $500.

I've looked on marketplace for better brands 2nd hand but there a lot are either trashed or not far off my budget for a new bike.

I'd rather get new for peace of mind as I'm no expert in judging second hand.

I've found this one. Has hydraulic disc brakes, single drivetrain (for easier maintenance) and even has the hidden cables in the frame (handy for when I'm taking the bikes on the car rack with straps)

https://www.99bikes.com.au/atmos-wylde-29-hardtail-mountain-…

Anyone heard of this brand before?

Cheers

Sports & Outdoors Bicycle

Comments

  • mapax on 16/01/2024 - 15:09
    +1

    This thread might be useful…
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/825858

    • iShibby on 16/01/2024 - 15:12

      I was just looking at that but the guy just wanted to ride on roads. I was going to post my comment on there but thought it might just get lost :(

  • Dollar General on 16/01/2024 - 15:21
    +1

    Anything around that price they are mostly using the same components so they will all be about the same

    • iShibby on 16/01/2024 - 15:22

      that's what I thought so brand is almost negligible?

  • tsunamisurfer on 16/01/2024 - 15:25
    +2

    Mostly on the road but hoping to take it down some easy trails one day.

    If its mostly on the road and one day, maybe you will do a trail then the 99 bikes one you listed is not great for roads.

    single drivetrain (for easier maintenance)

    Single drive train does not offer that much less maintenance there will still be chain and cassette wear.

    hidden cables in the frame (handy for when I'm taking the bikes on the car rack with straps)

    I have a Yakima 4 bike rack and al cables are exposed, I have accidently hooked cables twice but after a while you learn where to place the pedals so that they don't touch. If you want it for aesthetics fine but for transporting its not much of a benefit.

    Personally I would persist with FB marketplace and gumtree, they are a great place to pickup a bargain especially if you aren't sure which direction you are heading down.

  • Gdsamp on 16/01/2024 - 15:31
    +1

    thats a decent deal, and good purchase philosophy (1x, hydro disc). never heard of that hydraulic disc brand though.

    SR Suntour forks are more common at this price point. online reviews point to them being better than the RST blaze this one has, but probably a much of muchness. Lockout is handy.

    internal cables are a bit more of a PITA for servicing etc

    Honestly if you can spring a touch more for a Merida that uses the more standard entry level kit (SR Suntour fork, shimano/avid hydraulic disc, branded kit) it might be a 'nicer' experience.

    • iShibby on 16/01/2024 - 15:44

      Great advice! I never thought that about internal cables, guess I was going for aesthetics lol

  • wombat81 on 16/01/2024 - 15:39
    +2

    IMO a Giant Talon 3 for $589 is hard to go past. https://www.pushys.com.au/giant-talon-29inch-3-good-gray-mtb…

    There are other colours and sizes available.

    My advice is to go for something with hydraulic disc brakes. Mechanical discs are common at this price point and can be a pain. That's more important than a 1x drive train, IMO.

    I have a Trek Marlin 5 for similar purposes to you and I'm happy with it. The above is basically Giant's equivalent.

    • iShibby on 16/01/2024 - 15:42

      Yeah I've head good things about hydraulic disc brakes. The only reason I was looking at the 1x drive train is my current bike broke the front gear cable and the front deraileur made me say bad words trying to fix so I thought I'm out lol

      Thanks for the link I'll take a look

      • wombat81 on 16/01/2024 - 17:27
        +1

        I have a 2x8 trek marlin and I literally never change the front gear. You could remove it completely and it wouldn't be an issue. I wouldn't base my decision on getting a 1x. But a 2x is a much better choice for on road riding anyway.

        The bike you linked looks reasonable but the resale will be terrible since it's an unknown brand. You'll get decent money back for Giant of you sell it again in a few years. It would also be worth comparing the warranties.

        • iShibby on 16/01/2024 - 17:51
          +1

          I’ve had my current bike for like 12 years so wouldn’t look to sell really.

          Just wanted to avoid Kmart Big W and anaconda bikes really

      • trongy on 16/01/2024 - 22:28
        +1

        I like 1x on a mountain bike, but this particular one as there are no low gears.

        It's got a 38 tooth front chain ring and 11-32 cassette. The lowest gear ratio is 38/32 or 1.1875.

        A typical 1x MTB setup would have a 32 teeth chainring and an 11-50 cassette giving a low gear of 0.64
        At typical 2x MTB setup would have 38/26 on the front with an 11-34 casette giving a low gear of 0.76

    • iShibby on 17/01/2024 - 11:08

      Shame Pushys is in Brisbane, I'm in VIC. Would prefer for someone to assemble it for me.

      How about this Merida? - https://www.99bikes.com.au/merida21-big-seven-10-d-anthracit…

      • wombat81 on 17/01/2024 - 22:45
        +1

        Assembly is very easy. I would base your decision on that.

      • Euphemistic on 18/01/2024 - 10:16
        +1

        That Merida is a budget bike. 7 speed tourney gearing is not really suited to trails. OK for commuting. Look for 8speed or higher fot a much stronger design axle.

  • jv on 16/01/2024 - 17:03

    4.5 / 5.0 star reviews….

    https://www.kmart.com.au/product/74cm-everest-mountain-bike-…

  • shxhshzhz on 16/01/2024 - 18:02
    +1

    are anaconda fluid bikes (e.g. https://www.anacondastores.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/…) as bad as Kmart bikes? The parts look better (e.g. 10cm travel instead of 5cm, more shimano).

    • iShibby on 16/01/2024 - 18:09
      +1

      I looked at that one but thought spending an extra $100 was worth it for hydraulic brakes and the single drive train

    • Euphemistic on 17/01/2024 - 21:04

      Fluid is anacondas home brand for bikes. They aren’t bad value but have budget bits (normally where you can’t see them) to keep the price down. The are also a bit cheaper becasus they don’t have a brand tax added. The frame will probably have come out of the same factory that produces a bunch of other decent brands.

  • Euphemistic on 17/01/2024 - 21:13
    +1

    Hydraulic disc brakes and much better than mechanical disc. If you can’t afford hydraulic, rim brakes are probably better - but often only on really cheap bikes now.

    The bike in your OP is a budget store brand. Someone else picked up the cassette (rear gears) is only 11-32. Not really a wide enough range for 1x. Much better for 2x.

    Trek Marlin are pretty good if you can find one second hand that someone is upgrading from. Similar models are available from all the big brands. Giant, Merida, GT, specialised etc will have an equivalent.

    If you’re checking second hand, have a look at the RRP of the model in question and aim for half the price. Many will still look pretty shiny and be as good as new. Check the gears, suspension and brakes work and the wheels spin fairly true and there’s not much else to go wrong. I’ve bought heaps of second hand bikes over the years and you can get some really good bargains.

    My latest was $300 for a $1500 bike about 5years old and just in need of new cranks but it otherwise as new. so for $400 I’ve now got a great bike that’s too good to leave outside while camping like it’s supposed to be. I need to downgrade

    • iShibby on 18/01/2024 - 10:33

      Thanks mate. Yeah will be taking it camping for sure, didn't think about that side of things

  • TheBilly on 23/01/2024 - 14:06
    +1

    If you plan to do any regular trail riding a $500 bike won't cut the mustard

    • iShibby on 23/01/2024 - 14:16

      I'm 45 and never done it before lol. It was more in case my 8 year old fancied a bit of off road action. It's more for bike rides round the campsite really

      • TheBilly on 23/01/2024 - 14:17
        +1

        Campsites and parks is ok, I thought you were implying dirt and rocky roads (not quite a hiking trail but a motorbike trail type thing) because on those, after a few rides the parts start to jam up or twist.

        • iShibby on 23/01/2024 - 14:26

          Yeah nothing major. I just wanted something that wasn't kmart. I have been looking at second hand. There are a lot around $400-$500 in Giant, Merida, Specialized. Think that may be the way to go. Some ads just look a bit suss to me with low rating sellers

          • TheBilly on 23/01/2024 - 14:26
            +2

            @iShibby: any of those brands will give you a decent bike

  • ratherfrugal on 04/02/2024 - 12:02
    +1

    Get one of these. https://www.anacondastores.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/… at their $599 special.
    As long as you aren't giving it a hard time with jumps it will last fine and will save all the hassle dealing with the second hand market.
    The fluid bike quality can be a bit hit and miss eg buckled wheels from the factory. So either get them to build or just check everything works as it should if putting together yourself.

    • Euphemistic on 04/02/2024 - 12:49
      +1

      That looks like good value at $599. Like all Anaconda bikes the RRP is "optimistic" its not a $1500 bike, maybe $1k.

    • iShibby on 04/02/2024 - 15:59

      How does it compare to this? - https://ccache.cc/products/cannondale-trail-7-mountain-bike-…

      • Euphemistic on 04/02/2024 - 16:44
        +1

        Main differences i can see are the brakes. Never heard of Nutt as a brand. Doesnt mean they are no good but if they arent good an upgrads to shimano wouldn't be a terrible idea. Other than that i prefer the 1x12 gears over 2x8. 2x gearing is OK but isnt optimal as you tend to be in the ends of the cassette which can mean needing to change the front at the wrong times. 1x is just easier.

        • iShibby on 04/02/2024 - 20:55

          Thanks for the great advice, much appreciated. How about this for another $70 - https://www.99bikes.com.au/silverback23-stride-29-comp-satin…

          • Euphemistic on 04/02/2024 - 21:22
            +1

            @iShibby: Doesnt look as good as the flhid. Similar to anaconda the RRP is optimistic. "Club price" is more realistic

            • iShibby on 05/02/2024 - 20:22

              @Euphemistic: How about 1x9 gears? That fluid is out of stock anywhere near me. There’s a secondhand one of these on marketplace for $500 - https://www.99bikes.com.au/silverback-22-stride-comp-grey-gl…

              • Euphemistic on 06/02/2024 - 05:55
                +1

                @iShibby: I wouodnt pay more than $300 second hand.

                My rule of thumb is less than 50% of purchase price for second hand.

                • iShibby on 06/02/2024 - 06:26

                  @Euphemistic: That’s fair, is the bike any good?

                  • Euphemistic on 06/02/2024 - 08:52
                    +1

                    @iShibby: Not sure. Id say you could fo a lot better for $300 second hand. Can find a quality bike shop brand for that money that was probaly worth $1k new.

                    • iShibby on 17/02/2024 - 14:53

                      @Euphemistic: I just went to anaconda to try the large and medium Daytonas. I’m 179cm so the guide says the large but they don’t have any store stock of that size but a couple of mediums. It felt ok on the medium, I have shorter legs. Just not sure whether to go medium or wait until they get large back in stock. Any advice?

                      • Euphemistic on 17/02/2024 - 16:18
                        +1

                        @iShibby: Really depends on your indivibody shape. Im similar height and find medium just a bit too small. It also depends on the individual bike a bit. You may be able to ride some mediums, but others might be too small.

                        I had a medium trek marlin bought cheap and had to sell it to get something in large. Dont buy the wrong size just becasue its cheap/available. If its the wrong size you wont be able to ride it comfortably and will probably end up leaving it in the shed.

                        • iShibby on 17/02/2024 - 17:42

                          @Euphemistic: I went with the medium lol. Even though it’s back up to $799 they gave it to me for $599. I went back in with the boss and she said it looked fine. The large did feel large to me. One of the reviews said their sizing was bigger than normal on that bike so hopefully I’ve made the right choice. Thanks for all your help, much appreciated 👍🏻

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