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Advice / HELP

  • 01-04-2010 02:18PM
    #1
    andy winter
    Closed Accounts Posts: 229 ✭✭


    Hi all, I am thinking of buying a mountain bike from Smyths toy Store (link below)

    I am just wonderinger if it is good value at 79.99e and what do I need to look for on bike before purchase?

    I understand it is not going to be a top of the range bike! just wondering if anyone else has one?

    Thanks in advance,

    Andy

    http://www.toys.ie/26-Kawasaki-Vortex-!G01985-prod.aspx
    Tagged:


Comments

  • #2
    DirkVoodoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,506 ✭✭✭✭DirkVoodoo


    If you think a bike is good value at that price, then I guess it is.

    If however you think that a bike can be built with decent components and sold for a small profit at that price, then you are kidding yourself.

    That is not a bike unfortunately, it is a BSO. Some people might say that you don't need to spend 300 euro to get a decent bike, but unfortunately these people are idiots. Either buy something second hand, a couple of years old but well looked after for maybe 150 euro, or buy a bus ticket.

    Buying that bike, assuming it doesn't fall apart, will leave you with nothing but a bad experience about cycling.

    Read this for more.


  • #3
    petethedrummer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,604 ✭✭✭petethedrummer


    Is it for you? or your kid?

    Either way I would read these articles, paying particular attention to the sections on safety:

    http://www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk/buying-a-bike/the-bicycle-shaped-object/
    http://www.whycycle.co.uk/buying_your_bike/beware_the_bicycle_shaped_object/


  • #4
    andy winter
    Closed Accounts Posts: 229 ✭✭andy winter


    @petethedrummer; it is for myself, I just wanted something for short trips around the town, won't be doing long journeys on it, I know that at the price(79.99e) I won't be getting a top of the range bike!

    :p

    Thanks for the info/reply


  • #5
    ednwireland
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 14,869 ✭✭✭✭ednwireland


    or if you dont want to read watch this BBC watchdog

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/11/flat_pack_bikes.html

    you may get lucky and get one that doesnt fall apart on your first ride, but i dont think anyone heres going to recommend it.

    26 inch fame ?????????

    My weather

    https://www.ecowitt.net/home/share?authorize=96CT1F



  • #6
    Raam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,318 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    I say go for it. Cracking bargain.


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  • #7
    briano
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 678 ✭✭✭briano


    Andy, at 79 euro you are barely even getting a bike, never mind top of the range.

    If you are looking for something around that money I'd say head to rothar and see what they have there, you'll have better luck


  • #8
    petethedrummer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,604 ✭✭✭petethedrummer


    For moseying around town you don't need 21 gears and certainly not the 21 sh!tty gears that come with that bike. Same goes for the suspension.

    I would buy a second hand bike if I were you. I've seen decent functional second bikes for 100-150 euros in bike shops or you might get something on buyandsell, gumtree or adverts.



    Read this http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055714303

    Then have the mods delete all trace of this thread before Kona gets here and tears you a new one.


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