unkchunk

How did they get the tires on that Trek?

Bekologist

Check out the Diamondback transporter. flat bar, 26" rigid steel bike. VERY capable, IMO. just no front rack, but thats easy to fix.

Cyclaholic

OK, so I swung by my local x-mart this afternoon and checked out their extensive range of quality merchandise

I asked the staff about sizes and she correctly pointed out that it's a 26". I thanked her for the wheel size and asked about frame sizes, she enthusiastically said it's men's size and perfect for me! (yay, I got a free fitting before buying the bike, try getting that at your fancy-pants LBS ) So I learnt something today, x-mart 26" bikes come in 3 sizes - men's, women's, and youth.

The cheapest model they have is in steel and after I recovered from trying to pick it up I concluded that they used solid bar for the frame - steel is real! if only they's used a little bit of that steel in the pedals maybe they wouldn't have flexed into a semi-permanent taco shape when I stood on them during the 'test ride' down the sporting goods aisle that's when I learned my second lesson - plastic brake pads + steel rims + very flexible v-brake arms + incorrectly set up brakes = inability to stop before taking out half a wall of assorted chinese import cycling accessories fortunately the only damage was a slightly squashed barbie waterbottle & air horn combo set (on special this week for $1.39, get 'em while they last!).... and a slightly bruised left gluteus. The best feature of this bike is the twist grip shifters - I really liked them, no seriously!

By comparison the second cheapest model was only an extra $19 but that took you to an aluminum frame with an acceptable standard of TIG welding and alloy rims. This bike happens to be in my frame size (men's ) and I can actually get most of it off the ground when I try to pick it up! unfortunately is has a QR on the seat post which I don't want, and these silly little shifter pod things that are the most UNergonomic piece of human interface ever devised, I want a twist grip upgrade! But that's not the best part, the best part has to be the molded plastic crank arms, never mind about stiffness I'd be concerned about them going soft and floppy in the summer sun!

Both bikes have the same 'suspension' fork i.e. a couple of bits of tubes with small steel springs in them, with a small plastic ring in between to provide 'damping' so they'll either become floppy when the plastic perishes or they'll just rust together into solid forks. They both feature stickers warning that this 'mountain bike' is not for off road use. They both have big cushy saddles, steel posts, bolt-on wheels, pressed steel and riveted chainrings - all the good stuff. This is going to be interesting.

Gusboh

Mate, try to find the a Malvern star dealer - at least some of their bikes are Al with Cromo forks.

Or - there is a LBS near me that has a roadie for 200. Al frame - cheap wheels and runing gear, but it's more than good enough for a beater.

I-Like-To-Bike

Yeah, it might even become more interesting if you were actually looking for a bike to meet your "missions" as described in your OP; rather than pointing out to the crowd that X mart is not selling the identical product found at LBS's.
I didn't know you were looking for a bike to take off road, you didn't mention that "mission" in your OP.

Cyclaholic

At what point did I compare any component of the bikes I looked at to anything in an LBS (the free fitting doesn't count, that's a service not a bike component)? Don't I need to aquaint myself with their offerings before I can evaluate it against my needs? you of all people know all about critically analysing the suitability of a bicycle for a purpose (sometimes very critically )

Would it not attract your attention if you went to a shop selling new bikes which were represented (and in fact referred to) as commuter bikes then noticed a label on the frame that said "Warning: this bike is not suitable for commuting"? I thought it was noteworthy.

KrisA

My old POS had these. I actually think they are steel coated in plastic... err... I mean Carbon!

I-Like-To-Bike

How many times did you moan about the oh so important weight of the bikes; as if it really makes a difference for your "missions". Were full suspension "mountain" bikes the only thing offered at your xmart? Not a single cruiser or some other simple bike (even if "heavy") that would actually be suitable for your OP missions?

bigpedaler

obviously, you haven't walked past a big-box bike rack to see what's there lately -- FS is about 25% of what's there (i know, 'cause i put it there -- that's how i pay my bills). full rigid 'stamped steel' w/ simple shifters...<$60.

Cyclaholic

I see my question was nicely dodged, but then it was somewhat rhetorical I suppose.

And yes, there are nothing but 'mountain' bikes in adult sizes at my local, no hybrids, except for one road bike. I didn't even look at it because it's ridiculously overpriced at over $500.... and you really wouldn't like it, it looks just like one of those racer-wannabe bikes with ridiculously skinny tires and all.

It's pretty slim picking actually, only 3 models built on 2 different frames (2 on the steel frame, 1 on the aluminum frame). That aluminum one is my current choice but I'm going to check out a few different stores to see if I can get something like it but with twist grip shifters. Apparently not all models are carried by all the stores in the same chain, our market just isn't that big.

Cyclaholic

I imagine there's some sort of steel backbone in there surely!

I-Like-To-Bike

Then you better head over to another xmart store. Or do you only have one to shop at? Then maybe that is the bike market at all xmart/department stores down under, and if so, you have my sympathies.

mlh122

+1 go used. at my local goodwill i got an Iron Horse knockoff for $30, weighs 31lbs, it came with suntour duotrack shocks (most of the time rigid but absorbs curbs), cromo frame, Acera RD and FD, aluminum kalin bars and seapost, sram twist shifters, aluminum no-name wheels, shimano hb-50 hubs. for $30 it was a great deal. all it needed was air in the tires and rode great for over a year before i upgraded. it's still a nice beater bike.

as far as xmart bikes, i have not been impressed with their performance for the money. but my wife works with an older guy that rides an xmart bike about 30 miles round trip to work every day. he said one time he was pedaling up a hill and his right crank arm snapped off. he hurt himself and had to walk to work, but has replaced the crank and the bike has been ok otherwise.

Cyclaholic

There are a few larger stores around that may have something more to choose from, but really its more of the same with some variations in componentry. As for choosing from ruggedly simple cruisers with a 3-speed geared hub (perfect for my use) that's just a dream.... the sort of bikes I grew up with are long gone I'm afraid.

I just hope I can find something with a simple (no suspension) steel fork and an aluminum frame, possibly a hybrid.

tci2

I understand Unkchuck, just not worth it in the long run. LOL

diff_lock2

Did i miss a post?

Why doesn't the OP get a used bike (100x better).

Gusboh

Cyclo - The LBS near my work has a bike very similar to this for $200 Clicky Mc Click Click.

That should do ya??

Mos6502

I'd take a look at the thrift store too. I've found miyatas, gitanes, centurions, ralieghs, schwinns, etc. etc. For prices less than what you're ever going to spend on a lesser quality bike from any X-mart store.

I used to use an old Huffy made 3-speed to do all of my around town "shuffling" for over two years. I only just recently replaced it with a Columbia 3-speed for the same purpose.

mycoatl

Just take your bike and trailer into the store and ride it around while you shop. If folks can DRIVE!!! their little scooters around the store, I think there's room for a bike.

Cyclaholic

That Linky-McLink of yours takes me to a $450 road bike ...and can you still get Malven Star bikes? I had one when I was an ankle biter (who didn't? )

Anyhow, I checked out the Big-W (an x-mart type of chain store) near my work and found the almost perfect bike at the perfect price. It's all steel except for the plastic V-brake arms and handlebar levers, shifters, pedals, and a few other bits. The shifters are those horrible little almost unusable pods but they're not Shimano branded and neither is the front derailer. the rear derailer has Shimano plastered on it but that will disappear in the uglification process. It has no quick-releases anywhere (exellent!) and alloy rims! so the brakes have a better chance of actually working. The best feature of all is the price - AU$98 (about US$73). Some sandpaper, a tin of grey primer, and a couple of weeks left out in the weather and she'll look just perfect.

They're out of stock untill next week. I'll keep looking around but it is now the front runner.

Gusboh

I know, but my LBS has one almost identical for $200!!!

Don't buy that junk mate - come over near my work and grab this thing - just like the one in the pic really, except its only 200 clams.

Cyclaholic

Ahhh, gotcha, I misunderstood. Sounds allright but its too good and too much $$$.