Push Bikes

[Darren]

Hey Guys,
I'm at my wits end, at present I'm replacing my daily ride 06 Malvern Star Hurricane Disc MTB for something newer since I have since found out it's not just a phase I was going through and actually enjoy getting out of bed at 3am to head out for my morning ride. Due to poor muscles in my back I find this helps a lot and gets things moving after a few km's and I'm right for most of the day.

At present I do about 12km's each morning rain, hail or clear sky and stick to a few main roads and backstreet's. I'm not really into the off-road experience, feel comfortable just taking it easy at darren pace which is however long it takes so it's a safe bet it might see a few trails but 95% will be bike trails through parks or your everyday road surface.

So I guess the main question is what should I be looking at, I have seen a few 8 speed internal hub bikes which really take my fancy but they take a massive step back and use the 'V' brake setup, so far I have looked at all sorts ranging from Giant, Scott, GT, Avanti, Cannondale (did find one but way out of my price), Gazelle, Merida, the list can go on.

I don't really want to spend much more than $800 considering the last one cost me $400 I figured whilst I have the opportunity I may as well buy something that will last as long, the old one will be handed down to my father who seems to have taken a sudden interest in riding again.

I know one things for sure, I don't want a proper racing bike where you lean forward, I tend to sit more upright and being on the 'weighty' side it's probably not a good look

Any bikes anyone has come across or something I should be looking at in particular?

Thanks

Cheers
Darren

[TrikkBen]

I found over the years that GT have been awesome, my dad just spent 4700 on a carbon fibre team bike and it is the best thing I have ever seen. I can chuck it above my head and catch it with ease. Since that's way out of your price range, I have a hardly used Norco Fluid 2 in my garage which went unused as my phase passed unlike you. If your interested I could post up some pics. FYI it's a duel suspension with fox rear lockable airshock and has marzochhi forks with about 100mm+ travel. Still in great condition. It cost 3000 in 05 I bought it of a close mate earlier this year, I'm only looking for 8-900 for it. Let me know how ya go..

Ben

[old mate]

something of a hybrid bike then sounds what you would like, felt make some good value for coin bikes. i've got a felt road pushbike and its awesome. merida make some good stuff tool.

well since you're not really going to go dirt, then the lack of disc brakes isn't a huge issue. good v brakes can work quite well.

this merida looks alright, would be easy to push along the road with 700c wheels etc.

Merida Crossway / Hybrid Bike TFS100V

this felt looks a bit more racey, but you could change that with the headstem.

Felt QX75 Cross / Hybrid Bike

[old mate]

a good site to browse with cheap bike prices is tbsm.com.au

im contemplating something off there very soon.

[Darren]

All the one's I can find which looks like it will be suitable are in the $1600 - $1800 range.

For instance from the site above there's only a couple which really fit the bill.
Kona 2010 Dr Fine - $1,649.00 : TBSM, The Bike Shed Mortdale, Australias Online Downhill and Freeride Mountain Bike Shop

I guess at present I am confident I want internally geared hubs which to me means less maintenance and more riding.

[bandidoben]

hey mate i have worked for many years in pushy shops as a young guy

i personally try to stick with one brand because they tend to use the very similar geometry if not the same for a couple of years in a row. so if you are comfortable in your current riding position with you back problems i would tend to stay as close to the geometry you are currently on.

mulvarn star are a great recreational push bike very sturdy bit on the heavy side but none the less very comfortable.
you obviously already have disk break on your current ride?
as for going from disks "backwards" to V brakes. it would only be a backwards step if your going from hydro disks to v brakes. mechanical disks are pretty much the same quallity as v brakes.

brands i would be aiming for are malvern star, GT, Kona, the higher end mongoose bikes are good to.
internals geard hubs are good for just every day riding but if you are doing lots of Km's a week and have a lot of uphill riding it tends to put a lot of added stress on them and can cause problems (plus expensive to replace/fix)

hope this helps.

[SMURFTEC.]

Mate I know a fair few people that rate Norco bikes as they are acceptable in price and whilst still maintaining a high quality, I personally have a Norco Bigfoot has the hydraulic brakes and only set me back 700 odd. If your after alot of bike for money, can't go to much further than Norco.

brief rundown: http://norco.com/bikes/mountain/shore-hardtail/bigfoot/

Andrew.

[Darren]

Cheers for that, hills aren't too much of an issue for me.

At present after many hours of browsing I reckon I may have narrowed it down to 2 possibilities.
CRX City (2010) - Bikes | Giant Bicycles | Australia
ALCOVA 7 | MALVERN STAR

Probably heading towards the Giant at present but I might duck into a couple of stores later today since I have the day off and see what they recommend as being a big fella for all I know both of these could very well be not ideal.

[bandidoben]

Cheers for that, hills aren't too much of an issue for me.

At present after many hours of browsing I reckon I may have narrowed it down to 2 possibilities.
CRX City (2010) - Bikes | Giant Bicycles | Australia
ALCOVA 7 | MALVERN STAR


Probably heading towards the Giant at present but I might duck into a couple of stores later today since I have the day off and see what they recommend as being a big fella for all I know both of these could very well be not ideal.

id be going that malvern start its a good bike reading some of the things it comes wil. aswell for comfort id be going with front shocks. just makes things alot smoother.
main thing to take into mind is that a bike your sitting on your but leaning forward. specially with a bad back you want every little bit of help you can get to make it a nicer ride.
also when you go in to have a look at bikes ask if for a little extra if they can put a suspension seat post in for you. it will make it alot more cumfy on the longer rides.

[Darren]

Well I ended up getting the Giant Farrago, out of the one's I saw I was mostly impressed by this one, it's an 09 model but saved a bit of cash on it none the less.

Moved the lights over, was going to move the computer over as well but ended up getting a new one so dad can make use of the old one.

Will give it a test run tomorrow morning and I'm really looking forward to it especially having an extra 3 speeds

[Julie]

Heya Darren, We've got 3 giant bikes- granted they are kids bikes lol but they have been brilliant for them. They seem to have pretty good build quality and they cop an absolute caning we've got 2 bmx's and a mountain bike the kids are on them every day and jumping and stuff and haven't had a problem whereas some of the kids with the more expensive bikes have ****ed them up. My review probably not too much help for you being that they are kids bikes but I figured same brand probably same quality in the adult sizes. I hope yours serves you as well

[ClairBear]

Good choice, my bike is a Giant

[old mate]

that giant looks real comfy and easy to pedal along. nice choice.

[illusionalvr]

i kept snapping internal axles in my GT.i broke two, not from jumping, but twisting them in half. but it wasnt an overally costly one. GT aggressor.