Entry Level Bike

[Sea Monster]

Good afternoon folks,

I'm in the market for a bike (after about 5 years without {o_o} )

Anyway, what is the recommendation for a half decent bike for some general road and some track use?

Nothing too fancy (I would say "less than $1k", but with all the different currency running around, that might not provide a useful measure)

I am thinking in the realms of Avanti Discovery (I don't know much about bikes, so that might give you an idea of what features I think I need and cash I'm willing to spend)

[lowtech]

We are talking about pedal powered bikes (Bicycles), not Motorcycles here, aren´t we? IF yo, i´m not of much help, but will read the posts with interest.

[Sea Monster]

Yeah, asking about push bikes


I know enough (or think I know enough) about motorbikes already

[lowtech]

What kind of Motorbikes are you into? I´m into carburetted 4 stroke aircooled street bikes - most from the 70s to 90s.

[Sea Monster]

I'm with you on Carby, 4 Stroke, & Air cooled, you lost me at street.

[shark_za]

My carb-4T-Air is a TTR250, kinda enjoy the little one.

I also have mountainbikes but would not be able to advise on thats available in Oz.

Any bike with greater than Shimano Acera/Alivio or SRAM X4/5 along with hydraulic disc brakes and 100mm travel will do as an entry level.

If you expand more on the type of riding there may be some more pointers.

[ToolJoe]

Pedal Bicycle-I could help out on that one 

Motorbike- I would say the best maintained one in your price range.

[lowtech]

I think dual purpose or Motocross bikes may be big fun, but we have no place to ride them - Every trail though the forest is forbidden, let alone cross country riding. So a street bike makes more sense. I did own a Suzuki DR 500 S, though. I sold it because the tiny drumbrakes were not up to heavy City Traffic. Oh, and she had the habit to die on me when not cold but not properly warmed up either. But only after you rolled up to pole position on any given traffic light and about 20 sec. before the lights turned green. Not much fun on a 500cc single with not the best starting habits, to put it mildly, I can tell you.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Why not a cyclocross bicycle or a tourer? Best of all world's then mate

[Sea Monster]

Any bike with greater than Shimano Acera/Alivio or SRAM X4/5 along with hydraulic disc brakes and 100mm travel will do as an entry level.

I don't know what any of that means (unless my boss is reading this, in which case I know what Hydraulic is, and have been doing my job properly, please don't fire me)

http://www.avantibikes.com/au/bikes/off-road/adventure/discovery-3/?section=specifications#tab_menu

It has what you say, except only65mm travel.

[kirk13]

I'm surprised Higgins hasn't shown up yet!

[Higgins617]

Us yanks end up with different brands so I wasn't sure I'd be a whole hell of a lot of help. You're talking general road use and track(is that meaning off road track?)

If you want something solid on and off road for a reasonable price, something along the lines of a Giant Talon would be a solid bet, and within your price range. What brands does your local shops have? I'll do some research(googling) for you.

[Sea Monster]

something along the lines of a Giant Talon would be a solid bet, and within your price range.

As it turns out, that's what I test-road the other day.

It'd didn't break while I was riding it, so I guess that's a good sign.

[Higgins617]

something along the lines of a Giant Talon would be a solid bet, and within your price range.

As it turns out, that's what I test-road the other day.

It'd didn't break while I was riding it, so I guess that's a good sign.

I'm not sure what they cost for you guys, but the Talon 2 at an msrp of 1095(likely less in store) has a very solid build. My concern is typically with the front suspension. Almost all of shimanos drivetrain stuff will work pretty well. Cheap forks on the other hand not so much. My friend has an rst fork on an entry level Trek and it's frozen solid. The Rockshox will be a solid step up