Postby Wutang87 » Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:28 pm
Howdy all
I am a total beginner in the cycling scene - and look, as much as I wished to buy a quality ride - I just simply can't afford it. With the good technology these days,
a simple google search on reviews on bikes your interested is far too easy. So, after looking at ebay and having absolutely no idea what bike to get (I know absolutely nothing about a bike besides knowing how to pedal it and using the brakes - end of story). If you say 'deep rims' - I will be what is a deep rim? So, yes, with this 'absolutely know nothing' mind, I was like 'what freaking bike to get' - just so many choices and types.
Primary Use - Ride on Eastlink to work on weekends (15-20km one way journey). So, after research, a road bike or hybrid was the choice.
So I looked up road bikes (using bike exchange) and using the sort 'cheapest' - Boom, Reid cycles pops up. Yep, you all know the story, and I, before purchasing the bike read alot about it. But I was like, okay, saw some Giant alamode and a GT branded bike from bicycle HQ in Carnegie for $299 - I thought they were worth getting (considering that is around my budget). Hit me up all you want, I know this is considered the 'pathetic entry level of road bikes' but I mean, I simply don't have the $$$ to buy one. If you want to say 'Might as well don't get one' - I'm like stuff you, this is me, I'll give it a shot, $239 later, only thing I'll get out of it is at least I can 'sort of' review it from a 'noob' perspective. And the free items would probably equate to a cost of no more than $9 being that 'quality' but won't complain for the price, I asked for it at the price paid.
Don't worry, this won't be my only post, i'll post later since its late at night. I did have a short ride - the underlying message is treat the bike as a baby because its that fragile - every bang on the wheels (ie running over a pothole) or a branch sounded like something came loose in the bike. Your crotch will definitely feel the impact. Well, this is a road bike after all, I can't compare it because I never had a road bike before, only mountain bikes. On second thoughts, and judging by the quality of things, I mean, I don't need to be an expert to realise poor quality but I was expecting it. More or less, I'll definitely not take this for a ride on eastlink, ill just ride to the shops (5km) and around the local bike track - god knows what will happen next with this bike.
The bike is kind of something you expect from the 'reject shop' - last time I brought a four tier storage shelf on wheels, the plastic quality was so bad one wheel snapped off (plastic cracked so loosened) - I guess that's the quality you'll be expecting from this bike.
I haven't tried it fully yet, only did like a 5 minute ride on my street so can't really review it too great.
But like as many have said, - don't go fast as well, the brakes isn't great. Faster = dangerous, on the Condor, Faster = Freaking dangerous.
Wheels worn out really quick