Hello, Saw this offer at Aldi for a mountain bike
http://suisse.aldi.com/ch/html/offer...8_DEU_HTML.htm

with the specifications as under
"
Aluminium-Rahmen, als Full Suspension Höhe 52/55 cm, als Dirtbike 42 cm. Federgabel mit Lock-out-Funktion. Shimano-Deore-27-Gang-Schaltwerk und Shimano-V-Bremsen vorne und hinten. Stabile Laufräder durch Aluminium-Hohlkammer-Felgen, MTB-Bereifung mit Reflexstreifen. MTBSattel mit Geleinlage. Inkl. Batterie-Lampenset 10 Lux mit
Reflektoren. Vor-Ort-Service.
"

Seems attractive to me at a price of CHF 449. Would be grateful for advice from the Bike Experts on the forum as to whether investing in this bike makes sense. Happy long weekend.

If it sounds cheap.. then it probably is.

The specs seem vague (e.g., no model names, only manufacturers given for each part) but overall pretty good. However, for that price the parts must be low quality. Its likely that they will therefore be less reliable and much heavier than more expensive stuff. If you plan to use the bike rarely then it could be a good decision. If you plan to use the bike a lot then it would probably be wiser to get something with better quality components, which either means a more expensive bike that is similar to this one, or look at a bike that has fewer features (e.g., no rear suspension) but is better in what it does have.

One note about buying from department stores - the build quality is often quite poor on these bikes. Make sure everything is well tightened before going for the first ride, and don't expect much after-sales service, which is something that you would get from a dedicated bike shop.

In Australian supermarkets the $299 "Mountain Bikes" come with a sticker "Not for off-road use". It always makes me smile.

If you only want the bike for riding to work, the shops or something, and you're not a large person (> 80kg)[1] then it's probably fit-for-purpose. If you want to do serious mountain biking - remember that your trusting your personal safety to this equipment, I'd look for something more upmarket.

The big concern with this sort of thing, is that they try to "match" high-end bikes at a very low price point. So instead of a nice gas-based shock absorber, you get a piece of elastomer (rubber) in a tube. Sure it looks the same, but it's going to be heavy, and only do the same thing in principle. Same goes for cheap disk brakes, you're better off with v-brakes - because you get a better quality braking system for the same money.

Perhaps you could also go into your Local Bike Store (LBS), and ask them to keep a lookout for a 2nd-hand bike with a budget of around SWf400.

Bike nuts (like me) tend to not like anything that comes from a department store, so take any advice with a large grain of salt

cheers,
(Mr)Wibble

[1] Typically low-end department store bikes are designed for rider weights of less than 80kg.

Bikes here are awful. Your better off buying one of last years closeout modes online from the UK with free shipping here.

For abut 100chf more http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=14963 Not top of the line, but it won't break. You pay 30chf import +7.6% tax upon customs arrival. VAT free in the UK. And despite first appearances ont eh site, free shipping to CH on orders over £100 or 200chf.

Chain Reaction don't ship bikes for free outside of the UK. The shipping cost is about £40 (over 80CHF) if they are shipped with UPS. Its actually more expensive if shipped by post. I just had my road bike shipped from CRC. Was relatively painless.

I'll add to the don't touch that bike with a barge pole if you want to use it off road. Will be fine for pottering around town but will disintegrate after a very short time on proper trails.

LaurenM
Re: Buying new Bike - specs and advice plz
"Bikes here are awful."

Lauren is there any reason for that statement or is that just your opinion ? maybe you could elaborate.

I dunno about all bikes in Suisse but looking at that ad I wouldn't go near it - full suspension for 500sfr< it'll be made out of gas pipe and ride like a tractor

aren't 90% of aluminum bike frames made in China? i am assuming Lauren was talking price?
and i don't think anybody is crazy enough to make gas pipes out of aluminum. i don't even think its a safe or reliable frame material. if they didn't have suspension they would all ride like tractors. just my opinion

It seems to be the wheels that make the shipping expensive! I recently ordered a road frame and a bunch of components from CRC. In all, it was virtually a whole bike except for wheels, brifters and a few small parts which I already had. Their website says free shipping to CH for orders over £100 except bikes and other large items. I had expected this frame plus many parts order to fall into that category, but they charged me nothing for shipping. The box it all came in was not much smaller than a standard bike box, so I was very surprised.

I'd agree with the other comments. Aldi are NOT a bike specialist, so probably not a good idea buying from them.

An alternative would be to try places like Athleticum (& other sports shops), Jumbo (have a Swiss brand Califonia, and offer 2 year gaurantee), Coop Bau & Hobby etc.. At least they generally have a service centre and some expertise/expeirience with Bikes.

But in the end you will get a better bike from a specialist and or by buying a known brand with quality components.

But if you want something for just pottering around on and not for off-roading then might be worth taking a look at the cheaper options.

If you hunt around, you can find some bargains, especially with an older model.

I say that as a former bike shop worker, and an avid cyclist who knows her bikes. I am continually amazed how companies put out a full carbon beautiful bikes with excellent wheels. And then I look at the drivetrain, the heart of a bike, and it has alow grade components, well for that price of a bike.

I wasn't even aware that there is a lower class that Shimano Sora. Actually there is two. Didn't know that till I came here. Therefore, I base my opinion on the quality of the parts. I think the quality here is awful for the price.,

It must be the whole package then, I know people that have had wheels shipped for free too... Answer to the problem if you want a bike. Order the wheels separately. You will get the bike shipped for free. Unfortunately only works if you build the bike yourself.

I still felt that the shipping I paid for my bike made the bike worthwhile as I bought a 2007 model which had a significant saving. I would go this route again in the future rather then pay too much for something that could fall apart in no time.

I'll weigh in late. These kind of bikes are horrible. They are made to look like a dual suspension bike, but don't do the job, and the cost of the fake bits reduces what they spend on the really important bits, like wheels, gears, brakes etc. This bike will not be any benefit off-road, better to spend the same on simpler, front suspension only bike (or no suspension bike) at a place like Migros or Athleticum.

These aren't anyone's dream bikes but would kill that Aldi thing:
http://www.athleticum.ch/shop/produc...521-589-102875
http://www.athleticum.ch/shop/produc...521-589-102884

If you go the Aldi route, then this bike would be far better value in the long term. Simpler, cheaper, lighter, less things to go wrong:
http://suisse.aldi.com/ch/html/offer...9_DEU_HTML.htm

I could say in summary that if the Aldi bike's rear suspension is all you need, then you don't even need rear suspension

Just bought our bikes from Athleticum. They do give a decent service and comes with warranty: I think 5 years for the Aluminium frame, 2 years for the other components? I like the bike very much. I did just spend 1000chf for it but we got a 10% off deal which expired Saturday.

There seems to be a lot of knowledgeable cyclists on this forum.

To assist them in advising, I think what you need to state is your intended usage plans.

Almost everyone I know in Switzerland with a bicycle buys a brand new, top of the range bike, uses it once or twice and then leaves it forgotten in the cellar bike rooms.
If this is what you plan then the Aldi bike will be fit for purpose.