Hey everyone,

Has anyone ever bought a bike through migros? (m-budget) I am not a bike person, and want to start riding, but I have this weird personality that means if I can't do something perfectly straight away I become disheartened...

I'd rather get a cheap bike and see if I can weather the streets... (in Australia cyclists are ona death-wish)

I reckon you can't go wrong with 299CHF?

Any experiences?

Ta, Lara

When it comes to cycling, cheap is NEVER the way to go. Cheap bikes tend to be bulky, heavy, and made of cheap end components making your introductory rides into cycling quite difficult and dreadful.
I always recomend a entry level bike from a trusted cycling company to newbies. I will also have to say, of the 20+ friends I have helped buy a bike, not one is dissappointed. And they all still ride regularly.

I'm not saying you have to spend tons of money. But coughing up just a few hundred more francs is worth it.

really? okay then, I trust your opinion!
I am just conscious of buying an incredible bike and then falling off of it somewhere and killing it... haha

(I am jealous that children learn biking so quickly... in Australia we get thrown into a pool at 6 weeks... )

Thanks for your help. Any brands you can suggest?

Hmm.. You know you can always check 2nd hand bikes, or www.ricardo.ch

Try the velo markets that go on every weekend as well. Or http://www.chainreactioncycles.com or www.performancebike.com for a new one. Even their budget brand isn't so bad. Budget brands from a bike company. Ok. Budgest brands from a grocery store...... no.

Don't go so cheap. I saw a tv programme where they shook a number of budget bikes on a vibrating table. In a couple of instances the handlebar post fractured. That would be a bad thing.

Thats not to mention the risks from inferior components. Go to a bike shop and take advice or buy branded second-hand.

dave

A couple years back I got a great deal on a Performance brand Rockhopper mountain bike at Migros.

However, if you want to see if biking in Switzerland is something you'll enjoy, why not just rent a couple times from SBB? They've got bike rentals at all of the larger (and a few of the smaller) train stations. It'll be even cheaper than buying an m-budget bike if you end up not liking the riding here. If you do end up enjoying the riding, you'll know what riding a decent bike is like.

Looking at the Migro Bike, it actually looks pretty good to me. The velobörsen I have been too have been badly over priced. Even Helvetiaplatz flea markets have comple junk bikes all starting at 100Fr+. Like most M Budget things, expect to almost double the price to acheive equal quality from a name brand, triple to exceed. So if you want a 300Fr bike get the Budget, if you want a name brand, expect to pay 800-1000Fr. It is *so* easy to spend a lot of money on a bike with not much benefit to a normal rider.

Thanks everyone!
I think I shall try borrowing a bike first and see if I am able to stay on the path without falling off or injuring someone closeby!
(I'll be sticking to off road paths - no roads)
See you out there if it's sunny!

balance,

Eire is selling a good quality bike, specially designed for women here

[Zurich] For Sale: Trek Womens Specific Mountain Bike.

You can get a much better branded 2nd hand bike bike for your budget of 299, from the velo markets.

the schedule of the markets can befound here
http://www.igvelo.ch/boersen/nachKanton_d.php

They have to cut corners somewhere, for example at the frame. With this budget I'd search a new city bike or buy a trusted second hand bike.

I don't know your kanton well (which I can't spell), but it is next to ours. There is a coach/bus type thing that parks near the station, outside COOP and opposite Manor that allows you to borrow a bike. FOR FREE. with some form of ID that you can leave. Maybe yours does too?

Maybe we should find out some background info first before giving loads of advice!

Bike for transport or Sport?
Distance expected to cycle?
If for Sport, Road or Offroad?
If offroad, Nature Streets or Singletrails?

If You are just looking for a bike to potter around to the shops and stuff over short distances, then there is nothing wrong with M-Budget bikes.

If you are biking for sport then it is well worth spending some extra money and avoid the budget grocery store bikes like the plague.