The Warehouse Bikes any good?

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gnfb

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#165974 26-Feb-2015 13:53

Has anyone bought a bike form the warehouse? If so were they any good? They are as "cheap as chips" I just wanted one for going down the shops etc

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#1247097 26-Feb-2015 14:02

Hit and miss really. They may be heavy, have high rolling resistance and possibly have small but annoying welding issues with frame and fork trueness which can drive you bonkers if you're fussy. That said if you have nothing better to compare it to you might be quite happy shooting down to the shops on one.

n4

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#1247098 26-Feb-2015 14:03

We've bought a few. They are fine but we are not demanding users and didn't have high expectations. You need to do some minor assembly (or pay them $20 to do it for you). If all you want is a cheap bike for casual use they are perfect and cheaper than the equivalent at Bike Barn or similar.

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heylinb4nz

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#1247119 26-Feb-2015 14:24

Got a Barbie bike for the young one over Xmas, holding up well, and you get a surprising amount of bike for the $$$. Have a look on Trade Me first and see if you can pick up a 2nd hand Marin, Merida, Mongoose, Avanti etc before going the Warehouse route.

Might want to try Evolution cycles as well, they often have great clearance deals.

MikeB4

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#1247125 26-Feb-2015 14:31

for light use it should be ok, you get what you pay for.

Dairyxox

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#1247128 26-Feb-2015 14:40

Certainly not flash. Small issues like gbwelly mentioned.

I brought one for $50 about 3-4 years ago. Best $50 I've ever spent. Still goes today despite all sorts of abuse. I often ride daily (half the year). Might need to buy a new tyre soon.

CutCutCut

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#1247131 26-Feb-2015 14:45

We've had a couple of kids bikes, 12" and 16", no issues with them.

gnfb

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#1247150 26-Feb-2015 15:07

Thanks for the feedback going to watch TM for a week and see what comes up locally cant imagine the cost of shipping one in NZ

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Batman

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#1247185 26-Feb-2015 16:14

it's not very good, so if you were to regularly ride 10s of kms it won't work/last

but if all you do is go to shops and back and you save 70% off the lowest bike shop prices (remember bike barn alqways has 50% off something) then go for it

jonathan18

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#1247201 26-Feb-2015 16:38

Also, check out Bike Barn or similar for bikes at the cheap end, but wait for one of their 50% off everything sale (I think their current one ends this week).

My sister bought a bike from the Warehouse and does regret it - very heavy and uncomfortable. The result is she doesn't use it. It's weird seeing brands like Diamondback on sale there, given they were once labels used on well-regarded bikes.

But as has been said they'll be ok for trips to the shop, but with cheapo gear on them are likely to not last as long, eg rust...

mattwnz

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#1247212 26-Feb-2015 17:26

I would stick to the good brands, and I think the warehouse at least used to sell some of the reasonable brands. The really cheap no name brands ones corrode quickly, are heavy, and poorer quality components. But probably fine as a run about for short distances.

BlakJak

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#1247219 26-Feb-2015 17:43

My dad totalled my Avanti and replaced it with a Warehouse jobby. It's fortunate I don't ride it often as the quality just isn't there by comparison, but it's OK. Just walk into it with a get-what-you-pay-for mentality and you'll be fine.

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jonathan18

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#1247222 26-Feb-2015 17:49

mattwnz: I would stick to the good brands, and I think the warehouse at least used to sell some of the reasonable brands. The really cheap no name brands ones corrode quickly, are heavy, and poorer quality components. But probably fine as a run about for short distances.

Not quite as simple as that, so I've been told by the owner of Pedal Pushers. As per my comment above, previously reputable "labels" now sold by TWH have nothing in common with their predecessors other than the name. Essentially the brand names have been sold off to some distributor and stuck on cheap and nasty bikes, so absolutely no connection can be made.

I owned 2 Diamondbacks back in the '90s when they were good bikes - wouldn't touch them now. As per a thread earlier this year, some of the cheaper models of brands like Merida are a far safer bet, and will last well into the future.

mattwnz

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#1247224 26-Feb-2015 17:55

jonathan18:
I owned 2 Diamondbacks back in the '90s when they were good bikes - wouldn't touch them now. As per a thread earlier this year, some of the cheaper models of brands like Merida are a far safer bet, and will last well into the future.

That is interesting to know, I haven't kept up with bikes since the 90's. Diamondback and Milazo back then where considered good brands, infact Diamondback were considered to be a very good brand. Avanti were at the lower end, but still ok. But those all now seem to be sold by the warehouse.

BlakJak

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#1247243 26-Feb-2015 18:13

My dad owns a BMW mountain bike. I'm not kidding. He bought it in China, where the name is licensed for the purpose. Has no relationship in anything but name, with the Bavarian Motor Works.

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semigeek

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#1247246 26-Feb-2015 18:16

I got given a Diamondback 29inch for Xmas 2 years ago, I haven't had any problems with it. Its not meant for proper mountain bike tracks, but for around the city its fine.

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