Aldi specials, 2 Feb, a Road Bike!!

gclark8 said:

From 2 February:

14 Speed Alloy Mens Road Bike
Limit of 2 per customer
Oversized and ovalised alloy body
Lightweight alloy frame and rims
Shimano derailleurs
Quick release front wheel
Reflector pack included
Two-tone black and blue
Alloy road pedals complete with toeclips and straps
95% assembled
Ergonomic handlebar with alloy sleeve
Quick release seat post
700c, aero blade fork
700c x 28c black Kenda dual tread tyre
$ 299.

Ooh, interesting. Might have to go check that out... been looking for a cheap road bike. Would it be available at all Aldi stores?

Looks like the bike comes with down tube shifters which is a disappointment as the rest is fine for the budget starter bike, Aldi should have used their muscle to get a STI system fitted. 🙁 Still well done to Aldi for keeping prices real for cyclists, I get the weekly email from them and the gear they sell is amazing for the price.
No I don’t work there.😄

STI shifters alone would cost more than the bike (unless Aldi did a group-buy from probikekit 😄 )

The only other thing to look at with these is rear hub spacing; if it's a 7 speed, is it a 130mm axle or the older 125mm 7-speed-only one?

Damn good deal for the price, though! Even if you did have to do a few little bits and pieces to it to make it a little more modern.

Good points from all above.

STIs, mmm, yes, too many$$,
Flat bar conversion, an interesting option using MTB (EF29) shifters / levers.
If the rear end is 130mm, the new Shimano 7 speed 11-28 spin on will give it some top speed for about $30.

If one of you can post the gearing and drop out size, that will be helpful. It is a shame we don't have Aldi here in WA. Nice to see lighter colours in their bike tops and shoes now as well.

wonder if you can look @ it b4 you buy?

rek said:

STI shifters alone would cost more than the bike (unless Aldi did a group-buy from probikekit 😄 )

The only other thing to look at with these is rear hub spacing; if it's a 7 speed, is it a 130mm axle or the older 125mm 7-speed-only one?

Damn good deal for the price, though! Even if you did have to do a few little bits and pieces to it to make it a little more modern.

Ok, the sti bit was optimistic 😉 just know that down tube shifters are not newby friendly and lead to loss of control and greatly reduced use of gears and enjoyment when riding.
Even the fitting of a half pipe shifter aka mountain/flat bar fitting makes a big improvement, just slide on to the top section of the road bar. I have a mtb lever shifter on my 6 sp and it indexes fine and transformed the bike.
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=16520
Aldi buying power makes manny options possible, and the cost of the downtube shifters would be very close to that of the half pipe.
As to cluster ratios, thought 14-28 with 52/39 rings would be fast enough for most, dont see the 52 - 12 option being used by manny on the road of any skill level. Most need to practice getting cadence up anyway IMHO.
Will have a look when it arrives in the shop, the mtbs sold last year at Aldi started at $200 and the clearout cost a month latter was $125, had disk brakes and all.

Only 24 hours to go, lets have some feedback.. 🙂

gclark8 said:

Only 24 hours to go, lets have some feedback.. 🙂

Well??? 😕

As requested George 🙂 . Have seen the bikes and today only the XS size remained at the local store in Prahran, so they must have been popular as about 5 of that size where available. More than the regular amount of assembly required but not difficult with the instructions provided. Eg the handlebars are not cabled to the frame for the brakes, easy job, same for seat post, front wheel, pedals, reflectors. Neither heavy nor light, suspect no double butting on the Al 7005 tubes for the frame, aero alloy forks straight blade. Frame colour and decals are ok and wields are even. Rear wheel spacing looked like the 130mm, wheel is not quick release and cable ties kept all bits together and prevented definite check with that. The rear cogs 7sp 12-26 by the look of it, the cranks are alloy 130 mm bcd shimano so allow future ring replacement in the future without trouble. Seat looks ok shape wise, not too much padding.
Handlebar no name brand, not sure if alloy or steel as painted black, feel is fine with bar tape, the brake only hoods feel narrow compared to the comfy sti type but ok. Stem is old style quill type. Brake calipers look basic but functional single pivot. Wheels have Alex DA 22 semi aero alloy rims with no name hubs, quick release on front. Not sure if the rear hub would accept 9sp cogs, just a maybe on that as there was a plastic packer device to protect the RD for transport. The derailleurs are above the cheapest heavy shimano group but do have the slotted guide wheels. Suspect a chain and cogs could move this from a 7sp to 9sp with the down tube shifter in the friction mode.
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=k1039
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=K1020
Slide some shifters onto the top section of the handlebar and remain in control.
http://www.phantomcycles.com.au/product.php?productid=118&cat=0&page=
for an all up $150 for bits and post, or just enjoy it as a 7sp unit for $300.
When I was at the shop a group of 5 LBS type guys came in to check the bikes out, a few shrugs gave it a good look for sure.🙁
Hope that answers a few of your questions.

As an FYI to all. The Heidelberg ALDI still has at least one of these bikes left. Not sure what size, I just saw the box still on display.

They also have three or four of those wireless cycle computer/HRM thingys they were selling earlier for $50. (If only their HRM straps used the same frequencies as Polar ones...)

The road bike, its back, next Thursday, only $199 this time. 😄
http://www.australia.aldi.com/

[censored] on the down frame tube are fine, I used them for 30 years and still have them on my old (spare) bike. If you don't like them, you could go for the ones that stick out of the ends of handle bar.

It appears not to have a quick release on the rear wheel, so you will need to carry a spanner incase of flats.

Here it is at $199 (direct link)

BWY the bike in the picture is way too small for the bloke riding it. Does it come in different sizes?