Hi everyone,
I found this used Orbea Alma H30 (2021/2022 model) for about $480 (1500 TND). I am planning to use it for my daily commute to work (about 13km / 8 miles round trip on city roads).
Since I have to buy it remotely and have it shipped to me, I can't inspect it in person first. I have attached the photos the seller sent me.
My Questions:
- Status Check: Based on these pictures, does the bike look well-maintained? do the cassette and chain look healthy?
- Recommendation: Would you recommend this specific model for a daily commuter? Is it a good bike for the price?
Thanks!
by Rengoku-Oni-Giri
2 Comments
Here’s my 2 cents. I’ve been out of bikes too long to tell you if it’s a good price so I’ll touch on everything else. A hardtail mountain bike is not my first choice for a commuter, if you were also interested in mountain biking I’d say sure, but a flat bar hybrid bike would do you a lot better. The position would be more upright than a road bike, your tires are wider than a road bikes, but not so wide and rolling resistance-y as a mountain bike tire. There would also be the ability to attach racks and fenders, both of which can help commutes big time. The orbea you’ve got posted looks fine, the Alma is their xc oriented hardtail and with that Shimano drivetrain should give you a pretty wide spread if you’ve got hills on your commute. There’s no way to tell on the life of the drivetrain from these pictures. Without a chain checker I’d only be guessing, with a closeup of the cassette you could at least see the relative wear of the more used cogs opposed to the less used. Let us know a little more about your commute and intentions though so I can know whether or not to continue to bully you into a better suited bike
Chain will need some touch up when/if the bike gets to you, but nothing that can’t be done easily. Same with cassette. I think it’s a good deal, but if you’re not sure yet you should ask the seller for more pictures showing the chain and cassette in detail.