Originally Posted by cerewa
I've heard a lot of people say they're very unimpressed with department store bikes, but I'm not sure why exactly.
Many posts imply that reliability is a factor.
What parts, specifically, do you find less reliable in cheap bikes?
1. Deraillers. There is a big difference in derailler performance between DSB's and LBS bikes.
Many can't believe that it is worth spending extra on a Local Bike Store bike. Most just assume that since a mass merchandiser like WalMart can buy so much more cheaply than they will get the same thing at Wally World for a couple hundred less.
WRONG!
Then again, there is the other side. If you buy a department store bike and never ride anything better you will never know the difference. What you don't know can't hurt you?