Commuting - X-Mart bike okay for commuting

I have read that bikes in superstore are bad but what about an 'upper range' bike in those stores used for commuting? Would that be okay? How long will it last if I use it for an hour a day?

Bet you could get a heck of a used bike for that price???

I have read that bikes in superstore are bad but what about an 'upper range' bike in those stores used for commuting? Would that be okay? How long will it last if I use it for an hour a day?
Any bike is "OK" for commuting if it fits your needs. Pay no attention to the shills (with an agenda) for a favorite LBS or favorite brand/type of bicycle.

A lot of people on here will tell you that an x-mart bike will break down, not work, or possibly hurt you. Everyone else will say that they've ridden one, loved it, gone hundreds of thousands of miles on one, and never had a problem.

Here is my opinion and advice, having both owned, ridden and worked on later x-mart bikes.

I never had a problem with the Huffy I had. It wasn't the greatest bike out there, but it got me around when i was in high school. The x-mart bikes i've worked on in the last few years have been a little more problematic with things not being set up correctly or adjusted.

The Good:
X-mart bikes are inexpensive. They're new. If something goes wrong or you change your mind, you could most likely return/exchange it, like any other merchandise from the store (check on this, i'm only assuming).

The Bad:
X-mart bikes tend to be lower quality, using the cheapest parts made. These bikes also tend to be a lot heavier, compared to higher end bikes. Suspension systems employed by x-mart bikes tend not to be worth the extra money, as they add weight and create inefficiency in the drivetrain. Most importantly, the x-mart bikes are assembled by x-mart employees (stockboys, etc.) and not bicycle mechanics, which can lead to things being put together incorrectly (brakes not set right, deraileurs not set right, forks put on backwards, etc.).

My recommendation:
If you get an x-mart bike, go over every inch of it before you ride it. Make sure it was assembled correctly and that everything is adjusted correctly. Don't trust that they put everything together right. If you can repair/fix bikes, awesome. Otherwise have a friend who does look it over. Bringing it to a bike shop will become costly. I would also recommend the non-suspension bikes, or front suspension only. Fewer things to break, probably a little lighter also.

If you do know how to fix/wrench on bikes, i would recommend going second hand. Even if you want to learn, you can find an older bicycle that you like for very little money (check thrift stores, garage sales, etc.), and learn.

My best advice, above all, is to find a bike you love. If you love the bike, you'll ride it, no matter what it is. If you get a bike, and you don't like it, you're probably not as likely to go ride.

That's my two cents. Let me know what you decide.

You'll quickly find out that the key to a using a bike for commuting is maintaining it. Do that, even to a Roadmaster Mt. Fury, and you're okay. There will likely be some mechanical problems with the bike "out of the box", but the same will likely hold true for an LBS machine. In addition, the set up (tires, etc.) may not be ideal for commuting. True also for LBSs. Some will claim the LBS will be better for these two issues, but I've found LBSs are a crapshoot. A last possible issue is proper sizing; if you know your bike size, you're safer going LBS free.

If you're competent mechanically and on a tight budget, the xmart bike may be a way to go. However, my advice would be to seek out a decent used bike if you are competent mechanically and know your size. Look for old steel. I've a Bridgestone RB2 I bought for less than a Roadmaster Mt. Fury, and although I haven't run exhaustive tests or anything, I stongly suspect it is better made, faster, lighter, and more fun to ride than a Roadmaster Mt. Fury. And also better made, faster, and more fun to ride than most of the bikes at the LBS. No tests, just a suspiscion.

My only concern is the brakes on the x-mart bike. I've read and heard tales of them bending under hard breaking. That's a scary saftey issue but one that can easily and cheaply be avoided with upgraded brakes.

Classic steel framed bikes can be had for cheap with a little patience. Yard sales and Craigslist is lousy with them. They will, however, likely need a little TLC when you get 'em. My girlfriend recently decided she wanted a road bike to get around on. We found a classic 1973 Raleigh with a 531 frame and fork for $10 on CL. We put another $25 into a new chain, cables and some tubes. It kicks the crap out of anything available at the Wal-Mart, IMHO.

Buy what you want, but be prepared to give the Wal-Mart bike a good once over to check for problems in the build. It is good practice with any bike, but especially important with a mart bike. Whatever you buy make sure it fits you well.

Classic steel framed bikes can be had for cheap with a little patience. Yard sales and Craigslist is lousy with them. They will, however, likely need a little TLC when you get 'em. My girlfriend recently decided she wanted a road bike to get around on. We found a classic 1973 Raleigh with a 531 frame and fork for $10 on CL. We put another $25 into a new chain, cables and some tubes. It kicks the crap out of anything available at the Wal-Mart, IMHO.



This post is by far the best most common sense respose. YOU need a "cheap" bike not a "new"
bike so that , to me, reads quality older bikes. (you can find killer deals on some mighty fine
equipment used just look past the rust and dirt.)

Look at it this way......
You can buy more,better quality,less troublesome,bikes by going into the used market than you ever
will with the Chinese junk that X-mart sells. You'll have to clean and tune it up (maybe) to get a good
ride but you'll at least have a bike that you can work with and get good parts for.

Xmart bikes???????
Nah, mate. Pass or be prepared to walk a lot.

Spend some of the money you save when buying the bike on a maintenance book like Bicyclings Complete Maintenance (or similar name) and a few tools (hex keys, spoke wrench, cone wrenches, metric wrenches). These will still be useful if you move up to a fancier bike. Park Tools and Sheldon Browns websites are also a great help.

The point where you start reaching consistant quality bikes with standardized parts is around $170 and up...at which point you are better off buying from the LBS, unless you know how to do your own wrenching.

If you get anything cheaper, please consider inspecting and possibly upgrading the brakes...many of the brakes on the cheaper bikes ARE dangerous, no matter how you look at it....they seem like they were designed to stop a child, not an adult. If the arms of the caliper look like they are made of stamped metal, or are a hollow casting, replace them. I would consider buying an extra cable set as well (sears essentials carries a kit for like $8), since those cables are rust prone, and will need to be replaced eventually...might as well have the parts on hand.

Let's see. About $175 for the "best" Wal-Mart bike. Then, about $75 to have a good bike shop take it apart, grease the headset and the wheel bearings, assemble it correctly, true the wheels, adjust the shifting, and adjust the brakes. Now, for $250, you have a bike worth about $100.

There are lots and lots of good used bikes available for around $200, some of them comparable to a new bike selling for $600 to $1,000. And, a lot of times, an LBS will have a hybrid for around $250 from a major company, with a good warranty.

I'm often amazed when I'm in a bike shop, and someone is looking at a $250 bike, and says "That is a lot of money for a bike", when that same person drove up to the shop in a Lexus, a BMW, or a Suburban. I'm tempted to say "And, $40,000 is a lot for a car...a used Yugo goes for $500".

I have two Schwinns and an a Mongoose Hybrid, all older bikes that I picked up at yard sales and pawn shops. I think I have a grand total of $60 for the bunch. Sure, they need a bit of work, but that's half the fun. All three could easily be distilled into two very serviceable bikes.

I'm extremely happy with what was basically the cheapest bike in the superstore. I bought 2. did change tires to slicks on the main one. No suspension, all steel, very large diameter downtube. Feels very stiff and strong. FIS Falcon shifting works well. I handpicked the bikes, testing all components and riding in store. Assembly quality can obviously vary a great deal.

The golden rule is that any bike that is exactly the right size for you is better than a bike $500 more expensive thats the wrong size. I'd imagine its safer picking a bike with fewer recent innovations such as suspensions, or alumnium, but I don't know if those features are really disapointing or not.

I echo the others who suggest a used bike, particularly a quality steel road bike. I have seen an awful lot of $50 used bikes that are far superiour to $300 new bikes. I don't understand choosing new, low-quality machines over used high-quality ones, especially when you consider price.

I say go w/ a garage sale special that fits. You can adjust saddle height, move it back and forth and adjust stem height to make it more comfy for you. It'll probably need some work, but if you're going to commute, you need to learn to do maintenance anyways, so rather than making mistakes on an expensive bike, make them on something less expensive. Once you figure out what you want in a bike for the riding you do (commuting, recreational, road, off-road), then you can take the money you saved by not driving and buy the bike you want.

Instead of X-mart's "upper-range" get a "lower-range" bike from the LBS. Same price, better deal.

I say go w/ a garage sale special that fits. You can adjust saddle height, move it back and forth and adjust stem height to make it more comfy for you. It'll probably need some work, but if you're going to commute, you need to learn to do maintenance anyways, so rather than making mistakes on an expensive bike, make them on something less expensive. Once you figure out what you want in a bike for the riding you do (commuting, recreational, road, off-road), then you can take the money you saved by not driving and buy the bike you want.
Of course the same thing can be said for shopping at xmart. Be prepared to do adjustment as necessary to get it to fit and feel right.

'Tis ironic how any adjustment needed on an xmart bike to get proper fit is considered outrageous and/or horrifying/disgusting, but is a barrel of fun and perfectly acceptable task if performed on a used bike obtained from a thrift store/garage sale, as long as the bike has an LBS provenance.

I had a Huffy I rode for a long time! it was an OK bike for me, and it fit my budget at the time. I did maintain it pretty well. if you are unsure about it, take it to the LBS and have them look it over for you!

LBSs are such a crapshoot I recommend, as another poster did, spending a few bucks on a good maintainence book. If you can even hold a wrench, you can probably do most work on a bike. In addition, any LBS work on a bike is likely to be more than the cost of the bike, used or xmart.

Last LBS new bike I bought had three major components (crank, seatpost, bars) break in the first six months of riding, so my personal experience doesn't convince me that an LBS bike is automatically superior (the level of post sale service from the LBS was on a par with X-mart bike service, as well). Since that experience and another one just before the purchase of that bike, I've found old junkers and fixed them up. I found I personally like wrenching almost as much as riding, and have pretty much been LBS free since 1990 or so. I've also seen enough people commuting daily on Xmart bikes to convince me they're not entirely crap, they can work for daily use. It really, really depends on upkeep, and upkeep is not LBS dependent. It is user dependent.

I still would go with the old steel roadie, but I am a bike snob. However, I'm lucky at finding cool old bikes. And I'm biased towards 'em.

Walmart bike may work for you.

I certainly didn't for me. The brakes on my roadmaster twisted like pretzel, luckily it wasn't in traffic.

'Tis ironic how any adjustment needed on an xmart bike to get proper fit is considered outrageous and/or horrifying/disgusting, but is a barrel of fun and perfectly acceptable task if performed on a used bike obtained from a thrift store/garage sale Well, a decent used bike is actually worth fixing up. You might end up with the sweetest ride of your life. X-mart bikes... Jee-zus! My first two "adult" bikes were X-mart. Can you say a PAIN to ride? The gears won't shift even after adjustment by a very good bike mechanic. The shocks are just there to increase the price and make the experience more miserable. The brakes are plain unsafe and the brake pads wear out FAST. The weight is comparable to that of an overfed elephant...

I can still sort of understand buying a cheapo X-mart bike: if you can't afford anything else, don't know how to check and fix bikes (so garage sales are out) and aren't going to be doing that much riding, those bikes may do you. But going for their "upper-range" bikes, as the OP mentions? In Canadia X-mart type stores may sell bikes that cost up to $700, perhaps more. Usually their main feature is all-Shimano components. Yeah, it's Shimano Tourney, maybe sometimes even *gasp* Acera, of course, but we'll omit that part. After all the customers don't understand the lingo-shwingo anyway, but the cool-looking double suspension that turns a bike into a pogo stick will make them wanna CRAVE it!

If you can afford that bike, you can afford an LBS bike. But the LBS bike is much more likely to be a better quality bike to start with, and you will get free and professional assembly as well as a free tune-up program (for just a year or for "lifetime" - depends on the LBS). Of course there are bad LBSs. But there are also good LBSs. And there are no good X-mart stores when it comes to bikes...

"LBSs are such a crapshoot" Compared to an X-Mart?

I was able to get a pretty good new biked from an LBS that was last years model for the same price as one at X-mart. Having owned multiple mart bikes I am now going to stick with the LBS from here on out. This depends of course on your LBS. You can definately get an x-mart bike and commute on it, but that doesn't mean you'll enjoy riding it very much.

Just my opinion

'Hundreds of thousands of miles' on an X-Mart bike?
Get serious!

My problem with an X-Mart bike, had a $200 RoadMaster as a teen, was the thing worked great for awhile but then I started having trouble with the chain/gears (not sure exactly what was wrong). I tried have the LBS work on it but they said they were having trouble working on it because it was made with low quality parts (I know part was they wanted me to buy one of theirs... they kept mentioning their bikes were better :) In the end the bike sat in the garage for several years because the chain would never stay properly adjusted on the thing and would fall off after several minutes. Ended up getting stolen one day. Didn't even report the theft to the police... the thing was junked.

I've also seen enough people commuting daily on Xmart bikes to convince me they're not entirely crap, they can work for daily use. I've also seen enough people commuting daily on bikes with only one and only nominally functioning brake and hitting their chin with their knees 'cause the seat was set so low. And yeah, they're usually riding at night without so much as a reflector wrong way in traffic, catching their pedals on the curb. Their tires are usually inflated to 15 psi. So I guess I can now recommend this sort of riding, it can work for a daily use. :rolleyes:

I suppose if you are riding only a short distance to work, an Xmart bike might fit the bill. If the bike was stolen at least there was not a lot of money tied up in it. For longer range commutes I would not even consider one. If I had to save money, I would pick up something used or make use of some friends' expertise and parts bin to rig up something. My last commuter was an old Velo-Sport touring bike with Suntour components. As the frame was bent, I managed to snag a cro-moly Norco road frame for $20. My friend and I transferred the parts over to the new frame, stuck on fenders and Shimano Bar-Con shifters. The bike cost me about $100 and it was the most comfortable road bike I have ever owned. I rode that bike on commutes that were over 50km round trip and the only problem I had were wheels that had a tendency to shed spokes. That was readily solved with a used set of 700c wheels. Even under load, that bike was very quick and I used to very much look forward to my rides home at the end of the day. No new Xmart bike (which would have cost more in any case) could match it for durability and comfort. Unfortunately, I sold that bike to a friend of mine when I moved out of province. :(

I've always thought like this. I'll pay a little more for something a little lighter ... ah hell, let's face it. We just hate X-Mart generally. We love our LBS. Why?

Because they are our partners in our obsession, hobby.

It really isn't that complicated. Buy what you want, but assume that you showing up to the Dairy Queen cruise night in a 1999 Kia POS is going to mean you're not a contender in the 'looker' or 'cool' classes.

That's my take on it. Maybe I'm stupid.

By the way, "LBS" = Local Bike Store, ie. a bike store as opposed to a big box store.

'"LBSs are such a crapshoot" Compared to an X-Mart?"

In this town, yes. If you buy a bike at one, the level of service you will recieve post sale is strictly random. Not all of them honor their warranties. The wrenching will be sub-par. As I stated, my last LBS purchase had three major components break in six months of riding. Sounds remarkably like the perception of an Xmart bicycle. In general, I'm unimpressed with the components spec'd on cheaper bikes, be they big box or LBS.

Look, I'm not going to make any sort of argument for a Big Box over an LBS. Or vice versa. They both have their difficulties, and I believe a good LBS, in theory, should be superior to a big box in terms of post-sale service. But in actuality, finding an LBS that fits that theory can be iffy. There is not a single one in my town, although there's a newer small independent used bike shop that shows signs of being okay. My argument is you need to seperate yourself from the point of purchase, learn to do your own upkeep and repairs.

LBSs are in business to make money. This can lead to deceptive sales tactics; especially since some pay salesmen on commision. Now we live in a capatilistic society, and making money is fine, but I'm not much on being told I need a new bike because my old one is "dangerous" or "obsolete", when in fact the bike is probably as good or better than anything in the store.

I used to sneer at Xmart bikes, but there's two fellows in my neighbourhood who ride them daily and have few issues with them. They are both strictly transportational. Their bikes are both maintained and work okay. They've mellowed my attitude towards those bikes. I still wouldn't ride or buy one myself (too heavy and I prefer old road bikes), but based on this example, I'm not knocking their functionality. Beats my last LBS purchase. I have ridden Xmart bikes to check out problems when wrenching them and am in general unimpressed, but I'm unimpressed with most mountain bikes as well. Do I think these two gentlemen would ride better with better bikes? Yes. Do the bikes they are riding now perform their function? Yes also.

Again, the key is maintaining the bike, and no matter where you buy your bike, I strongly believe it is something you should learn to do yourself.

I've always thought like this. I'll pay a little more for something a little lighter ... ah hell, let's face it. We just hate X-Mart generally. We love our LBS. Why?

Because they are our partners in our obsession, hobby.

It really isn't that complicated. Buy what you want, but assume that you showing up to the Dairy Queen cruise night in a 1999 Kia POS is going to mean you're not a contender in the 'looker' or 'cool' classes.

That's my take on it. Maybe I'm stupid.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion but who selected you as the spokesman for "We," or the population of bicycling commuters? Who else is included in your concept of "we"?

I assume you are using the royal we to refer to yourself and your personal take on your preferences and your needs for your hobby of looking cool.

Just trying to keep you from looking and sounding stupid.

My impression is that at an X-mart, you have some really cheap and accessable new bikes... here in France you can buy mountain bikes in the supermarket for less than 100€. These bikes are understandably, low quality. However if you go to the next model up at $200€, you don't get a better bike, you get a low quality bike with more doodads. Yessir, for just 50 bucks more you get a rear-suspension on your MTB, just like those rad down-hillers!

The problem is that X-mart bikes are mass produced and marketed. The masses won't buy a bike that is more expensive, but has higher quality components that for a beginner or sunday rider will not perceive... they only will get the hint when their x-mart mtb has wheels so out of true after the first ride on the trail that they can't ride anymore.

So that leaves me to the conclusion that the LBS is the only place for a quality bike. But even there you have to be careful for the flashy components that you don't need.

here in France you can buy mountain bikes in the supermarket for less than 100€. These bikes are understandably, low quality. However if you go to the next model up at $200€, you don't get a better bike, you get a low quality bike with more doodads. That's exactly it! That's why I can understand buying the cheapest X-mart bike, but will never understand, advocate or condone :D buying their so-called "upper-range" bikes.

I've actually seen some pretty high quality x-mart bikes. I've seen Schwinns at Canadian Tire with full 6061 aluminum frames, Shimano Alivio 24 speed drivetrains, Rockshox Judy forks, and Promax mechanical disc brakes. Obviously, like most people here have said, check the assembly quality before riding any x-mart bike.

I've seen Schwinns at Canadian Tire with full 6061 aluminum frames, Shimano Alivio 24 speed drivetrains, Rockshox Judy forks, and Promax mechanical disc brakes. OK, in any given store there might be ONE bike model of reasonable quality. Overpriced. Poorly assembled.

Compare this with the variety most LBSs have to offer. At much better prices. Better assembly. Vastly superior post-sale service.

If you can afford a good bike, it's silly to buy it at Canadian Tire.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion but who selected you as the spokesman for "We," or the population of bicycling commuters? Who else is included in your concept of "we"?

I assume you are using the royal we to refer to yourself and your personal take on your preferences and your needs for your hobby of looking cool.

Just trying to keep you from looking and sounding stupid.

I am certainly glad that I have to read your opinions about how I should worship Walmart, K-mart or any other corporation. But you can't give me the benefit of the doubt of misusing 'we' in the context that you were comfortable with. I will make certain to keep off your personal soapbox from now on.

By the way, where's the ignore user button again - I need to add you to it, so as to remove you from my use of the intraweb.

I'm not a big fan of used bikes or big box store bikes. I know this isn't the popular sentiment, and perhaps I've just had bad luck, but when I try to find good used deals, there are always major issues. Hardly ridden = left in the rain to rust. The most common issue I find when looking at used bikes is a shot bottom bracket. That's no big deal if the bottom bracket is one that is fairly standard, but who knows until you really look at it by removing it? You could end up replacing several expensive drive train parts to get a working bike. People usually have a good reason if they are selling a bike cheap. It takes a lot of time and dead ends before finding a good deal on a used bike. I'd rather just pay the extra $100 - $200 and get a decent new LBS bike.

Just cancel your cable TV for a few months or go out to eat less, bite the bullet and get yourself a bike you'll be happy with for years to come.

I'm not a big fan of used bikes or big box store bikes. I know this isn't the popular sentiment, and perhaps I've just had bad luck, but when I try to find good used deals, there are always major issues. Hardly ridden = left in the rain to rust. The most common issue I find when looking at used bikes is a shot bottom bracket. That's no big deal if the bottom bracket is one that is fairly standard, but who knows until you really look at it by removing it? You could end up replacing several expensive drive train parts to get a working bike. People usually have a good reason if they are selling a bike cheap. It takes a lot of time and dead ends before finding a good deal on a used bike. I'd rather just pay the extra $100 - $200 and get a decent new LBS bike.

Just cancel your cable TV for a few months or go out to eat less, bite the bullet and get yourself a bike you'll be happy with for years to come.

Not to much at my LBS in the $100 to $200 range. On the other hand, for $200 and a decent frame, (I have several) I can put together a pretty good riding bike. Granted it won't be Dura Ace or Record components, but very rideable.

pretty much any x-mart bike can be made into a decent commuter.

You just have to look at a stem that fits better, possibly upgraded brakes, and better cables.

All that done, the bike should be reasonably solid.

pretty much any x-mart bike can be made into a decent commuter.

You just have to look at a stem that fits better, possibly upgraded brakes, and better cables.

All that done, the bike should be reasonably solid.
Sounds to me like the definition of a bike that is OK for commuting. But the Headbadge and decals will never be good enough for those who have some cycling task other than commuter cycling to accomplish.

Not to much at my LBS in the $100 to $200 range. On the other hand, for $200 and a decent frame, (I have several) I can put together a pretty good riding bike. Granted it won't be Dura Ace or Record components, but very rideable.

I actually said $100 - $200 extra, but if you can do that, more power to you. I don't have time to look for every hidden bargain.

'Tis ironic how any adjustment needed on an xmart bike to get proper fit is considered outrageous and/or horrifying/disgusting, but is a barrel of fun and perfectly acceptable task if performed on a used bike obtained from a thrift store/garage sale, as long as the bike has an LBS provenance.

Its not ironic at all. Working on quality stuff is fun (for enthusiasts like us at least). On the other hand, working on junk is not.

Its not ironic at all. Working on quality stuff is fun (for enthusiasts like us at least). On the other hand, working on junk is not.

Sadly, you are wasting your time trying to explain how there is an opinion beyond I-Like-To-Bikes. Typically, I'd leave things alone, but I realized he's got a bone to pick with anybody who thinks outside his box and I can virtually guarantee he'll jump all over me for somehow clarifying his position like he does to everybody else.

Sounds to me like the definition of a bike that is OK for commuting. But the Headbadge and decals will never be good enough for those who have some cycling task other than commuter cycling to accomplish.


Of course it's not suitable for club riding or mountain biking....it's pretty much an urban and path use machine...pretty much a decent all around bike for someone that wants something they won't miss too much if it gets stolen.

Given I have doubts on how well the x-mart bike's rims will hold up if it's one of the super cheap models, but hey, there's gotta be a compromise somewhere to offer an entire bike that's $20 more than the racks we put on our bikes as add-ons.

For club riding, the bike just does not have the gearing, and I have serious doubts about it's reliability in a sport-style environment. At that point, the bike needs to be a bit beefier in a few spots, as well as stronger wheels. They have been trying to replicate the bikes, and one model has came close...but it will be a few more years.

For mountain riding...I've had many bad experiences personally as a teen using x-mart bikes for this...it's just not smart....and the ones that can, cost as much as LBS bikes.

I realised that getting a bike one enjoys riding is most important. I most enjoy riding road bikes so I should stick to that but don't want to pay too much. The best option seems to be to buy a second hand road bike. It should also be a good base for me to learn how to do basic bike mechanics.

Unless you're buying clothes or food, I always advocate buying used, you can get a nice used bike for very little money, I've picked up Fujis and Miyatas from thrift stores for less than $25 that were in good shape.

That being said, my K-Mart 3-speed is several decades old and still works well enough. I have replaced the brake calipers and the front wheel and hub, and will soon replace the headset, but it has lasted pretty well considering I treat it a lot worse than my other bikes.

I also have to remark that I recently browsed over the bikes for sale in Wal-Mart (of the 50 or so on the rack only three were road bikes) and can say compared to what you could buy there 10 years ago, the quality is way better. The old Huffy mountain bike that rots in my backyard from about that era doesn't even have locknuts to keep the cones of the front hub in adjustment! All of the roadbikes they had on stock, had proper locknuts and washers for the cones, as well as obviously superior headsets. I'd still rather buy a good used bicycle than a new one - since you'll never see that money again in your lifetime if you buy it new.

Of course it's not suitable for club riding or mountain biking...


This is the Commuting list. The OP did ask about OK bikes for commuting.
Decent all around bike. What a concept!

I had two bike stolen outside of chicago. Neither were especially nice. My third was a Target bike. It was assembled pretty well, and worked fine for me on 2 mile commutes.
My g/f got a Target bike a while back, and it was crap. It was a real pain to work on, and a pain to ride. Fortunately, they gave full cash back a month after purchase, b/c it was falling apart. One good thing about that particular store, is that they have a 90 day return policy. If the OP wants to experiment, buy it, use it, and like it or return it.
At this point, my commute is 75 miles a week. No way in heck I'd bother doing it w/ a box store bike.
People sit here and argue about what's good for commuting, but that really depends on the commute and the person. Some commutes are 0.5 miles. Some are 30 miles. Some have an office to store the bike in, some have to leave it outside in theft villa. These are completely different situations. I think that these differences are part of the reason for so many disagreements about what is right for commuting - be it clothes or bikes.
Finally, I think that ILTB needs an extracycle to carry the chip on his shoulder. Dude - lighten up.

I had two bike stolen outside of chicago. Neither were especially nice. My third was a Target bike. It was assembled pretty well, and worked fine for me on 2 mile commutes.
My g/f got a Target bike a while back, and it was crap. It was a real pain to work on, and a pain to ride. Fortunately, they gave full cash back a month after purchase, b/c it was falling apart. One good thing about that particular store, is that they have a 90 day return policy. If the OP wants to experiment, buy it, use it, and like it or return it.
At this point, my commute is 75 miles a week. No way in heck I'd bother doing it w/ a box store bike.
People sit here and argue about what's good for commuting, but that really depends on the commute and the person. Some commutes are 0.5 miles. Some are 30 miles. Some have an office to store the bike in, some have to leave it outside in theft villa. These are completely different situations. I think that these differences are part of the reason for so many disagreements about what is right for commuting - be it clothes or bikes.

+1
I have said this before in other threads that people optimize there equipment based on their own situations and needs. There is no one size fits all bike in commuting.


Finally, I think that ILTB needs an extracycle to carry the chip on his shoulder.

Perfectly said. Could not agree more.

I think that these differences are part of the reason for so many disagreements about what is right for commuting - be it clothes or bikes.
Finally, I think that ILTB needs an extracycle to carry the chip on his shoulder. Dude - lighten up.
Sorry my comrade, stating the obvious won't end disagreements. Especially amongst those experts/afficianadoes who insist on declaring that their favorite specific clothes, bike, or anything else is also the right or best method for everybody else. No chip on my shoulder, good buddy; pointing out the obvious (just like yourself) often gets the ardent zealots all steamed up that they have been "attacked," as if their precious pet ox has been gored.