General Cycling Discussion - What is wrong with Wal Mart bikes?

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all the kmarts here closed down :( (not really all that upset, the kmarts here sucked anyway :D )

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Be very careful when asking for opinions, you just might hear some!

This is a quote I heard that was attributed to bicycle wizard who's name escapes me at this moment. Here is the quote concerning bicycles:

"Light,strong, cheap....pick any two"

Wish I could remember who said it, but he is well known.

Originally posted by supcom
Man, it's warm in here. Would someone turn on the air conditioner?

OK, lets put this all in perspective. Xmart bikes are designed for several markets:

1. Kids to use for a few years until the trash them out or outgrow them. Probably ridden less than a couple hundred miles total average.

2. Adults who haven't ridden a bicycle in years, are way out of shape and think that a few trips around the block will prevent their next heart attack. They ride a few times, then it gets too hot, too cold, or the next episode of Survivor is coming on the Tee Vee and they park the bike in the garage. They like the idea of buying a Schwinn because they had one as a kid and don't know what has happen to the brand name in recent years. Total average riding distance: less than 100 miles.

3. Senior citizens who want something to get around the RV park. I see lots of RVs with two xmart bikes on the back. If I had to park one of those land whales, I'd get a bike to go down to the grocery store too! These folks probably put a hundred miles average on a bike. Nice easy slow miles for the most part. (No intent to disrespect seniors. Some of them are in way better shape then I!)

The xmart bike is not designed for cross continent rides. It's not designed for riding 20 miles per day for 10 years. It's not designed to traverse the Great Divide trail.

That doesn't mean the bike is not good value. Good value means the bike meets the customer's needs at a good price. Not everyone wants to let their darling Junior trash an $800 bike. What need does the average Senior have with a carbon fiber frame and titanium seat rails? If I give my kid a $100 bike and it lasts two years, I figure I've got my money's worth.

I certainly would not want to try to ride an xmart bike across the continent. However, I'll bet at least one person has done it. It would probably be more of a challenge than doing it with a kilobuck touring bike!

It's not that xmart is selling a bad product. It's just not the right product for every cycling need.

Excellent viewpoint. well put.

"Light,strong, cheap....pick any two"

I am sure it was Keith Bontrager.

Just to comment on two of the opposing stereotypes people are championing in this thread--

When I worked at Toys R Us, we had an excellent bike-assembly team, guys who knew what they were doing. In fact, one of them was a part-time pit-crew member at a local racetrack, so obviously had some mechanical skill! They aren't always minimum wage kids, and the ones that are aren't always unskilled and untrained, either. (Of course, these guys who knew what they were doing were the most vocal in bad-mouthing the cheap crap bikes we sold!)

The other stereotype, that bike shops won't help you unless you're buying a high-end bike, and the workers don;t know squat--I suppose it depends on the shop, but that hasn't been my experience at all. In my own case, I bought a $380 comfort bike, and they threw in $50 of free accessories, know me by name whenever I enter the shop, and did many free repairs and adjustments for me. That's Team 2 Racing, Green Bay, Holmgren Way. The guys there definitely know what they're doing.

My mom bought an old used Schwinn--not from the bike shop but from a friend--and the shop that we took it to with a coupon for $10 off a tune-up not only tuned up the bike but WASHED it for her, unasked and at no extra charge,and are happy to assist her with any questions or problems she has. That's The Bike Hub, Green Bay, somewhere on Monroe St(?) just off Fox Riiver Trail.

The goodwill and great attitudes are fantastic in most of the local bike stores I've been in. And I'd rather help support a local business in any case, rather than a huge chain which underpays their employees.

Some folks want experience, and I have a bunch. I have three kids and two step kids, and they all have grown. The most disappointing bikes were a couple of low end ralieghs from a LBS. The most pleasant surprise was a Motiv from the local Costco. I have gotten my bikes at the low end of bike shop lines and at other stores, inluding some Toys R us bikes, some from REI, and Dick's sporting Goods, which has a large cycle department. My general impression is that the roadmaster/Huffy type stuff is crap and I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. I think that a used schwinn would be a much better bet. (My friend is still riding the varsity I got in 1966, and I still ride my Le Tour from the mid 70's). I find, however, that upgrading components is a lot of work and tends to be a waste of money, because the parts are so much cheaper when you buy them as part of a new bike. I would also stay away from the bottom 15-20% of the bikes in the typial LBS.

One possible bargain is to get a no-name bike with good components, as you might find in a warehouse store, as in the motiv line at costco. Some of the Motivs are crap and others are quite nice. Look at the components, and feel the bike for frame weight. You can look at the welds and check to see if the bead appears to reflect good technique.

I have had excellent luck with REI, and okay luck with Dick's. The good news is that the local Dick's has a cycle mechanic at least as good as the LBS.

Some of the bikes I have or had:

16" name bike- ok but corroded, would have been happier with no-name. (LBS)
20" department store bikes (2)- I was happy enough with these for letting kids learn to ride. The attractive graphics helped get the kids on the bikes (ninja mutant turtles)
20" specialized Mountain bike- good bike but weird 6 speed shifter cost a fortune to replace when my kid fell on it. Seat post was also a strange size. (REI)
24" specialized mountain bike- good bike, no problems (REI)
24" drop handlebar raliegh-crap bike, kickstand was integral and the retaining clip corroded, made the bike a write off. (LBS)
26" mid quality raliegh hybrid- good bike no problems (LBS)
27" bianchi road bikebought used a LBS- good bike
27" raliegh cheap road bike-LBS crap
Trek 6500 Al mountain bike- LBS good bike
27" Schwinn Le Tour- panasonic made these- good bike, only one worth updating
Mongoos Pro Morzine, Dick's- new purchase- I don't like this bike but my daughter did.-it feels very heavy for aluminum
Motiv Comfort Bike- Costco- good bike
Mongooze Inferno FS MT Bike- new bike- my 230 lb son bent the rear wheel jumping curbs, Dick's trued it for free

As far as the guy looking at the el-cheapo Roadmaster (Built by Pacific, same as now own the Schwinn name, but slotted at the lower end of the spectrum) for his wife: Have you considered that such a junky machine may actually turn her away from cycling?

My first mtb was from Mongomery Wards, it was cheap, too big, weighed 30 lbs and was scary as can be to ride off road. My husband worked on the brakes, the gears everything, till I just refused to go out with him anymore. A few years later we both got new bikes I got a Trek 7000. It FIT me. I loved it. If I'd had a good bike 10 years earlier I could have enjoyed all of that time on a bike.

Now most of my time is spent on the road. I have upgraded to very good road bike, and I do put the miles on.

If you are going to buy a 'good' bike from Costco, BJ's, or one of those other warehouse clubs, ask to get it unassembled. Sometimes these places get good deals on old stock, but I wouldn't trust their staff to assemble it correctly.

Originally posted by Waxbytes
This is a quote I heard that was attributed to bicycle wizard who's name escapes me at this moment. Here is the quote concerning bicycles:

"Light,strong, cheap....pick any two"

Wish I could remember who said it, but he is well known.

NEd Overland I think?

^
No, whomever said it was Keith Bontrager was correct.

The problem with high quality bikes that lasts years and years is that the company that made them are out of business. The bikes are so durable that the customers didn't need to buy new ones or repair them. Most of the profits are from servicing and parts, not the actual bike sale. This is true for car companies as well. Their bread and butter is servicing and parts.

Yes, but are they cheaper ?

OK, the $AUD99 'doorbuster price' bikes are cheap, and not bad value considering what you get (the finish is poor but it's very much a matter of 'never mind the quality feel the width').

But we are talking here about the absolutely most basic, unsprung, all-steel bikes here.
They price these low to get you in the store - but the more upmarket models of Huffy etc, are they any cheaper ?
You'd be surprised - similarly specified LBS bikes are usually cheaper.

And as for those fully sprung steel framed bikes - they are a very silly thing indeed.

What does more money buy ?

Frames - lighter, no difference in strength, in fact steel frames are strongest.

Wheels - stronger, which means less maintenance (truing spokes).

Bearings - longer lasting, so less maintenance.

Derailleurs - Friction shifters, the cheapest, are durable, but no good with motre than about 15 gears (you keep on slipping gears). The more expensive of the thumb shifters are more durable, less likely to select a wrong gear.

Tyres - puncture resistance, easier fit, can withstand higher pressure so less rolling resistance.

Other - carbon forks give a degree of springing to road bikes (as well as being light), front suspension so you can ride up kerbs and gives your wrists a break, fully sprung bikes (aluminium !) are more efficient and comfortable on dirt roads.

BTW, 'Altus' thumb shifters don't last very long, in my experience. 'Deore' systems are pretty well what you need for a serious bike.

A) A bike from your local LBS will last longer so you won't have to replace it as soon, saving you money

B) A bike from the LBS will most likely be more comfortable, so you will enjoy cycling more and stick with this great life long sport.

C) Everything at Sprawl-mart is cheap plastic crap. Don't shop there. They are a horrible face-less corporation. support your locally owned businesses as much as possible.

I checked out the bikes at walmart last week, partialy because of this thread. They have a few good things, not one piece crank on some of them, rims are low end alex.. hubs no-name so who knows how long those will last. Wheels are atleast QR now. Front derailleur did not look bad, can't make them much cheaper :), rear deraileur I would be surprised if survived very logn was extremely cheap, v-brakes were half plastic. Just to ride around town would not be to bad, nice throw-away bike.

I just bought one of these X-mart bikes, a Scwinn "Aluminum Comp, and it seems to be pretty strong. After reading this thread I took it to a LBS and had the "spring tune up special" performed on it.

I haven't had any complaints with it. If it breaks at all, X-mart has a full refund/return/exchange policy so what's the risk?

If I continue and get into this great sport, I will either upgrade the bike with quality accessories (the frame seems very strong)or buy a new more expensive model from the LBS.

I think that the bike should be looked at for what it is:
It's cheap
It's great for beginners to explore their interest
It's returnable

View the bike/specs here:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=1913345&cat=103684&type=5&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4178%3A103684[/URL]

I think x-mart bikes are great to see if you want to get into cycling and cheap way to go. For serious cycling, long distances, touring, commuting to work every day I would suggest something a bit better. Since by the time you upgrade the low end components on it you could have bought a higher end bike.

Yes if you depend on others to maintain your bicycles better buy at a bicycle shop...It is your best insurance...I see that canadian tire is selling those Scherwin bicycles ...Thanks for the update Joe on the stats with that company:rolleyes:

If you get an X-mart bike, you'll end up spending more money in the long run.

I can't believe this thread was brought back to life :)

Originally posted by Bigbiker
I just bought one of these X-mart bikes, a Scwinn "Aluminum Comp, and it seems to be pretty strong. After reading this thread I took it to a LBS and had the "spring tune up special" performed on it.

I haven't had any complaints with it. If it breaks at all, X-mart has a full refund/return/exchange policy so what's the risk?

If I continue and get into this great sport, I will either upgrade the bike with quality accessories (the frame seems very strong)or buy a new more expensive model from the LBS.

I think that the bike should be looked at for what it is:
It's cheap
It's great for beginners to explore their interest
It's returnable

View the bike/specs here:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=1913345&cat=103684&type=5&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4178%3A103684[/URL]

I think you may have just posted the most intelligent post in the whole thread.:)

You've taken notice of the other posts and got the bike checked out properly. Excellent.

You're also looking ahead to the possibility of getting something else down the line.

Your most insightful comment was
I think that the bike should be looked at for what it is:
It's cheap
It's great for beginners to explore their interest
It's returnable

I started my cycling on a cheap trashy bike which needed re-tuning all the time. I got sick of it and moved onto something better. But at least it got me started (and showed me the limitations of those bikes).

Originally posted by Bigbiker
I just bought one of these X-mart bikes, a Scwinn "Aluminum Comp, and it seems to be pretty strong. After reading this thread I took it to a LBS and had the "spring tune up special" performed on it.

I haven't had any complaints with it. If it breaks at all, X-mart has a full refund/return/exchange policy so what's the risk?

If I continue and get into this great sport, I will either upgrade the bike with quality accessories (the frame seems very strong)or buy a new more expensive model from the LBS.

I think that the bike should be looked at for what it is:
It's cheap
It's great for beginners to explore their interest
It's returnable

View the bike/specs here:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=1913345&cat=103684&type=5&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4178%3A103684[/URL]

Very glad to hear such an optimistic message and very proud of your choice! You have the guts to do what YOU think is right and not fall into mass thinking stereotypes.
You also might be interesting in knowing, that in other countries, people have less chances and money to ride something even CLOSE to what you bought. I am full of confidence that the bicycle will last you as much as most others you would get, plus it is less likely to be stolen!

Congratulation! and hope you keep us updated with how the bike is doing and what your experince is like!
Someone had to do it!
I agree, the best post on the whole thread, and the only one that actually brought some ACTION!
:thumbup: :thumbup: :)

Thanks for the support. I haven't wasted any money if it breaks (the welds and frame style are quite similar to my friends older Mesa) and if I quit riding (I know I'd be crazy to) then I'm not out too much.

In addition, this thread has given me ideas for my next purchase and how to save money. I appreciate all of the help and information.

I plan on hitting some trails with it this weekend, I'm just starting so nothing crazy but I'll let you know how it holds up.

So lets review. You originally posted this question:


So, what reasons can you people point at for not buying this bike?


You got tons of reasons from people in the forums, most of which you dismissed on the flimsy excuse that since most of the people hadn't actually purchased WalMart bikes in the past, they weren't able to make judgement on them. Its spurious reasoning at best, I KNOW a Yugo is crap, and I have never even been in one. I base that on appearance of the vehicle, reading reviews about them, and hearing TONS of people who do have more experience with the vehicle TRASH it. I also know that the vehicle was built and marketed to be cheap and affordable, not built to be high performance and high quality.

Now finally, someone agrees with you and makes the same descision as you, so they get kudos and you say that it was the best post. I find that insulting - lots of people put a lot of time into trying to explain just why those bikes are so cheap.

It is also stunningly ironic to me that buying something at Walmart, the quintessential mass marketer, is considered being 'gutsy' and counter-stereotypical.

I also have problems with that 'best post' tag - this line:


It's great for beginners to explore their interest


Its not great if the bike does not fit, frequently has maintenance problems, and is heavy, slow, and does not shift well. Beginners will get turned off and the bike will be left in a shed to rust. Ok - they saved money because they are not throwing a more expensive bike into the shed to rust, but maybe if the experience was more pleasurable they would have ridden more.

This was also classic:


You also might be interesting in knowing, that in other countries, people have less chances and money to ride something even CLOSE to what you bought.


Um, duh. But whats cool about this country is that you do not HAVE to settle for crap, that you can buy better quality items, rather than settle for what your party official has decided you can buy. Whats your point ? They have no choice - YOU DO !!!!

Basically, your axe to grind is that it is perfectly logical to buy a Walmart bike, and if someone should deny that, they are
simply following mass thinking stereotypes. I believe that (your dismissive response) is not being respectful of the years of experience that people on this board bring to the table, versus your stubborn belief that Walmart sells quality not quantity.

The oldest axioms often ring the truest:

You get what you pay for !

If Walmart thought people were buying bikes there on any other basis than simply because its the cheapest, the prices would be higher.

Originally posted by RollingGeek
So lets review. You originally posted this question:


You got tons of reasons from people in the forums, most of which you dismissed on the flimsy excuse that since most of the people hadn't actually purchased WalMart bikes in the past, they weren't able to make judgement on them. Its spurious reasoning at best, I KNOW a Yugo is crap, and I have never even been in one. I base that on appearance of the vehicle, reading reviews about them, and hearing TONS of people who do have more experience with the vehicle TRASH it. I also know that the vehicle was built and marketed to be cheap and affordable, not built to be high performance and high quality.

Now finally, someone agrees with you and makes the same descision as you, so they get kudos and you say that it was the best post. I find that insulting - lots of people put a lot of time into trying to explain just why those bikes are so cheap.

It is also stunningly ironic to me that buying something at Walmart, the quintessential mass marketer, is considered being 'gutsy' and counter-stereotypical.

I also have problems with that 'best post' tag - this line:


Its not great if the bike does not fit, frequently has maintenance problems, and is heavy, slow, and does not shift well. Beginners will get turned off and the bike will be left in a shed to rust. Ok - they saved money because they are not throwing a more expensive bike into the shed to rust, but maybe if the experience was more pleasurable they would have ridden more.

This was also classic:


Um, duh. But whats cool about this country is that you do not HAVE to settle for crap, that you can buy better quality items, rather than settle for what your party official has decided you can buy. Whats your point ? They have no choice - YOU DO !!!!

Basically, your axe to grind is that it is perfectly logical to buy a Walmart bike, and if someone should deny that, they are
simply following mass thinking stereotypes. I believe that (your dismissive response) is not being respectful of the years of experience that people on this board bring to the table, versus your stubborn belief that Walmart sells quality not quantity.

The oldest axioms often ring the truest:

You get what you pay for !

If Walmart thought people were buying bikes there on any other basis than simply because its the cheapest, the prices would be higher.

hahahahaha, :lol: :roflmao: looks like this forums is trying to start all over. :)
to respond to this, I could just use copy and paste options ctrl+c ctrl+p

Do you really want me to responde? Paragraph by paragraph?
If you are happy with your opinion, I am not going to worry about changing it as I wouldn't be able to contribute anything positive.

Don' worry, be happy. :D

In general most people in this forum do not like x-mart bikes for various reasons mostly because of the quality of the bike and how well it is put together. We all will agree it is better to ride on x-mart bike then none at all, but there is the possibility of not enjoying riding since a badly built cheap bike will have more problems. So this would mean one less cyclist.

So it is up to the individual what he wants to do, some of us like smoother shifting and lighter bikes for the road, and heavier stronger bikes for the mountain with better suspension. Alot won't spend the extra $1000 on a top of the line groupo to get this or extra $1000 on a FS frame, since it is not that important to them others will (also not all can afford it) Similar to buying a car, is it worth the extra $20,000 to get the Cadillac vs. the Chevy? They are very similar in ALOT of ways, but you don't get the extra gadgets and goodies with the chevy that you do with the Cadillac. This might make some seem like elitist etc.. but does not mean they are.

I still maintain that for starting out I wouldn't spend any more than I have on this bike to get a better one until I get more into the sport. If anything breaks, I take it back. Simple. When I first started hiking I wore the tennis shoes I had on. Now I have a $250 pair of Vasque boots that are awesome and comfortable. I would never have spent that when I first started out.

Even at X-mart there is a selection. Some are, agreeably, crap by sight. I wouldn't get one. I chose the bike I did to fit the style of riding and to fit my budget. It does fit my body size too. My next bike will no doubt come from a LBS and I will know what I want and need from experience and by reading threads on this forum and others.

What it all boils down to is that this topic is a matter of opinion and one should not engage in loud critisism of another's opinion, especially on a subject as trivial as this.

I'm going to ride my X-mart bike all over the place and if/when it breaks I'll get it replaced. There's nothing you can do about it. It's a matter of opinion.

I am agreeing with you Kev. This one should be about over.

Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
hahahahaha, :lol: :roflmao: looks like this forums is trying to start all over. :)
to respond to this, I could just use copy and paste options ctrl+c ctrl+p

Do you really want me to respond? Paragraph by paragraph?
If you are happy with your opinion, I am not going to worry about changing it as I wouldn't be able to contribute anything positive.

Don' worry, be happy. :D You only proved his point. Now why don't you tell me the logic of buying a 60 lb. steel full-suspension bike at X-mart for $69.99 only to [list=a]
Ride it in "as assembled" condition which (for a X-mart bike) is usually uncomfortable at best and more likely is MUCH more dangerous due to improper control positioning, poor dérailleur adjustment, poor brake set-up etc. OR
Take it in to a bike shop to have a check-up performed (which at my shop will cost you $43.00 MINIMUM Bear in mind this is more than HALF the price of the BSO when it left Wally-world) to then have me practically have to tear the bike back down to the frame to correct the mistakes that some knucklehead made while slapping the bike together .
[/list=a]

As anyone who works in a bike shop will tell you bikes made by Huffy, Mongoose, Next, Roadmaster, Pacific, and (sadly) Schwinn take more time and money to repair and maintain than ANY "bike store" brand (ie. Trek, Specialized, Giant, Fuji et al.)

I had a customer today who had purchased a Next full-suspension bike at Wally-mart. I had to adjust the position of everything on the handlebars just to make it safe enough for her to ride. (I felt obligated mainly for her safety and secondly so she wouldn't sue us for NOT pointing out the problems) I bent down to pick the bike up to put it on my stand and was astonished to feel how heavy this piece of garbage really was! It had to be at least 50-60 lbs! To cut this story short she returned about a half hour later having been forced of the road by some moron riding on the wrong side of the street. She didn't have the bike with her however she wanted to know how much it would be to replace both wheels and repair the "major" damage the bike had received from going off the side of the road. Being the inquisitive type I asked where the crash had occurred and had to remain straight-faced as she gave the location of the accident. Why did I have to remain "straight-faced"? Because the area in question has no more than a 2" drop-off from the road way to the grass that lines the side of the road, something any "mountain-bike" should be able to handle with no problem (especially a FULL SUSPENSION) when going up the obstacle much less going off of it as was the case for her. Now she'll have to pay to have the front wheel replaced (side wall folded over inside the rim) the rear wheel at least trued, more likely replaced plus have the bike checked over thoroughly again before she can ride it again. Assuming she goes with the steel wheel option she's looking at $94.00 ($23.00 front whee,l $28.00 rear wheel, plus the aforementioned $43.00 check-over / tune-up labor included) That's $24.00 MORE than what she paid for the bike to begin with.

Yes I suppose she could scrap it and start over but considering that for under $200 I could set her up with a bike that is lighter, more durable, fitted properly to her, and better suited to her cycling needs than any X-mart POS ever could be. Heck I haven't even played my trump card- remember that $43.00 tune-up? She can get her bike tuned up for free for an entire year! If she wanted she could come in to the shop once a month, once a week, once a day, if she wanted and get a professional mechanic to adjust any little thing on the bike her heart desired FREE. At X-mart you pay your money and you take your chances, all the while praying nothing goes wrong during that 30-day highly selective return window. At a bike shop the job gets done RIGHT the FIRST time so you don't have to worry about something going wrong, and if something should go wrong a bike shop will stand behind their product - something X-mart will NEVER do.

The best you can expect from X-mart is a possible refund, a poor view of bicycle quality, and a general distrust for anything bicycle related.

I'm not going to stoop to insulting you on a personal level but I'd HIGHLY suggest that you check your facts before launching into a grand scale diatribe on the merits of socialized mass-market bicycles freeing the masses from the oppression of a name-brand manufactured world.:rolleyes:






PS. Ctrl+P = print. A computer guy like yourself should know that.

Re: Walmart bikes. They look great in the store, but leave one out in the rain just one time, and you will have a rustmobile.

You see, even if it's an old thread, we cyclists like to sit around like old veterans and talk about how much we hate these kinds of bikes. I know I love to! :D

Anyway, to add another log to this lovely bonfire: these bikes may have found their niche alongside products like Bic lighters.
Imagine the genius of it--disposable bikes!

When one rusts out, just go out and buy another.

;)

But really, I just want to help newbies make good decisions. I don't want to insult anyone who buys one. That would be adding insult to injury.

They will have problems enough of their own, soon enough.

One of my main objections is that people actually think they are saving money.

re:Raiyns last post above.....I will nominate this post for "best post in this thread", he makes points that are "real world" examples of why you should spend more money and get a good bike at a bike shop, or at least buy a good quality used bike that is strong and worth fixing if something does break or wear out.
I have seen no good reasons listed here to buy the x-mart bike. Here in the U.S., thankfully, we are free to research and develop our own informed opinions, and I encourage everyone who reads this to really think before you go plunk your hard earned cash down on a "throwaway" bike........tom

Originally posted by Kev
In general most people in this forum do not like x-mart bikes for various reasons mostly because of the quality of the bike .
Nobody has even a SLIGHTEST chance to check the quality as NOONE BUYS THEM!
They don't buy it BECAUSE OF THE STEREOTYPE...

how hard is this to understand????????????

One of the MAIN reason people choose to buy the bicycle from the bicycle shop is because THEY TREAT THEMSELVES GOOD...

geez, people, you close your eyes on reality... Everyone should visit Europe, to understand where you are living!

Originally posted by tomkatz

I have seen no good reasons listed here to buy the x-mart bike. Here in the U.S., thankfully, we are free to research and develop our own informed opinions, and I encourage everyone who reads this to really think before you go plunk your hard earned cash down on a "throwaway" bike........tom


Did you ever own a Wal Mart bike. Did anything break. Did you compare it to another bike? Whatr broke???
You only speak from you believes, fears, and other p[eoples opinions (SALESMEN) that push it down buyer's throats.

You don't have any reasons, or rights to call Wal Mart bike a "throaway bike". At least you have not provided ANY information supporting your statement!

Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
Nobody has even a SLIGHTEST chance to check the quality as NOONE BUYS THEM!
They don't buy it BECAUSE OF THE STEREOTYPE...



How do you freaking know???? Do you want me to search this thread and give you the link to all the posts where people have said they had a x-mart bike before???? For crying out loud, I've had several and they were all crap, my brothers have them and they are all crap, I work on them and they are all crap..So I say they are all crap.

You open your eyes to reality.

Originally posted by RollingGeek

Um, duh. But whats cool about this country is that you do not HAVE to settle for crap, that you can buy better quality items, rather than settle for what your party official has decided you can buy. Whats your point ? They have no choice - YOU DO !!!!

You missed the point, mister. It is not about the quality of the bikes, that I meant by that sentence, but about THE EXPECTATIONS. YOU people, here in US take a lot of things for granted, and don't understand the value of things.

"your party official has decided ........"


this is the biggest sterotype americans have about the rest of the world. I will spend no more efforts to let you see another view.

Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
One of the MAIN reason people choose to buy the bicycle from the bicycle shop is because THEY TREAT THEMSELVES GOOD...

geez, people, you close your eyes on reality... Everyone should visit Europe, to understand where you are living!

Why should we have to visit Europe???

I totally disagree that the "MAIN reason people buy from a bike shop is because THEY TREAT THEMSELVES GOOD"..

We buy it from a shop because we know that the bikes from wal-mart will stand up to the use we give them. We have been riding for years, we work in shops, we ride thousands of miles a year, a month..We ride multiple days a week, we race..

You are the one who needs a reality check.

Example. Would you say that celery at the EXPENSIVE restaurant any better than at WAREHOUSE GROCERY STORE???? Yet, it is bought from exact same place! The celery is the same!
Do you think toothpaste at Wal Mart is worse than one sold at dentist office? Or socks??? Or towels?

Or how about washing detergent? Will you spend 60$ for a bottle of Tide ( or other brand,)that cost 5.99 at Wal Mart, because this supper "Detergent Specialized Store" sells better things???

Or how about socks? At this special store, they are higher quality. The fabric actually lets the air through. They are MORE durable! I had such a bad luck with Wal Mart socks. They don't fit my size good, they are very undurable, unadjusted, lowe end , Wal Mart socks.
LET"S GO TO SUPER SOCK STORE AND BUY A PAIR FOR ONLY $699 and tell everybody on the board how GREAT the socks ARE!...........

Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
You missed the point, mister. It is not about the quality of the bikes, that I meant by that sentence, but about THE EXPECTATIONS. YOU people, here in US take a lot of things for granted, and don't understand the value of things.



Total BS dude.


We do understand the value, that is why we are against wal-mart bikes. YOU don't understand the value.

Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
Or how about socks? At this special store, they are higher quality. The fabric actually lets the air through. They are MORE durable! I had such a bad luck with Wal Mart socks. They don't fit my size good, they are very undurable, unadjusted, lowe end , Wal Mart socks.
LET"S GO TO SUPER SOCK STORE AND BUY A PAIR FOR ONLY $699 and tell everybody on the board how GREAT the socks ARE!...........


I have psoriasis on my feet. I can tell you defenitively that wal-mart socks suck.

Inoplanetyanin, if America is so bad and no one has a grasp on reality, why don't you go somewhere else??? Move to Vietnam or something.

Originally posted by fubar5
Total BS dude.


We do understand the value, that is why we are against wal-mart bikes. YOU don't understand the value.

In order to understand something, you have to see different!

If you live in a close house all your life, and only see yourself in the mirror, how can you make judgments of womens beauty, lets' say....

Inoplanetyanin why do you have such a believe against things that cost more? Yes there is a difference in socks some last longer and breathe better.. yes there is a difference in laundry detergent ask anyone with allergies.. yes there is a difference in toothpaste some has more sugar in it. Sometimes you will run into cheaper brands are better sometimes more expensive. Look at any campy vs shimano debate on here and you will see us debate on which is better value etc. If cheapest was always just as good why would there be a consumer report?

You instantly dismiss everything more expensive as being the same and not better, when that is not always true.

Originally posted by fubar5
Inoplanetyanin, if America is so bad and no one has a grasp on reality, why don't you go somewhere else??? Move to Vietnam or something.

Fubar, you again started PERSONAL ATTACKS.
I was talking about bikes, about stores, about market, about stereotytypes and so on, but you attack ME...
therefor you will be ignored from now on. All the best to you.

Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
In order to understand something, you have to see different!

If you live in a close house all your life, and only see yourself in the mirror, how can you make judgments of womens beauty, lets' say....


Well, in the case of bikes, I have seen different!!!! AS have many of the people who have posted here..It is You who hasn't seen things different, as you are not as experienced with bikes as the people giving you advice.

Originally posted by Kev
Inoplanetyanin why do you have such a believe against things that cost more? Yes there is a difference in socks some last longer and breathe better.. yes there is a difference in laundry detergent ask anyone with allergies.. yes there is a difference in toothpaste some has more sugar in it. Sometimes you will run into cheaper brands are better sometimes more expensive. Look at any campy vs shimano debate on here and you will see us debate on which is better value etc. If cheapest was always just as good why would there be a consumer report?

You instantly dismiss everything more expensive as being the same and not better, when that is not always true.

Bikes in Wal Mart are GREAT VALUE for that price compared to OVERPRICED bike shops bikes...


THAT"S THE ONLY POINT I AM MAKING>>>

Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
Fubar, you again started PERSONAL ATTACKS.
I was talking about bikes, about stores, about market, about stereotytypes and so on, but you attack ME...
therefor you will be ignored from now on. All the best to you.

Personal attack my butt. I was asking a question. You just don't want to confront confrontation.

Can of coke, 50 cents near grocery store.
$2 in the movie theatre.

Pop corn, 50 cents in the store.
$4 in the movie theatre.

Is one better than other?