General Cycling Discussion - Schwinn OCC Stingrays - Luv 'em or Hate 'em

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to get your overall impressions on the new OCC Stringrays.

I picked up two (ordered/on the waiting list etc.) from my local indy Schwinn store and I have to say that my two older kids (aged 6 and 8) absolutely love them.

While I'm not overly fond of the mass market approach from Pacific; I would not say that the build quality is as bad as I expected. And the tie into the American Chopper (Discovery Channel) show is pure marketing savy.

Anyway, what's y'alls outlook for this concept ?

Here to stay ? or Passing fad ?

I haven't seen the bikes, but I do know this:

When a parent buys a bicycle for a kid, the last thing they want to hear is: "I really wanted (xxxxx)." A parent doesn't visualize it as buying hardware, they're paying, and will gladly pay a little extra, to see that wall to wall grin on the kids face. That's the way it's always been and always will be. The marketing gurus know what they're doing.

There is a whole lowrider/chopper bike subculture that has been around for years. Many people custom build their own.

www.phatcycles.com makes some cool chopper bikes.

pop culture fad.....but there will always be the underlying fan base.... I have a neighbor that just bought one to tool around on and he absolutely loves it....I just don't see the purpose....but I won't buy something I don't see a direct need for...