Roadmaster India, Forever
#1
Senior Member
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Roadmaster India, Forever
I bought this bike about ten years ago(first photo). Although it looks nice in the photo attached, this was probably the worst bike of this type I have owned. The chrome is all flash chrome on the fittings, and it had white powdery corrotion all over it. The leather in the saddle was green with mildew, or mold right out of the box. the springs in the saddle weren't made of spring steel, and sacked/died the first time I sat on the bike. The brakes weren't brakes at all but were some sort of device that doen't ****** forward(or backward) motion at all. The tubes were some sort of conduit or something, very weak, very soft steel. The sprckets weren't straight, and the rear sprocket was off axis so thatthe chain went tight, then loose, then tight, and so on. I managed to clean it up quite a bit, and the guy who I bought it from instead of giving my money back sent me a Forever roadster from China (second photo), and I got to keep the Roadmaster. The Forever wasn't bad at all, much like a Raleigh except the pedals fell apart. I no longer have either, but I hoped you would like the photos.
#2
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your description of lack-of-Quality Control in India is appalling. It makes the quality of my worn 1920s BSA seem amazing in contrast.
I find all this quite disturbing given that the 2 major Indian bicycle makers (one even calls their bikes BSA) seem to have ISO 9002 quality ratings. And they have details like the correct pinstriping patterns spot-on. All of which counts for nothing if the build quality is so poor
thanks for the heads-up. I will stick to 80 year old examples of the Real Thing in the future
I find all this quite disturbing given that the 2 major Indian bicycle makers (one even calls their bikes BSA) seem to have ISO 9002 quality ratings. And they have details like the correct pinstriping patterns spot-on. All of which counts for nothing if the build quality is so poor
thanks for the heads-up. I will stick to 80 year old examples of the Real Thing in the future
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
From what I have experienced, I'd say the Chinese brands (which are only so-so) are a much better pick over the Indian.
#4
Uber Goober
I wouldn't assume all the Indian brands are the same, or that the current ones and old ones are the same. I've got an Arpan low-gravity bike. It's not great, but sounds like it maybe a bit higher quality than yours.
I've read in the past that these things sell for something like $30 in India. When you get one here, it's up to $200 or more, and you expect a $200 bike, not a $30 bike.
I've read in the past that these things sell for something like $30 in India. When you get one here, it's up to $200 or more, and you expect a $200 bike, not a $30 bike.
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#6
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a bit of advice -
India - don't buy anything from there.
China - bit better, but still quality is not as good as Taiwan.
Taiwan - very good.
Japan, italy, Australia, US, UK - Excellent.
India - don't buy anything from there.
China - bit better, but still quality is not as good as Taiwan.
Taiwan - very good.
Japan, italy, Australia, US, UK - Excellent.
Last edited by C_LOGAN; 06-06-09 at 04:00 AM.