Black wallnut 

My first adult bike was a Schwinn Broadway Hybrid. I put lots of miles on it for what it was. I did have to do some upgrades over time but I have had to do the same upgrades to an entry level Specialized road bike. The Schwinn is still wearing the cables it came with and the same chain. I did upgrade the rear wheel to a free hub one and I did upgrade the front wheel as well. I replaced the crankset but only because I ruined the oem one trying to get it off without the correct tool. Once I adjusted the derailleurs they have been flawless ever since. I finally, after 4 years replaced the handlebar grips. On my road and cx bikes I replace bar tape much more often than that! Many folks buy BSO's because that is all they are willing to spend at the time and frankly they likely would not buy a bike if it cost more. A BSO can be a good starting point if it lights the fire of enjoyment for cycling. It is also true that a bike shop bike that is properly assembled and tuned will more likely lead to an enjoyable experience. Folks like me that yearn for knowledge to fix things we own that don't work right are getting fewer each day. If I was not who I am my first bike purchase might not have worked out. For folks that are willing and able to learn from reading or watching videos starting with a low cost bike and setting the adjustments yourself can work. If you are a clyde though it would pay to also learn about wheels before riding much. I doubt mine would have been able to be saved as they were a poor design.

FWIW my Schwinn now gets less than 100 miles a year, way less.

I'm at 6156 miles YTD.

OneLessFixie

And goalie gear, which I understand is horrifically expensive.

Incidentally, I am jealous that you get to live in a civilised country (Stephen Harper and Jacques Parizeau excepted).

Oh, I agree. I just think that your kid's first bike, training wheels and all, doesn't necessarily have to come from a bike shop, same as your kid's first hockey skates. I would not even think about recommending a department store bike to an adult, least of all someone who is going to engage in any serious cycling. Mechanical issues are definitely there, and we haven't even started talking about fitting, something which for Clydes can be difficult even when done by actual medical professionals.

Harhir

I agree with that. Also it depends on who put it together. Same with the assembled BBQ they sell in front of the stores. This is why I bought my BBQ in the box. lol
Also if someone just wants to start riding once or twice a week these may work as well. Most of them will work well for a few miles a week. Eventually people might upgrade go for something better.

But I also advise friends to check on used bikes. Websites such as Craigslist often have good deals on used ones.

PatrickR400

I've spent a lot of time outside Canada and lots of that time was in the US. What I observe is that on an individual basis, most people are just fine regardless of where they are from.

Now put people in a group and the dynamic changes. We have our less than pleasant people here too; some people hate others for some imagined reason, mostly because of ignorance. Not crass ignorance, just not having been exposed to other groups of people.

Harper and Parizeau may be gone, Parizeau forever, but they are just figureheads. Close mindedness will survive.

Now, maybe we should stick to bikes...

Sullalto

Which is why I don't see anything wrong with them.

I tell people to buy the cheapest bike they'll want to ride every day.

Because if they ride every day for 6 months, they'll probably want a different bike than what they bought. So now they have a bigger budget for when they're committed.


They only have a picnic on the bike path 2-3 times a year? Well, that wal-mart special is probably adequate(clyde wheel problems excepted).

Of course, after riding for a couple years now I want a different bike(s) than the one I have. Guess it's time to N+1. Or N+2, really...how do spare wheelsets get counted on the N+_ scale?

TrojanHorse

wheelsets are not only free on the N scale, they are highly encouraged.

Carry on.

VCSL2015

This is nice when your out on a decent ride with them and they become tired. You can walk your bike and carry theirs.