Department store bikes frame strength.
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: St. Pete, Florida
Posts: 1,258
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm no metalurgist, but that sounds wrong! I'll bet those Vitus and Alan frames weren't around very long- unless they were lugged frames, and the lugs were made out of a different alloy that would allow the flex; 'cause if aluminum flexes, it breaks- aluminum [I like the way the Aussies say it: Alu-minnie-um"!] has no elasticity- that is why all extant alu-minnie-um bikes are stiff.
EDIT: I just had to look up those Al. Vitus frames to see what the deal was. They were BONDED, lugged frames- that's what allowed the flex. Neat thing, though- I had never known about them.
#27
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times
in
635 Posts
IMO I think with all the lawyers we have these days the frames on these non bike shop bikes are made plenty strong. They are primarily sold to kids and people that want a bike to ride near home. None of these buyers are wight weenies so the tubing is thick and strong.
#29
Cathedral City, CA
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Cathedral City, CA
Posts: 1,504
Bikes: 2016 RITCHEY BreakAway (full Chorus 11), 2005 Ritchey BreakAway (full Chorus 11, STOLEN), 2001 Gary Fisher Tassajara mountain bike (sold), 2004 Giant TRC 2 road bike (sold)
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I think it is also easier to weld thicker tubes. You have more material to absorb and dissipate the heat. It's also less likely to burn through and there's probably a wider range of temperatures to work with. With thin materials you have to control the energy that you're putting into the work very closely.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: IL-USA
Posts: 1,859
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Warning: opinions ahead....
There is three main problems with department-store bicycles.
1) the frames usually don't come in a range of sizes, and usually the only size is for an early-teenager. If you are of a shorter stature than maybe you can get lucky--otherwise, you are doomed to failure. Riding comfort on an upright bicycle is difficult to achieve even under perfect standards--and you have no hope if the frame is too small. It aint gonna work right; it's going to make the riding pain much worse than normal. "Just raising the seat and handlebars" isn't the same thing.
2) if the bicycle is suspended at all, the suspension wears out rather quickly and squeaks and bounces, and usually there is no easy way to obtain the correct replacement parts. There are cheap generic bicycle shocks on ebay but finding one that fits & works properly can be a challenge.
3) the general functioning is often poor. Flexy brakes, poorly-functioning shifters, low-quality unshielded bearings. You can fix all this stuff, but it costs money--and it's really cheaper to just get a better bike to begin with.
The name-brands means nothing.
Department store bikes are all built crummy; they are designed for shoppers mainly buying on price.
Fun fact: with most bicycle brands, the lowest-priced bike model that bicycle shops sell is a higher-quality than the most-expensive bicycle that department stores are allowed to sell from that same brand-name.
There is three main problems with department-store bicycles.
1) the frames usually don't come in a range of sizes, and usually the only size is for an early-teenager. If you are of a shorter stature than maybe you can get lucky--otherwise, you are doomed to failure. Riding comfort on an upright bicycle is difficult to achieve even under perfect standards--and you have no hope if the frame is too small. It aint gonna work right; it's going to make the riding pain much worse than normal. "Just raising the seat and handlebars" isn't the same thing.
2) if the bicycle is suspended at all, the suspension wears out rather quickly and squeaks and bounces, and usually there is no easy way to obtain the correct replacement parts. There are cheap generic bicycle shocks on ebay but finding one that fits & works properly can be a challenge.
3) the general functioning is often poor. Flexy brakes, poorly-functioning shifters, low-quality unshielded bearings. You can fix all this stuff, but it costs money--and it's really cheaper to just get a better bike to begin with.
Department store bikes are all built crummy; they are designed for shoppers mainly buying on price.
Fun fact: with most bicycle brands, the lowest-priced bike model that bicycle shops sell is a higher-quality than the most-expensive bicycle that department stores are allowed to sell from that same brand-name.
#31
Señor Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,066
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 649 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
215 Posts
Warning: opinions ahead....
There is three main problems with department-store bicycles.
1) the frames usually don't come in a range of sizes, and usually the only size is for an early-teenager. If you are of a shorter stature than maybe you can get lucky--otherwise, you are doomed to failure. Riding comfort on an upright bicycle is difficult to achieve even under perfect standards--and you have no hope if the frame is too small. It aint gonna work right; it's going to make the riding pain much worse than normal. "Just raising the seat and handlebars" isn't the same thing.
2) if the bicycle is suspended at all, the suspension wears out rather quickly and squeaks and bounces, and usually there is no easy way to obtain the correct replacement parts. There are cheap generic bicycle shocks on ebay but finding one that fits & works properly can be a challenge.
3) the general functioning is often poor. Flexy brakes, poorly-functioning shifters, low-quality unshielded bearings. You can fix all this stuff, but it costs money--and it's really cheaper to just get a better bike to begin with.
The name-brands means nothing.
Department store bikes are all built crummy; they are designed for shoppers mainly buying on price.
Fun fact: with most bicycle brands, the lowest-priced bike model that bicycle shops sell is a higher-quality than the most-expensive bicycle that department stores are allowed to sell from that same brand-name.
There is three main problems with department-store bicycles.
1) the frames usually don't come in a range of sizes, and usually the only size is for an early-teenager. If you are of a shorter stature than maybe you can get lucky--otherwise, you are doomed to failure. Riding comfort on an upright bicycle is difficult to achieve even under perfect standards--and you have no hope if the frame is too small. It aint gonna work right; it's going to make the riding pain much worse than normal. "Just raising the seat and handlebars" isn't the same thing.
2) if the bicycle is suspended at all, the suspension wears out rather quickly and squeaks and bounces, and usually there is no easy way to obtain the correct replacement parts. There are cheap generic bicycle shocks on ebay but finding one that fits & works properly can be a challenge.
3) the general functioning is often poor. Flexy brakes, poorly-functioning shifters, low-quality unshielded bearings. You can fix all this stuff, but it costs money--and it's really cheaper to just get a better bike to begin with.
The name-brands means nothing.
Department store bikes are all built crummy; they are designed for shoppers mainly buying on price.
Fun fact: with most bicycle brands, the lowest-priced bike model that bicycle shops sell is a higher-quality than the most-expensive bicycle that department stores are allowed to sell from that same brand-name.
1) the frames usually don't come in a range of sizes, and usually the only size is for an early-teenager.
and:
Fun fact: with most bicycle brands, the lowest-priced bike model that bicycle shops sell is a higher-quality than the most-expensive bicycle that department stores are allowed to sell from that same brand-name.
#32
Walmart bike rider
The belief in the all department store bikes are the spawn of Satan reputation (i.e. "no bueno"), and conversely the fable that all LBS bikes are wonderful pieces of fine machinery assembled and fitted to the users with loving care by trained and devoted craftsman are yarns spun up by LBS personnel and its devotees as well as by believers of Internet blarney.
#33
Señor Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,066
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 649 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
215 Posts
I think the reasons more LBS bikes get worked on are (1) many of the bikes actually get ridden, while many X-Mart bikes see so little use there is never a need to repair or maintain, (2) the people who paid big $$$ at the LBS expect something close to proper function while XMart customers may never actually know what a proper functioning bike feels like to ride (and therefore think riding is frustrating and no fun - see #1 ), and (3) many LBS bikes last for years or decades of regular use when properly maintained while box store bikes become close to unserviceable after a season or two of regular use and are discarded or replaced.
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: St. Pete, Florida
Posts: 1,258
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'd suggest a #4 - someone who thinks $199 is a reasonable price for a bicycle is going to be extremely hesitant to pay what it costs to get LBS service and repairs. A $50 tune up is 25% of the cost of the entire bike. A $100 repair (and the lack of serviceability of many of the cheap components probably makes this an optimistic cost) is half the cost of the bike. Faced with the reality of what a properly functioning bike costs, many will conclude that bikes are junk and/or shops are a rip-off and permanently park the bike next to the unused treadmill, elliptical, and free-weights.
#35
Walmart bike rider
(3) many LBS bikes last for years or decades of regular use when properly maintained while box store bikes become close to unserviceable after a season or two of regular use and are discarded or replaced.
And yes, many people throw down good money on an LBS bike, then it sits in the garage for years... Craigslist is proof of this...
The point is, you can ride a department store bike, 1,000s of miles a year... Which is what I do... And you know, when I get bored or even the worst case scenario, the bike gets stolen or crashed, only a small amount to buy a fresh one. I've ridden department store Schwinn's from South Carolina to Texas, fully packed. The worse problem I encounter with Walmart bikes?? The pedals break easily, which is a $10 repair for an indestructible set of pedals from Western Auto.
Sure, if you want to ride in a group or for speed, a Walmart bike won't cut it (although I hear wonderful reports about the Denali).. they are heavy and you will get snobbed by the fashion nazis if you show up in a walmart bike to do a group ride.
I've never had a frame break, heck I've never had a CHAIN break on a Walmart bike. Sure I have to adjust the bike, adjust the brakes from time to time, replace the tires etc...
Cycling is what you make of it... If you are afraid to get your hands dirty and such, then yea, go for an LBS bike and pay them the yearly tax to tune it up and repair it for you.
#36
Banned
No, The Shop rate is the Overhead to run a Bike shop.. the Labor, Wages of the guy doing the work, is a small fraction of that .
even now the Min Wage is only a Buck an hour less ..
Brand names are a Commodity that is sold . and the old company just shut down , or the subcontractor changes to a Cheaper One.
If You get a wally world bike always have the sales receipt with you, [paper in good shape] if it craps Out have them replace it with a New One
even now the Min Wage is only a Buck an hour less ..
Brand names are a Commodity that is sold . and the old company just shut down , or the subcontractor changes to a Cheaper One.
If You get a wally world bike always have the sales receipt with you, [paper in good shape] if it craps Out have them replace it with a New One
Last edited by fietsbob; 01-07-15 at 06:38 PM.
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Southern Colorado
Posts: 493
Bikes: General 80's MTB "Icebreaker", Motobecane Grand Jubilee (vintage mint), Trek 1.1, 2014 Motobecane Mirage (steel) Trek 3500 MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
"Only a small amount to buy a fresh one."
I like to gaze upon and ride machines of worth. Price be darned.
Bought this here Motobecane Grand Jubilee for $50 at the thrift store. Paid close to $1000 for the Trek road bike that is a great escape. Both are high quality rides that will withstand the test of time. Well, the Motobecane already has..
High and low end of the scale, they beat the s### that is coming out of Wal Mart.
I like to gaze upon and ride machines of worth. Price be darned.
Bought this here Motobecane Grand Jubilee for $50 at the thrift store. Paid close to $1000 for the Trek road bike that is a great escape. Both are high quality rides that will withstand the test of time. Well, the Motobecane already has..
High and low end of the scale, they beat the s### that is coming out of Wal Mart.
Last edited by Motolegs; 01-07-15 at 07:25 PM.
#38
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
14 Posts
Ever been to a third world country like China???? None of them ride LBS quality bikes and they ride theirs day in, day out, decades at a time, never see a bike shop. The chicken plant in my town, dozens of bikes get ridden to work every day, again none of them an LBS bike....
SOME bikes from WM MAY be a good value, most aren't. I know, I have a whole shed full of them that were given to me, most will be stripped down for scrap.
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: NY state
Posts: 1,311
Bikes: See Signature...
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I had one of the first Mongoose bikes Walmart sold in the late 90's. A-50R I think (I wish I still had the frame!) I upgraded it heavily with REAL bike parts (full LX drivetrain) wheels, fork, etc. Beat the hell out of it, it never gave up. Then I failed to properly tighten the headset once, and the headtube developed a crack.
I'd buy that bike on craigslist if I could find another. Fit me so well and I loved the shape of the frame. Was not too bad for weight, either.
Cheaper bikes? I dunno...
I'd buy that bike on craigslist if I could find another. Fit me so well and I loved the shape of the frame. Was not too bad for weight, either.
Cheaper bikes? I dunno...
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 194
Bikes: 2018 Trek FX7.3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Interesting reading in the CPSC information. Here is the only reference on how the bike as a whole unit must perform.
So WM or anyone else (including an LBS) is completely in the clear to sell a bike that completely falls apart at 4.1 miles or after 501 feet of the cleated course.
The cleated course is a bunch of 1" x 1" lumber (eased on the leading and trailing edges to 1/2" at 45 degree angle) spaced 6 feet apart. That'll jar your fillings loose, but it's only for 500 feet total.
The only thing the CPSC seems to care about is reflectors. For that, the have very detailed specs, even listing viewing angles and nanometers. The spec for the reflective strip on a tire is 9 times longer than for the tire itself. A tire has one spec - don't blow off the rim at 110% of stated max pressure. The reflective strip has three or four tests, including the specifications on the brushes used on the abrasion tests.
They don't care if your bike disintegrates. They only care that you don't present an obstacle to vehicular traffic when it does.
A rider weighing at least 150 pounds must ride a bicycle at least 4 miles with the tires inflated to maximum recommended pressure. The rider must travel five times at a speed of at least 15 miles per hour over a 100 foot cleated course.
The cleated course is a bunch of 1" x 1" lumber (eased on the leading and trailing edges to 1/2" at 45 degree angle) spaced 6 feet apart. That'll jar your fillings loose, but it's only for 500 feet total.
The only thing the CPSC seems to care about is reflectors. For that, the have very detailed specs, even listing viewing angles and nanometers. The spec for the reflective strip on a tire is 9 times longer than for the tire itself. A tire has one spec - don't blow off the rim at 110% of stated max pressure. The reflective strip has three or four tests, including the specifications on the brushes used on the abrasion tests.
They don't care if your bike disintegrates. They only care that you don't present an obstacle to vehicular traffic when it does.
#41
Old Fart
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bumpkinsville
Posts: 3,348
Bikes: '97 Klein Quantum '16 Gravity Knockout
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
Interesting reading in the CPSC information. Here is the only reference on how the bike as a whole unit must perform.
So WM or anyone else (including an LBS) is completely in the clear to sell a bike that completely falls apart at 4.1 miles or after 501 feet of the cleated course.
The cleated course is a bunch of 1" x 1" lumber (eased on the leading and trailing edges to 1/2" at 45 degree angle) spaced 6 feet apart. That'll jar your fillings loose, but it's only for 500 feet total.
The only thing the CPSC seems to care about is reflectors. For that, the have very detailed specs, even listing viewing angles and nanometers. The spec for the reflective strip on a tire is 9 times longer than for the tire itself. A tire has one spec - don't blow off the rim at 110% of stated max pressure. The reflective strip has three or four tests, including the specifications on the brushes used on the abrasion tests.
They don't care if your bike disintegrates. They only care that you don't present an obstacle to vehicular traffic when it does.
So WM or anyone else (including an LBS) is completely in the clear to sell a bike that completely falls apart at 4.1 miles or after 501 feet of the cleated course.
The cleated course is a bunch of 1" x 1" lumber (eased on the leading and trailing edges to 1/2" at 45 degree angle) spaced 6 feet apart. That'll jar your fillings loose, but it's only for 500 feet total.
The only thing the CPSC seems to care about is reflectors. For that, the have very detailed specs, even listing viewing angles and nanometers. The spec for the reflective strip on a tire is 9 times longer than for the tire itself. A tire has one spec - don't blow off the rim at 110% of stated max pressure. The reflective strip has three or four tests, including the specifications on the brushes used on the abrasion tests.
They don't care if your bike disintegrates. They only care that you don't present an obstacle to vehicular traffic when it does.
Hiel Sheldon!
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 194
Bikes: 2018 Trek FX7.3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Yeah! Make the ****ermint force them to make higher quality bikes, so that Joe Sixpack will have to pay $450 instead of $99 for that bike that'll get ridden twice in the next year on smooth roads; the driveway; or grass. (The market apparently demands cheap crappy bikes, so the box stores are filling that demand. Lets screw that up with even more legislation! We can't leave consumers free to choose what quality they wish to purchase and pay for!)
Hiel Sheldon!
Hiel Sheldon!
Yes, you can have a $99 bicycle. I have no problem with that. Just don't believe that because it passes some gov't regs it is safe or roadworthy.
BTW, fixies with no chainguards fail the regs. For some reason, they are big on chainguards for single front and rear sprocket bikes. Couldn't care less about the derailleur bikes. Not sure what that's all about. If chainguards are important, then they are important for all bikes. If not, they must not be that important after all.
Last edited by tbo; 01-08-15 at 02:08 PM.
#43
Old Fart
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bumpkinsville
Posts: 3,348
Bikes: '97 Klein Quantum '16 Gravity Knockout
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
My problem is that the regulations they do have are useless and provide no protection to anyone, except possibly motorists. It's a charade. The fact that these regs exist make a normal consumer believe that it is a decent bicycle because it passes. But that is truly not the case. The loose regs exists so that real ones won't get written. That's dishonest. If you want no regs, that's fine. I can live with that.
Yes, you can have a $99 bicycle. I have no problem with that. Just don't believe that because it passes some gov't regs it is safe or roadworthy.
Yes, you can have a $99 bicycle. I have no problem with that. Just don't believe that because it passes some gov't regs it is safe or roadworthy.
BTW, fixies with no chainguards fail the regs. For some reason, they are big on chainguards for single front and rear sprocket bikes. Couldn't care less about the derailleur bikes. Not sure what that's all about. If chainguards are important, then they are important for all bikes. If not, they must not be that important after all.
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
I'd suggest a #4 - someone who thinks $199 is a reasonable price for a bicycle is going to be extremely hesitant to pay what it costs to get LBS service and repairs. A $50 tune up is 25% of the cost of the entire bike.
#45
Señor Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,066
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 649 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
215 Posts
BTW, fixies with no chainguards fail the regs. For some reason, they are big on chainguards for single front and rear sprocket bikes. Couldn't care less about the derailleur bikes. Not sure what that's all about. If chainguards are important, then they are important for all bikes. If not, they must not be that important after all.
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
Here's another data point for you to think about:
In the early 70's Mrs. Grouch and I had a lot of kids and not much money. A friend gave us a SchwinnTwinn single speed tandem bike that had been left out in the rain. Looking for a set of wheels to put onto it, the very first person I talked to had a bunch of parts taken off of a 5-speed SchwinnTwinn. He sold me everything for $30.00 which, at the time, was all the money that I had. I spread the rear triangle, made it work, and Mrs. Grouch and I were on the road and having fun together.
If you don't know, a SchwinnTwinn from that era was a carbon steel bike. In other words, similar to a department store bike frame. After building it up, Mrs. Grouch and I rode that bike for around 7 years. We rode it a lot because it was the best that we could afford and bicycling together was one of the few things that we could afford to do. On one overnight ride, Susan Notreangelo of RAAM fame, looked us up at the overnight stop to congratulate us for riding such a heavy bike on the hilly course. Never had any kind of a frame issue by the way.
That bike turned out to be a life style changer for us. Had it not been for that crummy old tandem I doubt I'd be posting here today so you might want to think twice the next time you are tempted to scoff at somebody riding a department store quality bike. If they are on the road whether for daily transportation or just having fun, they deserve a degree of respect.
In the early 70's Mrs. Grouch and I had a lot of kids and not much money. A friend gave us a SchwinnTwinn single speed tandem bike that had been left out in the rain. Looking for a set of wheels to put onto it, the very first person I talked to had a bunch of parts taken off of a 5-speed SchwinnTwinn. He sold me everything for $30.00 which, at the time, was all the money that I had. I spread the rear triangle, made it work, and Mrs. Grouch and I were on the road and having fun together.
If you don't know, a SchwinnTwinn from that era was a carbon steel bike. In other words, similar to a department store bike frame. After building it up, Mrs. Grouch and I rode that bike for around 7 years. We rode it a lot because it was the best that we could afford and bicycling together was one of the few things that we could afford to do. On one overnight ride, Susan Notreangelo of RAAM fame, looked us up at the overnight stop to congratulate us for riding such a heavy bike on the hilly course. Never had any kind of a frame issue by the way.
That bike turned out to be a life style changer for us. Had it not been for that crummy old tandem I doubt I'd be posting here today so you might want to think twice the next time you are tempted to scoff at somebody riding a department store quality bike. If they are on the road whether for daily transportation or just having fun, they deserve a degree of respect.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#47
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
14 Posts
Here's another data point for you to think about:
In the early 70's Mrs. Grouch and I had a lot of kids and not much money. A friend gave us a SchwinnTwinn single speed tandem bike that had been left out in the rain. Looking for a set of wheels to put onto it, the very first person I talked to had a bunch of parts taken off of a 5-speed SchwinnTwinn. He sold me everything for $30.00 which, at the time, was all the money that I had. I spread the rear triangle, made it work, and Mrs. Grouch and I were on the road and having fun together.
If you don't know, a SchwinnTwinn from that era was a carbon steel bike. In other words, similar to a department store bike frame. After building it up, Mrs. Grouch and I rode that bike for around 7 years. We rode it a lot because it was the best that we could afford and bicycling together was one of the few things that we could afford to do. On one overnight ride, Susan Notreangelo of RAAM fame, looked us up at the overnight stop to congratulate us for riding such a heavy bike on the hilly course. Never had any kind of a frame issue by the way.
That bike turned out to be a life style changer for us. Had it not been for that crummy old tandem I doubt I'd be posting here today so you might want to think twice the next time you are tempted to scoff at somebody riding a department store quality bike. If they are on the road whether for daily transportation or just having fun, they deserve a degree of respect.
In the early 70's Mrs. Grouch and I had a lot of kids and not much money. A friend gave us a SchwinnTwinn single speed tandem bike that had been left out in the rain. Looking for a set of wheels to put onto it, the very first person I talked to had a bunch of parts taken off of a 5-speed SchwinnTwinn. He sold me everything for $30.00 which, at the time, was all the money that I had. I spread the rear triangle, made it work, and Mrs. Grouch and I were on the road and having fun together.
If you don't know, a SchwinnTwinn from that era was a carbon steel bike. In other words, similar to a department store bike frame. After building it up, Mrs. Grouch and I rode that bike for around 7 years. We rode it a lot because it was the best that we could afford and bicycling together was one of the few things that we could afford to do. On one overnight ride, Susan Notreangelo of RAAM fame, looked us up at the overnight stop to congratulate us for riding such a heavy bike on the hilly course. Never had any kind of a frame issue by the way.
That bike turned out to be a life style changer for us. Had it not been for that crummy old tandem I doubt I'd be posting here today so you might want to think twice the next time you are tempted to scoff at somebody riding a department store quality bike. If they are on the road whether for daily transportation or just having fun, they deserve a degree of respect.
Schwinn was by no means a department store bike until after they went bankrupt. They were a quality (heavy quality) built bike. I have some current WM stuff where the welding jobs look like they were done by someone with zero welding experience, and they just went a head and painted over the splatter and holes anyway. IMHO the current quality of "department" store bikes continues to decline. I have owned my fair share of Huffy, Western Flyer and Ross bikes over the years. A Huffy from the 1980's is a much better quality bike than what is sold in it's place today. Many people buy brand names they recognize, not realizing that many if not most of those names have been sold to the highest bidder. Very few brands exist anymore that actually produce what they sell. They contract out the production and in many cases the assembly to the lowest bidder, you get what you pay for in most cases.
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#48
Senior Member
Next (bicycle company) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In 2002 132,000 Next Ultra Shock mountain bicycles with "Ballistic 105" front suspension forks were recalled in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). There were 20 reports of the suspension forks breaking on the Next Ultra Shock bicycles, resulting in 19 riders suffering injuries that include abrasions, concussions and chipped teeth.
...
During 2003, Dynacraft voluntarily recalled about 52,900 BMX bicycles whose stems could loosen during use, causing riders to lose control and fall. Dynacraft received 35 reports of stems loosening on these bicycles, resulting in one report of an injury (a broken finger).
...
During 2003, Dynacraft voluntarily recalled about 52,900 BMX bicycles whose stems could loosen during use, causing riders to lose control and fall. Dynacraft received 35 reports of stems loosening on these bicycles, resulting in one report of an injury (a broken finger).
Granted, dept. stores do sell A LOT of bikes so these numbers should be taken with a grain of salt. Something such as percentage of bikes recalled vs total bikes made would be more interesting.
#49
That Huffy Guy
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
Posts: 1,438
Bikes: Old School Huffy Bikes
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 79 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
Department store bike frames are usually indestructable especially the older steel USA built bikes. I got a 95 Huffy with many hard miles and I ride it hard and have no fear riding this bike anywhere.............
I also have a rare older Reflex MTB that has carbon fiber tubes and I always got that slight thing in my brain that worries about any issues with the "plastic" or the "glue".......
I also have a rare older Reflex MTB that has carbon fiber tubes and I always got that slight thing in my brain that worries about any issues with the "plastic" or the "glue".......
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
oppai
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
48
10-01-14 07:58 PM