Thruster Fixie at Walmart for $99
02-04-15, 05:54 PM
#201
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FYI,
Beware of non name Bikes on Craigslist.
I have seen several where they said "generic frame, previous owner stripped it and I don't know what brand it was" and the bikes were clearly Thrusters with the logos removed.
And they were pricing the bikes at $200-$300
Beware of non name Bikes on Craigslist.
I have seen several where they said "generic frame, previous owner stripped it and I don't know what brand it was" and the bikes were clearly Thrusters with the logos removed.
And they were pricing the bikes at $200-$300
02-18-15, 05:23 AM
#202
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I think that if someone upped the parts quality a bit, it might be no worse a bike than the $300+ ones at the LBS.
Issues with the Thruster:
1. The bearings need adjustment - cost to fix = time only
2. The crank is junk - cost to fix = $39 from eBay
3. The brakes are junk - cost to fix - for me, time only - I have calipers in the junk bin - for someone having to buy calipers, maybe $30 from eBay
So in addition to the original Ben Franklin, add another $70 and you've got a $300+ equivalent bike? Sounds like a bargain to me...
Oh - one other thing I'd do - Replace the seat post and seat. But that's just me - not a function issue.
The rims on the stock bike, by the way ARE aluminum - not steel. Therefore, IMHO, the wheel set alone is worth the purchase price.
I'll post photos of the stock bike and its metamorphosis.
Issues with the Thruster:
1. The bearings need adjustment - cost to fix = time only
2. The crank is junk - cost to fix = $39 from eBay
3. The brakes are junk - cost to fix - for me, time only - I have calipers in the junk bin - for someone having to buy calipers, maybe $30 from eBay
So in addition to the original Ben Franklin, add another $70 and you've got a $300+ equivalent bike? Sounds like a bargain to me...
Oh - one other thing I'd do - Replace the seat post and seat. But that's just me - not a function issue.
The rims on the stock bike, by the way ARE aluminum - not steel. Therefore, IMHO, the wheel set alone is worth the purchase price.
I'll post photos of the stock bike and its metamorphosis.
02-18-15, 11:23 AM
#204
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God, those things are hideous. I wonder how the "color scheme" was decided on.
02-18-15, 11:27 AM
#205
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02-18-15, 12:15 PM
#206
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I assume, like everyone else, WalMart has a team of marketing nerds who tabulate trends so they can sell their ****. I'm just curious about how they came up with those things. The colors are pretty awful. I've garbage picked better looking bikes than those. It seems like you would just make them a little more "conservative" and utilitarian instead of the Ronald McDonald colors.
02-18-15, 05:13 PM
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I assume, like everyone else, WalMart has a team of marketing nerds who tabulate trends so they can sell their ****. I'm just curious about how they came up with those things. The colors are pretty awful. I've garbage picked better looking bikes than those. It seems like you would just make them a little more "conservative" and utilitarian instead of the Ronald McDonald colors.
