bikerosity57

So I finally got a chance to take a few photos of the Kent tandem.
The story is this: There's a new mom and pop bike shop down town that has this same exact tandem for $379 which I thought was a great price. Then of course I find the EXACT same bike available from Walmart for $269 (that's one hundred and ten dollars LESS) I like the look of the bike, and the Walmart feedback sounded really good, so we ordered it.
I came in last Friday, and I assembled it in less than an hour, and everything works (more or less) right out of the box. The brakes could be better, but they work. The saddles are really bad. The shifters work OK, but you need to over shift just slightly to go from a )physically) smaller sprocket to a larger one, but it really isn't bad. Probably just an adjustment thing.
It's a fine looking bike that rides pretty darn good considering the very low price ( less than two good tubular tires).
No it isn't as well made as some bikes, but it is SURPRISINGLY well made for the extremely low price.
Better tires, and saddles, plus better brakes or pads, and I believe it could be successfully used as a real road bike.
Have a look, and tell me if you think it's worth $269

PMK

Not to be a smarty pants, the real question is are you happy with your bike, which it seems you are.

For $269, it will be easy to recover your investment in casual rides. It may not hold up to the annual miles many of us ride, nor be comforting at some of the insane top speeds reached by some. Knowing the bikes limits will ensure your satisfaction.

You got into tandem bikes, which is what this place is about. I'm glad to see others enjoy what we found out not long ago.

There have been a bunch of recent topics about economy tandems. Hopefully your bike fulfills all your desires and lasts for you.

For many teams these are perfect bikes for them, or with minor upgrades just right. Please be careful, smart, and safe as you are now responsible for two riders.

PK

Murf524

Welcome to the world of tandems. I hope that you and your stoker have many fabulous rides.


My diatribe
Glad you love the bike but in the long run you may have false economy. My local bike store may be higher priced than the internet and Walmart on some items but...

A quality bike shop will have checked the tightness of all the bolts, adjusted the derailleurs and brakes, maybe even have checked the frame alignment. - Walmart hands a pair of pliers and allen wrench to someone making minimum wage and occasionally puts air the tires before sending you out the door.

a new bike gets 3 months of adjustments for free (I'm going on 6 years now)

My local shop mechanics have stayed late, opened early, delivered repairs for me too many times to count. In nearly 9 years of working with them I've more than received $100 in service.

Sometimes you have to look beyond first cost.

bikerosity57

You really can't argue with the idea that buying a tandem from a quality bike shop. Certainly all of my other bikes, except my current road race bike which I bought from Bikesdirect, have been bought at that quality shop. The only reason I mention buying it from Walmart at all is that you may know others out there who would be interested in trying a tandem, but can't or won't spend the minimum of around $1500 for the average good quality lower priced model.
This is a reasonable mount for a pittance. My riding shorts, helmet, shoes, and glasses together cost me more than this whole bike.
It rides reasonably well, and yes we're happy with it. I can imagine us up-grading this bike and buying a much better one in the future too.
More in a few days.

zonatandem

Supposedly Wallmart has a return policy if you bring it back in under 30 days.
Cheaper than renting a tandem.
Good luck.