Originally Posted by
squirtdad
....the components of cheap bikes are not durable and hard to work on.
There are some excpetions for kids ....like a good quality BMX bike in the $200 - 250 range (ie Haro) is pretty close to indestructable
So what is the answer?....... it would be pretty easy to get a quality bike at a reasonsble price point by choosing minimal simple parts, say a single speed (coaster or hand brakes), or a english 3 speed style ...either 3 sped IGH or a 6/7 speed derailer with a simple friction shifter.
Someone else had exactly the same thought and came up with "The Big BMX":
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/articl...n-the-uk-25635
It's not as cheap as I'd like, but it could get cheaper with more production. The bike comes as a singlespeed with rim brakes but can be upgraded to an IGH with discs.