Originally Posted by
onbike 1939
Cheaper bikes do tend to come with wheels which are not up to the job. This is where the manufacturers cut costs. However much trouble can be avoided if the wheels are properly and evenly tensioned and stressed/de-stressed before use. Even with bikes I've bought at around $2000 I found that the wheels required proper tensioning.
Agree completely - and spoke tensioning is something I'm very particular about on every bike I have the chance to prep myself. The other strategy I suggest is upgrading the wheelset BEFORE the bike leaves the store. That way the customer gets maximum credit against whats already on the bike, often including tires as well.
Not everyone wants or needs that, but it works out well for the ones that do.