Originally Posted by gpsblake;15874191[B
]Disagree. Like I said, walk into any LBS shop and you'll see all kinds of bikes in there getting repaired. Often with a waiting list and sometimes several weeks before they can get to your bike.[/B]
What have I had to replace on my current Schwinn Sidewinder? Two things... Pedals (ten bucks) and tires (the stock tires got me about 3,000 miles, I got Continental Town and Country tires now). Only a few brake and gear adjustments.. Lube and clean the chain. Rode a Walmart Schwinn 2,000 miles in one month back in 2005.
Now of course I don't race the bike, nor ride in a peloton, nor do I try to impress others. However, for great exercise, getting from point A to B, and using it as a cargo bike, it works just as well as any other bike made. Your cardio rate will be the same rather you ride a 100 buck Walmart bike or a 10,000 dollar road bike.
Ever considered the fact that many of those bikes may be WM bikes in for adjustment? WM doesn't do bike repair or adjustment. Also, there are many people that have zero ability when it comes to fixing anything on a bike, even putting air in the tires.
I have been wrenching on bikes for close to 40 years and I can assure you that the "quality" of the big store bikes has been going steadily down hill. Yes you can get the occasional "good" bike from WM, but it is the exception rather than the rule.
Aaron
