Once again could I request an acronym clarification? I’m guessing here but is BSO = “budget submitting office”? Who knows, it could just as easily be “basic security option” or even “Bulgarian State orchestra” - frustrating....

No one here is questioning that Wal-Mart sells tons of bikes. Our objection to the sales of such large numbers is not coming from some Illuminati, snob secret society. It is actually coming from much more of a sharing, giving type ethic. We know our bikes and we possess the knowledge of what separates quality from, ahem....crap.

The explanation of how so many millions of bike buyers can be so un-interested in the probable reality that the heavy, unresponsive, potentially dangerous bike-like object that they are purchasing? How can we further this conversation without being accused of being elitist snobs?

I would submit that for me my reading of “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” by Robert Pirsig deeply influenced me. As did working in the back room of a former pro bike shop, struggling to stay viable by doing assembly on department store Huffy’s along with an inmate - Dave who taught me that cursing while manhandling a Huffy Scout from its factory box was mandatory. Also mandatory for assembly were cave man tools such as Vise Grips, pipe wrenches, oversized screwdrivers and large ball pein hammers.

The zinc plated machine spoked wheels wheels with their chromed steel rims always required tensioning and truing with the end result of frustrating amounts of labor hours yielding below average but “adequate for government work” level of mediocrity.

Pro-consumer, the market dictates what it needs folks can go ahead and thrash away at me, beginning now....