Heavy overbuilt frame with large tubing. - frame weight contributes minimally to bike weight, and I doubt many are being told to buy heavy ones. It is just what fits pricepoint
Slow steering. -
Front shock. - i agree, this is oversold
Overbuilt heavy adjustable stem. - for someone new to the spory, who doesn't know what they want, and who will change position as they progress, adjustable is not a bad thimg. Confised on the heavy bit tho
Crank with chainring guard - sometimes with unremovable chainrings. - its a personal preference which affects almost nothing art the end of the day
Very large spread heavy cogset with bail out gear - regardless of where they live. - thats what you get with modern 7 speed freewheels, even if I question why they still exist. Surely it would be cheaper to spec everything with the same basic rear hub?
Large lycra covered gel padded saddle. - thats what people insist they want, and for someone whose summer riding consusts if a weekly trip to the ice cream shop, they make sense
Huge shifters. -
V brakes. - absolutely nothing wring with v brakes, probably the best option for any budget application
Big treaded tires. - im guessing most people find tires to be an after thought, and good luck getting most folks to undrrstand tge difference in tread requirements between bikes and cars
Large double bent flat bar. -
Thick ergonomic grips. - is this something people are really told they need?
Options I think they should have:
A standard butted steel or aluminum frame, with bosses for a rear rack and fenders. - most do
Medium steering. - still
Solid fork. - dont disagree
A good saddle (can be wide or sprung). - saddles are personal, what is "good" to me may be torture to you. Thats why bikes are sold with cheap plastic dealies, the expectation is that theyll be changed anyhow.
Appropriate light to medium weight high rise stem. - what if the person doesn't want a high rise?
Standard 110 crank, or mtn. equivalent. - i presume you mean BCD, how many newbies are truly swapping out chainrings?
Med to low gear drivetrain appropriate to location. (Shops CAN switch these out.) - when I meet newbies who dont even understand shifting, maybe itd be better to educate them on it before assuming a standard 30-120 or so GI gearing is not appropriate?
3 speed or 7 speed hub with 1x drivetrain. -
if a person is already balking over a $500 bike, what do you think theyll say about $150 to change those parts
Single speed. - they have it already?
Installed lightweight fenders and/or rack.- an option to anyone who wants them
Simple integrated front and rear battery powered light for visibility (not fancy). - i dont disagree there, but that is mfg option, not lbs, and useless for most people
Coaster brake. -already an option
Chain guard. - only possible on single speed/hub gearing
Drop or flat bars. - already an option
Caliper brakes. - already an option
Good 35mm to 42mm file tread, or touring tires. - already an option
26 OR 700c wheels.- much as i may not like it, 26" is going away. You do have the option of 700 or 650b tho
For more money they shoud be able to get the following:
Dyno hub. (By special order, assembled and shipped with bike.) - already a possibility
Basket. - already a possibility
Panniers. - already a possibility
1,2, or 3 ring crank. - already a possibility