Originally Posted by
Reflector Guy
So I am assuming there would be some aspect of quality control, or some checks and balances to be sure the bikes go out the door in top notch condition?
Big box store bikes have an earned reputation of having no such thing. So basically anything is an improvement - starting with someone knowing which way the fork goes on. I'm arguing you can retain such knowledge in a community organization (and potentially lverage it when there's a pallet of each part) in a way that you can't when someone in the back room is being payed $5 per kitted box they open, has to work with exactly what's in that particular box, good or bad, and has to report to a manager who can't tell a bike from a kick scooter.
Most of us aren't buying bikes because we want to help out local teens or adults trying to get their lives in order
It can't be the only selling point, and to not break the others it can't cost much, but the social virtue of a product is actually a
huge market interest.
the bikes coming from this venture need to be priced competitively but of better quality than the Walmart bikes
Indeed they do.
and that is a very tall order.
Simplicity, volume, getting things right the first time for lower waste. Eg, why should a servicable 1x8 drivetrain cost more than a crappy 21 speed one? Less than half as many parts, made of slightly thicker metal.
Plus the partnerships that are getting them assembled having a role in calling attention to them as a good choice.