I've got a Mongoose from Walmart, and I've put approx. 10,000 miles on it over the past 6.5 years, including regular commuting, various training rides, a number of centuries, and a 200K brevet. I've ridden it in every kind of weather imaginable ... all year round.

And here's what I've done to it in the way of repairs and maintenance: I keep the chain lubricated, I fill the tires, and I've changed the tires once. I have had it in for a general tune-up once, and they replaced the chain for me at that time. That's it.

That Mongoose has been the BEST bicycle investment I've ever made!!! I spent a grand total of about $300 on it (including bar ends, pedals, and that tune-up) ... and I saved myself thousands of dollars in bus fare and gas.

He's been hibernating recently, but I'm about to dig him out again to use for commuting to work over the summer.

I don't know exactly what you're looking at there, but I can tell you that my shifters are also in my handlebars and they've worked fine all this time. I can also tell you that despite what certain people might think, a department store bicycle can be a good, solid, reliable bicycle.

Here's my Mongoose!