Originally Posted by danf58
Oh I don't know. My wife rides a 5 year old Mongoose from walmart. No name everything, I've never even heard of the derailer mfg. I changed to narrow slicks, tuned it well, set it up to fit her right, and life is good. She rides between 50 and 100 miles a week (spring to fall). It's not FAST, it's not even fast. But its as fast as the specialized comfort bikes she rides w/ so she's happy, comfortable, used to it, and etc.
No breakage problems, stays in tune, and a happy momma? I'm just fine w/that. Granted I'd never start there now.
And for a knock around bike sombody rode once a week? Who really cares?
It is like buying a dodge neon for $15,000 and replacing the transmission and motor for another $5000(because it is crap), when you could have just bought a Toyota Camry for 18,000 that will be reliable for 20 years.