Originally Posted by
iltb-2
Oh yeah, I do like to debate with the Group Thinkers mired in their own Conventional Wisdom about Real Commuting and Serious Cyclists. Unfortunately they prefer to ignore the argument and instead seek only discussion that is the equivalent of electronic group hugging.
I think I made the point that a far less expensive bike than the very nice bikes suggested by the OP would be just as suitable for the typical short distance commuter or utility cyclist. These bikes (simple one and 3 speeds with fenders, chainguards and kickstands) were at every bike retailer until the 70's when they were dropped like hot potatos for the latest marketing fad. Reintroduction and promotion at the department store outlets of those old fashioned low tech bikes that I previously mentioned would greatly expand the availability of bikes that were seen as practical for the intended purpose to the vast majority of the public (who choose never to set foot in an LBS.) Or have set foot inside an LBS and saw nothing that seemed to be worth their money for their intended purpose and everything they could desire if the intended purpose of a bike purchase was to ride in a peloton on the next club century ride.
I don't think the bikes you get from Target or Walmart today are as good as the bikes that Sears sold 30 or 40 years ago. We used to buy cheap bikes for our kids figuring they'd only use them for a year or two before they out grew them, but no more. It's not like the frames are going to suddenly disintegrate or anything but the assembly is so shoddy that we've had things come loose or come off both of my son's first bikes while he was riding them. I've seen bikes on display at Target with their forks on backwards. I've seen neighbor kid bikes with their forks on backwards.
If you're mechanically inclined and give a 'Mart bike a good going over before anyone rides it, they'e probably workable, but I'd hesitate to recommend one who expects a problem free ride into work several times a week.
The next step up from a 'Mart is a sporting goods store and that might be a good compromise between LBS and 'Mart except that I only see MTBs and Hybrids sold in those places.
I do agree that a 27 or 30 speed bike is probably overkill for a short commute and may be undesirable for anyone who doesn't really get bicycle gearing which I suspect is at least 70% of the public. A nice 1X8 would work well for them. Personally I don't think a 3 speed offers enough gear selection to be very helpful.