Originally Posted by
thdave
Dude,
I've been to a dozen college campus's in the past year. I have a HS senior, who's toured 6 of them. Some flat as a pancake. You're right-- most of the kids have mountain bikes. I fixed a woman's mountain bike, who's chain was stuck between gears. She didn't manage it just fine. Bottom line--they won't use the bikes much and will be frustrated with them as a means of transportation, since they'll need to deal with complex gears, greasy pants, and stripes up their back. All for a flat terrain.
Kids may like these bikes, but these students don't understand the benefit of fenders, baskets, and the like.
Seems like if you give them a bike that's not what they would buy on their own, they won't ride that as much, either. You fixed a woman's mountain bike... one that she bought/owned? one that she was
riding?
You are right. If you give them something that's too complicated to use, they won't use it. It will go to waste. But really, are we some serious brainiacs because we can work a derrailleur? It's not hassle-free, it's not maintenance-free, but it's not rocket science. And if you stick 2/3 of the incoming freshmen on the same model of bike, no one will have to look far for advice on how to ride it.
Me, I like a functional bike -- fenders, racks, etc., but that's not the most common style, that's not what's most popular, and you have to start somewhere. I think the mountain bikes are a good choice. If it were me, yes, I'd rather have the Amsterdam, but considering that when I wanted to buy an Amsterdam last year, not one bike shop in the area was carrying nor was planning to carry them, I'd say it's not what's currently in fashion. And, while I'm not familiar with the 820, I'd guess that they can take a rack, and hope that they can take fenders, and then all you have to worry about is your chain getting derailed. In a perfect world, perhaps, you'd want everyone to choose function over style, but until that world comes along, I think this is a good compromise.
But regardless of the choice of bikes, I think this is a good move. If you can get 2/3 of your student population to commit to a year without a car, then they'll see it can be done. And hopefully they'll also see that a bike could be a viable alternative.