Now that I think about it, you're absolutely right. I don't think I'd want to ride downhill on a road bike that cost $100 new. I guess the original intent of my comment was along the lines of what "moxfyre" said... that the cheap bikes are really designed to emulate the current fad.

For example, mountain bikes are really popular in the USA right now, so the inexpensive bikes are designed to look like mountain bikes. However, we all know that they're not mtb's and that you'd probably get hurt if you took one on a serious trail ride.

The real irony of selling quasi-mtb's in Myrtle Beach is that our area is absolutely flat and paved. As you know, large-tread tires take a lot of effort to push down the street (compared to road bikes). We have a large immigrant community here and most of them get around on bikes of that type. I pass them every day and they're always grunting and groaning under the strain. If they had a basic road bike with narrow wheels... even a single speed... life would be a lot easier for them.