Originally Posted by
Ultraspontane
I really do believe that big box store brands are capable of manufacturing higher quality bikes than what they are currently putting out.
Here is what they could do:
- Simplify the bike. Make it a 1x7, or a single speed.
- Use a friction shifter instead of the faux index shifter. It would be less expensive and more reliable.
- Don't use crappy components manufactured by third parties and badged as "Shimano" under licensing just so they can slap a sticker that says "Shimano" on the frame.
- Spend less money on the paint job and aesthetics, and more money on quality materials.
If they did those things, they could make a much better bike for the same price. I guess the problem is no one would buy it if it didn't have a flashy paint job and "Shimano" components like the Denali.
Its not a drop bar roadbike and I don't know how it would measure up to all your criteria but there has been some ho-hum praise on BF for the relatively simply-designed Mongoose Paver that sells at Walmart. (I know it uses a single chain-ring up front, and has no spring-shock fork), of course it comes in only one size, so that could be a problem for some.