This is a public service message from your friendly neighbourhood bicycle repairman...

A fellow I know thought he got a great deal on a Supercycle Tempo... an aluminum framed hybrid with entry level Shimano bits that sells for $160.00 Cdn. It could very well be made by Kent as I know they supply C-Tire with many models but that is not a certainty.

I said I would check it over for him and just left him a message to let him know he bought a bike shaped object and should return the bike for a full refund...for what he was willing to spend on set up as well as better tires he could get a much better used bike... because this bike will need more than just that.

The wheels and tires are crap... with no miles on the bike the rear tire already has stress cracks in the casing, the rear axle is bent, the spokes had grievously de-tensioned themselves and am not sure the wheels will stay true despite my best efforts (and I know my stuff). The crank is cheap and the spindle is too wide so tuning the front d is impossible, the brake pads already look like they have been used for 1000 miles of hard riding.

The front wheel was worse than the rear and would have taco'd under any hard impacts and again... I could not guarantee that the wheel would stay true.

And the ride... it could be one of the worst riding bikes I have ever ridden as even with the tires at 75 psi it was like riding a block of solid aluminum... harsh does not begin to describe it.

The rear freewheel sounds like it has no bearings... it rattles.

The no name brakes were not set up properly and are cheap, flexy, and weak.

I looked at the reviews for this bike and was astounded that it got as many positive reviews as it did... it's like these people purchased a completely different bike or are company shills.

http://reviews.canadiantire.ca/9045/...1P/reviews.htm