Why "X"-Mart bikes suck
05-07-05 | 12:08 AM
#52
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by RubenZ
While I agree wal-mart bikes suck, sometimes its all parents can afford and I dont care about you all, but when I was growing up a quality bike was the last thing on my mind. I just wanted a bike to go ride around with the local neighborhood kids. And I loved my parents for working hard and getting me a bike. I was of the up bringing that if its free and I didnt have it before, LOVE IT.
Now that I work and I'm graduating from college I'm able to buy what I want...
The I'd rather walk comments are really interesting. I can name more than 5 situations where you'd gladly jump on a wal-mart bike given certain cituations
Now that I work and I'm graduating from college I'm able to buy what I want...
The I'd rather walk comments are really interesting. I can name more than 5 situations where you'd gladly jump on a wal-mart bike given certain cituations
The second was a huffy, with banana seat that lasted me quite a long time. As a kid, I'm sure I wasn't capable of exerting the type of force required to tear the cranks off and the weight to taco wheels. Coaster brakes, no problem. Everybody thought they were cool be you would always "skid out" when you hit them.
The longevity of the bike was probably assisted by the fact that my father assembled it in a 3-4 hours of meticulously crawling over directions instead of a flunky who has to put together 6-8 bikes in an hour.
My THIRD bike was a hand me down Schwinn Traveler. I lament having abandoned it at school. Though the bike was too small for me, it truly was a classic.
Dept store bikes are probably good for kids who are going to either wreck their bikes or simply abandon them in the garage like so many toys and games that they've outgrown. A kid who sticks to it can probably then seek solace at the LBS who will be happy to sell them all the BMX bling they like.
In the end, all those kids end up abandoning those well built BMX bikes as well, but at least they have a bit of resale value.
Adult sized people have no business buying ANY kind of department store bike. The sole exception may be Iron Horse which puts out an OK bike.
05-07-05 | 12:12 AM
#53
I drink your MILKSHAKE
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 15,061
Likes: 3
From: St. Petersburg, FL
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity
Originally Posted by willtsmith_nwi
The second was a huffy, with banana seat that lasted me quite a long time. As a kid, I'm sure I wasn't capable of exerting the type of force required to tear the cranks off and the weight to taco wheels. Coaster brakes, no problem. Everybody thought they were cool be you would always "skid out" when you hit them.
The longevity of the bike was probably assisted by the fact that my father assembled it in a 3-4 hours of meticulously crawling over directions instead of a flunky who has to put together 6-8 bikes in an hour.
The longevity of the bike was probably assisted by the fact that my father assembled it in a 3-4 hours of meticulously crawling over directions instead of a flunky who has to put together 6-8 bikes in an hour.
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05-07-05 | 12:40 AM
#55
I drink your MILKSHAKE
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 15,061
Likes: 3
From: St. Petersburg, FL
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity
Originally Posted by RubenZ
thats also true. Back then Huffy was "top of line" dept store bike.
I've offered to fly up and take him to get a spanky new bike, but his local wrench (who he's been doing business since before I was so much as a twinkle in his eye) has kept the old Huffy running for him all this time so I figure so long as he's happy why fight it
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05-07-05 | 09:26 AM
#56
Thread Starter
Ex Go-Kart racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: PA
Bikes: Trek Bruiser 2
I thought that big wheel were the things with the giant front wheel attached to the pedals, i loved mine, and had the two wheels in the back. Wouldn't that qualify as a tricycle then not a bicycle.
05-07-05 | 09:37 AM
#57
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
While we're on the subject of X-mart, let me tell you another story about them.
I work for a consumer products company and Wal-Mart accounts for 40% of our sales. Being in control of such a large volume of our business means WM can force us to do some...interesting...things.
The main thing WM does is they set the price they will buy your product for. For example, they may say "We'll buy this box of sandwich bags for $1.20 and sell it for $1.40." We say "But our costs are $1.20 to produce it. We can't make a profit." They say "Fine, sell to someone else then."
So what do we do? We make a special "Wal-mart" version of the product in order to reduce our costs and sell to them at $1.20. The bag is thinner, the seals are poorer, and plastic used is inferior. But you, the consumer may not know this unless you look VERY closely at the packaging.
OK, not a very big deal, as it's only a sandwich bag. But we're not the only ones who do this. Virtually every supplier to Wal-Mart has a cheaper, lower quality version of their product that looks almost identical to the product you'd buy elsewhere but has noteable differences. Think about this next time you consider buying a TV, stereo, power tool, or computer from your local WM.
There's a reason WM is cheaper.
I work for a consumer products company and Wal-Mart accounts for 40% of our sales. Being in control of such a large volume of our business means WM can force us to do some...interesting...things.
The main thing WM does is they set the price they will buy your product for. For example, they may say "We'll buy this box of sandwich bags for $1.20 and sell it for $1.40." We say "But our costs are $1.20 to produce it. We can't make a profit." They say "Fine, sell to someone else then."
So what do we do? We make a special "Wal-mart" version of the product in order to reduce our costs and sell to them at $1.20. The bag is thinner, the seals are poorer, and plastic used is inferior. But you, the consumer may not know this unless you look VERY closely at the packaging.
OK, not a very big deal, as it's only a sandwich bag. But we're not the only ones who do this. Virtually every supplier to Wal-Mart has a cheaper, lower quality version of their product that looks almost identical to the product you'd buy elsewhere but has noteable differences. Think about this next time you consider buying a TV, stereo, power tool, or computer from your local WM.
There's a reason WM is cheaper.
05-07-05 | 09:45 AM
#58
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: Waterford/Trumbull, CT
Bikes: Iron Horse Rogue / Mongoose ALD Pro / Fuji Sunfire
Originally Posted by Akak
Virtually every supplier to Wal-Mart has a cheaper, lower quality version of their product that looks almost identical to the product you'd buy elsewhere but has noteable differences. Think about this next time you consider buying a TV, stereo, power tool, or computer from your local WM.
I've seen the POS computers they sell there, crap to say the least!
05-07-05 | 10:16 AM
#59
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans
Bikes: 2005 hard rock pro
Originally Posted by Akak
While we're on the subject of X-mart, let me tell you another story about them.
I work for a consumer products company and Wal-Mart accounts for 40% of our sales. Being in control of such a large volume of our business means WM can force us to do some...interesting...things.
The main thing WM does is they set the price they will buy your product for. For example, they may say "We'll buy this box of sandwich bags for $1.20 and sell it for $1.40." We say "But our costs are $1.20 to produce it. We can't make a profit." They say "Fine, sell to someone else then."
So what do we do? We make a special "Wal-mart" version of the product in order to reduce our costs and sell to them at $1.20. The bag is thinner, the seals are poorer, and plastic used is inferior. But you, the consumer may not know this unless you look VERY closely at the packaging.
OK, not a very big deal, as it's only a sandwich bag. But we're not the only ones who do this. Virtually every supplier to Wal-Mart has a cheaper, lower quality version of their product that looks almost identical to the product you'd buy elsewhere but has noteable differences. Think about this next time you consider buying a TV, stereo, power tool, or computer from your local WM.
There's a reason WM is cheaper.
I work for a consumer products company and Wal-Mart accounts for 40% of our sales. Being in control of such a large volume of our business means WM can force us to do some...interesting...things.
The main thing WM does is they set the price they will buy your product for. For example, they may say "We'll buy this box of sandwich bags for $1.20 and sell it for $1.40." We say "But our costs are $1.20 to produce it. We can't make a profit." They say "Fine, sell to someone else then."
So what do we do? We make a special "Wal-mart" version of the product in order to reduce our costs and sell to them at $1.20. The bag is thinner, the seals are poorer, and plastic used is inferior. But you, the consumer may not know this unless you look VERY closely at the packaging.
OK, not a very big deal, as it's only a sandwich bag. But we're not the only ones who do this. Virtually every supplier to Wal-Mart has a cheaper, lower quality version of their product that looks almost identical to the product you'd buy elsewhere but has noteable differences. Think about this next time you consider buying a TV, stereo, power tool, or computer from your local WM.
There's a reason WM is cheaper.
ok ,this is al long video but if you somewhat interested in politics/economics and what not you should watch it .this explains exactly how walmart does buisness,and why their products are doomed to suck!!!
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl.../walmart/view/
05-07-05 | 11:25 AM
#60
I need more bikes!!!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Durham, NC
Bikes: 2 roadies, 7 fixed-gears, 1 hardtail, 1 full suspension mtb, and 1 hybrid...so far.
They serve a purpose and are all the bike some people ever need.
I have a Jeep Wrangler w/ front suspension from Sears that was
replaced by a Specialized Epic earlier this week. The good bike is
for the trails and the Jeep is for commuting on in a high theft area.
I have a Jeep Wrangler w/ front suspension from Sears that was
replaced by a Specialized Epic earlier this week. The good bike is
for the trails and the Jeep is for commuting on in a high theft area.
05-07-05 | 06:46 PM
#62
Stuck in Toeclips
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 241
Likes: 23
Bikes: https://thesearemikesbikes.blogspot.com/2023/06/mikes-bikes.html
>>Contractors who get paid by the piece not the hour. They slap those things together in the most appalling ways. Don't try me on this I know better. By the way a quarter inch on a cable that's installed at the factory only emphasizes my point.<<
To re-emphasize, all four department store Schwinns we have were put together just fine, except for one that needed a 1/4" FD cable adjustment. One minor squawk in four bikes from three different department stores is a pretty good score card, IMO. Of course, four bikes is a small sample, however none of the department store Schwinns I've looked at fit your "slapped together" characterization.
>>All LOW end bottom rung stuff. Sure it has the big name but the parts are sh1t<<
I wouldn't expect anything but the low end on this level of bike, but the fact is, these parts perform just fine. I've had high-end Shimano & Campy on my road bikes. It's beautiful, light, and durable. You lose the beauty and light weight with the Tourney that comes with the Schwinns, but it's all running just fine after several hundred miles. I don't know much about low-end Campy, but Shimano figured out long ago how to make good cheap derailleurs ... which is why so many brands present in the 70s/80s are no longer around. The Shimano stuff just works, and if you want to pay more money you get better strength-to-weight ratio and finish.
To re-emphasize, all four department store Schwinns we have were put together just fine, except for one that needed a 1/4" FD cable adjustment. One minor squawk in four bikes from three different department stores is a pretty good score card, IMO. Of course, four bikes is a small sample, however none of the department store Schwinns I've looked at fit your "slapped together" characterization.
>>All LOW end bottom rung stuff. Sure it has the big name but the parts are sh1t<<
I wouldn't expect anything but the low end on this level of bike, but the fact is, these parts perform just fine. I've had high-end Shimano & Campy on my road bikes. It's beautiful, light, and durable. You lose the beauty and light weight with the Tourney that comes with the Schwinns, but it's all running just fine after several hundred miles. I don't know much about low-end Campy, but Shimano figured out long ago how to make good cheap derailleurs ... which is why so many brands present in the 70s/80s are no longer around. The Shimano stuff just works, and if you want to pay more money you get better strength-to-weight ratio and finish.
05-07-05 | 07:01 PM
#63
I drink your MILKSHAKE
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 15,061
Likes: 3
From: St. Petersburg, FL
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity
Hey Sparky try this 
it looks a LOT better.
<sarcasm>Don't take my word for it. I only repair dept store bikes everyday. It's not like I know what I'm talking about or anything</sarcasm>
You lose smoothness and durabilty as you drop component levels and as for the Tourney's they tend not to hold an adjustment as well as even a Acera level component. Tourney is CRAP
How'd you like the one size fits all frames?
it looks a LOT better.
Originally Posted by mikeoverly
>>Contractors who get paid by the piece not the hour. They slap those things together in the most appalling ways. Don't try me on this I know better. By the way a quarter inch on a cable that's installed at the factory only emphasizes my point.<<
To re-emphasize, all four department store Schwinns we have were put together just fine, except for one that needed a 1/4" FD cable adjustment. One minor squawk in four bikes from three different department stores is a pretty good score card, IMO. Of course, four bikes is a small sample, however none of the department store Schwinns I've looked at fit your "slapped together" characterization.
To re-emphasize, all four department store Schwinns we have were put together just fine, except for one that needed a 1/4" FD cable adjustment. One minor squawk in four bikes from three different department stores is a pretty good score card, IMO. Of course, four bikes is a small sample, however none of the department store Schwinns I've looked at fit your "slapped together" characterization.
Originally Posted by mikeoverly
>>All LOW end bottom rung stuff. Sure it has the big name but the parts are sh1t<<
You lose the beauty and light weight with the Tourney that comes with the Schwinns, but it's all running just fine after several hundred miles.
You lose the beauty and light weight with the Tourney that comes with the Schwinns, but it's all running just fine after several hundred miles.
How'd you like the one size fits all frames?
__________________
05-08-05 | 02:14 AM
#64
What?
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 0
From: N. Tx
Bikes: Bianchi Brava(retired), Surly Instigator(retired)
https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~thom9719/walmart.htm
Got this video off of nsmb.com, thought someone could watch it.
Got this video off of nsmb.com, thought someone could watch it.
05-08-05 | 02:18 AM
#65
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 0
From: Spain, although I'm Hungarian
Bikes: Check signature
Originally Posted by HammerTheHill
https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~thom9719/walmart.htm
Got this video off of nsmb.com, thought someone could watch it.
Got this video off of nsmb.com, thought someone could watch it.
Pretty funny if you ask me.
05-08-05 | 02:25 PM
#66
Stuck in Toeclips
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 241
Likes: 23
Bikes: https://thesearemikesbikes.blogspot.com/2023/06/mikes-bikes.html
Who's "Sparky?"
>>I only repair dept store bikes everyday.<<
Do you work in a bike shop? If so, would say more sales of x-mart bikes hurt your business? Help your business? Or don't make any difference to your business?
As for the high-end vs. low-end Shimano, I've yet to see either the high or low-end of that line break or rapidly lose adjustment without abuse/neglect by the rider.
>>How'd you like the one size fits all frames<<
The one-size-fits all frame will exclude some riders, but mountain bike frames are so compact to begin with that most people find what they need in seatpost & bar adjustment. In any case, if I liked the frame size when I bought it, you can be assured that I still like the size today.
>>I only repair dept store bikes everyday.<<
Do you work in a bike shop? If so, would say more sales of x-mart bikes hurt your business? Help your business? Or don't make any difference to your business?
As for the high-end vs. low-end Shimano, I've yet to see either the high or low-end of that line break or rapidly lose adjustment without abuse/neglect by the rider.
>>How'd you like the one size fits all frames<<
The one-size-fits all frame will exclude some riders, but mountain bike frames are so compact to begin with that most people find what they need in seatpost & bar adjustment. In any case, if I liked the frame size when I bought it, you can be assured that I still like the size today.
05-08-05 | 07:43 PM
#68
close to 2000
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,856
Likes: 0
From: ontario, canada
Bikes: 05 Brodie Diablo - 06 Norco 416
My friend bought an X-mart Diamondback and man was it a piece, the crank arms actually fell off, bars bent, rims tacoed, seat/seat post bent, and the list goes on. But do I really need to continue? I had a X-mart CCM awhile back and I destroyed the rear derailer within the first 2 weeks I had it, it became a manual changer. Some how I still have it and I use it as a makeshift trials bike (it's good for doing manuals )
)
05-08-05 | 11:37 PM
#69
I drink your MILKSHAKE
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 15,061
Likes: 3
From: St. Petersburg, FL
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity
Originally Posted by mikeoverly
Who's "Sparky?"
Originally Posted by mikeoverly
Do you work in a bike shop? If so, would say more sales of x-mart bikes hurt your business? Help your business? Or don't make any difference to your business?
Of course I work in a shop. X-mart bikes neither help nor hinder our business because for every five of them that come in for repairs two decide it's not worth it, one decides to have us work on it then abandons it, and two pay half what the bike cost new in repairs that may carry them another six months
Originally Posted by mikeoverly
As for the high-end vs. low-end Shimano, I've yet to see either the high or low-end of that line break or rapidly lose adjustment without abuse/neglect by the rider.
Originally Posted by mikeoverly
but mountain bike frames are so compact to begin with that most people find what they need in seatpost & bar adjustment.
Try this next time.
__________________
05-09-05 | 04:42 PM
#70
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: Waterford/Trumbull, CT
Bikes: Iron Horse Rogue / Mongoose ALD Pro / Fuji Sunfire
What most people don't get is that you don't have to go to Wally World to get a bike if you are short on cash. Case in point my Fuji Sunfire, boxed brand new off of ebay and shipped to my door. It cost me 200 bucks with shipping and it will kick the living **** out of any junk Toys R Us/WM toy. It's been two years and it has been a workhorse that has seen everything from Boston streets to all day hikes through the woods, and it now doubles as my city bike and my dad's MTB.
Sadly, the educated consumer in this country is dying a slow death. If people actually spent some time and reaserched what they buy things would be a lot better.
Sadly, the educated consumer in this country is dying a slow death. If people actually spent some time and reaserched what they buy things would be a lot better.
Last edited by valbowski1980; 05-09-05 at 07:56 PM.
05-09-05 | 05:06 PM
#71
Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Actually, i think the problem (well with younger buyers anyway) is that people really just don't realize that there are better options than getting a department store bike. Hell, when i got my fs bike from costco when i was 13 i didn't even know here were such things as bike stores. It was either toysrus, canadian tire, walmart, or zellers. Or perhaps this is only an experience that i share as i live in a suburb with one ****ty bike/badminton store that opened last year.
However, my fs bike did last me quite a while. It put up with all the abuse i put it through until i messed around with the derailler adjustments and the hangar got sucked into the spokes....but that was my fault. Luckily, at costco, everything is refundable...haha...even after being its been destroyed.
However, my fs bike did last me quite a while. It put up with all the abuse i put it through until i messed around with the derailler adjustments and the hangar got sucked into the spokes....but that was my fault. Luckily, at costco, everything is refundable...haha...even after being its been destroyed.
05-09-05 | 06:13 PM
#72
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Bikes: 2016 KONA Process 134 DL
really what is it boils down to is money. In my late teens my cousin and I loved biking out in the trails. But when we went to the LBS and saw the price tags we ran out easily and never looked back. It wasnt until later and got a job that I started to really research it and was in shock when I saw that good bikes could have been had for descent prices.
05-09-05 | 06:54 PM
#73
DEADBEEF
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,234
Likes: 10
From: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
This thread brings to mind an old post of mine that I had to go drag out of the USENET archives.
The thing is, you ride what you can. For some people, especially kids, that means they ride what mommy and daddy bought from X-Mart. This is unfortunately the parents' fault for not being educated enough to go to a LBS. And as has been mentioned, a LBS bike does not have to be expensive.
The other thing is the economics of it all... A friend of mine thought he picked up a steal when he bought one of those flooded-to-department-store Mongoose bikes at Wal-Mart. I think he said he paid about $150 for it or something. He hasn't been able to ride it more than half a block without the chain falling off. He would then reattach the chain by hand, ride a little more and have the chain fall off again. He has taken it back to Wal-Mart and they attempted to "adjust things" but he still says the chain keeps dropping. I haven't actually seen or messed with his bike since he's all the way on the other side of the country. I imagine it could be something as simple as too long a chain. I told him to take it to a decent LBS and have it looked at. After visiting an LBS and seeing what a quality bike really is as well as factouring in the cost in the long run to keep his Mongoose in good repair, he decided to not have them do anything to his Mongoose and picked up an entry level Giant.
Purchasing a bike from Wal-Mart is like eating fastfood. The purchase is fast, the eating is fast, the onset of indigestion is fast and for one's dignity the time it takes to reach the toilet better be fast too.
Code:
From: k...@NEEBU.Net (Jake Khuon)
Newsgroups: alt.mountain-bike,rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Re: What's wrong w/ K-mart bikes if componentry is the same?
Date: 14 Jan 2001 03:43:07 GMT
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### On Sun, 07 Jan 2001 07:07:10 GMT, r...@ecst.csuchico.edu (Rex Dean Kerr
### III) [RDKI] casually decided to expound upon rec.bicycles.misc the
### following thoughts about Re: What's wrong w/ K-mart bikes if componentry
### is the same?:
RDKI> In article <t5enkg5du50...@corp.supernews.com>,
RDKI> Eliyahu <lro...@hotmail.com> wrote:
RDKI> >Actually, a surprising number of department store bikes are now coming with
RDKI> >such amenities as alloy rims, real brakes, grip shift, alloy frames, and
RDKI> >similar things that we expect on bike shop bikes. I haven't done any road
RDKI> >testing of them, but I will say that as a former LBS owner, I'm impressed by
RDKI> >the improvements over department store bikes of previous years. There are
RDKI> >still a lot of them sold with steel brakes and rims, one-piece cranks and
RDKI> >such, but we are seeing that Huffy, Royce Union, et al, can produce
RDKI> >something better if they want to. Even allowing for the use of low-end
RDKI> >components, I'm not sure how they manage to produce a bike with full
RDKI> >suspension, aluminum frame, alloy rims, stem, bars, cranks and seat post,
RDKI> >Grip Shift, Q/R F hub and seat clamp, and sell it for $129.
RDKI> >Take a minute to look at them the next time you're at KMart or WalMart. It's
RDKI> >an interesting change...
RDKI>
RDKI> I've noticed that the higher end department store bikes are getting
RDKI> closer to the lower end bike store bikes... also, the price per quality
RDKI> point seems to be dropping. Last night I noticed that a Roadmaster similarly
RDKI> speced to a Roadmaster I'd bought years ago on my McDonald's wage (at the time)
RDKI> for $140 was selling for $50... it was a scary death trap that I wouldn't
RDKI> wish on anybody (plastic brake levers pulling cheap side pull brakes on
RDKI> steel rims!), and poorly assembled, but regardless... I was shocked...
RDKI>
RDKI> HOW do they ever make something that looks like a bike, ship it, assemble
RDKI> it, and sell it for $50 and still make profit for each person in the chain?
RDKI> amazing!
My childhood was littered with department store bikes. The BMXes were
simple and took punishment well but I grew out of those rather quickly. My
ten-speed Roadmaster lasted a single year because I started taking it
offroad. My first mountain bike was a Huffy (ca 1986). It had a six-speed
rear and double-ring cranks. Don't ask me what the teething combinations
were. The frame was suprisingly well built and of course VERY heavy. It
didn't have crimped dropouts... I think it had stamped dropouts that were
welded on though. It probably weighed close to 35lbs. It had one of those
bull-moose handlebars and everything was made of hi-ten steel. Components
sucked... one peice cranks sucked but at least they were all metal... even
brake levers were metal. Well.. the friction thumbshifters were plastic.
That bike always required constant adjustment and maintenance because things
would just go out of adjustment. The brakes were scary caliper sidepulls
and weren't very powerful. This taught me to plan my line and my speeds
very carefully. The rims were steel and the drivetrain.. well... let's just
say that shifting was less than precise and oftentimes developed a mind of
its own. However, I did take it on some serious trails and as a result did
learn a lot about what I wanted in a good bicycle. I also ended up doing a
lot of repair work on the thing (rebuilt the drivetrain twice) and learned a
lot about repairing things on the trails.
Despite all I've said about the benefits of my experiences, I don't wish it
upon anyone else. I'm stubborn so I stuck with the sport. I don't honestly
think everyone should suffer for what they love. It wasn't until I could
scrounge up enough money to buy a good bike (okay, it was a 1988 Specialized
HardRock... still quite a step up from the Huffy) at the age of 16 after
getting a job that I began to appreciate (maybe a wrong term here) the more
expensive side of cycling. |8^) My current bike is way more capable than I
am. This only compells me more to better myself and take advantage of what
it has to offer. Maybe I don't deserve such a nice bike because I'm an
average rider but I guess that's really up to me to judge. The point is
that I'm happy with my cycling experience and that's what counts.
I believe you can buy some dept. store brand bikes that can be ridden
without safety compromises. Performance may pale when compared to a quality
bike but if one is unsure of whether or not they'll like the sport, it can
be a safe bet economically speaking. That said, those who truly have their
heart on getting into the sport should probably head to their LBS and pick
up something that won't detract them from their riding experience. A lot of
it depends on the personality and how they approach cycling. I personally
would have loved to have skipped over the dept. store bike phase as a child
and if I were to try and seduce someone into cycling today, I would
certainly head for a reputable brand too.
Bottom line - If the bike is going to be viewed as a toy... get a toy from
*Mart... However, if there is even an ounce of real interest in cycling,
don't cheat yourself or someone else by buying something that will shift
your time away from the pleasures of riding towards the headaches of dealing
with constant repairs and substandard parts.
--
/*====================[ Jake Khuon <k...@GBLX.Net> ]======================+
| Senior Manager and Chief Architect, Net-Eng/NSM /~_ |_ () |3 /-\ |_ |
| VOX: +1 (408) 543-4828 Fax: +1 (408) 543-0074 \_| C R O S S I N G |
+===============[ 960 Hamlin Court, Sunnyvale, CA 94089 ]===============*/
The other thing is the economics of it all... A friend of mine thought he picked up a steal when he bought one of those flooded-to-department-store Mongoose bikes at Wal-Mart. I think he said he paid about $150 for it or something. He hasn't been able to ride it more than half a block without the chain falling off. He would then reattach the chain by hand, ride a little more and have the chain fall off again. He has taken it back to Wal-Mart and they attempted to "adjust things" but he still says the chain keeps dropping. I haven't actually seen or messed with his bike since he's all the way on the other side of the country. I imagine it could be something as simple as too long a chain. I told him to take it to a decent LBS and have it looked at. After visiting an LBS and seeing what a quality bike really is as well as factouring in the cost in the long run to keep his Mongoose in good repair, he decided to not have them do anything to his Mongoose and picked up an entry level Giant.
Purchasing a bike from Wal-Mart is like eating fastfood. The purchase is fast, the eating is fast, the onset of indigestion is fast and for one's dignity the time it takes to reach the toilet better be fast too.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM
2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM
2001 Aegis Aro Svelte"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
05-10-05 | 06:05 AM
#74
Stuck in Toeclips
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 241
Likes: 23
Bikes: https://thesearemikesbikes.blogspot.com/2023/06/mikes-bikes.html
I don't think comparing bicycle frame sizes to shoe sizes is a valid argument. There are roughly 16 standard shoe sizes, not including width. Most shoes aren’t adjustable.
Most adult mountain bike frames, even from Trek, Specialized, etc. come in three-to-four sizes, varying an inch between frames. If X-mart stocks an average-sized frame and there are a few inches of adjustment in the seat post/rails & stem, most folks are going to fit fine.
In any case, I don’t see that calling me names like "Sparky" or suggesting that I'm on drugs, or any of the other standard hide-behind-your-keyboard-and-lob internet bully tactics you’ve employed in this thread is advancing this discussion.
If you had a discussion on this topic with one of your customers in the shop, would you call him names? Would you suggest he's "smoking something?" Use bathroom terms to characterize his drivetrain setup?
Do you think he'd leave the store satisfied that you had given him an articulate and straightforward rundown on the pros and cons of department store bikes?
Do you think he'd come back for more of the same wisdom? Steer his friends away from X-mart and straight over to your bike store?
To get this thread back on track (if it's OK by you): What kinds of low-end Shimano durability/adjustment issues do you see as a bike mechanic? Is it actual material failure, unaided by dirty and/or continuously-used out-of-adjustment gears or other abuse?
I'm sure I don't have anything close to the experience you have in working on bikes, but the 12 or so bikes I've built or ridden over the past 25 years -- using Tourney, 600EX, DuraAce, Centaur, Record -- have never had a part just self-destruct. Some of them have been ridden many thousands of miles.
Most adult mountain bike frames, even from Trek, Specialized, etc. come in three-to-four sizes, varying an inch between frames. If X-mart stocks an average-sized frame and there are a few inches of adjustment in the seat post/rails & stem, most folks are going to fit fine.
In any case, I don’t see that calling me names like "Sparky" or suggesting that I'm on drugs, or any of the other standard hide-behind-your-keyboard-and-lob internet bully tactics you’ve employed in this thread is advancing this discussion.
If you had a discussion on this topic with one of your customers in the shop, would you call him names? Would you suggest he's "smoking something?" Use bathroom terms to characterize his drivetrain setup?
Do you think he'd leave the store satisfied that you had given him an articulate and straightforward rundown on the pros and cons of department store bikes?
Do you think he'd come back for more of the same wisdom? Steer his friends away from X-mart and straight over to your bike store?
To get this thread back on track (if it's OK by you): What kinds of low-end Shimano durability/adjustment issues do you see as a bike mechanic? Is it actual material failure, unaided by dirty and/or continuously-used out-of-adjustment gears or other abuse?
I'm sure I don't have anything close to the experience you have in working on bikes, but the 12 or so bikes I've built or ridden over the past 25 years -- using Tourney, 600EX, DuraAce, Centaur, Record -- have never had a part just self-destruct. Some of them have been ridden many thousands of miles.
05-10-05 | 06:16 AM
#75
Stuck in Toeclips
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 241
Likes: 23
Bikes: https://thesearemikesbikes.blogspot.com/2023/06/mikes-bikes.html
Jake: I agree with the poster in the Usenet thread: Department store bikes are much better than they used to be. I'm not for a minute suggesting they're competitive with $300+ bikes, but many of them are well equipped, well put together, and serve as a great way to get people into bicycling. People who get hooked will always want to trade up.
These bikes are certainly not the parts-shedding horrors being portrayed by some folks on this forum.
These bikes are certainly not the parts-shedding horrors being portrayed by some folks on this forum.
Last edited by mikeoverly; 05-10-05 at 01:57 PM.