Unbranded Bikes
 

Just wondering the thoughts on unbranded bikes like the ones found on light in the box.
I was reading recently about some that had purchased carbon frames from Asia, but wondering about a full bike like this. Just looking for an inexpensive way to get a decent bike.
Just looking to do a triathlon here and there, nothing serious but would like to have something a little better than a Wal-Mart bike

I am with you at this point .... but here : You lose me.

Light in what box? What?

I assume if you buy a built-up frame from a no-name frame company, they will use whatever parts you spec (or whatever parts they say they will use) and will assemble and ship the bike. If you trust them to build the frame from scratch, I guess you can trust them to attack some components.

If you mean something else, sorry, I don't know what you mean. if you can help me understand I will try to reply usefully.

I don't trust anyone to attack my components

For under $600 go used or go US bargains such as Nashbar, Bikes Direct, Performance or your local bike shop on close out sale.

I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for

Mmmm. 21 speed. The very latest in 1980s technology

I think you're overestimating the price premium attached to the brand name. A generic version of a Trek/Spesh/Giant with similar group wouldn't be much cheaper. And the cheaper ones aren't similar.

When he said "unbranaded bikes" and "unbranded frames" I thought he might be talking about a built-up Workswell or Dengfu frame. As far as I know , Dengfu will sell frames or complete bikes, and buying a complete bike from Dengfu shouldn't be and less safe than buying a bike from Giant or Trek, but would cost less for the same quality level because the frame is a lot less expensive.

And yes ... you get what you pay for. As a Workswell owner, i can attest that a lot of people overpay, and what they get is an education in buying decals instead of products.

I hope the OP responds and clarifies.

Buy used.Stay away from light in the box.

What are you looking to spend? The more info you give the better feedback you will get.

Jeez, you're taking a HUGE risk recommending no-name Chinese. I'm mean those things like ESPLODE on you.


:popcorn

Fortunately for us that is not always true.

I'm completely lost on this convo... I'm a total newb...

Agreed

??

The reason they're $300 bikes...they're using 1980s parts.

Sorry...i meant the website light in the box.
http://www.lightinthebox.com/narrow/road-bike_v181972t0/bikes_c26902#nohash
I know it's a huge risk but potentially getting something quality that is in my budget for right now, otherwise it will be a walmart bike for me. Looking to spend no more than 300... That is up from the 200 i was originally estimating.

Gotcha... would that be better than 21st century parts in a walmart bike?

You don't get 21st century parts on a walmart bike either...you get 1980s parts on wal-mart bikes too.

This site you linked to are walmart bikes...just not sold by a store front as reputable as walmart.

The ones on Light in the Box look awful. Look for second hand bikes in your area if you're on that kind of budget.

I guess I still have a ton more research to do, but they look way cooler and more modern than the walmart bikes I've seen that look like 10 speeds from when I was a kid.

https://m.lightinthebox.com/en/21-sp...ml?prm=1.3.5.0

https://m.lightinthebox.com/en/mount...ml?prm=1.3.5.0


The bikes on that site are...interesting.
But STI shifting, disc brakes, suspension forks, deep v rims, fat tires...not really 1980s parts. At all.
It wont be quality, but its not 30-35yo tech.

True, but it is 6, 7, and 8 speed mostly. Stem shifters. Cheap junk.

Road Bike Cycling 18 Speed 26 Inch/700CC SHIMANO TX30 BB5 Disc Brake Non-Damping Aluminium Frame Aluminium Aluminium Alloy 4935794 2017 ? $395.99

The claim the 6 speed stuff uses a cassette, I'm almost curious if they are actually cassettes....or if the seller is too dumb to get it right.

They glitter, but they're not gold. From a distance they'll look like $3,000+ bikes, but the quality and parts are not up to standard for $500 bikes from online discount outlets in the US. And in that price range, a used bike is often the best buy by far. Post some craigslist or the like from your area and BF will gladly give you some pointers.

The way I try to explain it is .... with every product there is a lower limit beneath which you simply cannot build that product.

I don't care if you use slave labor ... you cannot build a safe, reliable four-passenger automobile for "Four installments of $39.99 ... and order before midnight tonight and we'll double your order ... just pay a separate fee for processing and shipping (which fee is surprisingly close to the cost of the original item.)"

If someone sells something for less than it could possibly be built ... you are getting something which only Looks like that thing. Around here we call them "Bicycle-shaped objects."

It looks like a bike ... but don't try to ride it! Right? You don't eat plastic fruit (I hope.)

No one can build a good bicycle for $200 unless it is a very simple single-speed or a very basic child's bike ... heavy, but not strong, and the parts likely won't last a long time, but it will look like a bicycle.

If you really can only spend $200 you have to buy a used bike ... and even there you will probably have to buy a couple tubes, probably a tire or two, maybe fresh cables.

You Can get something for nothing ... but what you get, you won't want.

If you are really thinking about triathlons, you will need a reliable bike, because you will need to do a lot of training, and you will need a bike which will make it through the event. When you realize that if you had waited a few months, saved up the entry fees for two events, and bought a better bike, and would have finished the events .....

No way around it, organized sports and cycling both cost money. You can go walking or running for free ... but you have to pay to enter a race. And if you buy cheap enough running shoes you can tear up your feet and be unable to run.

You can buy a cheap bike, but you have to pay to enter a race. And if your bike is cheap enough ... you will end up pushing it back to the start line. What's the point?

Start training running and swimming ... and saving. You can find decent --even excellent-- bikes for $200-$300 but you have to be Extremely patient, you have to check the classifieds three or four times every day, and the most important part ...


You need to know how to identify a good bike.

You need to know what size you need first and foremost. Do you know? You need to find out.

You need to know enough about bikes to know how all the parts work. Partly so you can tell what works ... and partly so if they stop working, you can fix them/ if you buy a $200 bike and it breaks it will cost you a minimum at $100 at a bike shop to fix it ... you do the math.

Also ... if you get a bike you also need to buy at least a couple spare tubes and a floor pump. You will need some chain lube (three-in-one oil will work---don't put on too much and wipe off the excess.) You will need at least a few Allen wrenches to make necessary adjustments. You will probably need a set of tire irons, and you will probably need a protable pump and a patch kit and a small bag to hang under the seat.

You will need at least one water bottle and cage, probably two.

You will definitely need a helmet. if you shop for returns and closeouts you can find a really good helmet for $30-$50.

If you add all that up, that is a couple hundred right there. Did you budget for all that?

If you really want the cheapest possible reliable bike you are going to spend at least $400-$500. Deal with it. Unless you know a friend selling a used bike for a tenth of its worth, or are willing to shop the classifieds four times a day for a few months and get very, very lucky buying used ... you are going to spend $400-$500. And another couple hundred in accessories ... plus entry fees, energy bars and gels, sports drink mix ....

I am not trying to depress you or discourage you. I am simply saying that you need to make a reasonable budget if you really want to do this. You cannot do it on the super-cheap. You can do it for a Lot less than most people do ... but there is a lower limit beneath which you simply cannot do it.

Learn enough about tris and about bicycles ... there are lot so f sites ... and people here will help you endlessly on the bike end, and some folks here do tris ... and you will find all the places you can cut costs and all the places where you simply can't.

We understand that you just want to go out there and go for it, just to see what it's like and what you can do ... we know you are only dreaming, not actually planning, to win the first one (you had better be dreaming of it, even though you know it is impossible. :) ) We also know that if your bike breaks down two days before the race, or during the race ... it will be ugly.

Nobody wants that.