neamatoad

you should start playing the lottery

prooftheory

I ate a bunch of reese's peanut butter eggs today.

thedapperest

to be quite honest, this thread makes me puke

Midawi

Eric11, can you share what parts you have replaced and what items you have upgraded to?

I'll keep sharing as long as there is at least one person interested.

The others can take some Pepto... Or just stop reading this thread!

Eric11

Sure. We could pm to save the other members the heartache.

IAmSam

I am feeling kindly this morning so rather than joining in the well deserved bashing of your bike-shaped objects - allow me to me direct you to where you belong...

www.bigboxbikes.com ? View forum - Single Speed/Fixed Gear Bikes

905

Can't say the Thruster is on my wish list, but I like your spirit.

Eric11

Thanks.

Midawi

Awesome. I wasn't aware of this forum. Perhaps it has the info I'm looking for without the animosity!

T13

Man, no one has animosity towards you. They are just letting you know that the "bike" you have is going to be a huge pain in the asss sooner or later(sooner I expect, given yer other post regarding chainline). I don't think those "bikes" were meant to be modified too much, or taken apart and put back together. And doing so, may cause a bunch of breaking stuff, as you are finding out.

There are lots and lots of bikes on craigslist that you can pick up, and would be much easier to work on, even if they are 20 years old, than that thing.

jlafitte 

Live and let live, dude. Consider the possibility that hearing from a few satisfied Thruster owners keeps it real for the rest of us.

TenSpeedV2

OMG - there is a BSO specific forum? I have now seen it all.

Ictoanta

Love this

First post I see:

"This bike rides like a dream. I just did a 60 mile group ride a few weekends ago, and contrary to what the bike snobs think, my bike didn't explode and I didn't get killed (matter of fact, TONS of people with uber expensive bikes and tires could be seen changing flats that day on the side of the trace - not me!). I'm hooked on cycling. All I can think about is riding (and bikes) now."

(from somenone who has upgrade a Thruster, probably spending more than a complete "proper" bike would have cost)

Because we all know, getting flats is an indication of frame quality!

JeremyLC

My BMC got a flat tire on the way to the office last Friday. I guess it must be junk, then. I'll have to throw it away when I get home, then go to Walmart to buy a REAL bike.

SpeshulEd 

You guys don't replace your bikes when they get flat tires? You thrifty sob's!

BeatChemist

I love how everyone is trying to convince this guys he hasn't really enjoyed his bike!

Don't get me wrong... I don't thing it's good to encourage people to buy these walmart bikes.

BUT. If they buy one and enjoy it, what's the harm? I have never understood people who want to tear down someone else for enjoying something they don't agree with. Live and let live, if you ask me.

Again. To be clear. I'm not suggesting people go out and buy a walmart bike. But everyone starts somewhere!! For me it was a ****ty PureFix. Which I still love ripping around on. But I'm upgrading to a GT Grade this season. And I NEVER would have spent the money on the Grade if I didn't try the PureFix first. Gotta start somewhere.

AlexGS1

I don't think anybody is trying to do that. In fact, I think everybody WANTS him to enjoy it. But, what nobody wants is for somebody with no experience who could possibly afford something else to read this forum and get the impression that buying a Thruster might ever be an ok idea.

veganbikes

I just fixed and then caused a flat on my vintage Dura Ace equipped Cilo. Not sure how it happened I pumped it to about 110psi with a freakin hand pump and then pop goes the weasel (didn't even get a chance to put it back on the gotdamn bike) and now I am about to be on my way to WallyMart to pick up a Thruster.

North Coast Joe

I really do hope Midowi and 951, or anybody else that bought a Thruster enjoys it.

The odds are that the majority of owners may not share a pleasant first bicycle experience due to poor quality components assembled, at times, haphazardly.

My first bike when I got back into it was a bottom of the line '60s Sears (Puch) 3 speed. Probably the same quality as a Thruster, with the exceptions of real metal parts in use back then, and a higher standard of assembly. Didn't matter, the whole thing got torn apart and rebuilt.....that was to me, an attractive part of the cycling experience. Those who are not mechanically inclined, or don't want to spend the time and meager money to redo a bike should probably avoid a Thruster. Those that do, are learning important skills in keeping a bike up and running and safe. I'm sure most of those who rebuild and fix as they ride are savvy enough to know that it's not a good investment to hang Campy parts on a bike like this. If not, well, that's why there's a jackass thread. I've learned from it, and own two much nicer, modern, fancy bikes. The Sears is still serviceable, in use and did not go to waste.

I don't see much difference in buying a Thruster or buying a 1962 Sears. The odds are probably better that parts are more easily had for the Thruster. I just can't be seen riding a gaudy ass paint job like that!

thenomad

Thrusters have a place in society.
In Hawaii or at far away beaches I see a lot of them, and actually it makes a lot of sense. Salt air kills steel bikes. If I go on vacation far away and want to ride around a bit I can rent a real bike for a day or two or I can go to wally world and get a disposable thruster. For cheaper than renting I can use it as transportation for the week or two and then lean it up against a rack with a free sign on it. Many people will leave them at beach houses for the next people to use as well.

As a permanent choice? No

Thefixedtexan

I say why not buy this bike ? I did and yes it isn't top of the line bike but it's great for someone who is just got into riding . It's about a $100 bike and it's ok for its cost. Although as time goes I had begun to ride up 1,500ft elevation gain with the steel frame and it's hard but after getting off the 700x40 and 700x30 wheel set that it's on to Alex rims track set for $100 also new track drop bars with a new crank and crank arms because the stock crank arms are prone to becoming stripped . But if you have the money to spend on high priced bikes go for it .

TejanoTrackie 

Thruster threads never die.

SquidPuppet

Only a junior zombie

TenSpeedV2

I wish that they would.

GENESTARWIND

Hands down squatting and dead lifting have got to be my most favorite exercise. I loathe benching because I suck at it and constantly stall even with improved form.

Maybe I'll focus on over head press instead.