Find solution
How do you say "I have a new bike" in French?

Why do people say bikes from Target and Walmart are bad? Plus, suggest me a new bike?

  • My current bike came from Walmart or Toysrus... The only reason I need a new bike is that I've crashed a few times over the (at least) 4 years I've had it. The tire is bent and the back break is broken. Other than that, it's been great. It's a mountain bike that probably didn't cost more than $200... We could get the tire replaced, but now I'm reading that bike shops are 'not able to do anything' about cheap bikes from these stores and would rather turn us away. But that doesn't matter anymore because I need a bigger bike... I don't have anything against people who buy the expensive bikes... And I'd love to get an Electra if I had a job, but my parents won't pay more than $200 for a new one. I want a bike with gears that can take rough pavement, but I want it to be attractive-looking too. And like I said, it can't be expensive! The bikes I see at Target seem to fit what I want... I don't think I'd buy from Walmart, but I'd buy from Target so... By the way, these are the types of bikes I'm looking at: http://www.target.com/Schwinn-Clear-Creek-Comfort-Bike/dp/B00160LCT6/ref=sr_ln_reviews_1_3?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&node=1038576%7C1287991011&qid=1275603051 http://www.target.com/Ladies-Schwinn-Gateway-City-Bike/dp/B003DQ2K56/ref=sr_ln_reviews_1_7?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&node=1038576%7C1287991011&qid=1275603051 I know that's like two questions, but here's the TL;DR version: Are chain-store bikes that bad? What can you recommend? (chain or not, but under $200) What size bike do I need if I'm 5'5"? Sorry for the length... thanks though.

  • Answer:

    It is true that the componentry on department store bicycles are cheap and made of cheap materials. The designers of these machines knew that the average person buying one of their products would only ride it maybe 100 or 150 miles in its lifetime, and thus it was manufactured to last about that long before stuff starts going wrong. It's business: make the product as cheaply as possible while still serving the average customer adequately. Might I suggest a mail order bike? These you can choose what size frame you want (EXTREMELY important for proper fit) and you get a quality frame and components for a fraction of the retail price. If you don't feel confident to tackle the job of assembling the bike when it arrives, then you can pay your bike shop to assemble it for you, usually for about $50. Mail-order bikes come mostly assembled however, and it shouldn't be too much of a job to do it yourself and save the fifty or so bucks.

Little Vacation at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

If you want a bike that will last find a good used shop quality bike. If you don't ride much off road I would get a Forge Devon bike for $235. They are great for the road as well and dirt and gravel bike paths. It's twice the bike the Schwinn's are that you are looking at and will last a lot longer. I would get the 17 inch frame. If you are a AAA member you can get 10% off by going though their site. I have had the Saranac for 3 years and only replaced the chain. 3500 miles and works like new. http://www.forgebikes.com/devonmount.asp http://www.target.com/Women%E2%80%99s-Forge-Devon-Trail-Comfort/dp/B000LWBDIA/ref=br_1_6?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&qid=1275615837&searchView=grid5&sr=1-6&node=125446011&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=30&id=Women%E2%80%99s%20Forge%20Devon%20Trail%20Comfort&searchBinNameList=purchasing_channel%2Csubjectbin%2Ctarget_com_age%2Ctarget_com_gender-bin%2Ctarget_com_character-bin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin

Bob A

A short budget doesn't mean you need a crappy. On Craig's List or other classifieds, there are often used bikes that are actually decent and reasonably priced bikes. If a person bought a bike a bike for, say, $800 five years ago and used it, he might now be selling it for much less-- like $200.If you want it "attractive," just make sure it's in good condition.

Nate

Both those bikes you linked to at Target are heavy. They are steel-frame bikes available in one frame size only. The shifter components look pretty flimsy too. And the wheels will be just as flimsy as the one you had before (easily bent). A bike-shop bike will have a lighter frame (such as aluminum) and available in different frame sizes. And you can get better shifters on bike-shop bikes that will shift smoother, and the wheels will be better-quality ones that won't go out-of-true so easily. You DO get what you paid for. I'd rather buy a bike-shop bike because of that.

joeschmoe

Because once one thing breaks they are pretty much useless - impossible to repair. It is better to spend more on a bike with a warranty that won't break in the first place. If you're in the US, Cannondale is a good brand, so are Trek and Giant.

Livian

See my response here: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhVuLc4r64dtvHlAlIgwMoDty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20100507222437AAntqNu&show=7#profile-info-b9754ed72dc5b976ccb3aef1d45b83b7aa for reasons why people rag on department store bikes. In short, the quality is rubbish, so they fall apart. And because they're cheaply made throwaway bikes, they are absolutely unservicable in the long term. so 99% of department store bikes end up in landfills. Unfortunately, it is hard to recommend any new bike for less than $500. But at least if you go to a dedicated bike shop, when your bike breaks down, there is a dedicated service department you can go to keep it running. As opposed to Target, where you either try to return it or throw it out and buy another one

Mick Ross

well yours is broken you are having to get 2 bikes where one good one may have lasted you can get yours fixed, the bike shop can get a wheel and a brake for prob $75 for a front wheel, $100 for a back bike will still be a POS though, and you will then have a $300 POS for $350 you could have had something decent suit yourself, it doesn;t sound like you really want any advice wle

☼wle☆atlanta☼

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.