4 ms·
I definitely second this. Big box store bikes are generally very low quality, plus they’re assembled by people who work there, so they probably lack proper bike
by rhinoceraptor 7y ago
I definitely second this. Big box store bikes are generally very low quality, plus they’re assembled by people who work there, so they probably lack proper bike mechanic experience.
If you look closely you’ll see they may have the brakes incorrectly installed, the forks backwards, etc.
- analog31 7y agoIndeed, final assembly is an issue with bikes, and a better shop will hopefully do a better job. Bikes are never fully assembled or tested before being shipped to the dealer or consumer. As a result, assembly and adjustment are beyond the control of the factory. This is true of virtually all bikes. My $500 bike was adjusted by the shop before I rode it home. In my view, the practicality and enjoyment of cycling is vastly improved by having some basic maintenance skills, to the point where I consider it to be a pre-requisite.
- rhinoceraptor 7y agoAbsolutely, even real bikes shops can mess up sometimes. I had them install a profiled 10 speed chain backwards one time. And you don’t need many tools to do 90% of repairs. YouTube, bike coops, and your local bike shop mechanics (may need to be bribed with beer) are all good resources.
- analog31 7y agoAn amusing aside, I have a 1972 Schwinn frame with similar vintage parts on it. I can practically disassemble the whole thing with a couple of crescent wrenches.
- narwally 7y agoAnother issue is that they're not made to be repaired at all. If anything more than a tube breaks on it, then you'll likely be better off just buying another department store bike because the repair will either exceed the cost of the bike, or will be impossible because department store bikes don't always use standard components that a repair shop would even be able to order for you.