The Chainlink

When is a bike, not a bike?

The UK's little brother to Wal-Mart, giant retailer ASDA has got some hot new bikes. But what are you really getting when you have searched for weeks online for the lowest price, and discovered your hundred dollar, two-wheeled wonder?

Sad part is, this post will never make it to the people who need to see it.

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/bargain-basement-bikes-are-th...


here is a good blog on the subject.

http://bicycleshapedobject.wordpress.com/

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Permalink Reply by Rubani on August 6, 2009 at 11:53pm
Should make for sharp cornering.
Permalink Reply by Anne on August 7, 2009 at 11:13am
well, at least they have the box right side up!
Permalink Reply by Rubani on August 8, 2009 at 4:48pm
Too bad the builder didn't use the image on the side of the box as reference.
Permalink Reply by Primitive Don on August 8, 2009 at 11:21pm
nice fork. The British equivalent of Next, perhaps?
Permalink Reply by mike w. on August 8, 2009 at 11:22pm
Just goes to show why you need to support your local bike shop.

i'm reminded of a sign that used to hang in the window of the original Yellow Jersey up in Madison:

"we do not fix department store bikes. Sorry. No way!"
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on August 9, 2009 at 12:30am
That's great. I just might have to look for a picture of that sign for new wallpaper.

mike w. said:
Just goes to show why you need to support your local bike shop.

i'm reminded of a sign that used to hang in the window of the original Yellow Jersey up in Madison:

"we do not fix department store bikes. Sorry. No way!"
Permalink Reply by Chris on August 9, 2009 at 12:43pm
what's with the fork?
Permalink Reply by mike w. on August 9, 2009 at 10:55pm
Speaking as a former shop mech and salesman at a LBS, i'll tell you why it's good policy to deny service to department store bikes:

In my experience, these bikes are usually so low-end that it is almost impossible to set them up and adjust such things as derailleurs -and more importantly- brakes in any way that they will operate in any servicable way and , more importantly- STAY adjusted and safe.

Why should any shop take on the responsibility to take in, service, and release to the customer a vehicle that is basically unsafe? No auto shop can do that with a car without liability risks.

Sure, the shop may lose a customer or the income from the labour, but i know from bitter experience that a mech may spend HOURS of valuable shoptime working on these wrecks, only to have the bike and unhappy customer coming back a day or two later because "something's rubbing."

Meanwhile, the repair queue is getting deeper as the crew falls further behind while valuable time is wasted on fixing junk. The mechs get pissy, the customers get shirty over the longer turnaround time on repairs, the boss can't understand why his crew is so sullen. Everyone gets edgy and the shop suffers.

Elitist? Maybe just a bit, but unhappy staff makes for unhappy customers. Tact is important, of course, but i totally understand why a shop would avoid department store bikes.

Just my rant... peace. out.
Brian Kennedy said:
....I think it is ridiculous for a bike store to limit their market and ignore department store bikes. Why? Are they not skilled enough to fix department store bikes? There will be plenty of other bike stores out there willing to assist customers with department store bikes. If they want to serve a niche, they should have a more positive direction such, as "Specializing in servicing the bikes we sell."

It's true, safely assembling a bike out of a box can be a daunting challenge for a novice but I don't think it is worthy of too much concern. If there is a lesson to be learned, let them learn it the hard way by having to replace the ASDA bike in a year. Most department store bikes are just fine for recreational users and for parents who have to buy new bikes as their children grow. If you are more than a recreational user and your needs can only be met by a bike store then, by all means, support your local LBS but don't force your standards on others.
Permalink Reply by nik was here on August 9, 2009 at 11:36pm
"Just my rant... peace. out." - mike w

rant on.
Permalink Reply by Kohaku on August 10, 2009 at 3:38am
lol... 40 lb ?!!!
is it made of cast iron?
"handle with care" (and ride with even more care). He's def gonna need that helmet.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on August 10, 2009 at 1:01pm
Pounds as in money, not weight. 40 British pounds is approximately 68 US dollars.

Kohaku said:
lol... 40 lb ?!!!
is it made of cast iron?
"handle with care" (and ride with even more care). He's def gonna need that helmet.
Permalink Reply by Kohaku on August 10, 2009 at 1:40pm
Specs from site... Frame: Sizing and angles very strange (seems very small and cramped for a large frame); made of heavy (complete bike is 40lb/18kg), low-grade steel which offers no flex/comfort.
Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
Pounds as in money, not weight. 40 British pounds is approximately 68 US dollars.

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