Wal-mart Bikes
June 8th, 2005 by Tim GrahlThe Bike Riding Donut Guy bought a bike from Wal-mart:
I only had to adjust………….
- Both brakes, the pads were either hitting the tires or going into the spokes.
- The front wheel was bolted in the drop outs crooked
- The front and rear derailleurs needed adjusted along with the rear needing the cable tension adjusted
- Both tires needed air
- The handlebars were pointed 10 degrees to the right
- The rear wheel was out of true
- Neither tire was seated on the rim properly
- The seat was crooked and angled up at about 20 degrees
I agree with both his reasons for actually buying a bike from Wal-mart and his frustrations with it.
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If you buy a bike from Wally World, it’s a great way to learn to become a bike mechanic!
The greatest thing about department store bikes,( besides the obvious build miscues) is the total lack of service after the sale. Last week we fixed a flat tire on a brand new department store bike a guy had only owned a hour. The department store wouldn’t/ couldn’t help him! Your on your own out there! No wonder people get so frustrated, and give up on cycling. Anybody see that Bell comercial with the guy in the lab trying to change a flat? Obviously, he bought a department store bike!
The greatest thing about department store bikes,( besides the obvious build miscues) is the total lack of service after the sale. Last week we fixed a flat tire on a brand new department store bike a guy had only owned a hour. The department store wouldn’t/ couldn’t help him! Your on your own out there! No wonder people get so frustrated, and give up on cycling. Anybody see that Bell comercial with the guy in the lab trying to change a flat? Obviously, he bought a department store bike!
The repairs is the #1 reason I point people to our local bike shop. Our LBS gives free tuneups for the life of the bike. They do this to keep people on their bikes. If someone doesnt know how to adjust their rear derailleur, the bike will end up sitting in the garage unless they know they can bring it in and get it fixed for free. Which keeps them riding their bike. Which means they will buy more helmets, gloves, etc and eventually another bike. Brilliant!