Gateway Parts

Why I Like Discount Store Bicycles?

To paraphrase Karl, the owner of my LBS. I like discount store bikes because I can possibly make more $$$ repairing one K-Mart special than I can selling a new Raleigh. Roughly 85 - 90% of my profits come from repairing 1 - 5 year old discount store bikes. Once I sell a new bike, the only extra profit I make might be selling add-on parts, such as a rear rack or a cycle computer. One lady recently brought in a Roadmaster from Wally World. The front wheel looked like a Pringles potato chip. The brakes were shot, it needed two new tires, it didn't shift right & it needed new grips. That was just from taking one quick look at it. I tried 3 times talking her out of repairing the bike & simply buying a new one. After the 3rd try - I gave up. The repair bill was astronomical compared to buying a new bike just like it through Wal-Mart. So, thanks everyone for buying cheap discount store bikes. You keep me in business! All of the above is true. The first time I met Karl, a man was picking up a bike just repaired. He asked, "As good as new?" Karl (wanting to mess with his brain) said, "Nope...(long pause) I don't install junk parts like this bike came with. I install quality parts. It's now better than new." Just thought the regulars here might get a kick out it.

Public Comments

1. hahaha! Props bro thats so funny XD
2. True, true.
3. Not all department store bike are bad as i have told may other i will take the triace mountain and road bikes at walmart over low end raleigh 2.0 or 3.0 any day, or even a low end trek. i will save 150-200 dollars and get a better bike... you can also buy forge bikes from target, saying that just because they sell the lowest end bikes does not mean all are low end, and if you knew the least bit about bike maintenance then there should be know problem keeping even 150 walmart/target bike running smooth, just watch a you tube video on " How to tighten brake and derailleur cables"....and all bikes at one time or another will need maintenance.....Hell if you mountain bike you will brake something on your bike, its not an if its a when and the price of the bike makes no difference, its the parts that are on it, and some walmart and target bike have better parts for cheaper then low end bike store bikes, because they deal in volume getting the bikes cheaper then bike stores and make much less profit on each one because they have over other item to keep the Business running, not just selling bikes. but best on all places like wamart have 5 to 10 dollar Additional warranty for 5 years that means even if the bike brake for some reason you can get a new one no questions asked, let see a bike store take back a 3 year old bike because of a crash and a derailleur broke. and it not like it take so much work to put a bike together from the factory, its just handle bars, a seat and post, and a front wheel, and even the most tool inept bike buyer can twist a nob if the derailleur is off i have also had may problems with bike stores trying to break items on 400-500 dollar bikes after warranty to get me to buy a new one. and this is for simple maintenance, like a bike tune up where they broke the brake off in front of me and told me i need a new bike now....or when i took to big of a drop on a bike with a freewheel and bent the axle. a different bike store replaced the axle, after it bent on nearly flat trail i found out it was cheap aluminum not steel (i don't even know where you get one) that was a great 25 dollars....the same store then replaced it again for free after complaining and threat to turn them in to the BBB, then they leave out the dust cap on the hub freewheel side that support the cone nut against the hub so i had another axle bend in 1/8 mile riding on the street. so in the end i will not just assume all bike stores are bad but i am very leary of them and i will help people to get the best bike for the money NO matter where the bike come from, and i will help and now repair friends bikes or tell people how to fix theres so that it is done right and no worry about shadiness P.S. the triace is a what you call a shop quality bike new to the US they are a chinese bike up there with trek and specialized
4. Is it sad that there are regulars on YA cycling? Maybe I should be getting tired of telling people to fit bikes before they buy them, walmart bikes are shit, and that to ride 100 miles you have to eat food constantly.
5. All true. Family member received a Roadmaster several years ago for Christmas. I took the bike home to insure bike would be OK when spring arrived. I spent 6 hours going through EVERYTHING on the bike. All bearings including pedal bearings were tight and required grease. Frame and fork needed to be straightened. All the cables and cable housings required shortening. Brakes and derailleurs required adjusting. Rims needed truing. All on a brand new bicycle that cost about $95 new. 6 HOURS of labor. And I know what I am doing and have the tools. How much would a shop charge to do all that work? About 2 months after spring arrived, the crank broke and a pedal broke. Yes, these are big money makers for the Local Bike Shops. This is one reason I recommend spending about $350 to $400 for a new bicycle. Good Luck to All.
6. Inexpensive bikes are difficult to repair. Nothing fits well, so adjustments are finicky and time consuming. Replacement parts will always be more expensive than the original equipment because no shop will want to install and adjust such inferior components. Most people who buy only by price have trouble looking at a bike as a long term investment. A good bike will outlast several cheap ones and cost much less in maintenance. If all you look at is a price tag you will spend more money