Bicycle: Walmart vs Amazon

[Kalmah]

I want to get a somewhat cheap bike.

Is there a significant difference in quality if I was to get a bike like on amazon.com vs walmart considering that I'm staying in the same price range? Or are these really going to be just the same bikes?

Thanks.

 

[Homerboy]

same bikes
and you're wasting your money.

 

[Kalmah]

Originally posted by: Homerboy
same bikes
and you're wasting your money.

Guessing you are implying that I should spend more?

My last walmart bike turned to crap quickly...

I'd rather spend an extra $100 if needed.

 

[xaeniac]

Go to local bike shop and purchase one for $300 and it will last longer. Plus you will get fitted for the bike and it will be put together properly

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: Kalmah

Originally posted by: Homerboy
same bikes
and you're wasting your money.

Guessing you are implying that I should spend more?

My last walmart bike turned to crap quickly...

I'd rather spend an extra $100 if needed.

You need to go to a bike store and buy one there. $300 will get you going. It will be a better bike from the ground up, properly sized and most importantly professionally built.

NEVER EVER buy a box-store bike. Not even for your kids.

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: xaeniac
Go to local bike shop and purchase one for $300 and it will last longer. Plus you will get fitted for the bike and it will be put together properly

I win with the time warp

Edit: twice in fact.

 

[Kalmah]

Thanks guys. :thumbsup:

 

[FleshLight]

http://www.jensonusa.com/store...k+Sport+Bike+2008.aspx

Just get that one.

 

[TheSpy007]

If you want a cheap mountain bike consider the Forge from target. It has name brand components that rivals Trek and others that cost hundreds more.

 

[nickbits]

Wow everyone here is a bike snob. I have purchased all my bikes from
dept. stores and they've been fine.

 

[Kalmah]

Any suggestions on bike upkeep? My last one rusted to hell even though it was out of the rain under a car port.

 

[KevinH]

Originally posted by: TheSpy007
If you want a cheap mountain bike consider the Forge from target. It has name brand components that rivals Trek and others that cost hundreds more.

Wow I'm shocked at the parts on that bike. Not sure about the quality of the frame but as far as components go, that's about Gary Fisher Marlin/Trek 4500 Disc level of components. Not bad at all.

 

[Pliablemoose]

The biggest reason you buy from a bike shop is for the service after you buy a bike.

That being said, the quality of bikes from the mass retailers has destroyed the low end of bikes that bike shops carry, and make the largest bit of $ from. If they sell 50 low end bikes to 10 high end bikes, they make a lot of $ form the low end sales.

Wal Mart has a flipping carbon fiber framed Schwinn ATM on their website. :shocked:

 

[adlep]

The Forge bikes seem to have a good "budget" reputation, according to various mtb forums. Great entry level bike with good components.

 

[xaeniac]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
The biggest reason you buy from a bike shop is for the service after you buy a bike.

That being said, the quality of bikes from the mass retailers has destroyed the low end of bikes that bike shops carry, and make the largest bit of $ from. If they sell 50 low end bikes to 10 high end bikes, they make a lot of $ form the low end sales.

Wal Mart has a flipping carbon fiber framed Schwinn ATM on their website. :shocked:

So you are saying the low end bikes at the bike shops are crap now?