FA+
Shop
Cheap bikes, pt2
7 years ago
General
So, since I made my last journal about needing info on cheap bikes, I've been doing some research on bikes.
I didn't realize they could get so specialized that some could cost as much as, if not more, than a new car.
As simple as the design looks, they could get rather complex.
Well, this depends on what kind of bike it is, but I'm referring to mountain bikes usually. The more complex type of bike.
If not the most complex. Maybe there's a more complex bike? I'm not sure.
I'm not counting e-bikes or motorized bikes.
Well, I got one a couple days ago. I hadn't ridden a bike in 10-20 years, and I've never had a bike this complex.
I guess the bike(s?) I had were just standardized "toy" bikes. Or perhaps they could be classified as a cruiser? I don't know.
The one I got is a mountain bike. I've never ridden a bike with suspension, much less with full (front and rear) suspension.
It's really tall. Guess that's because of the tire size (29).
I wanted to set it up and give it a ride to work yesterday, but I ran out of time setting it up.
It didn't come with a manual (fail), and as I had mentioned earlier, I have not had one this complex.
Even so, I didn't know anything about setting up a bike, save for the handful of YouTube videos I watched back and forth.
I know after watching videos that the back tire is not "true", or totally straight. I figured everything was good enough as I just wanted to ride.
I needed to test it anyway, as if something was broken I needed to return it or get a warranty or something.
Out of the box, there were scuffs on the back of the frame. Not that big of a deal, but not something you want to see on a new product.
Also out of the box, the rear reflector (the red one) was broken. Apparently this is a common occurrence with this company, or at least this bike. Also not something you want to see.
Not the worst things in the world, but not at all deserving of 5 stars yet.
I had already mentioned the back tire not being true, and there not being a manual in the box at all.
When I had gotten off the porch, the rear wheel reflector came off. I didn't notice until I came back.
I rode it a bit around the yard, then went down the street. Seemed alright. A little slow to stop, but I can adjust the brake pads.
I turned around to "climb" (go uphill), and almost as soon as I had started, I heard a snap, and the rear wheel locked up immediately.
I almost fell off, but luckily I didn't. I was kinda peeved. I had JUST gotten this bike, and it's already broken?!
I hadn't been on this bike a full 2 minutes yet. I walked back to the house, and that is when I noticed the wheel reflector on the ground.
I thought a screw had come loose, but it doesn't use screws. I learned quickly that it's held in by pressure.
I tried to put it back in, and it snapped in half.
Definitely not deserving of 5 stars. Not even 4. Yes, I know I could just spend an exponential amount of money to get a better biking experience, but that's silly in my opinion.
I shouldn't have to spend $1k on a bike, and it only be considered entry level. Heck no. If I'm gonna spend that kind of money (which I don't have anyway), I'll just get a vehicle.
Turns out the rear derailer was / might have been bent. Already on this new bike, I'm having to repair it.
And again, I know nothing about bikes.
After going back and forth to look at videos and try to fix it, I think I managed something after over an hour.
I gave it another test ride and it seemed alright, though I figured out 3 things:
I need gloves (fingers froze after a minute), I need to tighten the stem, or piece that holds the handle bar, and I need to invest in a big booty seat.
...Yeah.
Not sure if I should file a claim or just keep at it for a little while longer.
Regardless, here's hoping I can go riding around some more like I had tried to / wanted to so long ago but couldn't.
I also hope it will help me to exercise better and hopefully start to lose weight, as well as get to and from work a lot quicker.
One thing is for sure, I'm gonna have to change my diet again.
I do not like at all how tight my chest has been for the past 18 years, especially in the last few years.
It scares me. Especially given recent events here.
So my diet is definitely going to have to change, and I feel I'm gonna need to drink a lot more water and do a lot of pedaling.
Sorry, just a random journal.
Better than making a fuss about all of nothing, right?
I didn't realize they could get so specialized that some could cost as much as, if not more, than a new car.
As simple as the design looks, they could get rather complex.
Well, this depends on what kind of bike it is, but I'm referring to mountain bikes usually. The more complex type of bike.
If not the most complex. Maybe there's a more complex bike? I'm not sure.
I'm not counting e-bikes or motorized bikes.
Well, I got one a couple days ago. I hadn't ridden a bike in 10-20 years, and I've never had a bike this complex.
I guess the bike(s?) I had were just standardized "toy" bikes. Or perhaps they could be classified as a cruiser? I don't know.
The one I got is a mountain bike. I've never ridden a bike with suspension, much less with full (front and rear) suspension.
It's really tall. Guess that's because of the tire size (29).
I wanted to set it up and give it a ride to work yesterday, but I ran out of time setting it up.
It didn't come with a manual (fail), and as I had mentioned earlier, I have not had one this complex.
Even so, I didn't know anything about setting up a bike, save for the handful of YouTube videos I watched back and forth.
I know after watching videos that the back tire is not "true", or totally straight. I figured everything was good enough as I just wanted to ride.
I needed to test it anyway, as if something was broken I needed to return it or get a warranty or something.
Out of the box, there were scuffs on the back of the frame. Not that big of a deal, but not something you want to see on a new product.
Also out of the box, the rear reflector (the red one) was broken. Apparently this is a common occurrence with this company, or at least this bike. Also not something you want to see.
Not the worst things in the world, but not at all deserving of 5 stars yet.
I had already mentioned the back tire not being true, and there not being a manual in the box at all.
When I had gotten off the porch, the rear wheel reflector came off. I didn't notice until I came back.
I rode it a bit around the yard, then went down the street. Seemed alright. A little slow to stop, but I can adjust the brake pads.
I turned around to "climb" (go uphill), and almost as soon as I had started, I heard a snap, and the rear wheel locked up immediately.
I almost fell off, but luckily I didn't. I was kinda peeved. I had JUST gotten this bike, and it's already broken?!
I hadn't been on this bike a full 2 minutes yet. I walked back to the house, and that is when I noticed the wheel reflector on the ground.
I thought a screw had come loose, but it doesn't use screws. I learned quickly that it's held in by pressure.
I tried to put it back in, and it snapped in half.
Definitely not deserving of 5 stars. Not even 4. Yes, I know I could just spend an exponential amount of money to get a better biking experience, but that's silly in my opinion.
I shouldn't have to spend $1k on a bike, and it only be considered entry level. Heck no. If I'm gonna spend that kind of money (which I don't have anyway), I'll just get a vehicle.
Turns out the rear derailer was / might have been bent. Already on this new bike, I'm having to repair it.
And again, I know nothing about bikes.
After going back and forth to look at videos and try to fix it, I think I managed something after over an hour.
I gave it another test ride and it seemed alright, though I figured out 3 things:
I need gloves (fingers froze after a minute), I need to tighten the stem, or piece that holds the handle bar, and I need to invest in a big booty seat.
...Yeah.
Not sure if I should file a claim or just keep at it for a little while longer.
Regardless, here's hoping I can go riding around some more like I had tried to / wanted to so long ago but couldn't.
I also hope it will help me to exercise better and hopefully start to lose weight, as well as get to and from work a lot quicker.
One thing is for sure, I'm gonna have to change my diet again.
I do not like at all how tight my chest has been for the past 18 years, especially in the last few years.
It scares me. Especially given recent events here.
So my diet is definitely going to have to change, and I feel I'm gonna need to drink a lot more water and do a lot of pedaling.
Sorry, just a random journal.
Better than making a fuss about all of nothing, right?
everyone wants to sell you the superist duperist to soak you for as much as they can.
welcome to capitalism.
ok. not everyone. it is possible to get luck and find exceptions.
just not to expect them.
this is why, consumre top spec.
then sales ignores or trys to switch,
recognize a red flag.
after the fact, where you are,
ask vendor what remidies available,
if no satisfaction go to source,
if possible.
of course, i almost never go all that,
just eat the bad experience,
and look out for the signs the next time.
or just avoid a next time if i can.
i have multiple neighbors who have bikes and swear by them.
as long as i've got four different bus routes within a block or so, i'm good.
if/when i move, that will be a bridge to cross when it comes.
This was apparently it, though there were a couple of other bikes I could have gotten for a similar price, or just slightly above.
At this price range, I know I'm not getting the best components, and sometimes quality is a little hit and miss.
I could have bought used, but that's more miss than hit I think. I wouldn't really know what's truly wrong with it.
By buying new, I was also able to buy an extended warranty. Though in my opinion, I think extended warranties are kind of rip-offs.
There are manufacturer's warranties, but they're often very short lasting, and only cover very specific and uncommon problems.
Service warranties are what the manufacturer, or at least the seller, should include by default. Meh.
Though a new cheap bike is around the limits of what I'd buy new. I wouldn't, for example, buy a new car if I had the money
The idea of that sounds nice, but all things considered, I think a used car is a better value.