Good deal on a road bike... at Walmart?
#26
Walmart bike rider
Looks like Schwinn is going to make this bike in multiple sizes for Walmart. Here's their XL model. Doesn't list though what size the XL actually is.
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/catalog/.../category/151/
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/catalog/.../category/151/
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex
Posts: 5,058
Bikes: 2013 Haro FL Comp 29er MTB.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1470 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 45 Times
in
35 Posts
CigTech list his XL at 22.5 lb, but I don't know if that's stock. I would think the standard would be just a little lighter than the XL. If 22.5 lb is an accurate stock weight then the Empire would be noticeably lighter than the Vilano.
I could see the sub $400 road bikes from BD as aimed at the same market as the Empire, but at flat bar road bike for twice the price?
I could see the sub $400 road bikes from BD as aimed at the same market as the Empire, but at flat bar road bike for twice the price?
Most people get took on these bikes because they can't see the advantage to getting a minimum standard on a bike and because it looks like a $800.00 machine it should ride and last like a $800.00 machine. I don't believe for a second the bike weighs 22.5 pounds with wheels and pedals and would have to see it on a scale with my own eyes.
This bike is a generic with several names decaled on them. Same specs, same componants down to the rim choice. Like I said they ride, they shift and they stop but they don't do any of that well. They are made to hit a price point not a quality point so anyone buying one will need to expect what comes from the lowest quality parts and only a part time worker putting them together. We have pointed out the flaws all that can be said now is I wouldn't reccommend them to anyone I liked. But I wouldn't look down on anyone that bought one thinking they were a real Schwinn. It is the same bike as the Prelude with different shifters.
It is not a good deal it is a bike that is worth about what people pay for it. They are not taking a loss on this bike. I have seen good saddles that cost as much. Look what xenologer posted and think about what people are gettting. Like the old joke about government construction, they award the contract to the lowest bidder. Would you want to sail to England and a boat built by the lowest bidder? Would you fly in a plane that was built with the lowest quality parts the builder could find?
I am not saying people can't buy this bike, I am saying it isn't a deal let alone a good deal. A $800.00 bike for $500.00 is a deal.
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 233
Bikes: 2006 Diamondback Century
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I put A050's on my budget hybrid drop-conversion, they worked fine for what they were. I didn't have any problems with them and thought they were pretty good for the money. They did interfere with mounting my computer and headlight, but I just picked up a dashboard extension piece to mount those out in front of the bar.
Last edited by nrowensby; 04-12-12 at 08:59 PM.
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 346
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes, but assembling and adjusting a BD would be less work than I would expect to put in tuning up a Walmart bike (not that I mind doing the work).
#30
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 346
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I put A050's on my budget hybrid drop-conversion, they worked fine for what they were. I didn't have any problems with them and thought they were pretty good for the money. They did interfere with mounting my computer and headlight, but I just picked up a dashboard extension piece to mount those out in front of the bar.
Seems like an odd choice of bar tape, but looks like a fun and functional ride.
#31
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 346
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Recreation, fitness, transportation: those are the main reasons normal people buy bikes.
The Empire will probably appeal more to people looking to improve there fitness.
What is it about road bikes that you think would prevent normal people from buying them to get from point a to point b? Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to stop them from buying the Denali.
Iirc around 80% of new bikes sold in north American are sold by department stores.
Most people don't buy $500+ bikes. At $200 or less it's a potential impulse buy. At $200 to $400 normal people who aren't serious cyclist will consider buying. At $500 or more most people see the price tag and look somewhere else.
An $800 bike for $500 is a good deal, for someone who is already looking to spend more than $400.
A $100,000 luxury car for $80,000 is a good deal, for someone.
There are different markets, and a good deal for one person may be no deal for someone else.
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex
Posts: 5,058
Bikes: 2013 Haro FL Comp 29er MTB.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1470 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 45 Times
in
35 Posts
Why not?
Recreation, fitness, transportation: those are the main reasons normal people buy bikes.
The Empire will probably appeal more to people looking to improve there fitness.
What is it about road bikes that you think would prevent normal people from buying them to get from point a to point b? Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to stop them from buying the Denali.
Iirc around 80% of new bikes sold in north American are sold by department stores.
Most people don't buy $500+ bikes. At $200 or less it's a potential impulse buy. At $200 to $400 normal people who aren't serious cyclist will consider buying. At $500 or more most people see the price tag and look somewhere else.
An $800 bike for $500 is a good deal, for someone who is already looking to spend more than $400.
A $100,000 luxury car for $80,000 is a good deal, for someone.
There are different markets, and a good deal for one person may be no deal for someone else.
Recreation, fitness, transportation: those are the main reasons normal people buy bikes.
The Empire will probably appeal more to people looking to improve there fitness.
What is it about road bikes that you think would prevent normal people from buying them to get from point a to point b? Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to stop them from buying the Denali.
Iirc around 80% of new bikes sold in north American are sold by department stores.
Most people don't buy $500+ bikes. At $200 or less it's a potential impulse buy. At $200 to $400 normal people who aren't serious cyclist will consider buying. At $500 or more most people see the price tag and look somewhere else.
An $800 bike for $500 is a good deal, for someone who is already looking to spend more than $400.
A $100,000 luxury car for $80,000 is a good deal, for someone.
There are different markets, and a good deal for one person may be no deal for someone else.
We aren't talking a social issue here we are talking what a good deal is. A $250.00 bike for $250.00 is not a good deal it is fair trade. You are getting what you pay for nothing more or nothing less. If you know nothing about wally world bikes or bikes in general it is like buying a computer from a swap meet. maybe you have a bike that will last and maybe not.
It is like this. In India they make a car the Tata Nano and it sells for about $2,500.00. Is it a deal? It has 35 HP and almost no real safety equipment. Is it a good deal? If we imported them here more people might be able to afford a car. However would they last and if they didn't was that $2500.00 well spent? The technology used for the empire is like buying candy at half price because it is past its exparation date. It might still be ok to eat but then again maybe not.
#33
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 346
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As far as what compromises are reasonable for making a low cost bike, fewer gears and a less upgradeable frame seem fine to me. And I wouldn't complain about a heavy stem and seat clamp or loose bearings instead of sealed.
It seems to me like a better RD should have been spec'ed, but I could deal with that.
I wonder how poor the quality of the BB is and how flexy the brakes are. To me those are far bigger issues.
Still, for $50 more with brifters the BD bike does look like a much better deal.
It seems to me like a better RD should have been spec'ed, but I could deal with that.
I wonder how poor the quality of the BB is and how flexy the brakes are. To me those are far bigger issues.
Still, for $50 more with brifters the BD bike does look like a much better deal.
Last edited by NightShift; 04-13-12 at 11:13 PM.
#34
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 346
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Mobile, my first road bike was a 1975 J.C.Penney's Foremost. Hi-Ten frame, stamped dropouts, steel rims, cheap department store bike. I still enjoy riding it.
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex
Posts: 5,058
Bikes: 2013 Haro FL Comp 29er MTB.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1470 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 45 Times
in
35 Posts
That is my contention and I would never reccommend them to someone I liked and believed wanted a bike that would last.
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Bako, PRK
Posts: 99
Bikes: '93(?) Diamondback Traverse, '96 Gary Fisher Mamba, 1981 SE Racing Quadangle.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Get a bike from a good LBS. Someone who stands behind what they sell. A good relationship with a LBS, and someone you can trust is worth a lot more than you will save.
BTW, my LBS is happy when people buy Wally World bikes. He told me he makes more money working on them, than the profit he makes on his own new bikes!
BTW, my LBS is happy when people buy Wally World bikes. He told me he makes more money working on them, than the profit he makes on his own new bikes!
#37
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Happy with Wal Mart Schwinn
NightShift,
I bought a Schwinn City Series Bike from Wal-Mart a couple of weeks ago and so far love it, no problems at all.
Before I bought it, I had looked at it but decided to stop into our Local Bike Shop and see what they had, prices, etc. I would prefer to buy from a local dealer because of service, expertise and to keep the money local in the community. I walked into the store and they had approx 12 Treks, that's all they had. The person behind the counter who I presume was the owner, didn't even bother to come over to see what I was in the market for, etc. He just stood there and said that if I bought 3 bikes, the 3rd would be 10% off. I asked if they had a brochure and he said no. So I am left with poor customer service and no info to look thru. I looked at the various models he had then left. I would expect top notch customer service from a local shop, thats one of the things I am willing to pay for. What I got was no customer service.
So for the same customer service I went back to Wal-Mart, took a better lok at the bike, and another for my wife and got 2 bikes and various accessories. I took the bikes home, checked them all out and made sure everything was tight and adjusted properly, set them up for our size, etc and was ready to go.
Everything has been great, no complaints at all. The derailers shift crisp, and the brakes are a lot better than I expected for the price of the bike.
I would strongly suggest you check out the bike carefully when you get it home and make sure everything is tight and adjusted for your individual build, especially check to mak sure the cables are adjusted properly and tightened properly, you don't want to try to use the brakes only to have a loose cable slip on you.
I am sure that there are great local bike shops out there, and many years ago, I have dealt with some of them, however, there are also the not so good ones. Just because you pay the premium price from a local bike shop, and you will if you buy there, does not mean you get premium service and set up of your bike. It could be the person setting it up just started work there the day before or just broke up with significant other the day before, etc., either way they may not have their head in the game.
Go for the bike you like whether it is from Wal-Mart of Joe's Bike Barn.
I love my Schwinn so far. Maybe the components aren't top notch and will wear out quicker, etc, but then I can replace them with better components.
I bought a Schwinn City Series Bike from Wal-Mart a couple of weeks ago and so far love it, no problems at all.
Before I bought it, I had looked at it but decided to stop into our Local Bike Shop and see what they had, prices, etc. I would prefer to buy from a local dealer because of service, expertise and to keep the money local in the community. I walked into the store and they had approx 12 Treks, that's all they had. The person behind the counter who I presume was the owner, didn't even bother to come over to see what I was in the market for, etc. He just stood there and said that if I bought 3 bikes, the 3rd would be 10% off. I asked if they had a brochure and he said no. So I am left with poor customer service and no info to look thru. I looked at the various models he had then left. I would expect top notch customer service from a local shop, thats one of the things I am willing to pay for. What I got was no customer service.
So for the same customer service I went back to Wal-Mart, took a better lok at the bike, and another for my wife and got 2 bikes and various accessories. I took the bikes home, checked them all out and made sure everything was tight and adjusted properly, set them up for our size, etc and was ready to go.
Everything has been great, no complaints at all. The derailers shift crisp, and the brakes are a lot better than I expected for the price of the bike.
I would strongly suggest you check out the bike carefully when you get it home and make sure everything is tight and adjusted for your individual build, especially check to mak sure the cables are adjusted properly and tightened properly, you don't want to try to use the brakes only to have a loose cable slip on you.
I am sure that there are great local bike shops out there, and many years ago, I have dealt with some of them, however, there are also the not so good ones. Just because you pay the premium price from a local bike shop, and you will if you buy there, does not mean you get premium service and set up of your bike. It could be the person setting it up just started work there the day before or just broke up with significant other the day before, etc., either way they may not have their head in the game.
Go for the bike you like whether it is from Wal-Mart of Joe's Bike Barn.
I love my Schwinn so far. Maybe the components aren't top notch and will wear out quicker, etc, but then I can replace them with better components.
#38
Banned.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Uncertain
Posts: 8,651
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I volunteer at a bike charity which recycles and refurbishes unwanted bikes.
Even using volunteer mechanics whose labour costs nothing, we find that fixing bikes that cost peanuts new is almost never cost-effective. The parts are shocking and if you replace them with stuff that works and might last >6 months, you end up spending more than the bike cost when new. Even if they have hardly been ridden and nothing is worn out, frequently the manufacturing standards are so low that it is impossible to adjust the bike so that the brakes and gears work cleanly. People would be far better served by buying a used bike that started out being OK, than wasting their money on new stuff at <$400.
Even using volunteer mechanics whose labour costs nothing, we find that fixing bikes that cost peanuts new is almost never cost-effective. The parts are shocking and if you replace them with stuff that works and might last >6 months, you end up spending more than the bike cost when new. Even if they have hardly been ridden and nothing is worn out, frequently the manufacturing standards are so low that it is impossible to adjust the bike so that the brakes and gears work cleanly. People would be far better served by buying a used bike that started out being OK, than wasting their money on new stuff at <$400.
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 749
Bikes: Specialized Crux Elite X1, Specialized Roubaix SL4 Expert, Specialized Crux Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Good for him, bad for the consumer :-)
__________________
Gary F.
2019 Specialized Crux Elite X1
2015 Specialized Roubaix SL4 Expert
My bike page: https://www.gwfweb.com/bicycles
Build a bike stand! https://www.gwfweb.com/bicycles/stands.html
Gary F.
2019 Specialized Crux Elite X1
2015 Specialized Roubaix SL4 Expert
My bike page: https://www.gwfweb.com/bicycles
Build a bike stand! https://www.gwfweb.com/bicycles/stands.html