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New BSO long-term test!

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New BSO long-term test!

Old 10-08-13, 05:01 AM
  #1  
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New BSO long-term test!

Hi!

I'm a scienitist (microbio) by profession and thought that I thought I'd do a long-term test of a BSO object for fun and the benefit of the cycling community in the UK!

I bought a bike from Mango Bikes for roughly £300:

https://www.mangobikes.co.uk/

and will subject it to daily commuting duty (of about 10 miles RT).

here a video from the manufacturer:

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Old 10-08-13, 05:28 AM
  #2  
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bike just showed up:

first batch of photos.

shipping box


595mm (59.5cm size) ... should be OK (I'm 188cm or 6'2")


handlebars ... I went with drops for the first time ever (I let my gf design the bike and select the colors)


pedals in a box


letter that was handsigned at the bottom


instructions


interesting, i thought i buy "toeclips" only but they came with metal pedals.


contents of extra package


one side of the package


other side of the package (i opted for the extra fender as I really want to ride it year round ... hoping to be able to get studded tires under the fenders).
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Last edited by acidfast7; 02-21-14 at 01:23 PM.
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Old 10-08-13, 05:50 AM
  #3  
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I hope your bike shaped object is pretty good, because in the U.S., that's more money than the cheapest LBS bikes. We have derailleur BSO's that cost $80
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Old 10-08-13, 05:55 AM
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unpacked and off to look for some grease and maybe a pump.

it has a flop-flop hub and was nicely (for me) installed on the freewheel side ... i switch later as i've never run a FG before.

(44x16 on both sides for those interested).

unpacked


optional fenders:
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Old 10-08-13, 05:56 AM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by unterhausen
I hope your bike shaped object is pretty good, because in the U.S., that's more money than the cheapest LBS bikes. We have derailleur BSO's that cost $80
to be fair, most of Europe includes tax in their place (which usually runs roughly 19 to 25%).
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Old 10-08-13, 06:36 AM
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gf says Bob or Ziggy should be the new bike's name.

suggestions?
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Old 10-08-13, 06:49 AM
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$480 single speed is a BSO? I don't have anything against the bike or what you're doing but I expect it's a mid-range single speed at least, for that price.
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Old 10-08-13, 07:04 AM
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just went to the LBS and bought a nice footpump and some grease.

bike looks great so far

Last edited by acidfast7; 10-08-13 at 07:13 AM.
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Old 10-08-13, 07:27 AM
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coming together ...

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Old 10-08-13, 07:41 AM
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Wow, that's a steep seat angle.
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Old 10-08-13, 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by himespau
Wow, that's a steep seat angle.
forward momentum, yes?

not finished. putting fenders on and adjusting everything.
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Old 10-08-13, 07:54 AM
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You bought grease? It's already better than most U.S. BSOs.

I don't think you can name it Bob with those colors. Better go with Ziggy.
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Old 10-08-13, 09:31 AM
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You've become... A HIPSTER?!?!


The bike looks nice, really. Hope to hear the fixed gear experience soon.


No rack, no room for fatter tyres with fenders - so not a commuter I'd go for, but it looks nice and FUN.
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Old 10-08-13, 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Andy_K
You bought grease? It's already better than most U.S. BSOs.

I don't think you can name it Bob with those colors. Better go with Ziggy.
I assume Marley in each case, so Bob works.
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Old 10-08-13, 09:57 AM
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I feel tricked, tricked I tells you! As was said before, at 300 pounds that is not what we across the pond consider a BSO... I think you were looking for Magna not Mango
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Old 10-08-13, 10:04 AM
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Call it Marley.

<James Bond voice>The name is Marley, Mango Marley. </James Bond voice>


I think it's the perfect name for a reggae bike in England.
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Old 10-08-13, 10:08 AM
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Another Faux-Pista fixie. I see , ..


Magma, is more like the Slag off the top of a crucible of molten metal , Magna is close.


Local Regge cover band goes by Ma Barley ..


it needs proper brake levers , I guess its another misapplication of the top mount brake lever
as the sole brake lever, subject to breaking off the end of the cable.

Marley ? how about Jacob? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Marley

Last edited by fietsbob; 10-08-13 at 10:16 AM.
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Old 10-08-13, 10:08 AM
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That thing is hideous. It looks better than low end bikes here, but should be for that kind of money. But the colors... jesus, man.
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Old 10-08-13, 10:21 AM
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The only single speeds that can really be considered as BSO's are heavy hi-tensile steel ones. They're still decent bikes. They're just heavy and energy draining is all. Most Xmart single speeds last longer than their multi-speed cousins. I mean, other than the wheels, what major thing could go wrong, if the brakes work?

Last edited by WestPablo; 10-08-13 at 10:42 AM.
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Old 10-08-13, 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by WestPablo
The only single speeds that can really be considered as BSO's are heavy hi-tensile steel ones. They're still decent bikes. They're just heavy and energy draining is all. Most Xmart single speeds last longer than their multi-speed cousins. I mean, other than the wheels, what major thing could go wrong, if the brakes work?
This is why I commute on a SS most of the time.
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Old 10-08-13, 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by RaleighSport
I feel tricked, tricked I tells you! As was said before, at 300 pounds that is not what we across the pond consider a BSO... I think you were looking for Magna not Mango
It's a hi-tensile steel single speed. Therefore, some still might consider it a BSO. The only difference is the fact that more is paid for the Mango BSO in the UK, than the Magna BSO here in the US. If you were tricked, at least it was for less cash!

Last edited by WestPablo; 10-08-13 at 10:43 AM.
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Old 10-08-13, 10:37 AM
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Boy, that's a lot of color. Not for me, but if you like it Rock On brother!!!
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Old 10-08-13, 11:05 AM
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going out the door now.

first ride and assembly reviews tonight!

gf loves the colors (as do I) and loves the name ziggy.

assembled


dress shirt and shoes that i usually wear to faculty meetings or teach, usually with tight dark jeans and a sport coat/jacket/blazer ... so the bike makes sense
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Old 10-08-13, 11:14 AM
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Man, quality controls must be awful, just look, the entire drivetrain is on the wrong side!

Or is that a UK thing to match the opposite side of the road driving?
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Old 10-08-13, 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by acidfast7
to be fair, most of Europe includes tax in their place (which usually runs roughly 19 to 25%).
OTOH, most LBS bikes start around $300 before tax (of less than 10%). Throw in the currency conversion, and they're still cheaper (and have more gears) than what you're paying. Now if you can find a bike for 100 pounds or less, you've got a good case for a BSO.
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