Dr Bikenstien

Hey bike friends! I just picked up a Kent Thruster on Craigslist for $60. It was brand new and set up well for what it is. I checked out the welds and the components. They seemed about average for the level of hate the bikes typically get.

Check out my initial YOUTUBE review of it below!

I'm going to be upgrading the bike and documenting the process. Just because I like going against the grain. It really doesn't seem all that bad, and in fact, it's fun to ride.

Upgrades:
-Bottom Bracket
-Threadless Adapter
-Better bars
-Saddle

TenSpeedV2

Deeply exhaling.

Carcosa

I have all the feelings.

But, simply, Walmart does not need help selling cheap bikes.

Enjoy though!

motrheadsroadie

here, you throw this away.

TejanoTrackie 

I don’t h8 Walmart fixies, just ppl who inflict them on me in this forum.

phobus

If you really want to go against the grain, convert it to a geared bike. That should annoy everyone.

Carcosa

Try staying off the internet. That'll show us.

Fahrenheit531 

Title is three words too long.


And who's Kent Thruster? Sounds like Max Power's second cousin.

phobus

Kent Thruster is Superman's porn name.

Dr Bikenstien

There are too many good quotes here!

I'm glad you guys can make fun and not be too disrespectful.

I think they came up with that name using the pornstar name generator. Or something along those lines.

Gresp15C

I'm genuinely curious about the weight.

REDMASTA

It says fixie but it’s a freewheel.

Broctoon

So, for some upgraded components, you've already spent roughly as much as the bike itself cost, no? The next logical upgrade would be a set of decent wheels, which will cost at least that much again = a total of $200 or so for everything. You're almost into the price territory of a reasonably good bike.

People cringe so much over those bikes because every part of them is the cheapest quality possible. It's true that they're (usually) at least ridable when new. The trouble is, they do not last long. And even in the best case, they don't give the performance, comfort, and reliability you can get for only a few hundred dollars more.

Numbers are a funny thing...

You might make the following argument:

Your bike only cost $60. If asked what they'd consider a reasonable, entry-level bike for someone on a tight budget, most guys here would probably recommend about a $400 model. "So I spent less than 1/6 that amount," you might say, "surely I got a bike that's at least 1/6 as good."

To that, I'd say:

You got a bike that's barely usable for any kind of serious riding. If you'd saved up a mere $300 more (one week's pay for someone at minimum wage, or maybe 15 hours' worth for a median income earner), you'd have something that will last ten times longer AND be more enjoyable from day one.

It comes down to value. Department store bikes are less expensive than "good" bikes--much less expensive, even. But value equals quality (or usefulness) per dollar spent. So if the Kent were $5 vs. $5000 for an entry-level, good quality bike, the value might be comparable. Even at a ratio of $20 to $2000, the value might be in the same ballpark. But at $60-ish vs. $400-ish, the good bike has tremendously more value.

hardboiled718

value is relative. I see tons of people commuting on crappy bikes but they make it work for them. Could they get a quality ride with more durable and reliable parts for a few hundred bucks more? absolutely, but that's everyone's own choice to make. if you want to buy a cheap bike and ride it into the dirt, go for it. We all know the thruster is an abomination but some people seem to enjoy it so whatever.

but why bother upgrading parts? you'd be better off starting with a decent frame and so-so components then a throw away frame with upgraded components, the expression lipstick on a pig comes to mind.

EchoBravo

"Price is an absolute number. Value is what you get for the price." I'm in sales, and I remind my customers of this all the time.

Aubergine 

I spend a lot of money and time fixing up old low end bikes. Part of the “value” to me is the fun I get from fixing up the bike, tinkering with things to get them to work well, and so on. Plus even cheap hi-ten steel frames can be pleasant to ride, at least when they have nice wheels.

EchoBravo

Agreed. I'm doing that right now (for the first time). Taking an old Hi-Ten Takara and doing a SS makeover.

Only the person spending the money can determine what the "value" is. What you see as a value, I may not. And there is nothing wrong with that. I'm new around here and I see a fair bit of critical comments when someone tries to do something "on the cheap". I'd rather see someone suggest alternate ideas for the same or similar cost versus saying "you should have bought this", even if "this" is at a significantly higher cost...

AlmostTrick

Cool bike.

Near the beginning of the video you said you wouldn't upgrade the BB.

But then you did? What gives?

My concern is that now that you have changed out parts, your bike is no longer an "original" Kent Thruster, and has therefore lost much of its value.

Hopefully, you have retained the take off parts so you can return the bike to its original glory.

Broctoon

I did exactly the same thing myself. There is a big difference in the quality of a 1970s vintage Japanese frame (like the one I got two years ago for $25) and a new $60-$100 Walmart special.

Nothing wrong with taking a decent inexpensive frame and building it up with mid-grade components. On the other hand, anything you spend putting nice stuff on a Walmart fixie is money wasted.

Charliekeet

Gresp15C

In a so called efficient market, price and value are the same thing. I remind my vendors of this all the time.

TenSpeedV2

Kind of disappointed to see a lack of participation from @Scrodzilla in this thread.

Oakman

Knew a guy that bought Walmart bikes and justified it by saying that when something went wrong with it, it was usually cheaper to buy a new bike than get it fixed at the LBS.

Carcosa

I think I might start the single-use subscriber model to selling bikes. Get a new one every month and throw the old one away! If it works for razors why not attribute it to another industry that could kill you if you're careless?

Then people can do dope review videos of my single-use bikes on YouTube instead of making stupid videos on how to rehab old bikes, how to find a bike coop near you or why to use your LBS.

steve-in-kville