Darth Lefty I didn't say Americans are stupid. That's dumb. But there is a definite disconnect between commuting bikes people
think they are buying and the products available and sold by America's largest retailers as "mountain bikes" in the marketplace.
We both know actual mountain bikes and BSO's aren't even related. As evidenced by sales volumes, most of the general population doesn't. Hence my lament about the unfortunate disproportionate displacement of actually useful bikes that are actually good for what people think they are buying them for.
We both agree that actual mountain bikes make for poor commuters. People that buy & ride actual mountain bikes know this. Your commute is short
and you are using it as a mountain bike.
Do you have any better theory about why so many adventure themed bikes are bought, hardly used and subsequently discarded in short order by Americans?
What is it about the adventure theme that makes an item uniquely attractive? Can you explain the market domination in America these "bikes" have? Surely Wal-Mart, Target and Pacific Cycles that make & sell the most of bicycles sold in America have tapped into something. It's certainly not because they are useful, capable or offer a good value.