markinmad

Back when I worked at Target, that was often the first indication there was a great deal afoot and we would scarf them up before the regular folks.

"no sir, we're all out of that bike|camera|tv" heh heh heh.

ColonelJLloyd 

The fact that a bicycle can be manufactured, shipped and sold at the retail level for $35 makes me kinda sad.

seau grateau

Economics is a crazy rabid dog.

rex615

I really have to believe something else is going on here. Call me naive, but they have to be selling it at a loss at that price. That is also the only model the had on sale at the store I bought mine.

JS1965

40 HUH....
U look pretty good....

I gotcha by 8yrs

I wouldnt buy this bike unless I took it totally apart and put it back together
JMHO

Gravity Aided

If I were you, I wouldn't put it back together. Maybe slap that single speed wheelset on a bicycle frame that doesn't weigh as much, and ride away from the rest of it.

Cappuccino

I own one of these, so I've decided to throw out my opinion on it. Excuse me if I'm doing something wrong, or make myself look stupid in general.

I got one about 2-3 weeks back at $80. I can't compare this to anything else, and I have no doubt that anything even slightly more expensive and well built then this will feel 100x better, but so far I love mine and it hasn't fallen into bits yet, so there's that. It's a huge step up from what I was previously riding, which is whatever the hell this is (https://i.imgur.com/3MO4One.jpg), so this is an upgrade and sadly, probably the nicest bike I've ever had.

This is how it sits now.


I took off the riser bars and swapped the pedals for SPD M520L's as soon as I got home, so I can't speak for the bars and pedals, but I'm sure the bars are fine. The grips felt quite nice too, which was a surprise. Pedals, probably not so much. Plasticy and cheap, plus they're got reflectors. Who uses reflectors these days anyway? Put the Origin 8 Bullhorns on and looks like a different bike already! The chainguard came off too, as did the brakes. I did keep the chainring guard though, because it helps keep my jeans out of the chainring and I wrote "spaaaaaaaaace!" in orange sharpie on it because it makes me go faster.
I had a couple short rides with the stock saddle, and man, all the adjustment in the world couldn't have made it comfortable, so I got a Retrospec saddle which has miles less padding and is miles more comfortable. Like, the stock saddle was stupidly uncomfortable. Plus, I'm sure I shaved off a couple hundred pounds with the saddle switch too.

As you can see, no brakes because A.) Gets me ton of street cred and B.) Brake levers don't fit on the bullhorns. In fact, I (stupidly) snapped the plastic housing on the levers trying to fit one on. The levers themselves didn't feel that sturdy though, and the brakes didn't inspire confidence either. In fact, when I took off the cabling, the ends were already quite frayed, and the lines just kind of fell apart. I'm planning on getting some reverse levers sometime in the future though, since I live in a hilly area and don't like thinking about going 30 miles an hour with no brakes on my commute to my friend's house.

Now we get to the wheels. Ahhh, wheels. When I got the bike, the rims seemed to be fairly in true. I've been on a couple rides since, and they're a tiny bit out of true, but nothing noticable. However, I'm not surprised, as 300lbs will do that to a cheap wheelset. The tires are at 50 psi right now, and they're quite comfortable rolling over things like train track and pavement, and even the occasional crack in the road sometimes. Down curbs, too! I am, however, quite annoyed at how wide they are (38c), and will be attempting to get new tires soon.

The bike it's self is quite heavy though, and I'm not sure what to attribute it to. I want to say the silly wide tires, but I think it's the frame. I'm planning on replacing the crankset, since I can't change chainrings, so that should take some weight off too.

Dunno why I'm putting money into it, but it's a fun bike and it gets me around. I'm new to fixed gear bikes and more serious biking in general, so keep that in mind when you're thinking of what an idiot I am when reading my thoughts/review thing on this bike.

Gravity Aided

You may find that crankset weighs a ton, it's metal looks and feels like pig iron . Think you have the talent to make this bike better.

europa

Sorry cobs, you managed that as soon as you decided to post on here

If I were you, I'd fit a brake, but I'm an old phart who'd like to become an older phart.
35mm tyres? Why? Yup, I'd change them, but only after I'd ripped the stuffing out of them perfecting my skidding. On the other hand, with cheap hubs, you can strip the locking ring thread by moving the cog backwards and popping the lock ring over its thread - I've done this to two Quando hubs which says as much about my technique (wasn't moving my weight forward) as it does about hubs made of cheese.

Your wheels were built on a machine which builds things within set tolerances. It's not unusual for even expensive machine built wheels to go out of true. Retension and retrue them and you will probably find they'll do quite well.

I reckon you've made a good buy, and it gives you something to ride while you plan and excecute your next build ... because there will be another one.

okane

Got it home and put it on the stand and fixed the following: Headset loose, brakes front/rear not adjusted properly (pad on rear also hitting tire), front wheel bearings had no grease, rear wheel hub bearings too tight, bottom bracket too tight--needed adjustment, both tires had less than 10 psi, both wheels needed to be tuned, whew! By the way, tires are uni-directional....how does that work with a flip flop hub. Interestingly, the tag said, "Roll me to the register, I'm ready to go." Not complaining, just relating my experience. I'll ride it a bit when the weather breaks. If I don't like it can probably get $50 for it at a yard sale. Whatta you want for nothing ($36), rubber bisket? To end on a good note, rear wheel bearings/bottom bracket had grease.

Scrodzilla

No road bike tire is truly "uni-directional", despite what the tread looks like and how it is marketed.

ddeadserious

But hydroplaning, dude.

Scrodzilla

True. I do average about 370 mph.

europa

Methinks thou dost exaggerate.

azgreg

I told him a million times not to exaggerate.

linus

I've seen some ****ty bikes in my days, but this got to be the lowest quality crap I've ever seen.

Cappuccino

Thank you! About the crank, I've heard it's really heavy, but since I have nothing to compare it to I'll just take your (and other's) word on it. Which is also why I'm planning on getting a new crankset sometime later. Hopefully sooner.

Yeah, I'm going to fit a brake on it when I can buy one. About the tires, I'm going for a 28c Thickslick in the back, and possibly the Vittoria Zaffiro II up front.

az_andrew

why spend $35 when you can get it here
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...611973240.html

Scrodzilla

hahahaha

Gravity Aided

That's great comedy.

Lockeskidney

no way that bike is still available. "will go fast"

seanifred

wow! just wow!
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/bik/3618641929.html

SS_Giant

lolz

Gravity Aided

I used to think I needed movies to be entertained. Now I just pick up a Target sales flyer, and watch craigslist.

jerseyJim

I call Bull****.