Bicycles-recommendations?

As I said earlier, my daughter is a bicycle racer and part time mechanic. We cannot believe how heavy the bicycles in big box stores are--incredibly heavy. They must be miserable to pedal up a hill.

My 3 year old granddaughter is riding a Strider--with no pedals. Her 7 year old brother has full race aluminum frame BMX bikes that weigh just about nothing.

My daughter's race bikes have titanium axles ($90) and titanium spokes on hand built wheels ($750.) Her frames are aluminum ($650.) Front forks and handlebars are carbon fiber.

I realize campers don't require $2,000 bicycles, however you'd think that a $350-$450 bicycle would be relatively light and easier to ride.

PastorCharlie wrote:
I received my new Camping World Master catalog for 2015 today. They have some good offers on their bikes. They all fold for convenience in transporting. They have models in either aluminum or heavy steel frames. They have sizes from 20" to 27 1/2" wheels in either steel or alloy. They are adjustable for a variety of riders. They even carry a 3 speed trike. Many accessories are available. The Club Prices are reasonable.

For the casual riders around the RV park and for family fun they appear to be an ideal transportation.

I don't disagree, For around the campground they are probably fine.
(you can always push them back to the campsite) LOL
The kids bikes are so cheaply made, poor brakes, sprockets, balance etc. Not real safe in my humble opinion

I did not want my granddaughter on one. But then we ride a lot farther than just around the RV park.

Can not comment on the adult bike as I did not look at them, but if anything like the kid bikes I would not be impressed

I received my new Camping World Master catalog for 2015 today. They have some good offers on their bikes. They all fold for convenience in transporting. They have models in either aluminum or heavy steel frames. They have sizes from 20" to 27 1/2" wheels in either steel or alloy. They are adjustable for a variety of riders. They even carry a 3 speed trike. Many accessories are available. The Club Prices are reasonable.

For the casual riders around the RV park and for family fun they appear to be an ideal transportation.

Well for us old folks we bought a KENT TANDUM it has 16 gears and sometimes we are glad to have them extra gears. But most of the time just use one. We put better seats on it and we love it. Just another option. At your partner can't get lost unless you do!

delete

PastorCharlie wrote:
If a "big box store" sold a top level Trek would it still be a bad deal?

Depends:

If they sell the same way they currently sell bikes,yes would be a bad deal. Because you would not get fitted to a correct sized bike, or potentially a incorrect type bike for youe intended use, it would be put together incorrectly, and you would not have a mechanic to take it back too to help with issues & ensure it works properly, with real use.

or

If price is your only concern, then you got a good deal, but maybe not the right bike.


Markiemark:C

PastorCharlie wrote:
If a "big box store" sold a top level Trek would it still be a bad deal?

I am not sure what you are implying. But the answer would be no. The only problem is many of the major bike brands require the bikes be purchased at an authorized store (bike shop). You cannot even purchase them online. This is to ensure the consumer is fitted correctly and to protect the dealer network.

If a "big box store" sold a top level Trek would it still be a bad deal?

Dennis M M wrote:
Go to a competent bike dealer and get a properly fitted bike! You will be lot happier with that than one from Walmart. They will not try to up-sell you and will fit you with the most economical bike for your needs. A comfortable fit is the more important than anything, including price.

Trek has some reasonably priced, well built bikes. We have a couple of older Giant's, that we use in AZ in the winter. We bought a pair of Trek's a little over a year ago, but leave them home rather than abuse them. They are head and shoulders above the Giant's in quality, performance, and comfort.

+1 on a local bike shop. I'm a former bike mechanic and the quality of bike (and hopefully service) you get will be far greater that a big box store. Look at any leftover deals from the previous year and make sure they fit the bike for you. You may spend a little bit more, but you can get something that you'll truely enjoy roding in the $250-350 range or cheaper if you can get a deal.

We bought two specialized rock hoppers. For light duty trail rides, and towing the kids. Hardtail, manual disc brakes, and front shocks. Junk compared to my 25 year old gt rts-3


Previous owned: I had trek antalope 850, trek single track 930, GT RTS-3 full suspension, cannondale jekyll 3 (carbon fiber, full suspension, lefty shock, hydraulic disc brakes)


The jekyll was lost during my towing accident.