Free (with UK mobile phone) mountain bike in 2003. I have had many BSOs in my lifetime, and found them to be horrid. Spent 150 Apollo one used it 6 times hated every minute of it. The same logic applies to bikes. It lasted really well with nothing going wrong other than a seized rear brake.. That day (five years ago) was the last time I set foot in Halfords. These bikes were for children to ride safely.How many have been put off cycling because of the pretend bike they had as a child? The tyres are continental puncture proof commuting and trekking tyres on every single entry level commuting model they do. Thanks or the article and keep on enjoying! I bought a Viking San Demo in 2012 which was amazing. Have done some refurb / servicing my self and still going fine. Well written definitive article on the topic. I bought two Ridgeback bikes brand new from a reputable cycle shop. I bought my car for less it's got a heater 4 seats and a stereo.your 5grand bike gives you nothing but debt and a sore arse. We are cheap for a reason. Learn how to fix EVERYTHING on your bike yourself. It's a shame because Halfords do sell good bikes too. Rubbish! El-Cheapo's for 50-100 were any good i would sell I joined my employers cycle to work scheme, however I was limited to one place to purchase from- Halfords. I've just invested in a decent hybrid - lightweight, decent rims and tyres, good quality components all round - such a difference. If you can't afford new, buy used but keep looking to find a "real" bike. I guess it might if you never ride it, but then so will a 100 pound bike. There is some great bikes out there but anyone should learn from my mistake, immediately return any bike which isn't functioning correctly, demand a refund. Can you please send me the updated price and moq? Here in New Zealand the bicycle retail stores sell these. I've had it since new and I've only had to replace the tyres. It's a sad state of affairs but I'm probably not alone in doing this. Am now looking to upgrade to a hard tail with either v-brakes or discs (the raleigh has cantilevers!). A bike is a bike! I'm now investing in a quality used hybrid! Within reason, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR *ABOVE A CERTAIN LEVEL* Bikes, houses, cars, care homes. I removed the brake lever extensions and wrapped the bars and brake levers with rubber tire - hoods! And the 'expensive' gel saddle included was not half as comfortable as they touted it. It was handy to have it delivered, as it would have been a long ride from the nearest bike shop otherwise. Many congratulations on your "Dont! A couple of months ago I got a 1998 Specialised Crossroads, again off eBay, for my 18 year old daughter to take off to uni in Brighton with her. I agree wholeheartedly with this article. I'm very interested in your products; could you send me some detail reference information? I chose this bike because I wanted a decent quality bike that was mechanically simple. First three months used it to get to work and back in Aberdeen. This is not about cheap is bad, but about cheap BSOs are bad. A lot of people are in the same position as me. It was still terrible so I onsold it - I think the new owner thought he got a bargain to try out cycling but now I suspect it'll be gathering dust anyway. I still have it, although I bought a fairly similar new one two years ago, which is a pleasure to ride. I'm now saving up for a mid range hybrid, LOVE CYCLING NOW BTW!! Just starting cycling to work too and saving a fortune in fuel money :). ps Ed commenting on apr 13 2013 is a liar. Got any more budget options that aren't rubbish? Excellent resource/rant. The buy a BSO reasoning that they're not 'good enough at cycling' to spend more. The gears were changing badly after my incidents and the wheels weren't happy. With no further expenditure of either money or time? I see these BSO things being ridden. I agree with you get what you pay for, but the trouble with living in an inner-city in a 3rd floor flat with no garage, shed, indoor space or even garden is that I have to lock my bike to a lampost on the street. Thanks. I constantly get overtaken by fellow cyclists on my way in to the Airbase that I am currently stationed, they are usually on super slick, light roadbikes. Last year I bought some nicer bags with a quick release system. Alex, the average wage figures are simply for comparison. I ride all year round - with breathable waterproofs and neoprene over-shoes: it is never a problem. The rear cones came loose after 100 miles so I complained to the head office. (You have to stop pedaling after changing gears, then pedal again for the gear to catch!) 5 grand on a bike, it's sounds more ridiculous the more you say it!!!! Only one thing - if you're buying a decent bike, buy a decent lock to secure it with (Top category D lock, and/or motorbike chain). 'Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.' Allow you to quickly and easily remove car door panel and upholstery clips without causing damage to them. I am using an old Marin Hardtail i bought for 30, it is still one of the cheaper bikes, but it is 100% better than the 120 BSO's. It has bullet-proof Mavic Kysrium Elite wheels, a CAAD 8 Optimo frame - with hand finished welds and a full Ultegra Group Set. Wanting more gears, we bought two used bikes originally costing $300 ea. The selected time slot reservation is valid for the next 30 minutes. I currently have a Raleigh Redrock which must be at least 10 yrs old. But the one I have Will outlast me I think. Auto Clips Fastener Kit is a special packing way,it assorted different kinds. My current bike from the 80's looks great. store bike is a 500% better value, particularly if it's fitted properly and ridden often (at least weekly). I have been a bike enthusiast since age 12, a mechanic since age 8, and my first bike was a Raleigh Grand Prix in 1973. This article is so true! If more individuals could simply experience how enjoyable and how easy riding a modern, perfectly set-up bike - of the correct size - actually is - the world would be a better place (?) The designers work for Genesis, Saracen and Madison. also aluminium. It's not done very many miles and things have kept coming loose. My kids all have bikes that cost under 75 each and I've saved an absolute fortune if the ridiculous prices being flaunted on this site are to be believed. My BSO works ok but it is hard going on inclines, the brakes are loose even though they had 6 wk service 9 days ago. It was Acid Green and looked ok, after I disposed of it I bought a Giant Revel 2 with decent components. Now I have a GTA .. Cracking article and totally true. The BSOs (Mostly ex-supermarket bikes) are used for spares to repair the odd BSO that is worth the effort. Nick T Replaced the brake levers, rear shifter, front and rear mechs, rear cassette (9 speed as opposed to 8) both wheels, front brake (switching the old 180mm front brake/rotors to the back, giving me 180mm brakes front and back. after a few months of cycling it and trying out my brothers Carrera, I realized what a piece of shit it is. Thanks from, Adelaide, Australia. Halfords staff may lack knowledge at times but they'll never be patronise you like a small independent bike shop. Great term, bicycle shaped objects, love that polite term for trash, although I am not to sure about the comment about handlebars the wrong way up, in days of old often handlebars were reversed upside down as a means of shifting center of gravity on load for roadsters in village point to point events. I ride 1000s of miles a year, quailty, speed & comfort are very important to me. Myself, I don't buy box bikes from department stores. The frame is the most important component. I do agree however with cheap suspension. Rode a BSO for the first time on holiday and I bought into it with a positive attitude as it was the only bike on offer. At speed it would have been catastrophic. While I was in the trade, I used to find myself telling this same old story to alarming numbers of customers, including many that had brought in their BSO's for servicing or repair. I would like to know more about the product and prices. The Colnago is also great (actually brilliant) but I am constantly nervous each time I see a manhole/pothole/gravel ahead. ANSWER: - You're not!So how do you "educate" the uninitiated? Great article, have been googling for info on bad bikes, let me tell you in the USA it is even worse. Nice article making some great points. It still looks as good as the day I bought it even though I ride it daily in all weathers. U.S. citizen, cyclist most of my life. Great for beginners. Very often we have people comming in who just want a bike for next to nothing. I bought a relatively good bike from a reputable dealer in 1991 and it cost me very little in repairs in the meantime, despite using it almost every day. Pay 50 for a bike from a supermarket, and you might as well throw your money away. Agree with every word of it! "Cable stretch" I thought as I adjusted them again and took another trip around the circle. This is one of the best articles written on bikes for a newbie. you could buy a reasonable used car for that much money" and so on. Maybe the public at large are bone idle, fat, ignorant and narrow minded and see a bicycle as 'just a means of getting from A to B'Fortunately one such friend is into photography and has recently spent 600 on a Nikon SLR camera. Why? I've never owned a more mechanically sound bike than this. High quality materials and construction to ensure exact OEM fit and finish. If they were trying to start up in any other sport, say golf; would they be happy with Fisher Price clubs? Ensuring your bike is correctly setup both mechanically and adjusted to the rider is the most important thing to ensure if you are going to use a cheap bike, poor setup from the box or department store is not a reason to not buy a cheap bike! This is a brilliant article. The saddle needed to be replaced before the second outing - It was badly designed and uncomfortable as a result. Buying 2nd hand off eBay, you *can* get some epic deals (500 vgc bikes for a few hundred), but of course, bikes are evolving fast now, parts keep changing (650B wheels for example), and pre-owned off-road bikes may well have been thrashed quite hard. Keep a good bike clean and well oiled and it will last a lifetime. A BSO cheap 100 bike can suffice even for regular use if the rider learns to accept the bikes limitations and learns how to carry out the adjustments to the cheap headset. that's a nice, well written article. Everything is made as cheaply as possible. If they've been maintained or you're willing to restore them, they will ride as well as anything you can buy today. I have hade my Trek 4300 for 8 years and it is still doing great. Buy good and take care of it. It's now in storage, the tyres might come in hady as will some of the nuts and bolts. Remember what "average wage" means - it means when you account for a skewed distribution of wealth, a healthy majority of people make less! My employer's signed up to the govt. I was a student at the time. I am a regular rider with a 8 mile hilly round trip commute and use such such a bike (an old Apollo XC.26 from Halfords, I paid 25 second hand). What a well written piece. Great to see. Personally, I ride used bikes. I ride a +35 years-old Peugeot steel-frame road bike that's still in great condition thanks to being looked after, and so I reckon "ten years of use" can be increased a lot more - a good bike with good maintenance could last way longer. If you want to check out the debate on the topic, go to a website called "bigboxbikes dot com" and there's a lengthy thread. Got a decent aluminum MTB frame and building it up as a commuting bike, leaving the old 'Herc' as backup. 75 on ebay, now I would start to listen, with cautionNO 1 bit of advice is ASK SOMEONE WHO IS A KEEN CYCLIST THEIR ADVICE, likely they will point out a reasonable buy and not say that there's nowt worth having below 1000. if your are wanting to get 'off road' please spend a bit more money, get a reliable, durable, well known manufacturer. SECOND HAND good quality bikes are much less expensive and just as good. If you look around at the bikes cycling past how many have cables hanging off, missing brakes, broken gears and flat tyres. I have a rule if it won't go together well in the workshop, it won't work well on the road. Not everyone actually earns the average wage - it would take me a lot longer than 5.4 days to earn 400! Think about it, some bike shops run a "Savings Club" you can purchase a cycle for summer by saving with the shop through the winter or use the Savings Club for Xmas, Easter or Birthdays, you will be supporting your cycle local shop, who in return supports you and will help you enjoy your purchase. You can have all of the fancy tools and equipment imaginable, but a job is nothing without quality components to underpin it and keep everything securely in place. This article is misleading because it implies you need to work for a quality, brand new bike, or you're a danger and a threat for riding something inexpensive. Second hand good bikes work if the stigma of having an old one can be got around.I prefer to call mine classics. Was considering BSO's but am now trying to source a 2nd hand Carrera Vulcan or similar as they look like the best for my budget (200 max). Happy cycling! Nice article Paul, thanks. As said, we at our branch are honest about the bike and try and explain the benefits of spending more. There are cheap bikes that are of superb quality One particular gentleman was pushing me to match the price on a 59.99 bike he had seen in the supermarket. Save your money. FYI - www.cyclescheme.co.uk, best wishes, Mike. Unlike most BSOs it didn't have fake suspension or grip shifts, instead it had horrible fat tyres, bottom of the range disk brakes and it never felt steady at any speed. All original, although it has been mildly pimped. But I know a few that rides them and they are doing just fine, some a year old and being rode every day. I chose a VooDoo and picked it up fully assembled the next day, it was a pleasure to ride and I had absolutely no problems ( until it was stolen). I decided to invest 300 on a Ridgeback bike. This gets you a good bike, a means of transport, a gateway to fun and freedom. A BSO is a false economy. So, now that my own son is five, I have bought him a nice, light Islabike Beinn 20, and we go out cycling together. Trends like automation, globalization, standardization and economy of scale have also helped to bring consumer prices down. nearly everyday and the only mishap i had was the chain came off once. for a cycle, it has been used for over 60 years. So, unfortunately, for me there is little reason to invest in a bike as I know I cannot give it the security and care it deserves. I recently used to ride to work daily. It still has the original wheels, tyres and shifters - the brakepads, sprocket, gearset and chain are about all I've changed. But even at this end of the market, one needs to be sensible, as you can buy suspension forks for over 2000, and frames for 3000 etc. I'm in two minds about this article, but I completely appreciate what is said. We just want things to work and work every time. The shop I work in charges $100 just to look at a BSO (we're in Oz). So I think, as regards my experience with BSOs from large French chainstore retailers, it's a case of pot luck. Plus, not everyone can afford to spend 400 on a new bike.Your environmental arguments however, are less easily dismissed, though there is nothing to stop you taking an old bike to a recycling centre, and buying a new bike every year, still creates afar smaller carbon footprint than driving. As for ordinary Dutch bikes, they don't seem to be built in frame sizes less that 20 plus inches, I can only assume the Dutch are all very tall. Anything under 100 is a bargain to average joe on the street. Today I have been out and bought a Boardman after riding a friends cyclocross bike, I couldn't agree more. As far as I can recall, as regards maintence, I've only had to adjust the brakes once, and that's it. To me and many others like me these bikes are truly bargains. INQUIRY ABOUT Auto Plastic Bumper Clips Plastic Rivets Halfords 8mm Plastic Rivets. So cheap bikes do have their place. I didn't know better at the time (age 11) but a couple of years later I bought a proper bike from a friends older brother for 250 used and the difference in ride quality was startling. I am 49 and have no interest in driving. I'm not rich and save up for my hobby. They were immediately out of adjustment again! The parts and components are cheap and nasty. It does last as my Carrera proves. This article is so true. Mine was rattly, the brakes not quite right, saddle loose and bell missing. Also, the gears kept jumping out of place, and looking down I noticed the pedal cog was slightly warped. It is absolutely fine. My point is that before I bought these bikes and knew nothing, I bought my daughter a 100 full susser thinking it was a bargain. She didn't! They are known as good British designed conservative designs. I really should have known better but truth be told, I knew she wouldn't use it much. I cycled to and from work yesterday (about 3 miles total!) The tubes installed were oversized and when I looked for the source of the two slow leaks, I found the excess tube folded over on itself inside the tire! Ive repaired bikes since i was 14 and am 54 now i learned how to build bike wheels in 13 weeks built a mtb wheel using a wheel that was out of true stripped it cleaned and serviced the hub with new bearings and spindle and rebuilt the whole wheel roadtest the wheel for six months in my muddy fox silver jaguar mtb then rechecked the wheel and only two spokes needed adjusted Whether youre looking to ensure car and garden hoses can be clipped easily and efficiently, replace worn ball socket joints on windscreen wipers or even carry out work on vehicle brake systems, youll find what youre looking for here. My wife needs to read this article - she thinks a hundred quid BSO is enough to lay out on a weekend bike so the 600 budget ive set myself for a decent hardtail has got her reaching for the rolling pin. The Kalkhoff was expensive but worth it. I bought a claud butler 1992, at the time I was on good wages for my age ( 20 ) so decided to treat myself, I have since passed it on to my father. Most folk consider a bike as poor mans transport and can't see why anyone would pay as much as a cheap used car for a bike. While I agree with some-of-it, I think your an over-rated, EGO-maniacal, ELITIST! When I removed after all those years, it was in absolutely pristine condition and in perfect working order, it just need the tyres pumped up to be back on the road. "I see these BSO things being ridden. I think I agree with the general idea that if you buy cheap you have to buy twice. I think this is an incredibly valuable article. I continue to ride this 'BSO' daily and have no complaint. My "overpriced" bike just lapped it up. One can also be lucky, perhaps in my case the blokes in the factory were actually manufacturing the bike properly! Please enter the content for your inquiry. But I can understand why people buy them, They have no idea what a proper bike will do or how efficient they are. I'd say that most people think good quality bikes are all about designer labels and are largely style over substance in the same way that designer clothes are often made in the same factories as the cheap stuff but are labeled with designer logos. i bought a Trax TR1 5months ago in halfords, cost me 84.99 euro. "Cheap" machines are a scourge - and dangerous. If a component is not up to the job, find out what is compatible and replace it yourself. It's a battered old frame lovingly restored with high quality components for 250. That's fine - just please don't buy a BSO! Like a disheartened guitarist with a cheap guitar gathering dust because it won't stay in tune for two minutes. Easy access into confined areas. while i agree with your article.. but i must say not everyone can afford anything more than a cheap bike.. i have a bike that cost me 200 and i could never afford to pay out more than that. Well it turned out to be the crappiest BSO ever. What they don't realise is, that it wasn't them, it was that heavy, cheap built crap they were trying to push along. Anyway, hope this is informative. I bought my son a $700 Norco for $109. I've just purchased 2 Ridgeback Traditional cycles and so glad I read artice..hope u can give me advice on the purchased Ridgeback (Traditional) 349 each I bought a used Apollo Slant for 20 quid as an emergency back-up for my Trek.The Slant is heavy and not a great ride for the 10 mile round trip to work. The list goes on. Apart from the seat and the brakes everything else is original and still working fine-ish. I'm honestly struggling to comprehend the BSO love. Its a mine field and as I am a novice and beginner thought I need to crawl before I walk. However, now I got myself a entry-range Raleigh commuter bike. Dual suspension. They are an embarrassment to sell. Ask at your local cycle dealer if they run a Savings Club, if so why not join it and save towards a better 3. 20 years later I'm still riding it and the only thing I've altered is the front forks. It's not practical to buy quality bikes for kids, as much as we parents try to educate kids leave their bikes out in the garden every day, they forget to lock them, they crash them, abuse them, don't maintain them and then grow out of them. I have no interest in racing or competition. 'cycle scheme' and I can now by a 600 bike for 360 (saving tax and NI) and pay for it over 1 year through my monthly salary- a great scheme! It is recommended to reserve your time slot before adding all your products into the shopping cart. We have also learned how to service and maintain our bikes. I liked your article on cheap bikes - it put me off buying one from Sterling House. Thank you thank you thank you for this article! I bought what for me was an expensive bike, ( a Voodoo Bakka, which at around 400 quid is a solid little beast. For the tight or low waged there is a middle gound. Didn't think-so. I found this "article" while looking-up a bike I just took in as trade. I have a well used 1972 Honda C50 which is covered in surface rust, blows a bit of smoke when it gets really hot but rides nicely and works every time I choose to ride it. I now find that I want to go a little farther afield and the 6 gears make it hard going up hills, however I cant afford to pay 300+ for a bike so am looking to buy a second hand one for 100 - 150, can anyone suggest a few names that I should look for that might be suitable. Had I known then what I know now, I would have stripped it down completely and rebuilt it. My first 'mountain bike' recieved as a christmas present around 1992 was a rigid, hi-tensile steel framed Townsend with 12-speed Shimano SIS, Cantilever brakes and steel rims (which didn't brake in the wet!!!). A 12-year-old Huffy, and wanted to up-grade the shifting. Handlebars on back to front or upside down. halfords mechanics are a joke they dont know the name of components one didnt know what a rear mech was and another halfords i was in three of them were trying to assemble a bike! I bought my bike from one of the brilliant second hand bike shops in Hove (G-whizz). Now 35 a year for a decent, light, strong bike is excellent value for money in my book! My advice is to spend 20 on MB magazines and look through the buying guides. Total parts and labour 90. The fork has a crack on the clamping section which has been welded.
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