Walmart Goes Carbon

[michelem]

Full Ultegra/105....

Full Carbon Fiber....

From Wal-Mart....

.....really

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...30660804602498

[Veronica]

Walmart is evil! They are a big part of why there is so little manufacturing in this country anymore. To keep their prices low they force companies to lower their manufacturing costs, hence moving the manufacturing out of the states.

V.

[Zen]

Walmart is evil! They are a big part of why there is so little manufacturing in this country anymore. To keep their prices low they force companies to lower their manufacturing costs, hence moving the manufacturing out of the states.

V.

Part of the reason but not all. which would lead us into a dangerous political discussion.
A whole lot of people can't afford to shop anywhere else.

That's a lot of money for a S-M-L Walmart bike. I bet something reasonably close could be found at your LBS with a service guarantee.

[bike4ever]

Part of the reason but not all. which would lead us into a dangerous political discussion.
A whole lot of people can't afford to shop anywhere else.

That's a lot of money for a S-M-L Walmart bike. I bet something reasonably close could be found at your LBS with a service guarantee.

There is definitely advantages of the Walmart bike - more service for the LBS. We will see an increase in poorly built bikes - more custom fits because of the sizing - and definitely repairs since the bikes never worked right from the beginning. This will be an increase for the LBS.

[Trek420]

A whole lot of people can't afford to shop anywhere else.

Neatly avoiding the dangerous political discussion and focusing on something I think we can mostly agree on is the "false economy" of box store bikes.

I've never been in and don't intend to but "some of my best friends shop at Wallmart." Most say that "I can't afford _____ unless I buy there". Let's not discuss aesthetics and philosophy of "maybe you don't need to have ___ maybe buy fewer but quality ____ and less cr**"

But at the same time most say the quality there is poor at best.

When I think of carbon, CARBON and it being the only thing between my brain and the pavement at ___ mpg I want quality.

[DarcyInOregon]

Walmart is evil! They are a big part of why there is so little manufacturing in this country anymore. To keep their prices low they force companies to lower their manufacturing costs, hence moving the manufacturing out of the states.

V.

Veronica, I won't shop at Walmart either. I never have and I never will.

I live outside a small town. Thank goodness the Walmart store is in the county seat, about 14 miles away. My little town has a small LBS, and the owner is truly amazing. I get exceptional service from him and I will always buy my bikes directly from him.

I've been in the LBS on numerous occassions over the past year when someone has come in with a Walmart bike. They ask the owner if he will fix it. They always say something like, I just bought the bike, I rode it for a few miles and the chain broke, or the gear shifters broke (or something on it broke.) Every time, the store owner tells the person that sorry, he is unable to fix their bike. He doesn't explain to the person why, he just refuses. They exit the store. The shop owner explained to me the first time I witnessed this situation that he refuses to have Made in China Walmart bikes in his shop, that he won't condone or enable the ownership of such bikes, and that the liability factor for even touching such a bike for repair is huge. He said most bike shops won't accept Walmart bikes for repair either, that it is not just him.

I think my LBS is the greatest!

Darcy

[Running Mommy]

sigh...
Oh boy.. Here is running mommy jumping into the shark tank..
Once upon a time I worked for wal mart. Early 90's (very early), the economy was in the dumper, the first wal mart was opening in nor cal, and I needed a halfway decent paying retail job as I was in retail mgmt. Back then wal mart was the ticket. They paid pretty well, and offered me a job managing their cash office. I ended up also managing their billing office, as well as becoming a part of the district audit team. I was a happy wal mart associate. I had good benefits and enjoyed the company.
Of course Sam Walton was still alive. I remember a HUGE billboard touting the percentage of items in the store that were made in america. It was a large chunk of the store. One of the things Sam hung his hat on was how FEW things in the store were made in China, and how many american jobs were created by "buying american"....
And then Sam passed away.....
So much has changed since then, and I really don't fault people for their disdain of Wal Mart. I don't shop there much myself anymore.
Over the years I have always tried to give the little guy my business. My local ACE hardware get's all my home improvement biz. And I would pick and Independent bike shop over a chain any day. I also shop at the local IGA grocery store- they have the best meat and produce around.
I'm about to become an lbs owner myself, and I will be competing with the local wal mart and target. I have my advertising game plan in my head already.
You see when I worked for wal mart I watched the clueless teenagers assemble bikes. It was a scary thing, and I would never let anyone I know buy a bike from a box store- for safety reasons alone. I have seen too many disasters come through the return counter. Wal Mart has paid lots of folks medical bills over the years! Scary stuff when the handle bars fall off!

[Trek420]

He doesn't explain to the person why, he just refuses. They exit the store. The shop owner explained to me the first time I witnessed this situation that he refuses to have Made in China Walmart bikes in his shop, that he won't condone or enable the ownership of such bikes, and that the liability factor for even touching such a bike for repair is huge.

I agree that box store bikes are meant to break within blocks of the store often dangerously and most can't be fixed. I'm glad that you have a great LBS. But I disagree with his approach. Because most of these riders will never ride again, or leave with the impression that bike shops are snobs.

I've seen my shop tell a rider the bike can't be fixed, and not go into detail. Just can't be done. But one of the reasons I like Chris is he respects all bikes. I remember being in when a guy came in looked around and said "I want a full suspsension MTB for around $400".

Chris gave him a concise 30 second explanation of how he'd pay for the "look of suspension" with poor frame, fit and or components and for what the rider wanted to do (fitness, commute) a bike without suspension-better frame and components.

He explained he has nothing in that range which is true, he hardly has parts in that price but sent the guy to some nearby shops....with an invitation that whatever he buys wherever he gets it to come back for maintenance, service and fit.

Now that's good service.

How many of us have heard "I tried cycling but ____ broke and or ____ hurt"

Well where'd you get the bike?

Have to educate people to get thee to a LBS will save you time and $$$ but the LBS should be a welcome place to go.

[DarcyInOregon]

I agree that box store bikes are meant to break within blocks of the store often dangerously and most can't be fixed. I'm glad that you have a great LBS. But I disagree with his approach. Because most of these riders will never ride again, or leave with the impression that bike shops are snobs.

Trek, I disagree. My LBS said that it is a huge liability issue, and that is why he and other shops won't touch a bike from Walmart. The small shops should not endanger their livelihood and their ability to keep their businesses profitable because of these type of Walmart bikes. If they do a repair, and the Walmart bike breaks down again in a short time, which it will, or the bicyclist is injured or killed, the small shops do not have the funds to pay to defend themselves against the frivolous lawsuits. It is that simple. My LBS is merely a smart and wise businessman.

Darcy

[7rider]

My LBS has a big sign at the front of their service bay, announcing that they will not repair "department store" bikes. I was talking to one of the mechanics when a couple came in with 2 beat up Huffys. One had a bent pedal, the other a flat tire. The mechanic said "I can sell you the parts to fix the bikes, but I cannot do the repair."
You could see that it pained the mechanic, as his primary instinct is to throw the bike on the stand and fix it. He would if he could...but the directive had come down.
It's an insurance and liability issue.
As for me...if I had $1800 to plunk down on a 26 pound "carbon" bike from Wal-Mart, I would hope I would know better to take that $1800 and go to a LBS and get a bike that can be serviced and repaired, if necessary, by someone more knowledgeable than me - or the 17 year old behind the cash register.

[Zen]

Trek, I disagree. My LBS said that it is a huge liability issue, and that is why he and other shops won't touch a bike from Walmart

There's no doubt about that. I think the point is though, don't just summarily show them the door and leave them with a bad opinion about bike shops or they will continue to avoid them. Trek's LBS didn't fix the bike but did take the time to explain why and the advantages of the LBS.

[KSH]

Trek, I disagree. My LBS said that it is a huge liability issue, and that is why he and other shops won't touch a bike from Walmart. The small shops should not endanger their livelihood and their ability to keep their businesses profitable because of these type of Walmart bikes. If they do a repair, and the Walmart bike breaks down again in a short time, which it will, or the bicyclist is injured or killed, the small shops do not have the funds to pay to defend themselves against the frivolous lawsuits. It is that simple. My LBS is merely a smart and wise businessman.

Darcy

It's a WalMart bike with Shimano 105 on it. So, I'm not really seeing where there would be an issue with working on the derailer, etc. Sure, fixing the framewould be a no-no, but the components are just as nice or nicer than what a lot of us have on our bikes (my Trek 1000 had Tiara and Soroto, my Specialized has Ultegra, but my Cerevelo has 105's.)

And... you know what... my Specialized has "made in Tawain" stamped on it. So I'm not about to get all snooty about a bike that doesn't have "made in the USA" on it.

Honestly though, it's not a good deal the WalMart bike. You can find a full carbon with 105's on it at any LBS for around that price.

[Starfish]

Every time, the store owner tells the person that sorry, he is unable to fix their bike. He doesn't explain to the person why, he just refuses.

Kind of too bad he won't explain why? He could do some educating.

[Zen]

Kind of too bad he won't explain why? He could do some educating.

yeah, and it probably doesn't help with the stereotype of 'bike snobs' either.

[Trek420]

3 sizes, small medium and large Who do they think they are, Giant?

Says it's assembled by skilled folk right there in Italy y'all and "ready to ride right outa the box."

"Minimal assembly is required for this premium bicycle."

Yeah, by Wallmarts highly "skilled staff" staff of underpaid elves.

No thank you at any price.

+1 what V. sez