That's funny that you should mention that because I was thinking the same thing last night as I was TRYING to sleep
I don't think that we can blame Wal-Mart for the deteriorating bikes, just the manufacturers - Next, Huffy, etc. for cutting costs on the bikes they produce.
Are any of the second rate brands sold off-shoots of bigger companies - for example, does Trek also mfgr. brand X??
Another thing that really blows me out of the water is that a company that wants a reputation as being quality like Shimano would allow low end bikes to have their components. I guess it is all about the buck for them, too.





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