Walmart Goes Carbon

[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.

[VeloVT]

Wait... 26 lbs??? I sure hope that includes the box and padding, because I just don't think anyone going to rush out to buy a carbon/ultegra "road race" bike that weighs 26 lbs when they could lose nearly 10 lbs for maybe $200 or $300 more (or for that matter, lose almost as much without spending any more by buying an alu bike. one wonders how the quality of the carbon is anyway).

And I won't defend this point on this board should anyone disagree, because I just don't want to go there, but for many reasons I just can't support Walmart.

It is interesting that they are now carrying $1900 "road race" bikes though -- one wonder 1) what this means about what Walmart perceives to be its target demographic and 2) what this means about how popular perceptions of cycling may be changing...

[Jo-n-NY]

Wait... 26 lbs??? I sure hope that includes the box and padding, because I just don't think anyone going to rush out to buy a carbon/ultegra "road race" bike that weighs 26 lbs when they could lose nearly 10 lbs for maybe $200 or $300 more (or for that matter, lose almost as much without spending any more by buying an alu bike. one wonders how the quality of the carbon is anyway).

And I won't defend this point on this board should anyone disagree, because I just don't want to go there, but for many reasons I just can't support Walmart.

It is interesting that they are now carrying $1900 "road race" bikes though -- one wonder 1) what this means about what Walmart perceives to be its target demographic and 2) what this means about how popular perceptions of cycling may be changing...

I think the average person that shops here does not do their homework. They see the advertisement, see the word carbon and just assume they are getting the deal of a lifetime. I feel like planting myself in the aisle and educate anyone interested in these bikes, but then I would probably get arrested.

However, should the conversation about buying a bike at Walmart, SportsAuthority etc.,come up wherever, there is no stopping my mouth.

~ JoAnn

[Running Mommy]

I was recently reading the NBDA's (national bike dealer association) newsletter and there was a story about a shop owner that buys the broken bikes off of wal mart for pennies on the dollar. He then fixes them up and resells them as used bikes. His take is that he can tell people who call and ask "we have used bikes that start at 75.00". Of course when they hit the shop he's generally able to upsell them. But some folks just don't want to pay more for a bike, so at least they are getting a safe ride.
The bikes would be hitting the landfill otherwise, so at least he's able to "recycle" them...

[singletrackmind]

Must...............restrain............self............from..........crappy............walmart.........

[mimitabby]

gross!

[Skierchickie]

Gross, yes... but strangely cool! I vote for adding the puking smilie!

I must weigh in on the "say no to Walmart" side. For various reasons. I used to, but for two years I've been "clean".

[KnottedYet]

My LBS specializes in used bikes. And they do a roaring business! There are plenty of folks who would rather spend $300 on a good quality used bike than on a less reliable cheap new bike.

But the reverse is also true.

BTW, the LBS has a rack of "free" bikes. Mostly trade-in box-store bikes that they won't resell. And generally they look pretty new...