Walmart Goes Carbon

[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...

[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...

[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".

[sgtiger]

I used to work for one of their competitors. In our store, an actual bike mechanic would come out from Huffy and assemble those things. But even then, it was iffy.

Most of the people ,who would buy a bike from there, have no clue about what makes a quality bike. I tried to get customers to at least choose the right size bike for them or their children. They usually didn't listen. They would pick out the bike that looked the coolest.

Once, I was asked about what would be the best bike for downhill riding. I honestly told them that, though the bikes had "suspension forks" and MTB tires, they were not meant to be ridden off road (It even says so in the manual but usually left off after the bikes are assembled. Not that anyone reads those things anyway. ). And that they could do better buying a used bike at a well reputed re-sale sporting goods store located a few blocks away. They discounted what I told them figuring I didn't know anything 'cause, you know, I'm a girl. Then they I asked another associate (BTW clueless about bikes), who happened to be walking by, the same question right in front of me. He just told them what they wanted to hear. They were happy and bought the bikes they had been eye-balling. Oh, well; I tried.

[teigyr]

I'm not seeing the average Wal-Mart customer spending $1800 on a bike, carbon or not. And the S/M/L options?

I think the majority of people think $300 is too much for a bike. Sad, but true. I enjoyed the description though Italian assembly means a lot.

I choose not to go to Wal-Mart. Some of their business practices aside, I have found the stores to be dirty (yes, I have gone IN them, my father seems to think they are wonderful), the sales associates unhelpful, and the merchandise to be haphazardly placed. For the gourmet budget shopping experience, I prefer Target.

[HillSlugger]

It says that the 26+ weight is shipping weight. I wonder what the bike itself weighs!

I saw a coworker bike into work a few weeks ago. Yesterday I asked if he's commuted again. He said no, that his bike was broken (brakes not working). He had bought a Huffy for $58. Doh! I volunteered to try to do something with it, but I don't know if he'll take me up on my offer.

[Zen]

I volunteered to try to do something with it, but I don't know if he'll take me up on my offer.

What do you think you can do with it besides throw it in the Potomac?

[KnottedYet]

Oh, dear! Somebody making those first tentative steps toward bike-world and commuting, and then his bike lets him down!

I just wanna run out and buy him a bike and get him riding! I hope he doesn't give up!

[HillSlugger]

What do you think you can do with it besides throw it in the Potomac?

I can try to adjust the brakes so that he can still ride.

[Trek420]

I can try to adjust the brakes so that he can still ride.

.... and introduce him to a local bike shop that sells used/and or entry level reliable bikes.

[HillSlugger]

.... and introduce him to a local bike shop that sells used/and or entry level reliable bikes.

You got it! He already sees the error of his ways