rfenst wrote:Walmart always has a nice, inexpensive quality stock fo what your going to be using it for.
I looked when I was at Walmart grabbing worms when I took the boy fishing. They had about 5 bikes on the rack, mostly kids bikes and one womans cruiser bike.
I'm looking to buy something nicer anyway. There's a huge difference between bargain hubs and bearings and derailers and stuff. I got a lot of years outta my budget level bike, but everything's broken or worn well beyond its spec. I bought the wife a nicer bike about 8 years ago. She rides it enough, at least as much if not more than I ride, and other than airing up tires and I've lubed bearings in the pedal set and steering tube once, it's been flawless. Hubs haven't loosened or started to bind, wheels are straight, derailers perfectly accurate. Initially I was kicking myself for spending almost $500 on a damn bicycle when we're not cyclists but now I'm getting it.
Kid got a bike built in 2014 for his birthday in 2018. Budget bike. When we were riding today I noticed the sound of unlubricated or poorly tensioned bearings. When we got home I found both. I had a set of bearings that fit, but the races were scored. Not quite notched/lumpy but not perfect. Lubed it up and he said it "feels like the bike has more power"
I'm staying well under $1k, ideally $600 max, but looking for a 20 year bike. I think beyond that price range you start getting into specialty bikes/components that are well beyond my needs. After I sent in my last student loan payment I've been treating myself to a lot of toys. I think the bicycle will be the last one, then it's on to more grownup stuff.