Sometimes it takes a ride on a nice bike for someone born and bred on BSO's to understand why proper bikes are more expensive. These are still given away free (I was given mine). If you can't afford new, buy used but keep looking to find a "real" bike. Do not fall for the 50% off, catalogue piles of rubbish. Over 10,000Kms. Yes, it is a heavy bike, and it will never win any speed trials or a fashion contest.but I love it and it has never let me down. With no further expenditure of either money or time? I bought a BSO. I was so bloody wrong. I wouldn't buy a BSO now, having read this. 2. I spent the smallest amount of money that I thought that I could get away with, because, after all, bikes end up the garage and are seldom used. Considering how old this article is, it is still getting its fair share of comments. The BSOs (Mostly ex-supermarket bikes) are used for spares to repair the odd BSO that is worth the effort. SECOND HAND good quality bikes are much less expensive and just as good. Its falling apart. This morning, almost at walking pace, I braked sharply and bumped down a 1 inch kerb. halfords These clips are suitable for firmly holding anything within a fit diameter hole. I have had very expensive bikes in the past, my usual commuter is a Trek and the yes a quality bike is much nicer to ride in all respects; that does not mean however a cheap bike is not fit for general use. Had I known then what I know now, I would have stripped it down completely and rebuilt it. Got a decent aluminum MTB frame and building it up as a commuting bike, leaving the old 'Herc' as backup. Bought it back. I initially looked at several different makes and models in both 16 and 17 inch sizes, all with 26 inch wheels because this wheel size would put me nearer the ground, but they weren't the answer. I have lost with this bike though. I then got on and rode around the circle at my house. Why? Am now looking to upgrade to a hard tail with either v-brakes or discs (the raleigh has cantilevers!). Given I am doing it you should have some sympathy for the bike, live and learn. Unfortunately, not all Halfords staff are like this, owing to the pay, hours and lack of prospect, most mechs are straight from school using it as a fill in job whilst at uni or until something better comes along Amongst my stock I have a 1949 Rudge, a similar year Humber and a 1952 Rudge Whitworth. I just gave my 8 year old daughter a mountain bike I made from 2 that had been left out by somebody for the scrapman. Thanks. I don't see the problem with this; after all, people buy used cars every day and are happy with this. I have however bought a few BSO's second hand, Some had the plastic brake parts but at my 7 -9 mph they worked fine. Mistake. Only advice would be to take out a service-plan if you do get a BSO from the likes of Halfords, regular checks and maintenance is the key to keeping these cheap beasts in good and safe condition (had new tyres and a new back wheel in 3 years - which I dont think is too shabby for a 100 odd quid bike!). The parts are a little exoensive compared to bso's but i wont part with it. And the bit the creaks isn't anything of much importance, just an apparently added on analog speedometer/odometer. It is heavier than an adult bike and the gear levers are plastic. I actually have people expressing interest on the bicycle. Interesting article on the pitfalls of buying cheap.Your guy talks a lot sense and I agree with the basic concept of 'buy cheap,buy twice' [or three times!] i love this article, i used to have like 30 cheap bikes (about 5 now, i ended up giving alot away and cutting the rest up) but i now have 2 quality bikes and its awesome!!! Whether youre looking to ensure car and garden hoses can be clipped easily and efficiently, replace worn ball socket joints on windscreen wipers or even carry out work on vehicle brake systems, youll find what youre looking for here. What I would add is that second hand bikes can be bought cheaply but allow buyers to trade up in performance compared to what they would have been able to afford buying new. Maybe the department stores will start training their assemblers better & have free "break-in" & adjustment warranties! Yes you will pay a bit more but the change in quality is huge. There are cheap bikes that are of superb quality Compare it to mobile phones, computer consoles etc and it's far better value (and it won't be crippled by an OS 'upgrade' in 18 months time). Like a disheartened guitarist with a cheap guitar gathering dust because it won't stay in tune for two minutes. Just to add some balanceI just bought a Carrera Subway 1 from Halfords for 186 (in the sale). Many congratulations on your "Dont! everything that moves) which were all well on their way out. Apart from a flat tyre in the first few days of using it (in its defence, the track I was riding on was lined with spiky shrubs!)

my old mountain bike is from the eighties, heavy and built like a tank, but even though its hard work to get anywhere , its still going !! We hardly ever went out on them, and guess what? Heavy bikes may or may not be more dependable, may be as fast as lighter bikes on level ground. While I agree with some-of-it, I think your an over-rated, EGO-maniacal, ELITIST! Lots of Skoda's and Lada's were sold many years ago.I do not think I could afford a new bike, even a cheap BSO. ow thermal conductivity, non-magnetic, strength - theweight is high. The wheels are still closer to true than I'd ever get them myself, blah blah. It's not practical to buy quality bikes for kids, as much as we parents try to educate kids leave their bikes out in the garden every day, they forget to lock them, they crash them, abuse them, don't maintain them and then grow out of them. If you ever find a decrepit product of theirs do not hesitate to contact them and let them know it is ass. But you're right it been a pain last 6 months. i always say if these in my opinion all halfords mechanics should be made to do a compulsory cytech course to learn bike mechanics properly instead they employ under 25's who ride mtb but just about grasp the basics of bike mechanics yet when i tried for a job with halfords 12 years ago i was told because of my age i didnt fit into their corporate image ie under 25 and know damn all about how to fix bikes. Other than very minor gearing adjustments it's been flawless since I bought it, I've probably done a couple of thousand miles on it so far and it still rides like a dream. Lasted for two miles before the crankshaft died. :-D. its all true, common sense really, you want good it costs money, if its cheap then its either crap or stolen !! The problem is that most people see 100-150 as the going rate for a bike and anything over that is seen as excessive or needlessly expensive. Better, in fact, considering how many modern bicycles sacrifice comfort and features for racer looks. It's now a lovely bike to ride, and the paint is still like new. 400 is still excellent value. I read the off hand comments about buying a 1000 pound bike and weep. Go out and enjoy the freedom! A looney from my work bought it brand new n coz they released a version with disc brakes 2 wks after ojrchasin sed bike, he sold me the banshee for 80. Within weeks its all rusty and gear would not change properly Id be lucky to get AU$40 for it now.. But I can understand why people buy them, They have no idea what a proper bike will do or how efficient they are. They are an embarrassment to sell. It`s just common sense really, but what i find hard is getting a decent quality bike for my kids. I have a Specialized FSRxc full susser and decided to take a family member out for an off road ride on his Apollo BSO. It's a little on the heavy side but it's nothing I can't cope with. I even shelled out for some fancy grips and bar ends. Clark slingsby. In 1999, living in a remote part of Wales, we ordered an MTB-style bike for my wife from a well-known UK high street catalogue store.

hi ive just bought an apollo from halfords, brakes rub and move onto the wheel, back wheel was buckeled, gears at the back were jumping, front gears would not go into position and took a while to change over, puncture within ten miles, with no damage to the tyre, and now my bottom bracket has broke and my pedals and front gears wobble, not impressed with the set up halfords have done, plus when riding my mud guards move down and rub against my tyre there a joke, with in a day i was back about the gears, two days later for the gears again puncture and mud guards which only the puncture got sorted, this was a little more at 180 and ive had three weeks worth out of it, Good article, should appear more widely. If a bike goes wrong on the road there is no equivalent of the AA or RAC. We sell them and give the money to charity. The gears are clutched! One can also be lucky, perhaps in my case the blokes in the factory were actually manufacturing the bike properly! The important thing is to do a bit of research and not just buy something because of the name or because its cheap. I work for a retailer that offer affordable mountain bikes to the public. Whilst I'm sure that you love your Viking, the Viking and ridgebacks are in different leagues. With bikes - in a sense - the more you spend the less you get. I am already looking at buying a good bike from my local bike shop. bring back internal gear hubs for cyclists who want reliability. Refused to do this again. Total parts and labour 90. I am a poor man and can't afford cheap things.buy cheap and buy twice. Was always breaking spokes until they were replaced. Everyone I know has a relatively cheap bike - i.e. Knock off products are a bad idea. These bikes are made of good steel and use quality components, and you can pick them up for less than a day's wage, forget a week. Hope the word goes out to all the people looking for bikes - I personally think those cheap bikes should be banned for health & safety reasons! Asked for 10.. deal. Many people research buying washing machines etc but spend little or no time on purchasing a bike. Buy a second hand quality bike on eBay and it will last for years. If wheels rub on brake blocks, adjust them, or true the wheel. I constantly get overtaken by fellow cyclists on my way in to the Airbase that I am currently stationed, they are usually on super slick, light roadbikes. I have, sometimes they listen. Most of my bikes cost nothing. I have bought a cheap bike two times. I wouldn't use it to hang clothes from. Now riding norco and never had an issue. Alex, the average wage figures are simply for comparison. Some people in NZ even apply for finance to buy these so called bikes. There is however no build quality what so ever. They may not sparkle and glitter like all those sheds' and online offerings but they all run "sweet as a nut" as a London used car dealer might aver. Dual suspension. it's not the hubs fault the bearings were way over tightened at the factory and never properly re-adjusted before ridden. Keep wheeling guys, suck it up. I've had issues with both inexpensive and high end bikes. It's a pity that they don't make Raleighs any more. They don't last as long and the labor for repair is no different. It was returned to the shop and they just replaced it with another bike. The Colnago is also great (actually brilliant) but I am constantly nervous each time I see a manhole/pothole/gravel ahead. know u dont sell bikes, however some examples of good and reasonable bikes and companies would be welcome, for hybrids, mtbs and road bikes. If you want something to ride short distances and leave in a risky location (but still securely locked!) Both wheels were buckled out of the box so I sent it back and got another one which was exactly the same!! I ride a +35 years-old Peugeot steel-frame road bike that's still in great condition thanks to being looked after, and so I reckon "ten years of use" can be increased a lot more - a good bike with good maintenance could last way longer. One of the best value all round bikes for those who want to keep the money to an absolute minimum - today - appears to be Halford's "Carrera Subway Hybrid Limited Edition 2014" at two hundred pounds. All said, I would not buy a dirt cheap new BSO, but i would and do buy cheap used BSO's if they are useless they get scrapped, If they are ok i service them and give to Volunteers. Sadly the British bike industry (in common with every other country, it seems)does not cater for the likes of me, it seems it is more concerned with young riders with 30+ inside leg measurements who either road race or ride "off road". They cost a few hundred quid back then, but you can bag a bargain now for between 40-100. As everyday cyclists / mechanics we have a duty to educate people new to this hobby, but this doesn't necessarily mean stopping people only spending 100 on their new wheels, but giving them advice about their choices, suggesting other places to look for a bike, but most importantly not bullying them into making their purchases because you are a brand snob or wouldn't dream of buying second hand.

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