Comments on: Commuting 101: Bike Shaped Objects http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:00:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: wv cycling http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/comment-page-1/#comment-294714 wv cycling Fri, 24 Jun 2011 23:26:20 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/#comment-294714 This is a list of all the BSO companies in North America. If you ever find a decrepit product of theirs... do not hesitate to contact them and let them know it is ass. http://i53.tinypic.com/25qyp2t.jpg This is a list of all the BSO companies in North America. If you ever find a decrepit product of theirs… do not hesitate to contact them and let them know it is ass.

http://i53.tinypic.com/25qyp2t.jpg

]]> By: Presta Vs Shrader http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/comment-page-1/#comment-145319 Presta Vs Shrader Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:41:50 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/#comment-145319 [...] more easily adjustable systems for a while. Only to be found on cheap mountain bikes, the kinds of BSO’s that have “Cantilever Brake Technology” written on the chainstays, or, more preferably [...] [...] more easily adjustable systems for a while. Only to be found on cheap mountain bikes, the kinds of BSO’s that have “Cantilever Brake Technology” written on the chainstays, or, more preferably [...]

]]> By: Bailey http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/comment-page-1/#comment-111421 Bailey Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:09:38 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/#comment-111421 I found a BSO ditched on the side of the road, and I know it was ditched because there was weeds growing all over it, and I fixed it up and it rides like a dream! Although it's terrible going up hill, it's the best bike I've ever found on the side of the road. . . it's the only one I've found, but it's still awesome for a free bike! I found a BSO ditched on the side of the road, and I know it was ditched because there was weeds growing all over it, and I fixed it up and it rides like a dream! Although it’s terrible going up hill, it’s the best bike I’ve ever found on the side of the road. . . it’s the only one I’ve found, but it’s still awesome for a free bike!

]]> By: Brian http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/comment-page-1/#comment-102078 Brian Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:25:13 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/#comment-102078 I'll be the first to admit, I shied away from local bike shops for many years because it seemed so out-of-my-league and elitist. Just walking by and seeing a $2,000-3,000 road bike in the front window is enough to make me choke. I managed to find decent quality used bikes though. When I finally got into cycling for real, it was for commuting and transportation, and I managed to score a '96 Bridgestone mountain bike at a local pawn shop for $60 (I bought my wife's Fuji MTB at a pawn shop as well for $40). This year though is when I started riding daily, and have gradually added to the bike to "commutify" it... street tires, fenders, lights, new drive train... little by little as I got the money. When I bought my first road bike this summer, I browsed Craigslist and other used bike options... and finally found a used '03 KHS for $270. I don't consider any of my bikes BSOs, just entry-level bikes from quality manufacturers. The problem is unless people are serious about cycling, I'm afraid most folks won't even know where to find a good used bike... so all they know is Wal-Mart's BSOs or the $1,000+ LBS option. No wonder BSOs are so prevalent. I’ll be the first to admit, I shied away from local bike shops for many years because it seemed so out-of-my-league and elitist. Just walking by and seeing a $2,000-3,000 road bike in the front window is enough to make me choke. I managed to find decent quality used bikes though.

When I finally got into cycling for real, it was for commuting and transportation, and I managed to score a ’96 Bridgestone mountain bike at a local pawn shop for $60 (I bought my wife’s Fuji MTB at a pawn shop as well for $40). This year though is when I started riding daily, and have gradually added to the bike to “commutify” it… street tires, fenders, lights, new drive train… little by little as I got the money.

When I bought my first road bike this summer, I browsed Craigslist and other used bike options… and finally found a used ’03 KHS for $270. I don’t consider any of my bikes BSOs, just entry-level bikes from quality manufacturers.

The problem is unless people are serious about cycling, I’m afraid most folks won’t even know where to find a good used bike… so all they know is Wal-Mart’s BSOs or the $1,000+ LBS option. No wonder BSOs are so prevalent.

]]> By: Noah http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/comment-page-1/#comment-99416 Noah Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:49:54 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/#comment-99416 That looks more solid. I am not familiar with those hubs so I don't know if it's a freehub or a freewheel. Some will scoff at Mongoose, Diamondback, Schwinn and the like, however they can be decent bikes if you shop out of the "toy store" price range. That looks more solid. I am not familiar with those hubs so I don’t know if it’s a freehub or a freewheel. Some will scoff at Mongoose, Diamondback, Schwinn and the like, however they can be decent bikes if you shop out of the “toy store” price range.

]]> By: J,E http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/comment-page-1/#comment-99415 J,E Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:26:08 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/#comment-99415 http://www.simplythebike.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=3134 http://www.simplythebike.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=3134

]]> By: J,E http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/comment-page-1/#comment-99414 J,E Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:24:41 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/#comment-99414 Hii thank you for that reply, im am going to consider this bike instead insteadhttp://www.simplythebike.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=3134 , do you think it is a better option? thanks Hii thank you for that reply, im am going to consider this bike instead insteadhttp://www.simplythebike.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=3134
, do you think it is a better option?
thanks

]]> By: Noah http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/comment-page-1/#comment-99413 Noah Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:18:51 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/#comment-99413 I'd call it a BSO. "real" Dual suspension bikes are going to cost more than that. The cheap rear spring and pivot point in the frame aren't very high quality. The rear hub, if it's anything like my bike that looked similar, will fall apart in only a few months. Also, those cable-actuated disc brakes aren't always the best quality. I look for a few things on an entry-level bike: * Trigger shifters. Grip shifters break easily and aren't as reliable. * Freehub/Cassette rear wheel. Look for one of these lock-rings screwed onto the smallest cog on the back: http://bestsinglespeedbike.com/images/Lock-Ring2.jpg - Another good indicator, but not 100% accurate, is having a quick-release rear wheel. * Rigid frame or front-suspension (hardtail), although cheap front suspensions don't do much good anyways. * Be prepared to spend about.£200.£250. In the US, it seems like $350 is kind of the breaking point for a bike that will last and is easily upgraded/repaired. I’d call it a BSO. “real” Dual suspension bikes are going to cost more than that. The cheap rear spring and pivot point in the frame aren’t very high quality. The rear hub, if it’s anything like my bike that looked similar, will fall apart in only a few months. Also, those cable-actuated disc brakes aren’t always the best quality.

I look for a few things on an entry-level bike:
* Trigger shifters. Grip shifters break easily and aren’t as reliable.
* Freehub/Cassette rear wheel. Look for one of these lock-rings screwed onto the smallest cog on the back: http://bestsinglespeedbike.com/images/Lock-Ring2.jpg – Another good indicator, but not 100% accurate, is having a quick-release rear wheel.
* Rigid frame or front-suspension (hardtail), although cheap front suspensions don’t do much good anyways.
* Be prepared to spend about.£200.£250. In the US, it seems like $350 is kind of the breaking point for a bike that will last and is easily upgraded/repaired.

]]> By: J,E http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/comment-page-1/#comment-99410 J,E Sat, 29 Nov 2008 16:58:38 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/#comment-99410 is a silverfox serpent a bso? http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3321559/Trail/searchtext%3ESERPENT.htm is a silverfox serpent a bso? http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3321559/Trail/searchtext%3ESERPENT.htm

]]> By: AS http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/comment-page-1/#comment-94872 AS Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:30:15 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/30/commuting-101-bike-shaped-objects/#comment-94872 I'm sure there are great points to be made for and against BSOs. But for me personally, I went through enough of em from childhood to collegehood (new ones and hand-me-downs) and never fell in love with biking. When my friend built me my first road bike (for free...from a local community bike org) it was like everything clicked. I just wish now that I could convince people to pick up old bikes from craigslist before turning to walmart! Even the low quality frames from the 70s and 80s are better (imo) than what you get today for less than 300, at a fraction of the price! I’m sure there are great points to be made for and against BSOs. But for me personally, I went through enough of em from childhood to collegehood (new ones and hand-me-downs) and never fell in love with biking. When my friend built me my first road bike (for free…from a local community bike org) it was like everything clicked. I just wish now that I could convince people to pick up old bikes from craigslist before turning to walmart! Even the low quality frames from the 70s and 80s are better (imo) than what you get today for less than 300, at a fraction of the price!

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