Comments on: Wal-Mart concept store features ‘real’ bike shop

By: Bennie Mcwhite

Bennie Mcwhite — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:59:44 +0000

Hey not to go off topic but can anyone give me overview of. New York Car Insurance Reform 295 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007 (646) 351-0824 They are down the block with me. I was wondering if they were a good insurance company. I need to get coverage, it is regulations you know, but I need to have a good price price plus I’d prefer friendly service.

By: Rolf Manza

Rolf Manza — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:23:57 +0000

Incredibly this is a unusual issue to deal with,really should this kind of possibly seem to be useful in the foreseeable future I am sure this may certainly be a lesson found. Hardly has this taken place with such type of great attention of a wide range of the effects,the fishing could possibly improve but it is not really just about a person mainly because nature is at total power.

By: steve

steve — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:22:38 +0000

David, I am genuinely sorry to bear that bad news to you. I really mean that. Foreign-made does not equal junk, though. Japan began as a junk-bike manufacturer. Now, Japanese bikes are on par, if not better than European and American. They built so many, they just got good at it. It happened to Taiwan, it will happen to China, too. Let me tell you, proper assembly means a lot more than country of origin, anyway. If one chooses not to support the Chinese for humanitarian reasons, so be it. In fact, more power to you. But, the sales and maintenance of any bike within our borders creates jobs. There are many more layers to this woeful economic tale, sadly, very few of which we can actually affect, even in numbers. Join me in praying for the Invisible Hand to reach down and hit global Reset, with minimal bloodshed. Peace on Earth!

By: David

David — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 01:44:50 +0000

Steve, you hurt my feelings, “Trek not made in USA”, but really that makes all bikes foreign made and most bikes made do come from China, they have a worldwide distribution, so why knock bsr when the LBS sell Chinese made bikes also. And those people who drive Hummers and SUVs don’t bike cummute, after all Walmart sells other things besides bikes. No one buys a race machines from Walmart anyway. But people who have to commuite do not pay top dollar for a machine that can be stolen and they will need a replacement quickly. So they buy cheap machines that can with stand the abuses of daily commuting without falling apart. Commute bikes are utility bikes anyway.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 04:42:45 +0000

David, you haven’t done any research, Trek is NOT MADE IN THE U.S.A.! Cannondale is the last company to mass produce bicycles domestically, and that’s history pretty soon here, because they were just bought by Pacific, the largest bike manufacturer in the world. I’m sure there will be more corrections to your line of dribble soon. Let’s get back to the topic.

By: David

David — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:02:46 +0000

Rick, I have done my research. All the stuff that comes from China is slave labor from their prison camps, even a good deal of high-end brands, except Trek which is made in USA. Look at the made in tag. I was shocked that two local cruiser companies had their bikes made in China not in California as their ads say. Giant is a Chinese company, they got their start by making Schwinns in the late 70s and 80s to name one.

By: David

David — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 16:43:51 +0000

bikegonewild, thanks for the nice comment, I do agree wth you that if you can afford it to pay for an LBS bike why not buy one, but in my area most bike commuters can’t afford anything but the low-end of bsr bikes. I agree a good mechanic is always need and will have a passion for cycling. I went to my local LBS mechanic for 18 months before I had enough duchets to buy for my new LBS bike which had to be special order and then modified for my special needs (I am disabled). My mechanic has kept my bsr bike running its best for the last two years. You can always start with a low-end bike and upgrade components as you need to, and when you can eventually afford your dream bike, buy it.

By: bikesgonewild

bikesgonewild — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 09:30:43 +0000

…david…i think everyone on this site would agree w/ you in encouraging people to get out of their cars and commute (when possible) by bike…

…if it’s not too much of a stretch, i’ll draw a parallel w/ the old saying: give a man a fish and feed him for a day, but teach a man to fish and he can feed himself forever…

…you can certainly walk into wal-mart, buy a $ 2OO bike that works, and go about your business…
…whereas if you get involved w/ your LBS, they’re going to share their personal enthusiasm for cycling…you might cynically say, “well sure, that way they can try and sell me more stuff”, but the truth is, shop guys (and girls) work where they do because they love cycling and the pride they take in setting up your bike to be a safe and well balanced machine is to your advantage…whether they’re ‘certified” or not…
…no one works in a bike shop expecting to make a fortune, so there is a lot of spirit and pride involved in both the business and activity of cycling and if the LBS turns you, the customer into a fan, then you’ll take pride in your own involvement…

…you do something awesome by commuting, david and i applaud your efforts…you’re taking the first step in making a difference…enjoy that fact…

…two quick points…
…one, i think a good bike mechanic is an artist & i consider myself lucky to have several friends that worked for years on the PRO circuit…i’m not trusting them w/ just my bike, but my life…and i feel comfortable w/ that…

…finally, i would mirror bsr’s statement, “those of us who can afford quality gear, and do, aren’t snobs…were cyclist’s”…

By: BSR

BSR — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 03:13:10 +0000

David, your words don’t make sense:

Most of you are nothing but snobs, to good to shop in department stores. The purpose of this and other commuting websites is to get more people out of their cars and onto bikes, no matter how much it cost or where they bought it.

Ok….I choose not to shop there because I prefer to buy local, and also prefer better quality products. I also hate what Wal-Mart has done to this country and don’t want to support their mission. It has nothing to do with snobbery. Each time I pass a Wal-Mart or Sams parking lot, I see plenty of Hummers & Escalades — cars that scream SNOB.

I agree that we need to get more people out of their cars and onto bikes. However I don’t think the price of a quality bicycle is a problem for anyone who can afford a car. Why some people will spend $25K for a nice sedan, but balk at paying anything over $200 for a nice bike is a mystery to me. If you are dedicated and lucky enough to completely replace your bike with your car, it’s a no-brainer, and you save tons of money. Even if you aren’t financially well-off, and drive a $3K used beater or ride the bus, a $600 bike can pay for itself pretty quickly by not having to buy gas or bus-tickets.

Those of us who can afford quality gear, and do, aren’t snobs. We’re cyclists. You say you don’t want to put a caste system around the bike, but that’s what your comments seem designed to do.

By: bikesgonewild

bikesgonewild — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:32:44 +0000

…if i’m young fred w/ some limited bike mechanic skills & i get a wrench job in the ‘bike department’ @ wal-mart, AND if those ‘friendly’ guys who work at the LBS should happen to invite me out for the local tues niter, i’m thinkin’ i better check my quick releases & seat clamp, every time i get on my bike…

…i jest, but you’re not gonna be real popular in the cycling community by wrenchin’ @ the wal-mart…