Target Schwinn, why not?

gamby wrote: I'm willing to pay that in order to know the name of the guy building my frame.

Is his name Bob? Please tell me his name is Bob.

Re: kids bikes.

I sold my girlfriend's ten year old trek 24" last spring and I was amazed at what was out there. Pristine $300 bikes for $100 all day long. And value was very condition based (rather than year of production based), so if your kid is fairly easy on the bike and you can maintain it yourself you could probably keep your kid in good quality bikes from 5 to 15 without spending any money.

Buy a good bike for $100 used, sell it for $100 three years later vs. Buying a crap Walmart bike for $80 and in three years it's worth about ten bucks.

ShadowSix wrote: Re: kids bikes. I sold my girlfriend's ten year old trek 24" last spring and I was amazed at what was out there. Pristine $300 bikes for $100 all day long. And value was very condition based (rather than year of production based), so if your kid is fairly easy on the bike and you can maintain it yourself you could probably keep your kid in good quality bikes from 5 to 15 without spending any money. Buy a good bike for $100 used, sell it for $100 three years later vs. Buying a crap Walmart bike for $80 and in three years it's worth about ten bucks.

yup that is my plans :)... and by then I should be able to buy him a real bike and let him ride that till he's 16 or so... if i'm lucky he'll still like going and riding with dad by then lol...

gamby wrote:

Flight Service wrote: I see the same crap SR Suntour shocks on $1000 bikes from the bike store. And yes they are crap.

I don't believe this. A $1000 bike is going to have a MUCH better fork on it. As others have said, assembly is the big issue. I quit Dick's Sporting Goods a few years ago, where I worked as a bike tech. I fixed some HORRIBLE errors from other stores that ended up landing on me. I kept getting less and less time to actually do my job and then cut the cord. They've cut payroll WAY too much to expect a safely built bike at this point. Bikes Direct is great. If you can put it together and adjust it yourself, great--otherwise, pay a shop $100 to do it.

Went by the true little guy here locally (We have 2 snooty shops and one little guy) He specialized in refurbed machines. I asked him what he would charge to assemble a bikes direct straight out of the box bike and he said $50.

He does alot of business and has a good reputation so there is my solution.

sounds like a good deal and good way to get one of the bikes direct bikes properly setup if you don't know the ins and outs and don't care to learn...

anyway figured I'd post here... my 30 year old frameset built up with random parts... just fixed a flat and was rolling the tube up so I could patch it at home... nice 36 mile ride with a new local riding friend

Flight Service wrote:

gamby wrote: I'm willing to pay that in order to know the name of the guy building my frame.

Is his name Bob? Please tell me his name is Bob.

Jay, actually.

http://www.circleacycles.com/

http://jaynutini.com/

Flight Service wrote: Went by the true little guy here locally (We have 2 snooty shops and one little guy) He specialized in refurbed machines. I asked him what he would charge to assemble a bikes direct straight out of the box bike and he said $50. He does alot of business and has a good reputation so there is my solution.

I've toyed with the idea of getting insurance so I can assemble bikes out of my garage. I just wonder if it would pay off.

BTW--(since donalson posted a pic)

This is from today's quickie 20 miler

gamby wrote:

Flight Service wrote:

gamby wrote: I'm willing to pay that in order to know the name of the guy building my frame.

Is his name Bob? Please tell me his name is Bob.

Jay, actually. http://www.circleacycles.com/ http://jaynutini.com/

Oh, well that is disappointing. I was hoping his name was Bob.

gamby wrote:

Flight Service wrote: Went by the true little guy here locally (We have 2 snooty shops and one little guy) He specialized in refurbed machines. I asked him what he would charge to assemble a bikes direct straight out of the box bike and he said $50. He does alot of business and has a good reputation so there is my solution.

I've toyed with the idea of getting insurance so I can assemble bikes out of my garage. I just wonder if it would pay off.

I think there is a market for it. Hook up with BikesDirect.com Measure people and fit them and assemble them when they come in.

Seems like a great little part time weekend gig.

Flight Service wrote:

neon4891 wrote: I find this thread relevant. I'm semi-interested in a Target schwinn. Hybrid, 700mm, no suspension, 7 or 8 speed. On paper, similar to my D-Back Kalamar that I lost to a water fall. Unfortunately it costs almost as much as a new kalamar. Only I haven't been able to find a kalamar locally.

That is the bike that got this thread going

Is it the bright green one? I think the color is one of the reasons I want it.

neon4891 wrote:

Flight Service wrote:

neon4891 wrote: I find this thread relevant. I'm semi-interested in a Target schwinn. Hybrid, 700mm, no suspension, 7 or 8 speed. On paper, similar to my D-Back Kalamar that I lost to a water fall. Unfortunately it costs almost as much as a new kalamar. Only I haven't been able to find a kalamar locally.

That is the bike that got this thread going

Is it the bright green one? I think the color is one of the reasons I want it.

Red one... :(