Buying a bike

vorange said:

I want to buy a bmx type of bike from walmart. Visited walmart to take
a look at what they have.

What is the difference really between a BMX and a mountain bike? When
I was young, I never heard of mountain bikes and they seem to have come
out of nowhere. To me they are just bmx bikes in a different form.

If I remember my 80's lore correctly, BMX bikes were designed for
tracks of a similar vein to motocross tracks, mountain bikes were
designed for more general purpose off-road bicycling. In general, I'd
say that BMX bikes are much more compact and not really designed for
any form of distance riding by an adult (where as they might suffice
for children < 12).

Quoted message said:

Any
other things I should know before buying the bike?

Well, what do you want to do with the bike? If it's a first bike for a
child, then the Wal-Mart bikes are probably OK (not great, but they'll
grow out of them quick anyway). If you want to commute on it daily,
I'd say you need to invest in a more reliable ride than is available at
the local mega-mart. I haven't ridden a department store bike in
almost 30 years, but from what I've seen the parts are usually pretty
hard to adjust, there are questionable brakes on some, and they are
*heavy*. A good used bike is usually no more expensive and will
deliver many years of more satisfactory riding.

-Sandro

vorange said:

I want to buy a bmx type of bike from walmart.

My best advice: don't by ANYTHING from Wal-Mart.

Bill

__o | Do not rich men oppress you?
_`\(,_ |
(_)/ (_) | -- James 2: 6

Quoted message said:

vorange said:

I want to buy a bmx type of bike from walmart.

My best advice: don't by ANYTHING from Wal-Mart.

Bill

What are you trying to do with an attitude like that? But Chinamen out
of work? Shame on you, not supporting the PRC. 😉

A Jinxian swampdweller said:

My best advice: don't by ANYTHING
from Wal-Mart.

Quoted message said:

Bill

To which I heartilly agree. Wally World knows little about bikes, so it
will probably be assembled wrong, and some bike shops won't even touch
the things.

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My web Site:
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sandro said:

the local mega-mart. I haven't ridden a department store bike in
almost 30 years, but from what I've seen the parts are usually pretty
hard to adjust, there are questionable brakes on some, and they are
*heavy*.

One reason they are heavy is they have steel wheels. Steel wheels are
useless for braking in the rain.

Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

vorange said:

Also, how tall of a person is a 20" tire bicycle intended for? Any
other things I should know before buying the bike?

To not damage your knees your leg should be almost straight on the down
pedal. So for a normal adult male you'd need a pretty long seat post on a
20" bike.

Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

Don Wiss said:

vorange said:

Also, how tall of a person is a 20" tire bicycle intended for? Any
other things I should know before buying the bike?

To not damage your knees your leg should be almost straight on the down
pedal. So for a normal adult male you'd need a pretty long seat post on a
20" bike.

My "20-inch" bike lacks a seat post and my leg is almost straight out
at the "3 o'clock" position.

--
Tom Sherman - Here, not there.

Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman said:

Don Wiss said:

vorange said:

Also, how tall of a person is a 20" tire bicycle intended for? Any
other things I should know before buying the bike?

To not damage your knees your leg should be almost straight on the down
pedal. So for a normal adult male you'd need a pretty long seat post on a
20" bike.

My "20-inch" bike lacks a seat post and my leg is almost straight out
at the "3 o'clock" position.

But he is asking about a 20" tire bicycle. To which I am responding.

Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

vorange said:

Also, how tall of a person is a 20" tire bicycle intended for? Any
other things I should know before buying the bike?

these are children's bikes, intended for someone under 14. anyone
over 5 ft. 4 in. should be riding a 26 inch tire mtn bike.

bmx bikes, fyi, are designed for trick riding and jumps, which is
why they have footpegs mounted on front & rear hubs.

a walmart bike of any kind is likely to be assembled by someone
who doesn't have a clue about bike mechanics, who can sort of
read a picture diagram and breathe at the same time. they are
heavy, very poor quality, and won't last more than a couple of
months of commuting. they are basically designed to be destroyed
by kids.

for commuting, look for a mountain bike in the $300 range, put
inverse tread city tires or fat smooth tires on it, and add a
rack and fenders.

if you can't afford a new $300 bike look for a used one in the
$100-$150 range, perhaps at garage sales.

for a commuting bike that you can count on, you need a bike that
your local bike shop is willing to service.

Don Wiss said:

Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman said:

Don Wiss said:

On 24 Sep 2006 01:28:34 -0700, vorange <[email hidden]> wrote:

>Also, how tall of a person is a 20" tire bicycle intended for? Any
>other things I should know before buying the bike?

To not damage your knees your leg should be almost straight on the down
pedal. So for a normal adult male you'd need a pretty long seat post on
a 20" bike.

My "20-inch" bike lacks a seat post and my leg is almost straight out at
the "3 o'clock" position.

But he is asking about a 20" tire bicycle. To which I am responding.

And Tom is talking about a 20" wheeled bike too. My various 16", 17" and
20" (at one end) tired (!) bikes allow me at 172cm height to stretch out
fully.

While I'm here -- if you plan to ride the bike don't buy from Wal-Mart, or
any large chain (however I believe that the French Decathlon chain are an
exception).

Mike

Don Wiss said:

Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman said:

Don Wiss said:

On 24 Sep 2006 01:28:34 -0700, vorange <[email hidden]> wrote:

>Also, how tall of a person is a 20" tire bicycle intended for? Any
>other things I should know before buying the bike?

To not damage your knees your leg should be almost straight on the down
pedal. So for a normal adult male you'd need a pretty long seat post on a
20" bike.

My "20-inch" bike lacks a seat post and my leg is almost straight out
at the "3 o'clock" position.

But he is asking about a 20" tire bicycle. To which I am responding.

I was referring to a bike that looks very much like this one: <
http://www.pedalkraft.de/_borders/Rocket_HR300.jpg>. Note the ISO
406-mm (20-inch decimal) size wheels.

Here is another of my bicycles with 20-inch wheels:
<http://www.ransbikes.com/Gallery/Archive/images/Sherman1.jpg>.

The bike I ride the most has a 20-inch drive wheel, but a 16-inch (ISO
305-mm) front wheel"
<http://www.ihpva.org/incoming/2002/sunset/Sunset001.jpg>.

My trike also has 20-inch wheels:
<http://www.ihpva.org/incoming/2002/Dragonflyer/df1a.jpg>.
--
Tom Sherman - Here, not there.

Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman said:

Don Wiss said:

Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman said:

Don Wiss wrote:
> On 24 Sep 2006 01:28:34 -0700, vorange <[email hidden]> wrote:
>
> >Also, how tall of a person is a 20" tire bicycle intended for? Any
> >other things I should know before buying the bike?
>
> To not damage your knees your leg should be almost straight on the down
> pedal. So for a normal adult male you'd need a pretty long seat post on a
> 20" bike.

My "20-inch" bike lacks a seat post and my leg is almost straight out
at the "3 o'clock" position.

But he is asking about a 20" tire bicycle. To which I am responding.

I was referring to a bike that looks very much like this one: <
http://www.pedalkraft.de/_borders/Rocket_HR300.jpg>. Note the ISO
406-mm (20-inch decimal) size wheels.

But the thread is about BMX bikes!

Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman said:

I was referring to a bike that looks very much like this one: <

<shows pictures of expensive recumbents that will never be sold at
Wal-Mart in a million years>

Johnny,

It's clear that your no-helmet position has it's ramifications. The OP
was asking about Walmart BMX bikes. You show links to $2,000 and $3,000
(or more!!!) bikes with 20 inch wheels. If I was Ed Dolan I would
simply call you a brain damaged idiot. Since I am not Ed Dolan I
*assume extreme stupidity.

Maybe you should start:

1) wearing a helmet (so we know you have intelligent capacity)
2) reading the thread.

xxxooo

Will

Don Wiss said:

Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman said:

Don Wiss said:

"Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman" <[email hidden]> wrote:

>Don Wiss wrote:
>> On 24 Sep 2006 01:28:34 -0700, vorange <[email hidden]> wrote:
>>
>> >Also, how tall of a person is a 20" tire bicycle intended for? Any
>> >other things I should know before buying the bike?
>>
>> To not damage your knees your leg should be almost straight on the down
>> pedal. So for a normal adult male you'd need a pretty long seat post on a
>> 20" bike.
>
>My "20-inch" bike lacks a seat post and my leg is almost straight out
>at the "3 o'clock" position.

But he is asking about a 20" tire bicycle. To which I am responding.

I was referring to a bike that looks very much like this one: <
http://www.pedalkraft.de/_borders/Rocket_HR300.jpg>. Note the ISO
406-mm (20-inch decimal) size wheels.

But the thread is about BMX bikes!

I am countering an ingrained prejudice that bikes with small diameter
wheels are not to be taken seriously.

--
Tom Sherman - Here, not there.

Will said:

Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman said:

I was referring to a bike that looks very much like this one: <

<shows pictures of expensive recumbents that will never be sold at
Wal-Mart in a million years>

Wal-Mart is where you go when you wish to purchase a COMMODITY at the
lowest retail price. Proper bicycles are not commodities.

Quoted message said:

Johnny,

It's clear that your no-helmet position has it's ramifications. The OP
was asking about Walmart BMX bikes. You show links to $2,000 and $3,000
(or more!!!) bikes with 20 inch wheels.

A new RANS Rocket [1] is under $1,200 USD MSRP, while the RANS Tailwind
[2] is less than $1,000 USD MSRP. (These bikes are bargains, since they
perform as well as significantly more expensive recumbent bicycles).
The Sunset Lowracer and Dragonflyer trike are no longer in production
(as Earth Cycles is defunct), but the Sunset would be expected to sell
in the price range mentioned, and the Dragonflyer above that.

Quoted message said:

If I was Ed Dolan I would simply call you a brain damaged idiot. Since I am not Ed
Dolan I *assume extreme stupidity.

I have been called much worse by Ed Dolan. 😉

Quoted message said:

Maybe you should start:

1) wearing a helmet (so we know you have intelligent capacity)

Actually, since the mid 1980's, I have worn a Magic Foam Hat more than
99% (time and mileage) when riding a bicycle. However, I do not expect
much out of it beyond scrape and bump protection in minor crashed (or
head to station wagon hatch contact).

Quoted message said:

2) reading the thread.

Familiarize yourself with the concept of "thread drift". I do not
always restrain my comments to exactly the subject of the original
post, since Usenet is not a forum with strict debating rules.

[1] <http://www.ransbikes.com/Rocket.htm#>.
[2] <http://www.ransbikes.com/tailwind.htm#>.

--
Tom Sherman - Here, not there.

Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman said:

Will said:

The OP
was asking about Walmart BMX bikes. You show links to $2,000 and $3,000
(or more!!!) bikes with 20 inch wheels.

A new RANS Rocket [1] is under $1,200 USD MSRP, while the RANS Tailwind
[2] is less than $1,000 USD MSRP. (These bikes are bargains, since they
perform as well as significantly more expensive recumbent bicycles).
The Sunset Lowracer and Dragonflyer trike are no longer in production
(as Earth Cycles is defunct), but the Sunset would be expected to sell
in the price range mentioned, and the Dragonflyer above that.

Ah, just as I expected. You have an agenda. You took this as an opportunity
to push your recumbents. The regulars here are well aware of their
existence. But they are totally inappropriate for the OP.

Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

Don Wiss said:

Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman said:

Will said:

The OP
was asking about Walmart BMX bikes. You show links to $2,000 and $3,000
(or more!!!) bikes with 20 inch wheels.

A new RANS Rocket [1] is under $1,200 USD MSRP, while the RANS Tailwind
[2] is less than $1,000 USD MSRP. (These bikes are bargains, since they
perform as well as significantly more expensive recumbent bicycles).
The Sunset Lowracer and Dragonflyer trike are no longer in production
(as Earth Cycles is defunct), but the Sunset would be expected to sell
in the price range mentioned, and the Dragonflyer above that.

Ah, just as I expected. You have an agenda. You took this as an opportunity
to push your recumbents. The regulars here are well aware of their
existence. But they are totally inappropriate for the OP.

However, my point remains. I am in the normal height range for an adult
male (~1.82-m), and I ride bicycles with 20-inch (decimal size) wheels
that DO NOT have long seat posts.

--
Tom Sherman - Here, not there.

Yes I checked both bikes out at Walmart. 20 inch wheels are much
smaller than I thought! I wanted a small compact bike but that was too
small. Its for children.

The next step up would appear to be 24" followed by 26" tires which I
will check out tommorrow.

I was floored by the prices of some of the bikes sold in stores other
than Walmart. Some go into the thousands. What possible space age
technology could demand such a price? The bike would have to float on
air for me if I had to pay that much!

I'm looking to take my bike down to the nature trail which means going
over rocks and dirt tracks..etc. I thought a BMX bike was for offroad
but it seems through the years, mountain bikes might have taken over
that role.

Dennis P. Harris said:

vorange said:

Also, how tall of a person is a 20" tire bicycle intended for? Any
other things I should know before buying the bike?

these are children's bikes, intended for someone under 14. anyone
over 5 ft. 4 in. should be riding a 26 inch tire mtn bike.

bmx bikes, fyi, are designed for trick riding and jumps, which is
why they have footpegs mounted on front & rear hubs.

a walmart bike of any kind is likely to be assembled by someone
who doesn't have a clue about bike mechanics, who can sort of
read a picture diagram and breathe at the same time. they are
heavy, very poor quality, and won't last more than a couple of
months of commuting. they are basically designed to be destroyed
by kids.

for commuting, look for a mountain bike in the $300 range, put
inverse tread city tires or fat smooth tires on it, and add a
rack and fenders.

if you can't afford a new $300 bike look for a used one in the
$100-$150 range, perhaps at garage sales.

for a commuting bike that you can count on, you need a bike that
your local bike shop is willing to service.

vorange said:

Yes I checked both bikes out at Walmart. 20 inch wheels are much
smaller than I thought! I wanted a small compact bike but that was too
small. Its for children.

Here is a real adult ATB with 20-inch wheels:
<http://www.bikefriday.com/bikeMMI.cfm?PG=1&BF=4&CAT=3#StartPoint>. One
does pay a considerable premium for being able to put the bike in an
airline legal suitcase, however.

Quoted message said:

The next step up would appear to be 24" followed by 26" tires which I
will check out tommorrow.

The selection of ISO 507-mm (24" ATB) tires, rims and bikes is very
poor compared to those using the ISO 559-mm (26" ATB) size. Unless one
is too short of stature to ride a bike with the ISO 559-mm wheel size,
the ISO 507-mm wheel size is best avoided.

Quoted message said:

I was floored by the prices of some of the bikes sold in stores other
than Walmart. Some go into the thousands. What possible space age
technology could demand such a price? The bike would have to float on
air for me if I had to pay that much!

I'm looking to take my bike down to the nature trail which means going
over rocks and dirt tracks..etc. I thought a BMX bike was for offroad
but it seems through the years, mountain bikes might have taken over
that role.

The bikes you will find at discount store may be similar in appearance
to those sold in bicycle shops, but they are not intended for serious
off road use. The cheap bicycles have suspension systems/components
that offer poor functionality and will not hold up under off road use.
The same can be said of many other components, especially brakes and
anything with bearings. In addition, the discount store bicycles often
come in "one size fits none properly".

You would be better off in the long run with an entry level hard-tail
or non-suspended (hard to find now) bike from a real bike store. Such
bikes can be found in the $400-600 dollars range. If that is too
expensive, real mountain bikes from the late 1980's to late 1990's are
plentiful on the used market, and can often be found in decent
condition for less than $100.

--
Tom Sherman - Here, not there.