[TheThinkTank] bicycle shaped objects

[Mark Rehder]

On 28-May-08, at 3:19 PM, Erik Ryberg wrote:

> I am convinced--though admittedly not for any studied reason-- that  
> many people buy department store bikes because they need cheap  
> transportation, not because they want a cool-looking mountain bike  
> with full suspension and they think they get that at Wal-Mart.   
> Which leads me to believe that there is a market for simple bikes  
> of decent quality that are inexpensive.


I think it can go both ways, as some folks do get seduced by the idea  
of a full-susp. bike for only $200.

Get this - I had a guy challenge me as to the pricing of our  
overhauled bikes.  He could not understand why a shiny (but crappy)  
Huffy full-suspension bike was selling for less than the cosmetically- 
challenged basic Rocky Mountain mtb. beside it.  This guy was in his  
60's, and all he could see was "shiny equals good".  I told him that  
the Rocky Mtn. was a much better bike, and for street riding (with  
slick tires) vastly preferable to the Huffy, but he didn't seem to  
get it...

Mark