Bad Bike Assembly

When I worked for an LBS, my main job was to build up bikes that came in from the manufacturers, in other words, assemble the bikes. As I spent my time at the LBS I was very meticulous about how I assembled bikes. We also had a check system in which another person would go over my builds and make sure things were tight and that the brakes worked and etc.

Now that I’m not at the LBS anymore (that was one of my favorite jobs), I tend to be very critical of how bikes are assembled. So when ever I got to Walmart, Target or anywhere that sells detergent and bikes, I ALWAYS walk over to the bike department and check out the build jobs.

This time I had to go to Big 5 Sporting Goods in Brea, Ca. Now that I work for a softball accessory company, I’m also checking out softball equipment for fun. As I made my rounds along the aisles, I noticed 2 bikes that Big 5 was selling. Obviously they are cheap Walmart quality bikes. I didn’t have my camera, but I did have my cell phone. I took a few photos of the bikes and let me know if you can see what’s wrong….

Sorry the quality sucks, but you get the idea.

Not only is this a safety issue, but dang, it makes Big 5 look really bad. I went ahead and called the Big 5 to let them know what I saw and they reassured me that they fixed it. They said that they corrected the obvious and said “we’re not bike mechanics, but its fixed.” I asked if both bikes were corrected, the lady said, “Uh I think, I haven’t checked.” I said to her that this could be a safety issue for them, and she said, “for sure.”

I left it at that…just goes to show you that you shouldn’t buy bikes where people don’t know how to build them up.