Websites such as Bikes Direct and other bargain bicycle websites are absolutely fantastic and I will never have anything bad to say about them as a whole. It is a fantastic option for people who are just starting to get into bicycle riding and have no need for extremely durable, light, rigid, gorgeous bikes. These bikes tend to have decent, lightish, durablish frames with decent components and they certainly do get the job done. In fact, I got my first fixed gear through Bikes Direct and have been very happy with it for the two years that I have had it. However, I have found that these fixed gears have a very clear expiration date and I have talked to other riders who purchased bikes from similar sites and they found the same thing.In my experience these fixed gears begin to disintegrate completely after about two years. The middle-class components begin to have serious trouble withstanding the brutal wear and tear through which all fixed gears go. This can get very costly as you will be forced to either ride on terminally ill components which is extremely dangerous or make frequent visits to a bike shop, the shop will love you but you will soon find yourself with an empty bank account.
In my personal experience, the chainring will become tragically worn, resulting in very uneven chain tension. Consequently, my chain once fell right off my cog while accelerating on North Temple which could have ended very poorly for me. My chainring bolts have also also been stripped to bits so my chain ring now looks like a small child who has lost all of its front teeth. The bottom bracket will begin to sputter and wheeze like a seventy year old chain smoker, grinding and popping as you accelerate or skid. In fact, before having it fixed, my entire crank arm slipped out of place when I attempted to skid on the way to school one day. Of course, everyone will experience different problems depending on how they ride but from what I hear, two years is basically the point of no return for these fixies.
In my personal experience, the chainring will become tragically worn, resulting in very uneven chain tension. Consequently, my chain once fell right off my cog while accelerating on North Temple which could have ended very poorly for me. My chainring bolts have also also been stripped to bits so my chain ring now looks like a small child who has lost all of its front teeth. The bottom bracket will begin to sputter and wheeze like a seventy year old chain smoker, grinding and popping as you accelerate or skid. In fact, before having it fixed, my entire crank arm slipped out of place when I attempted to skid on the way to school one day. Of course, everyone will experience different problems depending on how they ride but from what I hear, two years is basically the point of no return for these fixies.
Again, I am not saying that riders should steer clear of bargain bike websites at all cost. I think that they are fantastic for new riders and for people who want to buy quick replacement parts for cheap. My bike has served me well for years but I will not miss it at all when I upgrade. I would not recommend Bikes Direct for riders who intend to put thousands of intense, fast miles on their bike and do not wish to buy a new one every year. The maintenance costs of the cheaper bikes will make up for the difference in cost between more high-brow bicycles.
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ReplyDeletedo you do regular maintenance on the bike? ? even performance machines will fall apart if you don't take care of them.
ReplyDeletefixed gears may feel like they are invincible but they still need love too.
JimmyT is right, have you regularly maintained the parts? This means when you get a bike (even a cheap one) its important that you remove, clean, regrease and replace the moving parts and bolts. If this is done, any quality of bike should last quite some time.
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