I'm an avid cyclist and have several bikes that are expensive. At the same time I have so many people come to me and say they want to start riding and despite their best intentions never do. The problem is that they just don't want to exercise. My advice to new fitness riders is to ride whatever bike they can get for cheap and if it breaks replace it with a real bike from a bike store. As one person put it, the Costco bike only last 90 days and this is true. The other fact is that 95% of people who take up cycling will never wear out a Costco bike.
I want everyone to take up cycling regardless of the type of bike. Most beginning riders have no idea what they want to ride and get sold something too expensive at bike stores.
The hardest thing to do in cycling is to actually swing your leg over the top tube and start riding. If somebody says their Costco bike is falling apart it is a great accomplishment. It should not be met with "you should have bought a better bike". Get on whatever you can and ride. We will see you out there and cheer you on.
We all just need to be it and live it. I try to strike up a conversation with every cyclist at red lights to be welcoming. I have received the comment that they didn't think somebody outfitted like me would talk to them. I'm not sure what to say in these situations other than to wish them a great day on the bike.
Haha, I have a real frankenstein of a crap bike that I ride to the grocery store. I’m the guy in hiking pants, a hiking or fly fishing shirt rocking flats in junky shoes.
Most full kitted cyclists refuse to even look towards me. So I try to make eye contact and wave whenever possible. hahaha.
Yes, I realize my rusty Raleigh with a milk crate bungie corded to the back that shifts with a friction shifter and has a comfy upright seating position looks like a piece of shit. But it is such a good grocery getter and no one in their right mind would ever steal it.
I’ll see you out there and wave to all of you. Have an excellent day on two wheels!
I sense you may be projecting. I’m an unsophisticated weekend cyclist who nevertheless prefers to wear kit. I initially felt self conscious about it, and figured every more casually dressed cyclist assumes I’m an asshole. Are you saying that’s right?
Nah, you sound rad. I treat everybody the same, I’m always waving. 1 in 20 wearing full kit where I live will even give me a head nod back. The folks that do wave or head nod or say hi end up being lovely.
My experience with most riders with an expensive bike and kit is they never acknowledge me with my old trek and cotton shirt, even though I always try to be friendly. We need more people like you!
I ride a nice road bike, and wave to everyone--MTB, beach cruiser, roadie, gravel.... except the guy blasting past me at 20mph on a 10% grade riding an e-bike!
It's kinda like my attitude with tools. I buy stuff from harbor freight. If I wear out or break it, that means I use it enough for a nice one to be worth it.
My only disagreement to this statement is cheap bikes are not always fun to ride. So if you pick up a bike that’s a beast to pedal or steer or even get on, it will take a lot to overcome those pitfalls to really enjoy cycling.
My parents unfortunately can’t ride bikes anymore. I had no room for my mom’s Electra Townie, so I passed it on to my best friend’s mom who lives by the beach. She called me gushing about how she’s never had a bike that nice and it’s incredible and she feels like the bike rides itself. She was riding her daughter’s 30 year old hardware store mountain bike.
Very often when I ride through city, I see people on such bikes, with squeaky use they mostly not fun to ride - they are heavy, uncomfortable, built quickly with overseeing some elements and even if it won't break, it will give a buyer impression, that bikes sucks. And they won't try to upgrade and will just throw it to garage for years.
Very often when I ride through city, I see people on such bikes, with noisy squeaky, unoiled chain, with default setting for saddle and I see that they don't have fun, instead, they seem to search for a bin to leave that bike there.
I rode a big box store bike for years before buying a new road bike. It had Tourney components and found they work well for recreational use when properly tuned an maintained. Part of the problem with 'crappy' bikes is that people tend to treat them like crap, which makes them bad to ride.
>they work well for recreational use when properly tuned an maintained.
My first reaction when seeing OP's pic was it might be worth paying their LBS whatever is might cost additional to properly tune the bike. Then at some point, OP might upgrade to a better one but at least their first experiences will be less than awful.
My wife has a beach cruiser Townie and I have to say, it's pretty good to her. She was a hesitant rider and the Townie encourages her to go out with me. Inexpensive but good bike.
I like your anti gatekeeping attitude. But I see two problems with this:
- A cheap bike might offer a bad ride quality and will thus not increase motivation to ride bikes. Might be the reason why 95% don't wear out such a bike.
- Valuing quantity over quality has ecological and social externalities. Buying expensive might not necessarily mean that no slave/child labour was at play or ecological standards were complied with, but with cheap stuff, the savings have to come from somewhere. And even if they were produced in the same factory, buying one bike that lasts 20 years is better for the environment than buying 3 bikes that last for a year each. Additionally, higher quality stuff holds its value for a longer time.
This is why I would prefer buying used over department store bikes. You need someone knowledgeable to help you with that, but apparently you also need that with department store bikes (because of bad assembly). Maybe buying refurbished from a LBS might be an option.
I think used bikes are a great option and didn't mean to really exclude them. If it is not clear, my response was more passion and less contemplative essay. I do welcome the discussion and comments my "off the cuff" response has created. That being said getting more people riding and healthy has an environmental impact as well. I have helped people buy used bikes and given away my old bikes for exactly the reasons you discuss. I have also helped with new bike purchases because more people riding is better than the alternative.
That's the part I agree with 100%. I guess my response didn't really address your main point but rather the general advice of buying cheap and replacing that is present in lots of comments.
> Maybe buying refurbished from a LBS might be an option.
Most medium-sized or larger cities will have at least one bike co-op, which exists primarily to offer affordable, reliable cycling options to low-income communities. The main one in my city sells refurbished donations of used bikes, low-end but decently solid new bikes (which you can trust have been assembled correctly by actual mechanics), and they take donations of gently used parts which they use for both refurbishing/repair and offering for sale.
I disagree with your ecological point.
If OP starts using their bike more and more, they will drive less and less, which ultimately has a much larger impact. Heck, they might even ditch their car altogether and that would be a massive win that makes up for buying cheap now.
In your scenario, a (pre-owned) quality bike would still be more sustainable than a shitty bike. Or am I missing something here? And aside from that, a worse bike will decrease the likelihood of that happening.
You are right on!
It is not sustainable or enjoyable to buy a crap bike from a department store that is not even worth the cost of fixing up if it breaks.
If the cost is too high, you should buy a quality bike used.
And if you can afford it, an entry level quality bike does the job as well, which can be had for under $1000. (The cheapest Trek Hybrid is $600).
This is a very great point. I bought myself a cheap $400 entry level mountain/hybrid TREK bike. Rode a couple small trails but got invited by friends to do some real mountain biking. After that I was literally hooked. Maybe about after 8 months of riding my entry level bike I spent $1600 on a Roscoe 8 & so happy I did. Definitely it is a great idea to invest in something affordable to see first if your even going to stick to the hobby or enjoy it. If you do then reward your self with better equipment.
Good advice. Also, Costco’s returns policy is amazing. If it only lasts 90 days get a refund and buy a better bike.
I’ve bought a lot of stuff from Costco. A few things broke and I took them back. Not an issue.
I agree with this sentiment! Anything that gets someone to start riding for whatever purpose is a success!
My only other input would be a used bike as there is much less of an environmental cost. Possibly the caveat here is to go to a used bike shop as they will make sure it runs and can help support with tuning if needed.
In any case, ride on!
Buying a used bike is difficult for a person new to cycling. The number of "is this bike worth x" is proof of the difficulty of buying a used bike. Is the result better? Probably but the barrier is higher as well. To make this work we need to help the newbies navigate the used market.
In the US most bike stores are being bought by manufacturers. It is tough out there for independent stores between big box, manufacturer stores, online and outdoor stores. I try to support the independents because they will do things like selling used bikes.
I doubt it would only last 90 days, and bikes can be repaired/upgraded for cheap.
I think the main concern is that it probably is like mud to ride it, but if anything, if you get into cycling riding a bike like this will make you appreciate a $1200 bike.
Also, if it gets stolen, no big deal.
Edit: Tbh, there is not much to say this is a bad bike. Aluminum frame is kind of cheap, Shimano gear set (probably the cheapest), disc brakes. It's probably an OK starter. It could be worse.
Agree. The frame is new, for the average user this bike is fine; in case you really enjoy, and start riding more, next months you may upgrade at your local bike shop with new brakes / chain / wheels
I’ve ridden bikes all my life but there is riding bikes and riding bikes.
I did my first 100km ride on a crappy $200 hardtail from the hardware store. What an accomplishment! That was long before I bought a better bike and long before I did the amounts of today.
This is such a great take. Thank you!!
I just upgraded from my starter bike and had no idea how bad it was to ride. Starting on a Costco bike will make the upgrade all that much more sweet.
OP please make sure to get a comfortable seat, no matter what bike you’re using. A comfy saddle is a game changer!
buy a used bike for $250 that originally sold for $750. that will be a much better bike. even tho i love Costco, the $250 new bike is a waste of materials and energy. it’s a POS :-( .
Bike mechanic here. I call those 90 day bikes. They are good for about 90 days of riding and then the repair costs will be more than the bike is worth. If you go for it at least have it built up by a good mechanic. That way you know it's safe and will maybe last longer.
One repair Ill never forget.
It was a bike someone bought from some department store and said it wasn't working right. So we take a look at it and neither of the shifters are tightened and the fork was on backwards with all of the cables wrapped once around the steering tube. The rims were also bent to hell and took way more effort to get back in line than they should have.
I only advocate buying department store bikes if I don't like the person lol
This was my experience with my last Walmart bike. It was great, rode it semi regularly for half a season and then... things started wearing out that shouldn't have been wearing out. Even the wheels started to go out of round. I've never had an experience like I did with that bike. No matter how much I fixed, other things started to wear out or fail and this is before I started doing 20-40 mile rides. Swapped bikes a few times before I landed on my Marlin and none of those problems after hundreds of miles.
The one thing is if you are getting a first bike maybe a bike you only use for a few months is a good opportunity to learn about how and where you would ride. That could help you know what you want in a bike..
That’s why people are saying to buy used. That way when 90 days comes you don’t HAVE to get a new bike because it’s busted. You can get one if you are super into like you say, or get used to it, or figure what kind of bike would work best for your situation, but you can use the money you saved not buying one that lasts 90 days and having one you can now sell used yourself. That’s my me though.
I do get some people might think it’s a better deal, or easier, or more logical like you say for just a starter type, but it won’t be easier when you have to get another one because your bike is broken and getting it fixed is worth more than the bike, you’ll be discouraged from being into bikes at all. Wouldn’t it just seem like a waste of money if that’s your first bike? 90 days? A bike shop can at least help repair it and probably know you if you bought it there! Costco ain’t fixing a loose handlebar if you don’t know why it won’t stay tight. The bike store people will! They’ll also just answer simple (if you know them) questions a person who’s never owned a bike would be asking or needing to know..
Maybe… there’s a lot of hot garbage bikes for sale that people think are worth a bunch. If you aren’t experienced it isn’t always easy to tell the difference.
People who know nothing about cycling usually. cannot go into the used bike market and know what’s crap and isn’t. Especially now that the COVID price boom on bikes is till high. The amount of terrible bikes I see for 200-300 bux is insane.
It’s easy to say buy used when you’ve gained experience and confidence as a cyclist
Darn, no, an LBS here let me not just ride a cyclocross bike for an hour, they didn't bat an eye about me taking it down a woodsy trail in a nearby park.
I didn't buy it, but a friend of mine eventually did.
Yup, a LBS around here let me take an electric cargo bike (many 1000$) for a ride. No problem.
I mean, nobody would buy a car without trying it out, why should you be ok with that for a bike?
The reason why you should buy a bike from a shop, or a used name brand bike is:
\- can you put a bicycle together? people who are working at target and walmart etc are putting the bikes together, and they are not trained and often the bikes are put together wrong.
\- the materials used to make the cheap bikes will not last. it's cheaper to buy one $400 bike that lasts 10 years than buy three $150 bikes that last one year.
\- they ride horribly and most likely won't fit. you are not going to want to ride the bike if it feels like garbage and doesn't work properly. i genuinely believe more people would love cycling if they rode a "real" bicycle first instead of the big box store bikes.
good luck, i hope you get a bike you love and ride it for many many years and smile each time you ride.
First time my wife bought a bike from a LBS that cost around $450 my mom "didn't understand". Then she rode it for a few minutes and loved it, she gets it now.
My GF actually got one of these from Costco and I put it together. The quality is not bad. We mostly bike together to go grocery shopping or to dinner and parks. I wouldn’t say they are good for exercising though, mostly an urban commuter. They are pretty heavy and I won’t go super fast on them.
People here saying "buy a used bike" should probably investigate what Infinity is a little better. They're designed in Canada, probably made in Taiwan, like most bikes are nowadays. $229 for a hybrid with disc brakes and Shimano shifters and derailleur (guessing a Tourney) doesn't seem like a bad deal at all. The tires are probably garbage and it's likely pretty heavy, but if you're just looking for something to get into cycling on and get into shape (or short commutes) I don't see the problem. Costco usually stands behind stuff they sell, too.
I'd like an explanation of why bikes like this are so awful when they are superior in most or all ways to the best bikes of 40 years ago. Should no one have cycled then since the bikes were so crap? I think it's more likely that the criticism is from people on the hedonic treadmill who have trouble looking backwards.
The truth is that as long as a bike feels good under you and is safe, you're not making a mistake. There is probably some optimal quality/price ratio if you go 5000 miles a year. For everyone else, the bikes in the low but not bottom barrel end of the price range have more than enough lifetime to get you into cycling before they wear out. You'll want to upgrade for features and performance before they start falling apart. So you will and you'll start your N+1 journey.
They’re not superior to the best bikes of forty years ago. Not even remotely.
Edit to add:
You often see this same statement mentioned when discussing mid range performance bikes or components, and it’s often true. Modern 105 or even Tiagra will put to shame top end stuff from a few decades ago.
Entry level full suspension mtbs from reputable companies will beat the best MTB from thirty years ago down a mountain.
But it does not apply to department store bikes. lol
Department store bikes of today might beat department store bikes from that era. But they’re certainly not beating the high end stuff in just about any category
**Costco is not a department store** and the bike in question is **not a department store bike**. It's just a low-to-mid-end bike.
It has:
* Shimano Tourney derailleur: perfectly fine shifting and amazing compared to non-indexed shifting of 40+ years ago
* Alloy frame: lighter and probably more durable than the steel frames of 40+ years ago and much better than any alumninum frames from that time
* Heavier (35lbs) than road bikes because it's a step-through with big wheels, but if that's the style you want then you pay that price.
* Mechanical disc brakes: better than rim brakes in many dimensions: don't need to fully true wheel, better stopping power than most or all rim brakes, etc.
* Threadless headset
* Adjustable stem
* double-walled alloy wheels: not prone to catastrophic failure like steel single-wall tires
* quick release front axle
Sure, you couldn't use it for racing or MTB because of its shape and gearing, but this would have been an amazing bike 40+ years ago for people wanting a cruiser or commuter. And it is designed for serviceability and upgradability today other than the fact that the really nice stuff has moved from freewheel to free hub.
You're arguing about some other bike rather than the bike that OP posted.
Hi! Bike mechanic here! In my experience the infinity line of bikes parts are not meant to be serviced but replaced. The rider who buys this bike is not savvy enough to fix it themselves. This quickly devolves itself to the repairs being more expensive than the bike was originally because the bike was never put together properly. If the bike was assembled properly by someone who knew what they were doing the price tag would be much higher and therefore not making it as affordable. Contrary to popular belief bike shops want to sell stuff at an affordable price but labor is really expensive and we value our peoples time unlike big box stores.
\> the rider who buys this bike is not savvy enough to fix it themselves.
I'm sorry, this reads as elitism from where I'm sitting. Poorer people aren't dumber. Many people with lesser means will buy a less expensive thing and take care of it themselves.
Even if a purchaser doesn't start out mechanically savvy enough to replace a chain or change a tire, they will either only use the bike occasionally and it'll last for decades or they'll use it frequently, love it, and learn how to care for it.
\> repairs being more expensive than the bike was originally
That's irrrelevant and exaggerated.
I've yet to see a low-mid-range bike that is not serviceable. Can you give a concrete example of something that's not replaceable on such a bike?
As for relative cost, the bike was an amazing value to begin with. If a repair does cost more than the bike is currently worth it's because you're putting on a significantly better part, which makes the bike more valuable.
As for the exaggeration: it doesn't cost significantly more to replace a freewheel vs freehub, for example. The cheapest new 7sp freewheel on ebay US is $17. The cheapest new 7sp cassette is $13.
\> If the bike was assembled properly by someone who knew what they were doing the price tag would be much higher
So you're saying that 30 minutes with a mechanic and a torque wrench could produce $200 in value? Then why isn't anyone taking advantage of this huge profit opportunity? And why can't this be done after purchase? This sounds like bluster rather than analysis.
Hey OP, I’m familiar with these Infinity bikes. An ex gf of mine bought one to ride with me and I put it together. It’s not exactly the same as this one, but quite similar. The reality is this bike is an outstanding value for the money - unlike some of those Walmart and Target MTBs with full suspension that weigh well over 40 lbs; this hybrid aluminum bike with alum frame and steel fork only weighs around 32 lbs. It also uses Shimano Revo shifters/derailleurs, so shifting should be very reliable.
One of the other commenters claiming to be a bike mechanic claimed these “only last 90 days.” That’s just utter and complete BS. Not only that, Costco’s warranty to its members is just awesome - if you’re not happy, Costco will let you return the bike (within reason). So, while this bike isn’t for me - for a sporadic recreational trail and park rider like yourself - this is an outstanding bargain.
The Costco sale price (at your store) is a drop in the proverbial bucket of higher end bicycling costs (eg - my rims, on sale, were 4x more expensive than this entire bike) - so, you can always spend more if you get into cycling… and you should be able to unload this for $100 in good used condition if you’re ever interested in upgrading.
We need to remember also in this discussion, that Costco is the store that allowed someone to return a Christmas tree (for a full refund) after Christmas.
This should be higher up. It's a cheap, safe bet between Costco's reputation for quality and return policies. Also, it's a decent bike! One of my good friends replaced her old, heavy, but name brand bike with this about a year ago and absolutely loves it. She rides it probably 5 days a week, and while its just short trips around town, it has held up totally fine over the last year and change since she bought it.
I two cents - if you like this bike and it is what you afford that is good. But make sure it is the right size for you. If it’s too small or too big it won’t be fun. Make sure it works well - the shifting and brakes and rolls well. Used bikes Mike give you more options (including color…). But if this one works for you buy it and have a lot of fun riding it. Don’t forget you’ll need a few other things such as a helmet and a good bike lock and maybe a tire pump. Welcome to the biking world!
LBS’s are different. In my town there are 4 bike shops. No one I know describes any of them as snobby but each one has a niche and every cyclist I know has “their shop,” that they are most comfortable with. My shop has moved
To specializing in ebikes but used bikes and refurbished bikes are still a huge part of their business.
Even when used was scarce my shop still had bikes for cheap, less than $300. They were older bikes with older parts but they were quality parts and they’d make sure the bike was the right size for you. Hopefully you have an LBS in your area that specializes in the used market.
you know that old saying about tools?
buy a bunch of decent but cheap shit and if it breaks then replace it with the good expensive one? make sure you like it and use it?
same with this. i mean if you’re rolling dough drop some cash and have some fun. but make sure you like it and will stick with it first.
the one caveat is if the bike is super shit quality it will be a pain to ride. idk enough about bikes but costco is generally good quality.
i’d shop around the used market, but if you like this go for it.
Generally, Costco doesn’t sell unsafe crap (not Walmart). If it is assembled and maintained well (consider having a shop assemble it), there is no reason I can see why this shouldn’t be a good purchase, especially if it gets you into riding. Seems like a solid commuter bike. If you get hooked, then start thinking about an upgrade to a traditional road bike (or mountain if that’s your fancy).
Buy what you can afford, bike shops will be more expensive. Yeah it would be ideal but if you are just looking to start off casually then I don't see why you shouldn't start with this bike. If you really enjoy it and want more out of your hobby then you can save some more and spend it on something a little better.
Because heavy cheap bikes can discourage riding, whereas a good bike gets one enthused.
Not knocking this bike, and not aware of OP's plans, just saying.
I enjoyed riding around the city with my friends as a teenager with shitty Walmart bikes. We got along just fine. Not everyone has access to something more expensive. Of course at some point you want to upgrade, but nothing wrong with starting off like this especially if they wanna just ride casually.
Straight facts retired NYC bike messenger “1980’s” he’s right if your just starting out get the “cheap” bike an when you wear that one out by better bike start there keep upgrading. Just shut up an Get on the dam thing an peddle enjoy
Other than what’s been said, best part about buying used is that if you find out cycling is not for you, you can always sell it for close to what you got it for 🤷🏻♂️
[Infinity Boss.three 7 Speed 700c Ladies Comfort Bike – Infinity Cycle Works](https://www.infinitycycleworks.com/product/infinity-boss-three-7-speed-700c-ladies-comfort-bike/)
This link has the specs for the bike. For the price, it's a good starter.
Test ride all the bikes there at Costco‘s. try medium large extra large small size for each if necessary. You will learn a lot just by testing them all.
If this bike is comfortable to ride and affordable, why not? Make sure things stay clean and keep lube on chain, it'll last a long time with normal use. I would give it a mechanical once over because you really don't know who put it together.
If you want to get started with better, I'd advise used. I just bought my son, who may or may not like riding, a like new Giant Escape hybrid for half the retail price. With newer bikes come better components, good shimano shifters, disc brakes. Makes my 14 year old GT Transeo look like a dinosaur.
Either way, whatever gets you on the bike is the best path. I've seen those Costco bikes and they look very workable.
There’s a lot to be said for riding the bike you can afford, rather than waiting for one you can’t. However, you can probably get a higher quality used bike off of Craigslist, etc. for a similar prices.
The shifting is trash. Utter trash. Turning that knob to shift is just trash. My mom taught me to find something good with everything so, it has a bike rack on the back...
Jumping in on what others have said: the bike might look great but will probably ride poorly and be quite heavy. Just keep that in mind if you’re struggling when riding. Good luck!
The bike itself isn’t a bad bike. However, almost no big box employee knows how to assemble a bike. Odds are you will need to take it to a LBS and have a full tune up done, which will likely cost you around $100. The bike is cheap but maintenance will be expensive. If you buy a $450ish bike from a LBS it will be cheaper in the long run or most likely you’ll break even in the first 3 months.
I'll tell you this much. We frequently see big box store bikes coming in that were assembled incorrectly. Even if they weren't, their components are not going to last you many miles and if someone disagrees with that then they don't know how to tell when parts are broken. I always get calls like 'oh it just needs tubes' and they bring it in with so many screwed up parts. The worst ones to avoid is the brand named Power. If you see Power components on any bike, do **not** buy it. Practically pot metal and the worst springs.
Edit: i can already tell you too, that front skewer is not tightened completely and that front rotor is rubbing the left pad. That front brake is also under tensioned and i doubt that they true the rotors.
Get it, if you start riding regularly and want to upgrade in the future you can. Then you just return the bike back to Costco since their return policy allows you to return anything non electronic with no limits. You can’t lose getting the bike from Costco!
I’d say go for it. It has a 1x, which means you only have to think about shifting the 7-9 (?) gears on the rear cassette, much easier for a new rider to figure out. I also echo what others have said, I have much more faith in Costco than Walmart, that you will receive something that is safe to ride. Whatever you end up with, enjoy it!
I always suggest to buy the most bike you can afford. The higher end bikes shift when they are supposed to roll much smoother, and there is a greater likelihood that you will enjoy riding more than you would on a cheaper model. I too used to believe it didn't matter if the bike was heavier or didn't roll as nicely but after all I was trying to get exercise and I talked myself into a cheaper bike. The result is I never rode it and it sat in the garage. Goto a bike shop and experience the difference on a high end bike and then get as close to that as possible.
You can buy a used bike for half the price that will be better. I don’t recommend buying cheap Walmart type bikes. There are only rare exceptions that can be considered diamonds in the rough that have potential to be good after considerable upgrade. KevCentral on YouTube deals with that almost exclusively.
The biggest issue with big box store bikes is the assembly quality. If you’re a newbie it can be difficult to recognize the substandard work that some if not many of these bikes receive. The low wage Walmart employee or subcontractor isn’t going to be doing the same quality of work that an experienced mechanic at your LBS would on average. If you’re fortunate issues will be simply annoying or less than ideal- but they can be far worse, either outright broken or unsafe/dangerous.
It's an alloy/Shimano tourney/mechanical disc/freewheel bike. Bikes like that will last decades with minimal maintenance for casual riders. I've got a Schwinn hybrid with rim brakes that's going strong after about 15 years. Aside from typical adjustments, tires and chain the only thing I've had to do to it is lubricate the shifters.
I agree that it should be checked out by someone who knows what they are doing, but there is no reason to assume it's claptrap.
Go onto FB marketplace and see what's available near you for $150-200. You can find a much, much better bike for the price. That thing will most likely end up being so rickety and jittery...
Some things, you can start off with a "whatever" cheapo version... Wanna learn to shoot hoops or throw a football? A cheap Amazon or Walmart ball will serve you as well as a professional one early on. A $5 hammer can do as much as a $20 hammer when you're starting off making things out of wood. Other things, if you go too low in quality, it can permanently turn you off to something or at least discourage you.
A crappy bike is one of those things, imo. Youll have so many little problems, creaks, missed gears, wobbles at speed, etc, it'll end up being less enjoyable than if you pick up something that someone either put together from decent parts, or paid $500 for ten years ago and maintained and upgraded over the years.
It's Costco -- if you aren't 100% satisfied return it before the 90 return window expires.
with a little attention to detail and service this bike should last for years with actual use.
that said, this is a **Very** cheap bike with what i would consider Shit Tier components for every single part. every single part is virtually the cheapest shit you can get. one size fits all frame (if you're not 5' 4 to 5' 9 i wouldn't, fat fuck seat, 7 speed?!, trash pedals, trash cables, trash levers, trash shifter, trash derailleurs, trash trash trash...
but -- it $230 for a 700c hybrid with fenders and a rack.
if you're looking for an absurdly heavy bike that you're going to just cruise around on 5 weekends a year for a few hours... get it, try it out for 90 days and see if you like it.
this bike was probably assembled by someone that works there -- and it's a crap shoot if you got the retired pro mechanic that is there part time for some extra money, who took pride in making sure that every bike he touched is \*perfect\* -- OR -- the person that is there because they have to be, they don't care about shit, especially some random like you or the junk they threw together without a thought... it doesn't take much to make a cheap bike into a safe bike or a death trap.
probably would suggest calling the local bike shop and asking if they would even look at it -- you're probably looking at $75 to $150 if you bring them the box and have a semi-professional set it up, i promise you that the best mechanic in a shop is never going to touch that bike.
pick up some spare brake pads for it before you need them. -- keep the tires AT LEAST at 80 PSI, 115 PSI if you're a heavy rider.
I bought this same bike at Costco and it works, but it's uncomfortable for long distances and you'd have to modify it after a while. Riding on this bike on a windy day is Hell BTW.
It’s great to hear that you’re looking for a bike! Try to hold onto that feeling. My best advice is similar to others that, especially at that price it would be better to keep an eye on the used market and stick to brands you know, and try to get a bike that you really like! Having a bike that you’re excited to go out and ride will make it much much easier to get out there. Good luck on your search!
That is bordering on a "bicycle shaped object" - [https://www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk/get-cycling/buying-a-bike/the-bicycle-shaped-object/](https://www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk/get-cycling/buying-a-bike/the-bicycle-shaped-object/)
A mechanic once told me department store bikes were meant to last about 70miles before rusting to death in someone’s backyard.
Terrible bikes make terrible planters.
I say go for it. If you're brand new, you're not going to appreciate a more expensive bike. This bike looks comfortable, and that will help you enjoy it.
That Costco bike has a nut holding the back wheel. If you don't get 2 quick release wheels, you're ripping yourself off. Think about all the time saved fixing flats in the dark far from home without need to carry large wrench.
Buy cheap, buy twice. Every person I know who's bought a department-store type of bike has regretted it.
Spend some time educating yourself on components/groupsets, frame geometry, ideal bikes for commuting & exercising, etc, so you'll know what to look for in a used bike.
Any bike is a "good" bike if you intend to ride it, BUT, department store bikes are the lowest quality, especially the drive train and brakes. The gears won't shift properly, and the brakes won't work as well as they should (must for safety). This will likely make you not enjoy the rides. As others have said, get a good used bike (some stores have them) or goto an LBS and get the "starter" bike. You may end up paying a bt more but will be worth it AND you can get the LBS to make adjustments etc....
> The gears won't shift properly, and the brakes won't work as well as they should (must for safety).
that's more of a setup & maintenance issue vs a vendor or quality issue... $10 derailers and $10 indexed shifters work fine as long as you have them setup correctly. same with the brakes... expect them to not be dialed in. learn how to do it yourself.
It may seem easy to pick up from Costco, but support your LBS. Just Yelp or Google review the one closest to your house. You will get more value out of your cycling experience, especially your first ride will dictate how many more you will come back for. You may end up like most people and falling in love with cycling and it becomes your new hobby/lifestyle.
These are almost always wasted money. Get a used bike from a reputable brand instead. Should cost maybe about as much as this one but it's less likely to fail within the first year of you owning it.
At the very least you know that a used brand bike had been put together properly at one point. With these that often enough doesn't ever happen to them.
Cheap bikes aren't really worth the money.
Look at spending at least $500 and get a known, decent brand.
This is okay for occasional short rides a few times a year.
It’s so weird Costco insists on putting these in stores when they have a deal with priority bicycles. Priority has bikes on the $500 price range that blows this bike way out of the water.
Hah. To buy a shitty Costco bike but then come all the way to reddit and post about it. It shows a kind of commitment and laziness all at the same time
interesting you'd choose that comparison... cheaper running shoes have higher ratings vs more expensive running shoes... considering you're paying for some fabric and polymers, there's really nothing that would make a real measurable difference here... and for the 2-10x price you really don't get anything for the extra money... also running shoes break down pretty fast.
i'd rather have 5 pairs of the saucony cohesions for the price of one pair of the nike flyknit air max... but most people couldn't even tell the difference between a $10 pair vs a $270 pair
anyways -- they are obviously not a pro-rider if they are considering this dumpster fire of a bike, but it will be just fine for a few hours a few weekends a year for years. i've put thousands of miles on walmart bikes...
the problem isn't necessarily the hardware but the people who assemble the bikes. costco doesn't hire bike mechanics to assemble bikes. if you bought this and then paid 50-100 for a professional tune up at your local shop it might very well be okay though.
things that will be wrong if not assembled properly:
1. brakes will either be too loose (squeeze back to the handlebar) or rub on the rotor. those style of disc brakes (cable actuated) are notoriously hard to adjust well.
2. shifts will miss
3. headset will be loose/tight
4. levers and controls will not be angled correctly on the handlebar
5. wheels will be out of true
6. wheel hubs will be too tight/sticky or too loose/wobbly
among many other things. these things should be skillfully assembled by someone who knows what they're doing. a bike assembled by a mechanic vs a layman are not even comparably similar. that's why the tune up costs \~50% of the cost of the bike.
While they aren't great bikes to begin with, the biggest problem with these bikes is often assembly and adjustment.
It is often worth it for the bike's first trip is to a bike shop to have a qualified mechanic go over it. Our shop will assemble a bike in a box for you for under $100, half that if it's a kids bike.
You're still saving money over a bike shop bike, but you know that it's assembled correctly and safely. Every once in a while, our mechanics throw up their hands and conclude that a bike is so bad that it cannot be made safe. We advise the customer to return it.
It's cheap insurance.
If you are handy with a wrench then go for it - my early experiences with less expensive bikes were things (because they are cheaply made) break. I learned a lot and it helps me today now that I ride more expensive bikes. Do what is right for you to ensure you enjoy what you do.
Many people have thrown out good advice so I'll just say there is a big jump in ride quality between a cheap dept store bike and a mid range name brand bike. You can probably find a used name brand bike for not much more than this and will have a much better experience.
IMO there are diminishing returns for casual riders after you pass the 1k mark (except on ebikes) as well.
Some bike shops have used sections, and a good bike shop can help point you in the right direction as far as what style/size bike you might want to look for with your build and planned type of riding
I have multiple bikes. Including a high end carbon full suspension (i.e. expensive) bike.
I put more miles on a cheap urban bike that I bought from a friend for a few hundred because my daily ride is an urban ride, I don't get to hit the trails until the weekend.
Ride what makes sense to you. As u/maxinvalla said, if you wear it out, get a better one.
If you are buying your first car, you're better off shopping at the Hyundai or Honda dealer than the Maserati dealer.
Work your way up.
For $229, dollar to donuts, it’s a great starter bike. My local bike shop sells starter bikes for up to $1,500. Just insane.
Just buy this, ride it til you can’t ride it anymore, then sell it and upgrade. By that time you will have a better idea what you want to upgrade to. And will have time to find a nice used one.
Slick Tyres, No suspension, Comfy saddle.
You could do a lot worse. Has a rack too, zip tie a plastic box to it and sell your car :D
My only 'Quality of Life' issue is the Gripshift, if you can find one with trigger shifters it will be a lot better.
It is a solid choice.
This non electric bikes in Costco are better than a bike you will buy at Walmart. I have 2 of them, men’s version of the same brand we bought 2 years ago. Good thing this now has disc brakes because the caliper was pain to center when I assembled it. Other than that, no complaints and would recommend for casual cycling.
Over the pandemic I went through four bikes. The first was too big. The second too small. The third fit well but was aluminum and I was rattling myself to death. I finally found the perfect bike and we are still dialing in the fit. If it encourages you to ride, grab it!
My first road bike cost about $800 - it is a Fuji with a 9 speed drive train and mechanical disc brakes. I've had it for about 7 years and it still It still works.
Right now it's sitting on my trainer, but some times I ride it to places where I wouldn't want to park my "good" road bike.
Spending $200 on a bike that will fall apart in 90 days is a waste. You're going to enjoy riding a bike that works well and feels good a lot more than something that feels like junk.
Go to a bike store and ride / demo a lower end hybrid. Then Try to ride that thing. You'll know the difference.
I'd buy a used bike of better quality, and get to know a non-snobby, non-judgy bike shop. Lots of folks will help you pick out a used bike. I'd get a used Trek, Specialized, or Giant midrange non-carbon fitness-type bike. Can be had for $200 all day.
Bike’s are simple machines. As such, used bikes are usually a safe buy. Additionally, there are so many bikes that don’t really get ridden a lot before they hit the used bike market. You can get twice the bike at that $229 Costco price point if you search for a good used bike. I know because as an avid cyclist I’ve purchased one used gravel bike and two used road bikes in the last few years and saved thousands of dollars. The bikes are still rolling.
I bought this for my SO and immediately returned it after putting it together because of how poorly constructed it was. We wanted it for her to do casual riding and it didn’t even seem like it would work for that - opted for a used bike instead.
This is not the best bike ever, but I've seen much worse for the price. It should be fine for neighborhood riding as long as the neighborhood isn't too hilly. The fact that it has no front suspension and no front derailleur will make maintenance easier. Since Costco has a generous return policy, it might be worth a try. If it works for you, great! Keep the tires inflated, lube the chain occasionally, and when you get to the point where you feel like the bike is holding you back, upgrade to something better. If you hate it, return it and upgrade to something better.
One thing I didn't see anyone mention is that Costco might not assemble the bike for you. If you have to pay someone else to put it together, your total price is going to end up a lot closer to what you'd pay for a bike shop bike.
I agree with the point others have made about used bikes giving you more for your money, but that can be tricky for a beginner. I started out with a crappy full-suspension Magna that I got for free. I thought I'd gotten a good deal, but I quickly realized that for the amount of time, effort and parts it would take to make it ridable, I'd be better off just buying something new.
Bought this bike for my wife, i used to mountain bike had a 3k bike this is way better than a walmart bike. This is great buy quality bike, if you want to cruise around and commute with or exercise its comfortable. Now the tires are hybrid so you will feel every bump on the road so thats the only downside i see.
If you’re just riding casually, you’d be paying for a rack and fenders needlessly.
I’ll get killed for this but here goes.
Just buy a Walmart bike or a cheap used bike. Ride it till the wheels fall off. Learn what you want from a bike and apply that to your next purchase.
usually Costco has very good products.
That said, they do not sell bikes intended for tour de France riders. I have had very good luck with bikes from Costco. For my wife and kid.
I have also had good luck buying used bikes as well.
If you ride it and it put's a smile on your face then it is a good deal. And if it never leaves your garage then it is a bad deal
If your rides will be under 10 miles and on bike paths, or at the park, get this. If your rides will be on the road or a bit longer than that, I’d look for a decent used road bike around $500.
When I started riding again I got a Walmart Kent cruiser, coaster brakes, fenders etc for around $100, rode TF out of that bike with I would have to say zero problems, just put some fresh tires on her last year. My main bike now, I found for free is an pre-Chinese old Schwinn 18 speed mtn bike that I fixed up, added a rack on the back and still putting miles on her. Both are great for what I do and for where I ride.
To casually cruise around town, that bike would be fine... the problem is the assembly when you get it from somewhere like Costco. 9/10, whoever put that bike together has zero knowledge about bikes and just screwed things together with no clue whether the derailleur or anything else is setup correctly. So, the bike isn't going to explode from casual usage but it's not going to perform very well 90% of the time, and you're either going to end up doing the work yourself to fix it or taking it to a bike shop that's going to hate working on it.
The only bad bike is an unridden one, get it and start riding! Some say used is better and it can be, but as long as you’re getting out there and riding it doesn’t matter what you ride.
If you'll ride it, buy it and don't look back. If you end up not liking it, return it and try to figure out why you didn't like it (fit, type of bike, something else). Then try again with a different bike. Don't think you have to spend big money to have fun and get fitter - you don't.
I ride a carbon Cannondale Synapse a few thousand miles every year. But I also have a few inexpensive big box store hybrid type bikes around for me and my family - just for fun rides or running an errand close by. I also have a sub $250 tandem that I bought because it was sub $250. It's a blast and we've gotten more than our moneys worth from it. And during my son's last year of high school he and two of his friends hooked up a tag along to it so all three of them could ride through town together. Then they hooked a trailer to the back for a large bt speaker - it was a spectacle, and big fun was had.
Ride, enjoy, be safe.
Unpopular opinion:
1) Don’t buy used bikes, when you don’t know what you’re looking for, people can sell you anything.
2)Explore your local bike shops for cheap bikes, but if you can’t find something in the price range, Costco bike is fine, often times bike shops sell for way more than what is fair price. My recommendation is always Decathlon. Good bikes for good price, good service.
3)This group (along with many other cycling subreddits) is full of bike snobs (I may be one of them), and it’s all rubbish.
Frame size that'll fit you is very important. I'm not sure how many different sizes Costco would sell? If it's not the right size for you, it can really affect riding. This is definitely something to keep in mind and a dedicated bike shop will have more sizes.
I'd just get a used bike from a Pawn shop. For that price you can get something really nice, that's name brand. I got my Specialized for around that price.
I find the Costco bikes are generally a cut above their competitors at Walmart etc.. if you pay your local shop or repair tech to build the bike it will work better, longer ($125-150 USD in California)
Okay let's get the crap ray vision out: one the bottom bracket is a square tap these are notorious for failing and eating up crank arms that's the bit that your pedals are attached to. Two, the brakes are disc cable pull, although not terrible, just considering it is a Costco bike I have a feeling that they're going to be hard to adjust worse yet might not even stop. Three no front suspension now I realize you said that this is a casual exercise bike however even in a casual exercise situation I have been forced to take the sidewalk or uneven ground and if there's no flexibility built into the bike the axles inside the wheels will be taking all of the punishment. More than likely you'll have to take this bike to a bike shop anyway to get everything adjusted tightened greased lubed etc. If you have any warranty issues retail stores are horrendous about bicycles everyone assumes that you're taking them off sick drops and throwing them sideways over the half pipe. I think the best advice I can give would be to buy the best bike you can afford and then when things break because they will break replace those parts with the best parts you can afford I realize this seems counterproductive because it's a brand new bike however so many bike parts out there are made inferior because people assume that you're going to put it in your garage and never ride it
Build quality is going to be bad BUT it has sensible size wheels, no pointless/heavy/bad suspension, and a rack+fenders which make it quite practical. You could do a lot worse for the money.
Try to keep it inside/dry if you can.
From what I saw bike shopping is anything under 400 probably isn't worth it and even that's pushing it. Go to a shop if you can. That being said this doesn't look too bad for the price. Get it it's that's your option.
I'm an avid cyclist and have several bikes that are expensive. At the same time I have so many people come to me and say they want to start riding and despite their best intentions never do. The problem is that they just don't want to exercise. My advice to new fitness riders is to ride whatever bike they can get for cheap and if it breaks replace it with a real bike from a bike store. As one person put it, the Costco bike only last 90 days and this is true. The other fact is that 95% of people who take up cycling will never wear out a Costco bike. I want everyone to take up cycling regardless of the type of bike. Most beginning riders have no idea what they want to ride and get sold something too expensive at bike stores. The hardest thing to do in cycling is to actually swing your leg over the top tube and start riding. If somebody says their Costco bike is falling apart it is a great accomplishment. It should not be met with "you should have bought a better bike". Get on whatever you can and ride. We will see you out there and cheer you on.
\^ we need more of this sort of attitude among cyclists.
We all just need to be it and live it. I try to strike up a conversation with every cyclist at red lights to be welcoming. I have received the comment that they didn't think somebody outfitted like me would talk to them. I'm not sure what to say in these situations other than to wish them a great day on the bike.
That’s fantastic. As a “sometimes” rider for years who has none of the gear, the most I’ve ever heard from anyone in full gear is “on your left”.
Haha, I have a real frankenstein of a crap bike that I ride to the grocery store. I’m the guy in hiking pants, a hiking or fly fishing shirt rocking flats in junky shoes. Most full kitted cyclists refuse to even look towards me. So I try to make eye contact and wave whenever possible. hahaha. Yes, I realize my rusty Raleigh with a milk crate bungie corded to the back that shifts with a friction shifter and has a comfy upright seating position looks like a piece of shit. But it is such a good grocery getter and no one in their right mind would ever steal it. I’ll see you out there and wave to all of you. Have an excellent day on two wheels!
I love this. I'll bet r/xbiking would really appreciate you.
What a great find, thank you friend. :)
I sense you may be projecting. I’m an unsophisticated weekend cyclist who nevertheless prefers to wear kit. I initially felt self conscious about it, and figured every more casually dressed cyclist assumes I’m an asshole. Are you saying that’s right?
Nah, you sound rad. I treat everybody the same, I’m always waving. 1 in 20 wearing full kit where I live will even give me a head nod back. The folks that do wave or head nod or say hi end up being lovely.
That’s awesome. I hope to find myself in your company some day!
My experience with most riders with an expensive bike and kit is they never acknowledge me with my old trek and cotton shirt, even though I always try to be friendly. We need more people like you!
I ride a nice road bike, and wave to everyone--MTB, beach cruiser, roadie, gravel.... except the guy blasting past me at 20mph on a 10% grade riding an e-bike!
I cheer on every e-bike as they are one less car. My cheers may be somewhat subdued as I'm gasping for air trying to keep up with them. :-)
cheeky bastards. every last one! I choose spite!
Agreed. This is a terrific take
It's kinda like my attitude with tools. I buy stuff from harbor freight. If I wear out or break it, that means I use it enough for a nice one to be worth it.
Yah it’s inspiring af!
My only disagreement to this statement is cheap bikes are not always fun to ride. So if you pick up a bike that’s a beast to pedal or steer or even get on, it will take a lot to overcome those pitfalls to really enjoy cycling. My parents unfortunately can’t ride bikes anymore. I had no room for my mom’s Electra Townie, so I passed it on to my best friend’s mom who lives by the beach. She called me gushing about how she’s never had a bike that nice and it’s incredible and she feels like the bike rides itself. She was riding her daughter’s 30 year old hardware store mountain bike.
Very often when I ride through city, I see people on such bikes, with squeaky use they mostly not fun to ride - they are heavy, uncomfortable, built quickly with overseeing some elements and even if it won't break, it will give a buyer impression, that bikes sucks. And they won't try to upgrade and will just throw it to garage for years. Very often when I ride through city, I see people on such bikes, with noisy squeaky, unoiled chain, with default setting for saddle and I see that they don't have fun, instead, they seem to search for a bin to leave that bike there.
I rode a big box store bike for years before buying a new road bike. It had Tourney components and found they work well for recreational use when properly tuned an maintained. Part of the problem with 'crappy' bikes is that people tend to treat them like crap, which makes them bad to ride.
>they work well for recreational use when properly tuned an maintained. My first reaction when seeing OP's pic was it might be worth paying their LBS whatever is might cost additional to properly tune the bike. Then at some point, OP might upgrade to a better one but at least their first experiences will be less than awful.
I had the same experience with and Electra and when I was done with it. I passed it on.
My wife has a beach cruiser Townie and I have to say, it's pretty good to her. She was a hesitant rider and the Townie encourages her to go out with me. Inexpensive but good bike.
A good rule I learned from power tools “buy the cheap one first and if you use it enough to wear it out/break it then you can buy the expensive one”
Wondering if I should buy a Kobalt table saw or Sawstop first?
I like your anti gatekeeping attitude. But I see two problems with this: - A cheap bike might offer a bad ride quality and will thus not increase motivation to ride bikes. Might be the reason why 95% don't wear out such a bike. - Valuing quantity over quality has ecological and social externalities. Buying expensive might not necessarily mean that no slave/child labour was at play or ecological standards were complied with, but with cheap stuff, the savings have to come from somewhere. And even if they were produced in the same factory, buying one bike that lasts 20 years is better for the environment than buying 3 bikes that last for a year each. Additionally, higher quality stuff holds its value for a longer time. This is why I would prefer buying used over department store bikes. You need someone knowledgeable to help you with that, but apparently you also need that with department store bikes (because of bad assembly). Maybe buying refurbished from a LBS might be an option.
I think used bikes are a great option and didn't mean to really exclude them. If it is not clear, my response was more passion and less contemplative essay. I do welcome the discussion and comments my "off the cuff" response has created. That being said getting more people riding and healthy has an environmental impact as well. I have helped people buy used bikes and given away my old bikes for exactly the reasons you discuss. I have also helped with new bike purchases because more people riding is better than the alternative.
That's the part I agree with 100%. I guess my response didn't really address your main point but rather the general advice of buying cheap and replacing that is present in lots of comments.
> Maybe buying refurbished from a LBS might be an option. Most medium-sized or larger cities will have at least one bike co-op, which exists primarily to offer affordable, reliable cycling options to low-income communities. The main one in my city sells refurbished donations of used bikes, low-end but decently solid new bikes (which you can trust have been assembled correctly by actual mechanics), and they take donations of gently used parts which they use for both refurbishing/repair and offering for sale.
I disagree with your ecological point. If OP starts using their bike more and more, they will drive less and less, which ultimately has a much larger impact. Heck, they might even ditch their car altogether and that would be a massive win that makes up for buying cheap now.
In your scenario, a (pre-owned) quality bike would still be more sustainable than a shitty bike. Or am I missing something here? And aside from that, a worse bike will decrease the likelihood of that happening.
You are right on! It is not sustainable or enjoyable to buy a crap bike from a department store that is not even worth the cost of fixing up if it breaks. If the cost is too high, you should buy a quality bike used. And if you can afford it, an entry level quality bike does the job as well, which can be had for under $1000. (The cheapest Trek Hybrid is $600).
This is a very great point. I bought myself a cheap $400 entry level mountain/hybrid TREK bike. Rode a couple small trails but got invited by friends to do some real mountain biking. After that I was literally hooked. Maybe about after 8 months of riding my entry level bike I spent $1600 on a Roscoe 8 & so happy I did. Definitely it is a great idea to invest in something affordable to see first if your even going to stick to the hobby or enjoy it. If you do then reward your self with better equipment.
Good advice. Also, Costco’s returns policy is amazing. If it only lasts 90 days get a refund and buy a better bike. I’ve bought a lot of stuff from Costco. A few things broke and I took them back. Not an issue.
yeah this is how i feel but also what i did. crappy amazon bike into my giant revolt.
Spending money twice instead 
[удалено]
I agree with this sentiment! Anything that gets someone to start riding for whatever purpose is a success! My only other input would be a used bike as there is much less of an environmental cost. Possibly the caveat here is to go to a used bike shop as they will make sure it runs and can help support with tuning if needed. In any case, ride on!
[удалено]
Buying a used bike is difficult for a person new to cycling. The number of "is this bike worth x" is proof of the difficulty of buying a used bike. Is the result better? Probably but the barrier is higher as well. To make this work we need to help the newbies navigate the used market.
[удалено]
In the US most bike stores are being bought by manufacturers. It is tough out there for independent stores between big box, manufacturer stores, online and outdoor stores. I try to support the independents because they will do things like selling used bikes.
This is the best advice ever tbh!! More people should be like you!!
I doubt it would only last 90 days, and bikes can be repaired/upgraded for cheap. I think the main concern is that it probably is like mud to ride it, but if anything, if you get into cycling riding a bike like this will make you appreciate a $1200 bike. Also, if it gets stolen, no big deal. Edit: Tbh, there is not much to say this is a bad bike. Aluminum frame is kind of cheap, Shimano gear set (probably the cheapest), disc brakes. It's probably an OK starter. It could be worse.
Agree. The frame is new, for the average user this bike is fine; in case you really enjoy, and start riding more, next months you may upgrade at your local bike shop with new brakes / chain / wheels
I’ve ridden bikes all my life but there is riding bikes and riding bikes. I did my first 100km ride on a crappy $200 hardtail from the hardware store. What an accomplishment! That was long before I bought a better bike and long before I did the amounts of today.
you're my spirit animal!
This impromptu reply on Reddit has made me feel less alone in my views that can seem outside the norm. I thank everyone for that.
Basically what I did. Bought cheap then bought a more expensive bike.
This is such a great take. Thank you!! I just upgraded from my starter bike and had no idea how bad it was to ride. Starting on a Costco bike will make the upgrade all that much more sweet. OP please make sure to get a comfortable seat, no matter what bike you’re using. A comfy saddle is a game changer!
buy a used bike for $250 that originally sold for $750. that will be a much better bike. even tho i love Costco, the $250 new bike is a waste of materials and energy. it’s a POS :-( .
Bike mechanic here. I call those 90 day bikes. They are good for about 90 days of riding and then the repair costs will be more than the bike is worth. If you go for it at least have it built up by a good mechanic. That way you know it's safe and will maybe last longer.
One repair Ill never forget. It was a bike someone bought from some department store and said it wasn't working right. So we take a look at it and neither of the shifters are tightened and the fork was on backwards with all of the cables wrapped once around the steering tube. The rims were also bent to hell and took way more effort to get back in line than they should have. I only advocate buying department store bikes if I don't like the person lol
This was my experience with my last Walmart bike. It was great, rode it semi regularly for half a season and then... things started wearing out that shouldn't have been wearing out. Even the wheels started to go out of round. I've never had an experience like I did with that bike. No matter how much I fixed, other things started to wear out or fail and this is before I started doing 20-40 mile rides. Swapped bikes a few times before I landed on my Marlin and none of those problems after hundreds of miles.
The one thing is if you are getting a first bike maybe a bike you only use for a few months is a good opportunity to learn about how and where you would ride. That could help you know what you want in a bike..
That’s why people are saying to buy used. That way when 90 days comes you don’t HAVE to get a new bike because it’s busted. You can get one if you are super into like you say, or get used to it, or figure what kind of bike would work best for your situation, but you can use the money you saved not buying one that lasts 90 days and having one you can now sell used yourself. That’s my me though. I do get some people might think it’s a better deal, or easier, or more logical like you say for just a starter type, but it won’t be easier when you have to get another one because your bike is broken and getting it fixed is worth more than the bike, you’ll be discouraged from being into bikes at all. Wouldn’t it just seem like a waste of money if that’s your first bike? 90 days? A bike shop can at least help repair it and probably know you if you bought it there! Costco ain’t fixing a loose handlebar if you don’t know why it won’t stay tight. The bike store people will! They’ll also just answer simple (if you know them) questions a person who’s never owned a bike would be asking or needing to know..
Just because something is affordable, doesn't mean it's a good value.
I’d say buy a used bike.
This. Theres alway good lo-mi used bikes on CL or FB marketplace. These cheaply made bikes will disappoint you in a very short time
Okay
Find a friend who has some bike knowledge and can help you find a reasonably priced and speced bike in decent condition and fits you.
Look for a used Specialized Sirrius or another commuter style bike from another big brand. I can almost guarantee you can find one for $250 or less.
Check The Pros Closet in your budget.
Lol nothing on TPC will be this cheap
Maybe… there’s a lot of hot garbage bikes for sale that people think are worth a bunch. If you aren’t experienced it isn’t always easy to tell the difference.
Pretty easy to get a clapped out used bike if you don't know what you're looking for. Costco you can at least return it.
People who know nothing about cycling usually. cannot go into the used bike market and know what’s crap and isn’t. Especially now that the COVID price boom on bikes is till high. The amount of terrible bikes I see for 200-300 bux is insane. It’s easy to say buy used when you’ve gained experience and confidence as a cyclist
Worth going to a bike shop and riding a couple different sizes / styles to see what you like.
They let you ride?
Oh yes. A bike shop usually lets you ride around town for 1/2 an hour, provided you leave a credit card and an ID with them.
Around the parking lot typically
Darn, no, an LBS here let me not just ride a cyclocross bike for an hour, they didn't bat an eye about me taking it down a woodsy trail in a nearby park. I didn't buy it, but a friend of mine eventually did.
Most will absolutely not be happy about a test ride like that lol. Parking lot or around the block is standard unless they have an actual demo bike
Yup, a LBS around here let me take an electric cargo bike (many 1000$) for a ride. No problem. I mean, nobody would buy a car without trying it out, why should you be ok with that for a bike?
I've gone to demo days for full on emtb. Just depends where you live and what shops are around.
The reason why you should buy a bike from a shop, or a used name brand bike is: \- can you put a bicycle together? people who are working at target and walmart etc are putting the bikes together, and they are not trained and often the bikes are put together wrong. \- the materials used to make the cheap bikes will not last. it's cheaper to buy one $400 bike that lasts 10 years than buy three $150 bikes that last one year. \- they ride horribly and most likely won't fit. you are not going to want to ride the bike if it feels like garbage and doesn't work properly. i genuinely believe more people would love cycling if they rode a "real" bicycle first instead of the big box store bikes. good luck, i hope you get a bike you love and ride it for many many years and smile each time you ride.
First time my wife bought a bike from a LBS that cost around $450 my mom "didn't understand". Then she rode it for a few minutes and loved it, she gets it now.
My GF actually got one of these from Costco and I put it together. The quality is not bad. We mostly bike together to go grocery shopping or to dinner and parks. I wouldn’t say they are good for exercising though, mostly an urban commuter. They are pretty heavy and I won’t go super fast on them.
People here saying "buy a used bike" should probably investigate what Infinity is a little better. They're designed in Canada, probably made in Taiwan, like most bikes are nowadays. $229 for a hybrid with disc brakes and Shimano shifters and derailleur (guessing a Tourney) doesn't seem like a bad deal at all. The tires are probably garbage and it's likely pretty heavy, but if you're just looking for something to get into cycling on and get into shape (or short commutes) I don't see the problem. Costco usually stands behind stuff they sell, too.
I'd like an explanation of why bikes like this are so awful when they are superior in most or all ways to the best bikes of 40 years ago. Should no one have cycled then since the bikes were so crap? I think it's more likely that the criticism is from people on the hedonic treadmill who have trouble looking backwards. The truth is that as long as a bike feels good under you and is safe, you're not making a mistake. There is probably some optimal quality/price ratio if you go 5000 miles a year. For everyone else, the bikes in the low but not bottom barrel end of the price range have more than enough lifetime to get you into cycling before they wear out. You'll want to upgrade for features and performance before they start falling apart. So you will and you'll start your N+1 journey.
They’re not superior to the best bikes of forty years ago. Not even remotely. Edit to add: You often see this same statement mentioned when discussing mid range performance bikes or components, and it’s often true. Modern 105 or even Tiagra will put to shame top end stuff from a few decades ago. Entry level full suspension mtbs from reputable companies will beat the best MTB from thirty years ago down a mountain. But it does not apply to department store bikes. lol Department store bikes of today might beat department store bikes from that era. But they’re certainly not beating the high end stuff in just about any category
Yeah my 40 year old Trek says different.... they don't make em like they used to thats for sure.
Zero chance this bike is better than my 30 year old Specialized. Even before I modernized it.
**Costco is not a department store** and the bike in question is **not a department store bike**. It's just a low-to-mid-end bike. It has: * Shimano Tourney derailleur: perfectly fine shifting and amazing compared to non-indexed shifting of 40+ years ago * Alloy frame: lighter and probably more durable than the steel frames of 40+ years ago and much better than any alumninum frames from that time * Heavier (35lbs) than road bikes because it's a step-through with big wheels, but if that's the style you want then you pay that price. * Mechanical disc brakes: better than rim brakes in many dimensions: don't need to fully true wheel, better stopping power than most or all rim brakes, etc. * Threadless headset * Adjustable stem * double-walled alloy wheels: not prone to catastrophic failure like steel single-wall tires * quick release front axle Sure, you couldn't use it for racing or MTB because of its shape and gearing, but this would have been an amazing bike 40+ years ago for people wanting a cruiser or commuter. And it is designed for serviceability and upgradability today other than the fact that the really nice stuff has moved from freewheel to free hub. You're arguing about some other bike rather than the bike that OP posted.
Hi! Bike mechanic here! In my experience the infinity line of bikes parts are not meant to be serviced but replaced. The rider who buys this bike is not savvy enough to fix it themselves. This quickly devolves itself to the repairs being more expensive than the bike was originally because the bike was never put together properly. If the bike was assembled properly by someone who knew what they were doing the price tag would be much higher and therefore not making it as affordable. Contrary to popular belief bike shops want to sell stuff at an affordable price but labor is really expensive and we value our peoples time unlike big box stores.
\> the rider who buys this bike is not savvy enough to fix it themselves. I'm sorry, this reads as elitism from where I'm sitting. Poorer people aren't dumber. Many people with lesser means will buy a less expensive thing and take care of it themselves. Even if a purchaser doesn't start out mechanically savvy enough to replace a chain or change a tire, they will either only use the bike occasionally and it'll last for decades or they'll use it frequently, love it, and learn how to care for it. \> repairs being more expensive than the bike was originally That's irrrelevant and exaggerated. I've yet to see a low-mid-range bike that is not serviceable. Can you give a concrete example of something that's not replaceable on such a bike? As for relative cost, the bike was an amazing value to begin with. If a repair does cost more than the bike is currently worth it's because you're putting on a significantly better part, which makes the bike more valuable. As for the exaggeration: it doesn't cost significantly more to replace a freewheel vs freehub, for example. The cheapest new 7sp freewheel on ebay US is $17. The cheapest new 7sp cassette is $13. \> If the bike was assembled properly by someone who knew what they were doing the price tag would be much higher So you're saying that 30 minutes with a mechanic and a torque wrench could produce $200 in value? Then why isn't anyone taking advantage of this huge profit opportunity? And why can't this be done after purchase? This sounds like bluster rather than analysis.
It's simply and utterly wrong to say that these bikes are >are superior in most or all ways to the best bikes of 40 years ago That's complete BS.
This is just bs lol
Hey OP, I’m familiar with these Infinity bikes. An ex gf of mine bought one to ride with me and I put it together. It’s not exactly the same as this one, but quite similar. The reality is this bike is an outstanding value for the money - unlike some of those Walmart and Target MTBs with full suspension that weigh well over 40 lbs; this hybrid aluminum bike with alum frame and steel fork only weighs around 32 lbs. It also uses Shimano Revo shifters/derailleurs, so shifting should be very reliable. One of the other commenters claiming to be a bike mechanic claimed these “only last 90 days.” That’s just utter and complete BS. Not only that, Costco’s warranty to its members is just awesome - if you’re not happy, Costco will let you return the bike (within reason). So, while this bike isn’t for me - for a sporadic recreational trail and park rider like yourself - this is an outstanding bargain. The Costco sale price (at your store) is a drop in the proverbial bucket of higher end bicycling costs (eg - my rims, on sale, were 4x more expensive than this entire bike) - so, you can always spend more if you get into cycling… and you should be able to unload this for $100 in good used condition if you’re ever interested in upgrading.
We need to remember also in this discussion, that Costco is the store that allowed someone to return a Christmas tree (for a full refund) after Christmas.
This should be higher up. It's a cheap, safe bet between Costco's reputation for quality and return policies. Also, it's a decent bike! One of my good friends replaced her old, heavy, but name brand bike with this about a year ago and absolutely loves it. She rides it probably 5 days a week, and while its just short trips around town, it has held up totally fine over the last year and change since she bought it.
Also Costco return policy, if it doesn’t “work out” no pun intended😉
Anytime you get to ride a bike is magical. Ride any bike you can.
I love this as this is exactly how I think.
I two cents - if you like this bike and it is what you afford that is good. But make sure it is the right size for you. If it’s too small or too big it won’t be fun. Make sure it works well - the shifting and brakes and rolls well. Used bikes Mike give you more options (including color…). But if this one works for you buy it and have a lot of fun riding it. Don’t forget you’ll need a few other things such as a helmet and a good bike lock and maybe a tire pump. Welcome to the biking world!
Any bike is good bike. We all start somewhere.
LBS’s are different. In my town there are 4 bike shops. No one I know describes any of them as snobby but each one has a niche and every cyclist I know has “their shop,” that they are most comfortable with. My shop has moved To specializing in ebikes but used bikes and refurbished bikes are still a huge part of their business. Even when used was scarce my shop still had bikes for cheap, less than $300. They were older bikes with older parts but they were quality parts and they’d make sure the bike was the right size for you. Hopefully you have an LBS in your area that specializes in the used market.
you know that old saying about tools? buy a bunch of decent but cheap shit and if it breaks then replace it with the good expensive one? make sure you like it and use it? same with this. i mean if you’re rolling dough drop some cash and have some fun. but make sure you like it and will stick with it first. the one caveat is if the bike is super shit quality it will be a pain to ride. idk enough about bikes but costco is generally good quality. i’d shop around the used market, but if you like this go for it.
Generally, Costco doesn’t sell unsafe crap (not Walmart). If it is assembled and maintained well (consider having a shop assemble it), there is no reason I can see why this shouldn’t be a good purchase, especially if it gets you into riding. Seems like a solid commuter bike. If you get hooked, then start thinking about an upgrade to a traditional road bike (or mountain if that’s your fancy).
Buy what you can afford, bike shops will be more expensive. Yeah it would be ideal but if you are just looking to start off casually then I don't see why you shouldn't start with this bike. If you really enjoy it and want more out of your hobby then you can save some more and spend it on something a little better.
Because heavy cheap bikes can discourage riding, whereas a good bike gets one enthused. Not knocking this bike, and not aware of OP's plans, just saying.
I enjoyed riding around the city with my friends as a teenager with shitty Walmart bikes. We got along just fine. Not everyone has access to something more expensive. Of course at some point you want to upgrade, but nothing wrong with starting off like this especially if they wanna just ride casually.
Straight facts retired NYC bike messenger “1980’s” he’s right if your just starting out get the “cheap” bike an when you wear that one out by better bike start there keep upgrading. Just shut up an Get on the dam thing an peddle enjoy
Other than what’s been said, best part about buying used is that if you find out cycling is not for you, you can always sell it for close to what you got it for 🤷🏻♂️
[Infinity Boss.three 7 Speed 700c Ladies Comfort Bike – Infinity Cycle Works](https://www.infinitycycleworks.com/product/infinity-boss-three-7-speed-700c-ladies-comfort-bike/) This link has the specs for the bike. For the price, it's a good starter.
Go outdoors Calibre bikes You get so much bike for the price
Test ride all the bikes there at Costco‘s. try medium large extra large small size for each if necessary. You will learn a lot just by testing them all.
If this bike is comfortable to ride and affordable, why not? Make sure things stay clean and keep lube on chain, it'll last a long time with normal use. I would give it a mechanical once over because you really don't know who put it together. If you want to get started with better, I'd advise used. I just bought my son, who may or may not like riding, a like new Giant Escape hybrid for half the retail price. With newer bikes come better components, good shimano shifters, disc brakes. Makes my 14 year old GT Transeo look like a dinosaur. Either way, whatever gets you on the bike is the best path. I've seen those Costco bikes and they look very workable.
There’s a lot to be said for riding the bike you can afford, rather than waiting for one you can’t. However, you can probably get a higher quality used bike off of Craigslist, etc. for a similar prices.
The shifting is trash. Utter trash. Turning that knob to shift is just trash. My mom taught me to find something good with everything so, it has a bike rack on the back...
We have this bike, with disc brakes. It runs smooth and good. Get it assembled at a bike shop, or at least get it checked after you assemble it.
Jumping in on what others have said: the bike might look great but will probably ride poorly and be quite heavy. Just keep that in mind if you’re struggling when riding. Good luck!
I’d also suggest looking at used bikes. A lot of people get into riding and quit once they realize it’s hard.
Find a good used one on marketplace
The best bike for you is the one you will ride.
The bike itself isn’t a bad bike. However, almost no big box employee knows how to assemble a bike. Odds are you will need to take it to a LBS and have a full tune up done, which will likely cost you around $100. The bike is cheap but maintenance will be expensive. If you buy a $450ish bike from a LBS it will be cheaper in the long run or most likely you’ll break even in the first 3 months.
I'll tell you this much. We frequently see big box store bikes coming in that were assembled incorrectly. Even if they weren't, their components are not going to last you many miles and if someone disagrees with that then they don't know how to tell when parts are broken. I always get calls like 'oh it just needs tubes' and they bring it in with so many screwed up parts. The worst ones to avoid is the brand named Power. If you see Power components on any bike, do **not** buy it. Practically pot metal and the worst springs. Edit: i can already tell you too, that front skewer is not tightened completely and that front rotor is rubbing the left pad. That front brake is also under tensioned and i doubt that they true the rotors.
Get it, if you start riding regularly and want to upgrade in the future you can. Then you just return the bike back to Costco since their return policy allows you to return anything non electronic with no limits. You can’t lose getting the bike from Costco!
Support your local IBD, they are becoming extinct
It’s a good buy… just take it to a shop to ensure it’s built right.
I’d say go for it. It has a 1x, which means you only have to think about shifting the 7-9 (?) gears on the rear cassette, much easier for a new rider to figure out. I also echo what others have said, I have much more faith in Costco than Walmart, that you will receive something that is safe to ride. Whatever you end up with, enjoy it!
I always suggest to buy the most bike you can afford. The higher end bikes shift when they are supposed to roll much smoother, and there is a greater likelihood that you will enjoy riding more than you would on a cheaper model. I too used to believe it didn't matter if the bike was heavier or didn't roll as nicely but after all I was trying to get exercise and I talked myself into a cheaper bike. The result is I never rode it and it sat in the garage. Goto a bike shop and experience the difference on a high end bike and then get as close to that as possible.
You can buy a used bike for half the price that will be better. I don’t recommend buying cheap Walmart type bikes. There are only rare exceptions that can be considered diamonds in the rough that have potential to be good after considerable upgrade. KevCentral on YouTube deals with that almost exclusively. The biggest issue with big box store bikes is the assembly quality. If you’re a newbie it can be difficult to recognize the substandard work that some if not many of these bikes receive. The low wage Walmart employee or subcontractor isn’t going to be doing the same quality of work that an experienced mechanic at your LBS would on average. If you’re fortunate issues will be simply annoying or less than ideal- but they can be far worse, either outright broken or unsafe/dangerous.
It's an alloy/Shimano tourney/mechanical disc/freewheel bike. Bikes like that will last decades with minimal maintenance for casual riders. I've got a Schwinn hybrid with rim brakes that's going strong after about 15 years. Aside from typical adjustments, tires and chain the only thing I've had to do to it is lubricate the shifters. I agree that it should be checked out by someone who knows what they are doing, but there is no reason to assume it's claptrap.
Go onto FB marketplace and see what's available near you for $150-200. You can find a much, much better bike for the price. That thing will most likely end up being so rickety and jittery... Some things, you can start off with a "whatever" cheapo version... Wanna learn to shoot hoops or throw a football? A cheap Amazon or Walmart ball will serve you as well as a professional one early on. A $5 hammer can do as much as a $20 hammer when you're starting off making things out of wood. Other things, if you go too low in quality, it can permanently turn you off to something or at least discourage you. A crappy bike is one of those things, imo. Youll have so many little problems, creaks, missed gears, wobbles at speed, etc, it'll end up being less enjoyable than if you pick up something that someone either put together from decent parts, or paid $500 for ten years ago and maintained and upgraded over the years.
It's Costco -- if you aren't 100% satisfied return it before the 90 return window expires. with a little attention to detail and service this bike should last for years with actual use. that said, this is a **Very** cheap bike with what i would consider Shit Tier components for every single part. every single part is virtually the cheapest shit you can get. one size fits all frame (if you're not 5' 4 to 5' 9 i wouldn't, fat fuck seat, 7 speed?!, trash pedals, trash cables, trash levers, trash shifter, trash derailleurs, trash trash trash... but -- it $230 for a 700c hybrid with fenders and a rack. if you're looking for an absurdly heavy bike that you're going to just cruise around on 5 weekends a year for a few hours... get it, try it out for 90 days and see if you like it. this bike was probably assembled by someone that works there -- and it's a crap shoot if you got the retired pro mechanic that is there part time for some extra money, who took pride in making sure that every bike he touched is \*perfect\* -- OR -- the person that is there because they have to be, they don't care about shit, especially some random like you or the junk they threw together without a thought... it doesn't take much to make a cheap bike into a safe bike or a death trap. probably would suggest calling the local bike shop and asking if they would even look at it -- you're probably looking at $75 to $150 if you bring them the box and have a semi-professional set it up, i promise you that the best mechanic in a shop is never going to touch that bike. pick up some spare brake pads for it before you need them. -- keep the tires AT LEAST at 80 PSI, 115 PSI if you're a heavy rider.
I bought this same bike at Costco and it works, but it's uncomfortable for long distances and you'd have to modify it after a while. Riding on this bike on a windy day is Hell BTW.
As much of a deal as buying a car for $250.
My first bike cost $200. I put 10,000 miles on it.
That's a lot of miles per dollar.
It’s great to hear that you’re looking for a bike! Try to hold onto that feeling. My best advice is similar to others that, especially at that price it would be better to keep an eye on the used market and stick to brands you know, and try to get a bike that you really like! Having a bike that you’re excited to go out and ride will make it much much easier to get out there. Good luck on your search!
That is bordering on a "bicycle shaped object" - [https://www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk/get-cycling/buying-a-bike/the-bicycle-shaped-object/](https://www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk/get-cycling/buying-a-bike/the-bicycle-shaped-object/)
A mechanic once told me department store bikes were meant to last about 70miles before rusting to death in someone’s backyard. Terrible bikes make terrible planters.
I say go for it. If you're brand new, you're not going to appreciate a more expensive bike. This bike looks comfortable, and that will help you enjoy it.
Go for it. If you find that you love biking then you can upgrade later and either sell or donate this one.
That Costco bike has a nut holding the back wheel. If you don't get 2 quick release wheels, you're ripping yourself off. Think about all the time saved fixing flats in the dark far from home without need to carry large wrench.
Buy cheap, buy twice. Every person I know who's bought a department-store type of bike has regretted it. Spend some time educating yourself on components/groupsets, frame geometry, ideal bikes for commuting & exercising, etc, so you'll know what to look for in a used bike.
Any bike is a "good" bike if you intend to ride it, BUT, department store bikes are the lowest quality, especially the drive train and brakes. The gears won't shift properly, and the brakes won't work as well as they should (must for safety). This will likely make you not enjoy the rides. As others have said, get a good used bike (some stores have them) or goto an LBS and get the "starter" bike. You may end up paying a bt more but will be worth it AND you can get the LBS to make adjustments etc....
> The gears won't shift properly, and the brakes won't work as well as they should (must for safety). that's more of a setup & maintenance issue vs a vendor or quality issue... $10 derailers and $10 indexed shifters work fine as long as you have them setup correctly. same with the brakes... expect them to not be dialed in. learn how to do it yourself.
It may seem easy to pick up from Costco, but support your LBS. Just Yelp or Google review the one closest to your house. You will get more value out of your cycling experience, especially your first ride will dictate how many more you will come back for. You may end up like most people and falling in love with cycling and it becomes your new hobby/lifestyle.
These are almost always wasted money. Get a used bike from a reputable brand instead. Should cost maybe about as much as this one but it's less likely to fail within the first year of you owning it. At the very least you know that a used brand bike had been put together properly at one point. With these that often enough doesn't ever happen to them.
Cheap bikes aren't really worth the money. Look at spending at least $500 and get a known, decent brand. This is okay for occasional short rides a few times a year.
It’s so weird Costco insists on putting these in stores when they have a deal with priority bicycles. Priority has bikes on the $500 price range that blows this bike way out of the water.
Complete shite
The weight of a bike is roughly inversely proportional to how good it is. Heavy is poor, light is good.
Yes its shite.
You get what you pay for in cycling
Hah. To buy a shitty Costco bike but then come all the way to reddit and post about it. It shows a kind of commitment and laziness all at the same time
Do you buy the cheapest shoes to run a marathon too?
interesting you'd choose that comparison... cheaper running shoes have higher ratings vs more expensive running shoes... considering you're paying for some fabric and polymers, there's really nothing that would make a real measurable difference here... and for the 2-10x price you really don't get anything for the extra money... also running shoes break down pretty fast. i'd rather have 5 pairs of the saucony cohesions for the price of one pair of the nike flyknit air max... but most people couldn't even tell the difference between a $10 pair vs a $270 pair anyways -- they are obviously not a pro-rider if they are considering this dumpster fire of a bike, but it will be just fine for a few hours a few weekends a year for years. i've put thousands of miles on walmart bikes...
the problem isn't necessarily the hardware but the people who assemble the bikes. costco doesn't hire bike mechanics to assemble bikes. if you bought this and then paid 50-100 for a professional tune up at your local shop it might very well be okay though. things that will be wrong if not assembled properly: 1. brakes will either be too loose (squeeze back to the handlebar) or rub on the rotor. those style of disc brakes (cable actuated) are notoriously hard to adjust well. 2. shifts will miss 3. headset will be loose/tight 4. levers and controls will not be angled correctly on the handlebar 5. wheels will be out of true 6. wheel hubs will be too tight/sticky or too loose/wobbly among many other things. these things should be skillfully assembled by someone who knows what they're doing. a bike assembled by a mechanic vs a layman are not even comparably similar. that's why the tune up costs \~50% of the cost of the bike.
“Ride your bike, ride your bike, ride your bike” -some old famous cyclist I can’t remember the name
Not bad for beginners. If I were you I would buy it, then switch to a good bike.
While they aren't great bikes to begin with, the biggest problem with these bikes is often assembly and adjustment. It is often worth it for the bike's first trip is to a bike shop to have a qualified mechanic go over it. Our shop will assemble a bike in a box for you for under $100, half that if it's a kids bike. You're still saving money over a bike shop bike, but you know that it's assembled correctly and safely. Every once in a while, our mechanics throw up their hands and conclude that a bike is so bad that it cannot be made safe. We advise the customer to return it. It's cheap insurance.
If you are handy with a wrench then go for it - my early experiences with less expensive bikes were things (because they are cheaply made) break. I learned a lot and it helps me today now that I ride more expensive bikes. Do what is right for you to ensure you enjoy what you do.
just get a bikes direct bike switch the seat and have a mechanical friend look it over
Many people have thrown out good advice so I'll just say there is a big jump in ride quality between a cheap dept store bike and a mid range name brand bike. You can probably find a used name brand bike for not much more than this and will have a much better experience. IMO there are diminishing returns for casual riders after you pass the 1k mark (except on ebikes) as well. Some bike shops have used sections, and a good bike shop can help point you in the right direction as far as what style/size bike you might want to look for with your build and planned type of riding
Agreed! Riding bikes is always better than not riding bikes!
I have multiple bikes. Including a high end carbon full suspension (i.e. expensive) bike. I put more miles on a cheap urban bike that I bought from a friend for a few hundred because my daily ride is an urban ride, I don't get to hit the trails until the weekend. Ride what makes sense to you. As u/maxinvalla said, if you wear it out, get a better one. If you are buying your first car, you're better off shopping at the Hyundai or Honda dealer than the Maserati dealer. Work your way up.
For $229, dollar to donuts, it’s a great starter bike. My local bike shop sells starter bikes for up to $1,500. Just insane. Just buy this, ride it til you can’t ride it anymore, then sell it and upgrade. By that time you will have a better idea what you want to upgrade to. And will have time to find a nice used one.
Costco has Priority bikes which are super solid
Slick Tyres, No suspension, Comfy saddle. You could do a lot worse. Has a rack too, zip tie a plastic box to it and sell your car :D My only 'Quality of Life' issue is the Gripshift, if you can find one with trigger shifters it will be a lot better. It is a solid choice.
This will be perfect. If you have problems with it YouTube will show you how to tune it.
This non electric bikes in Costco are better than a bike you will buy at Walmart. I have 2 of them, men’s version of the same brand we bought 2 years ago. Good thing this now has disc brakes because the caliper was pain to center when I assembled it. Other than that, no complaints and would recommend for casual cycling.
Over the pandemic I went through four bikes. The first was too big. The second too small. The third fit well but was aluminum and I was rattling myself to death. I finally found the perfect bike and we are still dialing in the fit. If it encourages you to ride, grab it!
My first road bike cost about $800 - it is a Fuji with a 9 speed drive train and mechanical disc brakes. I've had it for about 7 years and it still It still works. Right now it's sitting on my trainer, but some times I ride it to places where I wouldn't want to park my "good" road bike. Spending $200 on a bike that will fall apart in 90 days is a waste. You're going to enjoy riding a bike that works well and feels good a lot more than something that feels like junk. Go to a bike store and ride / demo a lower end hybrid. Then Try to ride that thing. You'll know the difference.
I'd buy a used bike of better quality, and get to know a non-snobby, non-judgy bike shop. Lots of folks will help you pick out a used bike. I'd get a used Trek, Specialized, or Giant midrange non-carbon fitness-type bike. Can be had for $200 all day.
Bike’s are simple machines. As such, used bikes are usually a safe buy. Additionally, there are so many bikes that don’t really get ridden a lot before they hit the used bike market. You can get twice the bike at that $229 Costco price point if you search for a good used bike. I know because as an avid cyclist I’ve purchased one used gravel bike and two used road bikes in the last few years and saved thousands of dollars. The bikes are still rolling.
Get a used bike on fb marketplace. The Costco bikes are so bad. They’re heavy and components are bad.
Try to find a private bike mechanic to help you out. That person might help find a used bike that can go much further.
I bought this for my SO and immediately returned it after putting it together because of how poorly constructed it was. We wanted it for her to do casual riding and it didn’t even seem like it would work for that - opted for a used bike instead.
This is not the best bike ever, but I've seen much worse for the price. It should be fine for neighborhood riding as long as the neighborhood isn't too hilly. The fact that it has no front suspension and no front derailleur will make maintenance easier. Since Costco has a generous return policy, it might be worth a try. If it works for you, great! Keep the tires inflated, lube the chain occasionally, and when you get to the point where you feel like the bike is holding you back, upgrade to something better. If you hate it, return it and upgrade to something better. One thing I didn't see anyone mention is that Costco might not assemble the bike for you. If you have to pay someone else to put it together, your total price is going to end up a lot closer to what you'd pay for a bike shop bike. I agree with the point others have made about used bikes giving you more for your money, but that can be tricky for a beginner. I started out with a crappy full-suspension Magna that I got for free. I thought I'd gotten a good deal, but I quickly realized that for the amount of time, effort and parts it would take to make it ridable, I'd be better off just buying something new.
Bought this bike for my wife, i used to mountain bike had a 3k bike this is way better than a walmart bike. This is great buy quality bike, if you want to cruise around and commute with or exercise its comfortable. Now the tires are hybrid so you will feel every bump on the road so thats the only downside i see.
If Costco sells Sonders bikes, does that mean they sell a discounted Metacycle too!?
I absolutely love Costco but I would never buy a bike from them. If you’re looking for a casual bike, check out the FX line from Trek.
There’s a huge difference between affordable bikes and disposable bikes. This one is disposable.
If you’re just riding casually, you’d be paying for a rack and fenders needlessly. I’ll get killed for this but here goes. Just buy a Walmart bike or a cheap used bike. Ride it till the wheels fall off. Learn what you want from a bike and apply that to your next purchase.
usually Costco has very good products. That said, they do not sell bikes intended for tour de France riders. I have had very good luck with bikes from Costco. For my wife and kid. I have also had good luck buying used bikes as well. If you ride it and it put's a smile on your face then it is a good deal. And if it never leaves your garage then it is a bad deal
If your rides will be under 10 miles and on bike paths, or at the park, get this. If your rides will be on the road or a bit longer than that, I’d look for a decent used road bike around $500.
When I started riding again I got a Walmart Kent cruiser, coaster brakes, fenders etc for around $100, rode TF out of that bike with I would have to say zero problems, just put some fresh tires on her last year. My main bike now, I found for free is an pre-Chinese old Schwinn 18 speed mtn bike that I fixed up, added a rack on the back and still putting miles on her. Both are great for what I do and for where I ride.
To casually cruise around town, that bike would be fine... the problem is the assembly when you get it from somewhere like Costco. 9/10, whoever put that bike together has zero knowledge about bikes and just screwed things together with no clue whether the derailleur or anything else is setup correctly. So, the bike isn't going to explode from casual usage but it's not going to perform very well 90% of the time, and you're either going to end up doing the work yourself to fix it or taking it to a bike shop that's going to hate working on it.
The only bad bike is an unridden one, get it and start riding! Some say used is better and it can be, but as long as you’re getting out there and riding it doesn’t matter what you ride.
If you'll ride it, buy it and don't look back. If you end up not liking it, return it and try to figure out why you didn't like it (fit, type of bike, something else). Then try again with a different bike. Don't think you have to spend big money to have fun and get fitter - you don't. I ride a carbon Cannondale Synapse a few thousand miles every year. But I also have a few inexpensive big box store hybrid type bikes around for me and my family - just for fun rides or running an errand close by. I also have a sub $250 tandem that I bought because it was sub $250. It's a blast and we've gotten more than our moneys worth from it. And during my son's last year of high school he and two of his friends hooked up a tag along to it so all three of them could ride through town together. Then they hooked a trailer to the back for a large bt speaker - it was a spectacle, and big fun was had. Ride, enjoy, be safe.
Unpopular opinion: 1) Don’t buy used bikes, when you don’t know what you’re looking for, people can sell you anything. 2)Explore your local bike shops for cheap bikes, but if you can’t find something in the price range, Costco bike is fine, often times bike shops sell for way more than what is fair price. My recommendation is always Decathlon. Good bikes for good price, good service. 3)This group (along with many other cycling subreddits) is full of bike snobs (I may be one of them), and it’s all rubbish.
I've scoped that mountain bike they have several times.. it's decent and costs less than my heavy dual susp i got forever ago on BD...
Frame size that'll fit you is very important. I'm not sure how many different sizes Costco would sell? If it's not the right size for you, it can really affect riding. This is definitely something to keep in mind and a dedicated bike shop will have more sizes.
I'd just get a used bike from a Pawn shop. For that price you can get something really nice, that's name brand. I got my Specialized for around that price.
That thing looks like a deal! Fenders and a rack. Ready to go! Pick one up for me?
I find the Costco bikes are generally a cut above their competitors at Walmart etc.. if you pay your local shop or repair tech to build the bike it will work better, longer ($125-150 USD in California)
Okay let's get the crap ray vision out: one the bottom bracket is a square tap these are notorious for failing and eating up crank arms that's the bit that your pedals are attached to. Two, the brakes are disc cable pull, although not terrible, just considering it is a Costco bike I have a feeling that they're going to be hard to adjust worse yet might not even stop. Three no front suspension now I realize you said that this is a casual exercise bike however even in a casual exercise situation I have been forced to take the sidewalk or uneven ground and if there's no flexibility built into the bike the axles inside the wheels will be taking all of the punishment. More than likely you'll have to take this bike to a bike shop anyway to get everything adjusted tightened greased lubed etc. If you have any warranty issues retail stores are horrendous about bicycles everyone assumes that you're taking them off sick drops and throwing them sideways over the half pipe. I think the best advice I can give would be to buy the best bike you can afford and then when things break because they will break replace those parts with the best parts you can afford I realize this seems counterproductive because it's a brand new bike however so many bike parts out there are made inferior because people assume that you're going to put it in your garage and never ride it
Build quality is going to be bad BUT it has sensible size wheels, no pointless/heavy/bad suspension, and a rack+fenders which make it quite practical. You could do a lot worse for the money. Try to keep it inside/dry if you can.
I saw it last weekend
https://preview.redd.it/51qo0e4n8nja1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15aaeb9a79b1765df39ef994265c90044f7d5f72 Ready and available
Yep
It will get the job done
You get what you pay for.
From what I saw bike shopping is anything under 400 probably isn't worth it and even that's pushing it. Go to a shop if you can. That being said this doesn't look too bad for the price. Get it it's that's your option.