Cheap New Bikes - the Downside :-(

Have you ever wondered about the source of that great bike you rally want - and why its SOOO much cheaper to buy than the big brands? Well part of the reason for that is in the details. Allow me to introduce the concept of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (or, OEM) that supplies components to the bike company. Nevermind who builds the frame, where it was built, what role the "status" company who puts their name on it says. These parts are made in factories dedicated to building and supplying all the names and shapes you know and love online and in the shops.

Cheap bikes often come with cheap, very cheap, horrifyingly cheap (and lousy) parts that once used a little, a lot, habitually, will wear out eventually, pretty darn soon, its already happened. Case in point: a customer came to me with a problem. The brakes were not working and there appeared to be oil from the system. I found the problem to be a missing part - a screw. A screw should cost about 25 cents but in this case due to supply chain, the OEM system, the role of bike retailer, and me - there is no part to be found. Instead the entire brake is subject to loss - it being a brand new bike - where the sourcing of parts is not available except to a few distributers. The bike that cost $1200 before tax now must be overhauled - due to a lsot screw that should never ever have come out.

Suggestion to all, carefully consider the quality of parts on that new bike. Is there a supply chain and a strong replacement market if something needs to be mended. A good screw that does the job for 25 cents should be available from big name parts companies that incidentally oftenmake some of the best stuff around and for which a savy customer does not need to pay and arm and leg for.