Cheap new bicycles - what are the possible problems?

The answer from Dummy just proves he/she is a dummy. Good bikes with disc brakes start at about $600 - $700. The main thing to look for on discount store bikes is improper assembly. Check every nut & bolt for tightness. Check to see that the bike shifts every gear correctly. Within the first month or so, shift & brake cables do stretch. An adjustment will be needed & Wally World won't do it. You'll need to find a bike shop or use Google & learn how. It's simple...just type in "how to adjust bicycle derailleur" or "how to adjust bicycle brakes". Lots of articles & videos will pop up. Just match the correct video to your bike.

Check the wheels to see that they spin true. If they wobble - get to a bike shop. A bike shop will have a truing stand & this requires skill. Before even rolling the bike out of the dept., check for proper air pressure in the tires. Lord knows how long it's been just sitting there.

My question to you is - why not just take the same money & look for a better bike on craigslist? Lots of times $150 will get you a damn fine used bike with a brand name like Raleigh, Trek, Giant, etc. I'll take a used quality bike any day vs. a discount store bike.

primarily this is a components game. The mistake that a lot of people make when buying cheap is to get a bike that is trying too hard. A full suspension mountain bike with disc brakes. £90. Watching them push it around the rest of the trailcentre, priceless.

Get a bike that has a steel frame simple gears and no suspension. That is all that you need for NY. You don't have any hills to speak of, so that will do. Get a rack on the back for carrying lunch. Make sure it has refletors and take lights with you. Job done.

Luck

I would look for a good used shop quality bike. Look for a commuter or hybrid bike in the correct size. Check for a local bicycle co-op or Goodwill and Salvation Arny stores. Police auctions are a good place to find a bike. You will need a good lock regardless of what you buy. You can get a decent Bell U lock for around $10.

seems such as you have goptten an incorrect shifter. you are able to desire to have a 6y speed for 6 gears, a 7 for 7 and an 8 for 8. you are able to't use a 6 or 7 on an 8... the locks on the shifeter coincide to the gears' spacing. yet another/further threat in case you have the properly suited shifter on your equipment set is that the limiters are no longer set properly besides as cable stretch, that's conventional. the limiters are 2 little screws on the derailuer which preset the cut back it could trip from 1st to final as a manner to stay away from if from completley derailing off the gearset into the physique or the spokes. placing the low end first in the previous connecting the cable is terrific and then after adjusting the cable set the extreme end.

The components of CHEAP bikes are simply entry level---so they have a very good chance of breaking down as you ride the mileages ( especially NYC).and may cause you to get into accidents! So for your bike I suggest you get a USED yet quality mint or hardly used type ( Ebay and craigslist have such sellers). Brand name bikes will give you an advantage ( Schwinn,Trek,GT,Felt,Norco,Giant among the few)---with Shimano ( Deore LX,etc.) or SRAM ( X series X.5. X.7 X.9 ,etc) parts are considered fine and very durable. Your chains and brakes ( linear) have to be inspected by expert mechanics ( mt. bike tech wizards) so you'll know shifts will be smooth too. Be careful and ride with no hassles!

bad assembly

parts that bend and break or don;t last long in general

wheels with loose spokes that break other spokes and warp or bend the rims

wle

All bicycles are safe but make sure that the one you will be buying uses

disk brakes it makes all the difference.