Why are bike shop bikes more expensive than department store bikes?

Bikes come in many sizes, types, and uses. A department store bike is made to fit people of different heights, weights, and body types; plus it must wring out every dollar of profit and have an attractive price tag. They do this by compromising on components and quality. The frames are not well sized to an individual rider which can cause handling problems and limit performance. The parts are not the best quality. The store employees may or may not know how to build the bike when it arrives in a box.

Have we owned department store bikes? Yes. They are good for casual riding and aren't the best for use in specific cycling sports. Most department store bikes are 'styles' of bike. Mountain bike style, BMX style.

Bike shop bikes are more expensive. This is because the frames come in sizes which match people's bodies, the components are higher quality, and they're designed for specific cycling disciplines. Bike shop bikes also tend to use newer technologies. It will be assembled by a bike mechanic, and you'll receive it tuned and ready. As they say, you get what you pay for.

Can a department store bike be fixed or improved? Yes, you can sometimes replace the components with higher quality ones. The cost to upgrade the parts often exceeds the bike's value though. If a bike that retails for $150 needs tires, tubes, grips, seat, and brake cables that's already $100+ in repairs. Remember, a low purchase price does not equal a low repair price. We get many requests to fix bikes that have been left outside in the elements and are ridden hard; most of time we can't economically repair them. Most department store bikes are throwaway items, though there are some that are decent quality.

A big part of bike longevity is how it is taken care of. Any bike lasts longer if it is stored inside and taken care of.