Why are bike shop bikes so expensive? Bikes are bikes, right?

Bikes come in many sizes, types, and uses. What is a "Walmart bike?" Other than being bought from America's #1 bike retailer, a department store bike is made to fit many different heights, weights, and body types of people, and to wring out every dollar of profit with a low price tag. They do this by compromising.

The frames are not sized to the individual 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. It's about compromising to keep those low, low prices.

Have we owned department store bikes? Yes. They are good for riding around the neighborhood. They aren't all that good for tricks, racing, cross country, downhill, or whatever other cycling discipline though.

Bike shop bikes are more expensive because the frame sizes can be matched to your body, the components are higher quality, and they're often designed for specific cycling sports. The bike shop bike can do everything the department store bike can do, and more. Bike shop bikes also use newer technology and trends. Bike shop bikes are built by bike mechanics. The bikes come tuned and ready. It is quality over quantity.

Can a department store bike be improved? Yes, you can sometimes replace the components with higher quality ones. But ultimately it is what it is. The frame is likely made from mystery metal and was probably rusting inside the tubes before they welded it together. The cost to upgrade the parts will probably exceed the bike's value and original sale price. That doesn't mean it is a garbage bike; it just means it isn't worth putting a lot of money.

A big part of bike longevity is how it is taken care of. A Walmart bike can go a long time if it is parked in the garage, cleaned, and lubricated every so often. If you just leave it outside thrown in the yard exposed to the elements it isn't going to be a happy bike.

Ask yourself this: What are your bicycle needs? BMX race, skatepark pro, 100-mile cross country race, downhill adventure, or just a bike to ride to the pool and around the block?