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hug • 10/02/2024 • 1 reply • view on HN

Yes, the $118 bike is not going to be much fun, and may be assembled dangerously. It's still a bike, though, and a little TLC and attention to assembly before riding will prevent a significant number of problems. Even the reddit thread you linked just required some screw tightening and replacement of a derailleur -- and a cheap Shimano derailleur is $20 from my local bike store.

Even if we completely discount the $118 bike (plus a $20 part), though...

> $400–500 is probably a reasonable price point

This is a far cry from "much under a grand". Yes, it will be heavy and clunky, but it will function in all of the ways that it is important for a bike to function.

Replies

inferiorhuman • 10/02/2024

  Yes, the $118 bike is not going to be much fun, and may be assembled
  dangerously.
No, it'll be built dangerously. A cheap Shimano derailleur won't fix cracked welds or a broken frame. TLC won't make the frame true. Doubtful it'll last more than a few miles really.

  Yes, it will be heavy and clunky, but it will function in all of the ways
  that it is important for a bike to function.
Ehh it'll be the bare minimum that you probably won't want to use.
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