Are bikes bought in Target good quality for the price, and are Schwinn and Giant good brands?

Answer 1

If you are into doing all of your own bicycle maintenance, adjustments and setup, you may consider a bicycle from Target, Walmart, K-Mart, Sears, etc. Otherwise, you should do yourself a real favor and go to a local bicycle store to purchase a bicycle.

Many companies make bicycles for discount stores and bicycle shops. Discounters want very inexpensive bicycles to meet specific price points. To meet these price points bike makers have to equip the bikes with low end components that are not likely to be as reliable over the long haul. Bikes sold to bicycle shops are usually a bit more expensive, but have better components and construction making them more reliable over time.

Some stores, of course, only focus on high-end racing machines, but most local bicycle stores stock a variety of machines at various price points. They may not have as inexpensive a bike as you will find at a discount store, but you can count on it being of better quality.

A good bicycle shop will also provide you a number of valuable services. They will allow you to test ride the bike so you can be sure it is comfortable. A good bicycle shop will have your machine assembled and adjusted by a trained technician not a minimum wage slave who may or may not know what he is doing. They will make sure the bike fits you properly. Before the bike leaves the store, they will make sure it is perfectly adjusted. Cables will stretch after a few months and your shop will usually fine tune the adjustment of the bike for free.

Schwinn is a venerable American bicycle brand. However, the old Schwinn company went out of business several years ago and the brand name is now owned by Pacific Cycle, Inc, along with Mongoose, GT, Murray, etc.

http://www.pacific-cycle.com/

For the most part, Schwinn bikes are made in Asia. They make some very high end models that are quite well regarded. Other models are sold through mass market discounters and you get what you pay for.

Giant bicycles are made by Giant Manufacturing of Taiwan. Again, most of their bicycle are made in Asia. Giant has a reputation for making very good quality machines. In fact, they are even ridden in the Tour De France. Many of my friends swear by Giant because they typically come with a better grade of components than other bikes at the same price point.

Hope this helps out.

Answer 2

OMG! The Giant is sooo much better. The name Schwinn has become a 2 faced coin. On one side you still have the real bike shop Schwinn. The other is the discount store Schwinn. (PUKE) With the Giant bike you will have a choice in frame sizes to fit you. The bike from Target comes in one frame size only. And at 6' tall, I'm guessing the Target bike a bit too small. The Giant will get you a SRAM PG-830 11/28, 8-speed rear cassette hub vs. a cheaper freewheel hub. The Giant also has double walled rims. That is the key combination bike shop quality bikes have over discount store bikes. In simple terms - that hub/wheel combo will take more use and/or abuse than a discount store bike ever will! Definitely, go with the Giant. Taken care of - that bike will last you for life.

Answer 3

If you want anything to last. Absolutely do NOT go to Target/Wal-mart/k-mart/toys-r-us etc. If you have Dick's Sporting Goods in your area, they're a much better place to buy a decent bike for a good price. That's where i bought my first real bike when i was twelve. Also try local bike shops.

Yes, Schwinn and Giant are good bikes. My racing bike for on the roads (triathlons) is a Schwinn Fastback. My mountain bike is a Giant Yukon.

Neither of those bikes are extreme high dollar rides, but they're quality.

Schwinn, Giant, Raleigh, Trek, Kestrel, Iron Horse, Scattante, GT, Mongoose, Cannondale, Gary Fischer, Specialized...these are just a few good names. There are many others.

Schwinn and Raleigh have both been around for a while, they have a reputation for making good bikes but both companies have lost popularity over the years and are making a comeback. I have found that those two brands make great bikes for the money you end up spending.

my final word of advice...research research research

good luck

Answer 4

Giant Bike Warranty

Answer 5

Giant bikes are usually pretty good for the price, but Target is not the first place to look for a bike. Even if they have a good price, they have to adjust the bike properly.

Answer 6

See the thing is, target bikes last about a one year, that it why there so cheap (i had one). Try to buy your bike at a bike shop since it does have warranty and coverage. Plus there more authentic.

Answer 7

I wouldn't suggest going to a supercenter such as Walmart, Target, Shopke, etc.. I think you would go to a bike dealership. Giants are good books.

Answer 8

1