Cycling Forums - View Single Post - Costco's MOTIV SMOOTHIE AND/OR MOTIV VORTEX

07-16-2003, 10:02 PM

sneville@socal.rr.com (lionsign) wrote:

> Consumers Reports magazine current issue ranks GIANT BRAND "comfort"
> ($300)
> and "fitness" ($650) bikes as number 1 in either category.
>
> COSTCO has the MOTIV SMOOTHIE (comfort) at $160.I need a "start all
> over again" bike now that I'm in my high 50's age bracket.
>
> Which bike would you buy ? Money is NOT the major factor.

Within a reasonable "starter bike" price range, the most valuable
thing you can get with your purchase is a relationship with a
genuinely helpful and competent bike retailer. You give up that
benefit if you buy from other than an owner-operated bike shop in your
local area. It's not worth any possible savings to buy elsewhere if
your local bike shop is helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. Such a
shop will help you find a bike that fits your body and suits your
intended purposes.

In the $250 to $750 price range, bikes are commoditized by intense
competitive pressure, and you are likely to get about the same quality
of bike at any given price (regardless of brand) as long as you go to
a real bike shop.

Real bike shops do not have fancy showrooms; you can roll in your old
bike and prop it anywhere. At a real bike shop, the person who sells
you a bike also works on bikes. A real bike shop does not use
commission sales staff. A real bike shop smells like oily bikes, not
oily salespeople.

Motiv bikes are junk, along with *all* department store bikes and all
bikes sold on TV, without exception. It's not prejudice, it's a fact.
Just avoid them all and be glad you did. The "red flag" that lets
you know a bike is crap, is that it is only offered in one size.
That's like offering pants in only one size-- it makes proper fit
impossible for almost all prospective buyers. Such a bike is designed
to be purchased, not ridden.

Chalo Colina

07-16-2003, 10:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Chalo Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Costco's MOTIV SMOOTHIE AND/OR MOTIV VORTEX sneville@socal.rr.com (lionsign) wrote: > Consumers Reports magazine current issue ranks GIANT BRAND "comfort" > ($300) > and "fitness" ($650) bikes as number 1 in either category. > > COSTCO has the MOTIV SMOOTHIE (comfort) at $160.I need a "start all > over again" bike now that I'm in my high 50's age bracket. > > Which bike would you buy ? Money is NOT the major factor. Within a reasonable "starter bike" price range, the most valuable thing you can get with your purchase is a relationship with a genuinely helpful and competent bike retailer. You give up that benefit if you buy from other than an owner-operated bike shop in your local area. It's not worth any possible savings to buy elsewhere if your local bike shop is helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. Such a shop will help you find a bike that fits your body and suits your intended purposes. In the $250 to $750 price range, bikes are commoditized by intense competitive pressure, and you are likely to get about the same quality of bike at any given price (regardless of brand) as long as you go to a real bike shop. Real bike shops do not have fancy showrooms; you can roll in your old bike and prop it anywhere. At a real bike shop, the person who sells you a bike also works on bikes. A real bike shop does not use commission sales staff. A real bike shop smells like oily bikes, not oily salespeople. Motiv bikes are junk, along with all department store bikes and all bikes sold on TV, without exception. It's not prejudice, it's a fact. Just avoid them all and be glad you did. The "red flag" that lets you know a bike is crap, is that it is only offered in one size. That's like offering pants in only one size-- it makes proper fit impossible for almost all prospective buyers. Such a bike is designed to be purchased, not ridden. Chalo Colina