Are buyers getting more interested in BETTER quality kits ??

boy do i agree with some of the info in this topic.

build a good foundation/chassis.

"wheels & brakes" takes on a whole new meaning at 30mph or in an emergency.
 
Frankly, I think people should always start out with the very best equipment that they can reasonably afford. I purchased a Trek Calypso cruiser for my MB build - then my wife proclaimed it as hers before I even ordered the motor. So now, I'm riding a junk yard special put together from no less than 8 different bicycles, using the best components from each of them at a cost of about $30. Even so, I don't think that I have compromised on quality compared to the $100 bikes sold new in the store! Yes, it's still a piece of **** in many ways, but it's a better piece of ****.;)

As for the HT motor I put on it, it's tough to argue with the cost if you enjoy the process and the tweaking of it along the way. Ultimately it boils down to payback however. I would have paid more for the same kit if I could have been assured better quality, but I figure the current motor will pay for itself in just 3 months of commuting to work by allowing me to cancel the car insurance and burning 1/4 the fuel. That and I've spent more on other things in the past and gotten less entertainment out of them.
 
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Proud owner of $99.00 bike w/ an HT kit

As long as I have hung around this board, I have seen the constant frustration with owners of H.T. kits. I know some of you have had great success with them, but it seems to me that there are just TOO many issues with the quality,,, or lack of !! When I first came here, the $99 kits on WalMart $59 bikes were all the rage. I am almost 60, ride a regular bike everyday & could wear out most WallyWorld bike in months. I don't want to work on my bike/bike motor, everyday, & feel that many of you are aggravated with these as well. TOO MANY problems. BUT, as long as they are selling, very little will be done to improve the quality.
I see more & more members are realizing this & turning to better built kits, engines,, etc. I am not affiliated with any seller/manufacturer, & won't recommend any certain seller/product ,, but I know quality when I see, or use it. By the time a buyer gets a HT running right, he could have many problem free miles on a kit costing more. He may buy 3 kits before he gets one running like it really should. Also, in MY opinion, a $99 bike, is the last thing I would put any motor kit on. I paid that much for bikes in the 1960's. I am retired & on a low fixed income, so I know what it means to stretch a dollar.
If you have had good service out of your kit & bike, I think that is great ! BUT, for me , "" You get what you pay for !!""


I'm new to the MBC market, but not to how things work. I have played billiards for 35 years. I didn't go out and buy a $2,000 pool cue the minute I had some interest in the game. I bought a $20.00 cue to see if it was something I would enjoy doing in the future w/out a major investment.
In just about every product you can purchase a starter version of it to determine your initial interest. Same thing w/ my bike investment. I have spent a total of $274.00 + a few additional items to have a very nice MBC.
I could sell it tomorrow for well over my investment if I decide to do so. That - is how things work, you upgrade as you gain desire in whatever the sport or your interest is.
This niche is necessary to help a person such as myself get the desire to -make a better one next time.
You are obviously already past that inititial introduction stage. I'm not, and and am very glad a less expensive alternative is available.
In regards to the quality of HT kits, MOST of what I see was user error, not the equipment's fault. It was a loose nut or an adjustment that wasn't right, not failure of the engine.
Better quality is already out there already as were mentioned in the other posts.

I am an Operations Supervisor for DTV. We have over 15 million customers.
Less than 1% on average of that entire customer base calls a center to vent or complain about services provided. That means over 14 million never have a problem. That is the same as this website. Not every person who owns an MBC is a member on this site. I am sure untold MBC enthusiasts exist in great numbers that are perfectly happy w/ the $300.00 investment that we never hear from.

I appreciate your emphasis on "YOUR" opinion, and I am expressing mine.
At this point, I have not had any problem at all w/ my introduction build.
I will most definitely be upgrading in the future, but my first build created the desire to do so.

Thanks,

Troy Fitz.
 
I will most definitely be upgrading in the future, but my first build created the desire to do so..
Well I think that outlines the key factors: A commitment to the investment and a willingness to explore and tinker. Lacking the latter, one MUST have the former. :cool:
 
carrot, that was a very good post.

let's admit the place wouldn't be here without the happy-time...however: that's no reason to not call a crook a crook. without MBc we wouldn't even know how messy the chinese-engine market is, or how to recognize the crook...but, shoot-gol-DANG i wish those guys would build a quality version. they have to know by now we'd buy it. i think grube is gettin' the message, he outta consider opening a factory in the USA. plenty of mid-westerners would rather drop-forge connecting-rods for ****-wages than say "welcome to walmart" all day for ****-wages.

counterpoint: how many HT's are sitting in the shed or garage or basement unfinished, unused, unrunning...the buyer hating all things MB from now on? i bet many more than you would think...the price is just low enuff to not let it bother you too much, so you'll let it go...nothing happens by accident, millions of american dollars have been spent on now-dormant chinese products. it's called "economic warfare."

but, back to agreeing with you...anyone who finds MBc and reads will use his or her HT-time to learn about the real-deal...that's about all we can hope for, eh?
 
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Marktur,

I am not familiar with that bike and so far have not been willing to buy a bike from WalMart, Target or even Sears. I just bought a 1200 dollar mountain bike for 131 dollars delivered to my home. Ebay has been a great tool for recycling used quality products. If a bike is well designed it should work, but a lot of department store bikes are questionable. a Cruiser is a tried and true design and that says it will probably be designed by copying the successful ones.

Carrot,
I have a problem trying to acquire a lot of cheep junk just to see if I like it. I can see you point of trying something out at a bargain price, but wonder what bargain a fall-apart motor or bike is. I would prefer borrowing or renting a quality unit that is safe to ride than what you recommend. I can quickly justify the $1000.00 investment I have in my motored bike by the $10.00 per day I am saving in gas not to mention insurance, registration and other expenses. I will be paying for a second safe , quality bike in 6 months or less.
 
Just tossing out there that I have been watching craigslist for weeks for a quality bike to make into my 2nd MBC. I am into reducing, reusing, and recycling. But the people that sell bikes on CL around me are not the same people who would let a bargain go by at a yard sale for $10. So it's been difficult. This shines a nice light on walmart's cheap cruiser bikes. Everything is different from how it was just three months ago before the surge in fuel prices. People have death grips on what were formerly toys or cardio health equipment. The town dump metal recycling zone is also barren.

I would just cruise the yard sales-- tis the season-- but I've got a young baby at home so I picked a swing shift that eats up my whole weekend mornings to keep him out of daycare. There are some compromises but they wind up being worth it.
 
eljefino,

The good you do for family and children will last longer that all the best toys and things you can collect. Congratulations on seeing a major truth about family early on. Good riding on what ever you can put together and maintain it well. That keeps most bikes going and catches problem areas early on.
 
I agree with Carrot, to an extent. I do believe most problems are not the fault of the owner/assembler, but the cheap quality kit, itself. Many of the motrs I have seen , once tuned in, hold up fairly well. The rest of the kit is a box full of junk. I am sure there are many happy H.T. owners out there who never have seen this board. BUT, I'll bet my hound dog that there are many more who will never buy another motored bike kit, because of their frustrations with their first cheap one.
If you are pleased, have gotten good service, then I am happy for you !
I just hope some of the manufactures & importers are watching this thread.
 
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