Not every frame sold at big box stores is going to be junky either. I have had great luck with many Kent bikes. My Nazz frame is actually quite good.
The let down was the wheels and brake calipers. The rims were good but the spokes were very thin. The calipers were the cheapest of the cheap single pull. Other issues were more to do with who assembled it - no grease in any of the bearings and the wheel bearings were too tight out back and loose up front.
I picked the Nazz despite it having a terrible seat, road bars, and a steering stem mounted shifter setup because the frame itself was fairly solid for the price point. The rest was cheap and easy upgrades as I went.
The let down was the wheels and brake calipers. The rims were good but the spokes were very thin. The calipers were the cheapest of the cheap single pull. Other issues were more to do with who assembled it - no grease in any of the bearings and the wheel bearings were too tight out back and loose up front.
I picked the Nazz despite it having a terrible seat, road bars, and a steering stem mounted shifter setup because the frame itself was fairly solid for the price point. The rest was cheap and easy upgrades as I went.