Has anybody had any experience with the Magna Bicycles sold at target?

Question

Are they decent quality? I want to commute on a model that has 28 inch wheels, and the nearest thing from Schwinn was 3 times the money.

Answer 1

I have a friend who has one and its total junk......my first bike was a Huffy and it lasted many years for me....

Answer 2

my lbs says he sees more repeat service biz on wal-mart/target bikes than he does me! and I have 3 bikes that I ride regularly..

Answer 3

Yes.

Magna is designed and imported by a company called Diversified Investments Corporation. They are what the industry calls "utility bikes". This is the kind of bike that is purchased with the best of intentions only to be relegated to the utility shed when they fail to work after a couple of rides.

These bikes are intentionally very cheap- and cheaply made. You get exactly what you pay for.

No modern bike has 28" wheels. This size was merged with 700C wheels about 30 years ago which ultimately replaced 27" wheels, so you must be mistaken about the size. My guess is that they are 26".

Anyway, as you continue your quest I ask you to consider this:

In the 1870s when "safety" bicycles (bikes with 2 wheels the same size) were first introduced, the average cost of buying one was about 3 months pay, or about $68.00. These were certainly not very advanced as you might guess and were more fashion than form.

Fast forward to today. Bikes have enjoyed great advances in design and engineering, and the average price for one is $400.00, or just over one weeks pay at $8 an hour.

Now, considering that you want a reliable bike for commuting don't you think it wise to make an investment based on value and use rather than price? I would never expect someone to spend 3 months pay on a bike... but 3 weeks pay on something that will last you a long time and provide a much more rewarding experience? Absolutely.

Go to your local bike shop- never buy a bike at Target or Walmart- and talk with them about the possibilities. You'll be glad you did.

EDIT: If you were to go into most bike shops today and ask for a 28" tire they would either look at you sideways and cackle at you or tell you exactly what I explained. You can't get a new bike with 28" wheels anymore.

Answer 4

dont get it

they suck

and fall appart easyit will only last you about a year

id go with a trek

Answer 5

I just want to say that I second everything "mira" the first post said.  Listen to good advice!

Avoid! Avoid! Avoid!  Shop around and figure out what you want.  Talk to the local bike shop guys.  Get sized, take a test ride.  Dream big.  

If the budget is a concern - take your measurements and your impressions of style of bike, brand, etc. and do some shopping on Craig's list.

You are way better off getting a decent used bike that needs a tune up than a new P.O.S. from a big box store.

And remember:  Frame, rims and components are important!  Look for Shimano gears and you can't miss.

Answer 6

You don't define commute.  

If you're talking  a couple of miles, it will probably do OK.   Anything more than that, you're going to be disappointed with its performance and durability.    

They are very cheaply made, heavy, and won't stand up to hard use.