planet earth bicycles
Does anyone know anything about Planet Earth bicycles? I am interested in the Epsilon model that is sold at Costco. It supposively won the Shimano Comfort Showcase at Interbike 99. Any information would be great. Thank you.
Posted by Jean on 8/02/00
Responses: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) Post Reply
|
- Heavy, heavy bikes!
I was at Costco last night, buying the usual pallets of eggs, soap and cheese. i checked out the latest crop of bikes: full-suspension Mongooses for $389 or some price. I picked one up. My god, I thought my 6 foot frame was going to snap under the weight of that thing. Unbelievable. It had to weigh WELL over 30 pounds, perhaps 40. good luck to anyone who tries to ride that mother up a steep, loose hill in the heat. Ugggh!
Posted by Mass quantity buyer from Costco on 8/02/00
Responses: (0) (1) (2) Reply (to this)(main)
|
- Re: Heavy, heavy bikes!
LOL. I did the exact same thing on my last trip to Costco. That bike weighes closer to 40 than to 30. The suspension swing-arm must be made out of lead. :-P
Posted by DirtCrab a 30 year old from San Diego on 8/02/00
Responses: (0) (1) Reply (to this)(main)
|
- Re: Heavy, heavy bikes!
For even more amusement on these bikes - look at them closer. My friend bought a Magna (he did not listen to me, the fool!). I believe it weighs close to or over 40 lbs! His first ride with me he; 1. sucked a bug, 2. did not make it more than 1.5 miles (to be fair, this ride starts uphill from crank 1), 3. his seat became loose on the seat post. When I went to fix his seat post, I about rolled over laughing! The thing uses a 1/2 inch bolt to cinch tighten the seat to the post! I could not fix it! I don't carry tools that big! Later, in his garage we go to tighten it and the bolt head is so soft, it starts to round immediately. HA!
That was 6 months ago, he has ridden the bike MAYBE another 5-10 miles on a local bike path (tows his kids - that's a good thing I told him). He is already complaining that the chain rings are skipping! Pieces o' crap! Waste o money! Dangerous!
Posted by MTB Fiend a 41 year old riding a ProFlex Animal from Lake Forest on 8/03/00
Responses: (0) Reply (to this)(main)
|
- Re: planet earth bicycles
Hi Jean. I've never heard of planet earth bikes but I have purchased bikes at COSCO. I first bought a Motiv (Just under $200) non-suspension bike that worked fine. It weighed 28 lbs and took me up and down many of the well known trails in my area- Noble Canyon, Anderson Truck Trail, Mission Trails park, etc. A rigid bike can beat you up on the downhills so a few months ago I bought a Mongoose Full Suspension D50i MGX for $280 from Costco(Walmart Mongooses seem to be made out of steel and are around 40lbs). It weighs 33lbs(aluminum frame). I love this bike. It eats up the downhill, nothing has broken in 200 miles, and the price fit my budget. A higher end full suspension bike will weigh around 25lbs but it will cost you $2000 to $5000 dollars. A good brand name front suspension hardtail will cost around $800 on up. The difference between Costco bikes and brand name highends will be brand name components and less weight on the highends with a cooresponding higher price. Maybe one day I'll get a higher end bike, but in the meantime, the bikes I have purchased and used from Costco, have done just fine.
Posted by Steve-o a 38 year old from SanDiego on 8/03/00
Responses: (0) (1) (2) Reply (to this)(main)
|
- Re: planet earth bicycles
|
The material makeup of the frame is only one concern with a cheap bike. To sell a bike at the price Walmart and Costco sharge, something has to be left out. The worst areas on the Mongooses are the suspension pivots (which will soon allow the rear wheel to shift back and forth-VERY disconcerting feeling) and the quality of the shock. There will be no rebound damping, for instance. Riding casually you may be able to overlook the pogo-stick action, but it can be very hazardous as you pick up speed. The forks used also flex very easily, and quite a lot. True, high end suspension bikes DO cost thousands, but look around. There are scads of good bikes by real bike builders under a grand. Giant has a version of their Warp (DS-2)for $650 with decent parts (meaning good enough to wear out before replacing) and the DS-3 version for $499 with cheaper SunTour stuff. That's comparable to the parts on the department store bikes, but with a real frame. You WILL notice the difference if ridden side by side. And Giant will probably do something about it if it falls apart-my experiences with them are good. I know this bike is three hundred clams more than what you have, and I don't want to leave out the fact that you're enjoying it (which is what really matters), but I have to side with the people urging new shoppers to pony up a few more bucks for the real thing, or looking around for used models.
Posted by Keith Elliott a 39 year old Weekend Warrior riding a bike from Newbury Park, ca on 8/04/00
Responses: (0) Reply (to this)(main)
|
- Re: planet earth bicycles
I got a mongoose d50i from costco for $260. Its components are extremely good for the price. My only gripe is the front derailler, which i changed to stx. My friend got a $330 giant rincon se which apparently is worse than my bike in every way. People are always bitching about the "kids" at walmart and costco, but my bike has had absolutely no problems whatsover. I also believe that the cost is so good that i wouldn't mind going throught the trouble of tightening some parts. As for the weight, it does weigh only 33 lbs. Next time think before ditching something completely, 'k?
Posted by Gautam a Cross-Country riding a mongoose d50i on 10/14/00
Responses: (0) Reply (to this)(main)
|
- Re: planet earth bicycles
You asked about Planet Earth bikes. All I know is that Dick's Sporting goods is having a half price sale on their stock. That may tell you something. Never heard of the brand and can't find them on the Web. It almost sounds as though you have to spend $400 or get crap.
Posted by Jazzman riding a none yet! from Warren, OH on 05/09/01
Responses: (0) Reply (to this)(main)
|
- Re: planet earth bicycles
I just purchased a Galieo from Dicks. I can give you a word of advice, go to a real bike shop and spend the extra cash. My bikes been in the shop four times and two were major. They slap the bike together and expect nothing to go wrong at the department store. I learned the hard way.
Posted by Stosh a Weekend Warrior riding a planet earth on 05/25/01
Responses: (0) Reply (to this)(main)
|
- Re: planet earth bicycles
About a year ago, I purchased a Planet Earth Nebula from Sams club. It seemed like an innovative design but I later determined that it suffered from some design flaws that made it unacceptible. The rear suspension pivot points were too loose and allowed the chain to jump off the front chainring when you got up off the saddle to do some hard pedaling, possibly due to frame flexing. I took the bike back and purchased a GT from a local reputable bike shop. What a difference! The bike was properly assembled and worked flawlessly from the getgo. By the way, Planet Earth bicycles are actually the old Murray bicycle company with a new name. My advice would be to hold off on purchasing one until their quality control and designs are at least acceptible, if this ever happens. Good luck with whatever you purchase!
Posted by JPJ a 47 year old Weekend Warrior riding a GT i-drive timberline from Flagstaff, Az on 06/10/01
Responses: (0) Reply (to this)(main)
|
- Re: planet earth bicycles
dicks sporting goods bought planet earth inventory. I just purchased the strato flight...might check there.
Posted by Peggy on 07/27/01
Responses: (0) Reply (to this)(main)
|
- Re: planet earth bicycles
PLANET EARTH US TO BE CALLED "MURRAY"
Posted by JBRACERO1 on 04/19/02
Responses: (0) Reply (to this)(main)
|
|
