At what point is a BSO no longer a BSO?

[Xiorell]

As the title suggests really, what qualifies a BSO? When does a bike cease to be such a thing?

Just what bits make it a BSO or how much money does a person need to spend before those elite people decide it can be classed as a proppper bike?


I understand what spending extra money get you on a bike, but at what point do you stop being a dick about it? Surely say, a 700quid MTB is a BSO when stood beside a 3k bit of kit, although if you saw said 700quid bike being rode along you'd not think it a BSO?


What gives?

 

[MacB]

A BSO is something not fit for purpose, so componentry that will fall apart very quickly(sub 1 mile in some cases), parts that won't do what they allude to(suspension 'springs' to mind as do brakes) or a frame that is poorly put together, misaligned or has geometry not suited for the intended use.

IMO, as long as the frame is sound then it's not really a BSO, it's just a bike in need of an upgrade, which can wait until the existing parts wear out. From what I've read online a few of the Decathlon bikes fall into this category, good value and a frame worth sticking some better bits on as and when.

 

[martynjc1977]

Personally I class a BSO as any bike with full suspension thats priced under £200, Bso's are bikes that are typically not fit for purpose with components that are made of cheese. you can get bikes for that price that dont have heavy suspension and components that will be better quality.

 

[Hacienda71]

Plastic brakes are a giveaway. Unless you get ripped off a £700 mtb is not going to be a BSO.

 

[fossyant]

IT's a bike that's really crap and will fall to bits with any real use.

EG the Decathlon single speed MTB that was about £70 isn't a BSO as it will last.

The things from TESCO and ARGOS will be in bits !

 

[HLaB]

My interpretation of a BSO is a bike thats not fit for the purpose, its not a direct correlation to the cost although that is likely to have a large bearing on it. ie a cheap sub £100 quid bike out of a supermarket/ toy shop will be too heavy to cycle properly/enjoyable and is likely to fall apart and be dangerously constructed (plastic levers with the stopping power of grease, backwards forks etc). You may go to a reputable bike shop and pick up a 2nd hand hardtail without these problems for the same price and I wouldn't class that as a BSO. Unless you are extremely gullible (easily conned) a £700 bike is unlikely to be BSO.

 

[funnymummy]

I've always thought of a BSO as being somethign bought from the likes of Argos or Tesco.

#1 got himself a £70 Tesco 'MTB' in Dec- He has a motorbike, but he just wanted something cheap he could nip to the pub on, or leave somewhere/mates house for few days without worrying. Within a few miles it was falling apart, luckily I have a box of bits n pieces that i've accumalated over the years & so far have been able to keep it running - But it would have cost 3 times it's purchase price if i'd had to buy the parts!

 

[Mikeoupe]

what does BSO mean ?

 

[funnymummy]

Bike Shaped Object

 

[Mikeoupe]

Ah, thanks

 

[LosingFocus]

I think the point at which a BSO is no longer a BSO is when you just get on and enjoy your ride.

 

[stevetailor125]

Glad it doesn't depend on price, my Ridgeback Adventure GS Hybrid only cost me £64 used from a LBS

 

[summerdays]

I mostly agree with the comments above ... it has nothing to do with what you paid for it but whether it can stand up to the job. So brake levers made out of plastic or using very soft metal that deforms and can't be adjusted to run properly. And in the case of kids bikes ... really heavy lumps of metal and things like seat posts that can only be adjusted by an inch or one I saw in the bike shed this week where the brake calipers are too short so that it actually rubs on the wheel when they are riding the bike. A basic bike does not have to be a BSO.

 

[Cheule]

Mine cost 155 new and has since been completely replaced with quality parts since, bar the frame of course Probably spent three times that on upgrades

 

[Mark_Robson]

I think the point at which a BSO is no longer a BSO is when you just get on and enjoy your ride.

+1
It's an excellent question though