People wil justify anything.........Watch Suze Orman......
You are loco.....The millions of people who ride bikes in China are somehow are alive and well...Same in the USA with their substandard bikes.....
Bike maintenance is necessary, but you don't have to have a $600 bike for a kid....AND you know what, if everyone had a $600 bike for their kid there would be bike shops like Starbucks!
NOW, if your child rides that many miles, you can still get a stronger bike for half that....Most kids are happy with their $150 bike........
AND for the lady who would have exercised more if she had a more expensive bike I just have this to say...BOLOGNA!
Don't blame your childhood on your lack of physical health.....If you can walk, you can be in shape...Also, this reminds me of a past extremely successful marketing campaign from Nike..... "It's the shoes!" HOW ghetto....That's how Michael Jordan made a lot of money on people like you who think that they have to have the best shoes (insert over-price items here) for recreational activities.....Michael Jordan is laughing all the way to the bank....and kids got shot because of their $200 shoes.....Brand imprinting is obviously having its affect on this forum....