I replaced my 11 year old Kona Muni Mula in May. It had done good service (have had to replace one brake in all this time), but I wanted more suspension & hydraulic discs. As I'm now a family man, I couldn't justify a four figure sum, so I bought a GT Avalanche 1.0. I have ridden it at Woburn Trails most weeks, about 3 hours each trip, with the occasional foray to the Cotswolds & the White Peak.
So far, the bolt holding the saddle on to the seat post has sheared, the chain has stretched (didn't even bother to check as it was new), taking out the cassette & now the rear derailleur has bent!
Is this normal for a cheaper bike? It'd cost less to pay more upfront at this rate!
if your gonna ride it "properly" then i would say so.
if your going to ride it around town with the saddle slammed right down on the frame, walk up EVERY hill then no.
light, strong, cheap: choose 2
The chain stretch + cassette would be no better on an expensive bike, i don't think money ever buys durability in that respect until you get into Ti cogs (and even then, I don't know if they're any better than steel).
light, strong, cheap: choose 2
Very true. Looking for exceptions as you read!
if you buy a cheaper bike, you should expect to change bits on it as they will be less durable - doesn't mean that buying a cheap bike is neccessarily false economy though
I disagree with 13thfloormonk, money can buy you durability - there's a point at which it peaks after which you start to pay for lighter materials and better technology which have less durability