HASA bicycles - any good?

Hey gang!

I was shopping for a new bike today in my local bike shop, and came
across a HASA branded mountain/hybrid bike. There seemed to be quite a
few different HASA models. It was discounted at $100 off, so I bought
it for $250. It has an aluminium body, which is light, so I can lift
it up stairs to my apartment.

Anyway, it seems to be entirely constructed from welds. I know Huffy
bikes are welded together, and they don't have a good reputation.
I went on the net to find more info about HASA bikes, but was
surprised to find zero information! Couldn't find anything in google
or google newsgroups.

What does this mean? The bike manual has a picture of an American
flag, so I assume the company is American based.

I bought it on the recommendation of the shop owner, who said it was
a great quality bike. At least it has 15 months parts and service
warranty, and they said to bring the bike in after 4-6 weeks to get
a tuning.

Anyone know anything about HASA bikes?

Cheers!

Buck

Buck Rogers wrote:

Hey gang!

I was shopping for a new bike today in my local bike shop, and came
across a HASA branded mountain/hybrid bike. There seemed to be quite a
few different HASA models. It was discounted at $100 off, so I bought
it for $250. It has an aluminium body, which is light, so I can lift
it up stairs to my apartment.

Anyway, it seems to be entirely constructed from welds. I know Huffy
bikes are welded together, and they don't have a good reputation....

Back in the old days, good bikes were made with lightweight steel tubing
and lugs brazed together, while cheap bikes used heavy carbon steel
tubing welded together.

More recently, high strength weldable steel tubing has become available,
so there are quite a few high quality TIG welded frames around.

While some of early aluminium alloy frames were bonded together with
lugs and structural adhesive, almost all have been TIG welded in recent
years. As long as the frames are properly heat treated after welding,
there is no real quality issue. A properly designed welded aluminium
alloy frame should last for several decades of normal use.

--
Tom Sherman - Earth (Downstate Illinois, North of Forgottonia)