yes it is an accident waiting to happen especially if you do not have abike shop near you or if you aren't inclined to fix bikes...I have fixed some and been back and forth to the bike shop. Lets say the owner used an expletive when he sees me coming with these bikes and has tried to sell me something else....We are giving them a year or two unless things get worse then we'll have to just chalk it up to experience...avoid these bikes.