Wal-Mart Bicycles ??

fordy · #1 04/25/08, 10:21 AM

............Been looking at WM bicycles and was wondering if anyone has purchased one and how they are holding up ? I won't be putting lotsa miles on it ; maybe a hundred a month . , thanks , fordy

bajiay · #2 04/25/08, 10:30 AM

I have purchased their bikes for my daughters and I am geting ready to buy another one next week. They have held up well. The only problems I have had with them is the tires staying inflated. I bought their sponge tire thingys. (If I don't know the name, it's a thingy!) No other issues.

WisJim · #3 04/25/08, 10:37 AM

Does WalMart sell bikes in sizes to fit you? My impression is that they sell "generically sized" bicycles, and that is not what you want. First priority is a bike that fits the rider. I would always buy a new bike at a bike shop, never a discount store. A decent new quality bike isn't that much more at a shop that knows what it is doing, instead of a place that just sells stuff that looks like the product. Of course if you know what you are doing there are often real bargains to be had at garage sales.

olehippy · #4 04/25/08, 10:38 AM

Both of my kids have had bikes from WM. Held up good and once they out grew we passed them on. I still see the little girl down the street riding my my oldest dd's bike and it is at least 6 years old now.

Dh & I also have bikes from WM that are about 10 years old. No rust and still ride good.

fordy · #5 04/25/08, 11:16 AM

...............thanks friends ! They have lots of different models so we'll see . , fordy

PhilJohnson · #6 04/25/08, 11:19 AM

I bought a Wal-Mart Bicycle a year ago, put quite a few miles on it. Most of the problem areas are to do with cheap tires (they crack quickly when exposed to weather) and the shifting mechanism wears out fast. I replaced mine with a Shinamo MegaRange. I don't think it is as much as an issue with the Schwinn branded bikes they sell, but near as I can tell just about all their bikes (even Schwinn) are made by the same company, Pacific Cycle. The cruiser and mountain bikes seem pretty heavily built, although they aren't geared high enough for my taste.

bluefish · #7 04/25/08, 11:45 AM

For kids bikes, they're ok, for adult bikes, they suck. We've tried and will never do it again. Shifters didn't work, chain sprocket bent after falling over in the wind, brakes broke third time they were used and the petal broke. This was all between two bikes by the way, not all on one.

Hooligan · #8 04/25/08, 01:14 PM

My advice would be to spend a couple bucks more and support your local bike shop.

I am a pretty serious mountain biker who just went though the process of buying a new bike (thank you George Bush). I wanted a higher end bike because I beat the crap out of it and it needs to be able to hold up for years.

The other day I was in Walmart and just for kicks checked out their bikes. They are pretty much crap that wouldn't last one season with the use I would put it to. When it comes to bikes you do get what you pay for.

auctioneer · #9 04/25/08, 01:15 PM

My adult daughter bought one and got a lesson in getting what you pay for and Chinese junk. Within a year she had put the purchase price+ back in it for rims, pedals, gears, etc. The bike was ridden exclusively on pavement. IOW: it was never exposed to bumps and much dust.

The pedal crank broke in a way I would never have imagined. Yep, it wrecked her. Pinto bean cans are made of better metal. That near trip to the ER convinced her the bike was best suited as a monument to Wal-Mart/Chinese shiney trash.

She finally got fed up being nickel, dime and dollared every ride, and went and bought her a *real* bike. She was already fed up, but the wreck sealed the deal.

WisJim · #10 04/25/08, 01:21 PM

What I have noticed, and the reason I said what I did above, is that most people of any age have never ridden a good quality bike that fits them and is set up properly for them. If you get one set up right from WalMart, it is simply luck. WalMart (and KMart, and Fleet Farm, and the rest of the discount places) sells "toy" bikes. Go to a bike shop for a "real" bike.

blufford · #11 04/25/08, 02:27 PM

After having mine out for repair several times the mechanic told me that bicycles like these are made for people who weigh 200 LBS or less. Even when the wheels were reinforced with heavy duty spokes they would bend. If I had lost 20 LBS I would still be riding.

jc12551 · #12 04/25/08, 08:01 PM

Some of us don't live near a *real* bike shop. And don't tell me Wal-Mart ran them all out of town. There has never been a bike shop within an hour of here. Ever.

I got a Schwinn branded bike that has been great. I was disappointed to learn that it was not a real Schwinn. Our only problem was with the bike not being put together properly. We had to break out the tools and fix a few things. I don't know what kind of training the assemblers had, probably none. I did have trouble finding one that was the correct size for me. Since I only ride with family and friends around town and to do errands, I don't need a serious and custom fit bike.

JV · #13 04/25/08, 08:42 PM

100 miles/ month is a decent amount of riding. For this amount of time on the bike, you should look for something that will treat you well and allow you to enjoy bike riding.

I don't think the wal-mart bike will cut it. You will buy it, ride it a little, and it won't be fun or comfortable. You will think you don't like bike riding, but really you are just unhappy because of the bike.

I think you should look for a good used bike if you are looking to only spend a minimum amount. An old Trek or Giant will treat you right. I agree with wisjim to look for a bike that is your size - You can always bring a used bike into a shop and ask if it fits you. I doubt they would charge for this and if they did, it would be money well spent.

Hobbes · #14 04/25/08, 08:59 PM

I've bought bikes at Walmart and regretted it later. They are very heavy, which makes you work more, are a pain to put up, and cheap quality. I finally went to our local bike store and bought one of their clearance/sale bikes ($250). I believe the brand is called 'specialty'. It has an aluminum body (vs. steel), and just the reduction in weight makes it so much less work on the knees, and I can pick up the bick easily with one arm. The only thing I've had to fix/replace on it was the plastic pedal grip thingys. Moral of the story: Invest in a quality, light-weight bike, especially if your like your knees, and you want to enjoy your bike ride.