Mountain Biking - anybody wanna DH ride on this bad boy?!

not!!

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8399258
http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/03/86/75/46/0003867546969_500X500.jpg


seriously though what is the point of this bike?
its too clunky, heavy, and stupid to ride around town. who would trust their life to this half assed collection of simple machines that is guaranteed to catastrophically fail if it were really ridden downhill.

I like the 6 inch tube sticking out about the bottom bracket. Like the frame had a big chunk cut out so it could be fs.

I love the specs and how at the bottom it says, bike type: road and the shipping weight is 46.6 pounds.

:lol: Looks like some horror-movie cross between a Norco VPS and a Giant ATX.

"Fully loaded and as tough as they come"

thats like saying Milwaukee's best is the best beer in Milwaukee

"Fully loaded and as tough as they come"

thats like saying Milwaukee's best is the best beer in Milwaukee

Or that the Kenosha Kickers are the best Polka band in Sheboygan.

I see a few of those around campus.

There's an even sillier orange one with paired spoke wheels.

People LOVE those darned bikes (specifically Walmart FS bikes, not that exact one). They think they're getting a good deal because they can get a FS bike "just like the big boys" for so little money. They think we're a bunch of suckers for paying what we do for our FS bikes when they can get "the same thing" so cheap. Bottom line: that is why that bike exists, because people will buy it.

People LOVE those darned bikes (specifically Walmart FS bikes, not that exact one). They think they're getting a good deal because they can get a FS bike "just like the big boys" for so little money. They think we're a bunch of suckers for paying what we do for our FS bikes when they can get "the same thing" so cheap. Bottom line: that is why that bike exists, because people will buy it.

Then they need to get it repaired only to find out replacing it is now the cheapest option because the components are unmatched or unavailable. My LBS stopped selling Schwinn because the owner said everyone thought they could get the same Schwinn at WM........Being an uninformed consumer sucks!

its a sad commentary on the state of american consumerism. i guess function is a secondary concern when compared to bling. do these bikes sell well anywhere else?

I could just imagine taking that over a large log, the shock would be destroyed in a couple of runs

It's a fashion bike designed to be ridden no more than 50 miles before exploding, it will only ever be ridden on the pavement with the saddle set too low and the main selling point is how bouncy the suspension is. The people who will buy this are only going to be happy if they can pedal down the road bouncing like the illegitimate* offspring of skippy the kangaroo and a Skoda.

*replace with correct word.

i used to ride around on a relatively crappy mountain bike...

you know, it got me from A to B, allowed me to ride the easier parts of the trail, and built a lot of character. I now ride my SC Chameleon and appreciate what a nice ride it is compared to my old crappy bike, equivalent to that of a WM bike, but it was that crappy WM bike that got me into the sport.

i've ridden crap-quality or most of my life and only now have had enough money to buy something decent for myself. sometimes you gotta start small and go from there :).

The people who will buy this are only going to be happy if they can pedal down the road bouncing like the illegitimate* offspring of skippy the kangaroo and a Skoda.

So true, though I thing the Czech might have that covered by its self.

So bouncy that I bottomed a similar FS bike designed for someone my size going down a curb. (Im not 300 pounds Im 165)

Bike Type: Road Bike Shipping Weight (in pounds): 46.6 Product in Inches (L x W x H): 54.5 x 8.0 x 27.5 Assembled in Country of Origin: USA and/or Imported Origin of Components: USA and/or Imported Wal-Mart No.: 000712201


thats a massive road bike.

you know, it got me from A to B, allowed me to ride the easier parts of the trail, and built a lot of character. I now ride my SC Chameleon and appreciate what a nice ride it is compared to my old crappy bike, equivalent to that of a WM bike, but it was that crappy WM bike that got me into the sport.


Yeah. I have a similar history.

They'll sell a ton of them so actually it's funny on their part not ours.

Yeah. I have a similar history.

True, but for 300 bucks you can get something decent...... that is, a bike that doesnt require a team effort to lift.

I think it would be fun to take those to a DH mtn in the summer and see how long it takes you to destroy one of those.

I like to be more politically correct on some views... this being one of them... so I will take this and equate it to something I am much more versed on... I would bet most people here have a digital camera... some may have been bought at Walmart... some at a camera store... generally speaking most people dont need $50k in camera gear like I have... but thats because I am a professional photographer... run a photography website... and can say most days dont go by without shooting more than 50 pictures minimum...

The same goes for bikes... even Wally World bikes have their place in the world... but because the people that would buy that bike generally speaking wouldnt be the same talking high end bike info on here it does not make the bike less valid... its an entry level bike... that is geared towards the general public... the soccer mom and kids... or the extremely recreational around the block rider...

I like to be more politically correct on some views... this being one of them... so I will take this and equate it to something I am much more versed on... I would bet most people here have a digital camera... some may have been bought at Walmart... some at a camera store... generally speaking most people dont need $50k in camera gear like I have... but thats because I am a professional photographer... run a photography website... and can say most days dont go by without shooting more than 50 pictures minimum...

The same goes for bikes... even Wally World bikes have their place in the world... but because the people that would buy that bike generally speaking wouldnt be the same talking high end bike info on here it does not make the bike less valid... its an entry level bike... that is geared towards the general public... the soccer mom and kids... or the extremely recreational around the block rider...

the difference being in advertising and usage. While your analogy partially applies, what happens when that poor family goes to whistler on their "mountain" bikes (that usually clearly say not to use them off road) and decides to have a fun day in whistler. Snack crackle pop, kids f'ed up. I have literally watched this happen. Even better was dad and mom were in so much pain because their ghetto brakes stopped working about half way down that they barely had energy to pick their kid up and take him down to the medic. Luckily some friendly bikers quickly road blocked every entrance into the area to help get the kid out. In this scenario, you suddenly have mountain biking viewed as the most dangerous sport in the world. and a set of parent terrified with some child broken (thank god it was a kid, the crash would have likely hurt an adult a lot more).

Your analogy, I buy camera, I take picture, I get good or crappy shot, but most people realize the difference between a 200$ Point and shoot and a SLR. And most salesmen make a point of trying to inform the buyer (they want to sell more which usually means better)...heck even a 50$ camera is better in comparison to some of the junk they sell in big box stores.

There is nothing of the sort in wally world. Anyone who buys a bike there expects a bike, not a toy. The problem is, they are all toys. Fine, any of us may have or did start riding on those, but its a dangerous practice once you start using them for what you assume they should be meant for.

It should be simple if people buy these bikes they need to be fully informed, this bike should not and cannot be used for any off roading (avoid vague terms like "extreme" and "real"...that just confuses the issue)...

the difference being in advertising and usage. While your analogy partially applies, what happens when that poor family goes to whistler on their "mountain" bikes (that usually clearly say not to use them off road) and decides to have a fun day in whistler. Snack crackle pop, kids f'ed up. I have literally watched this happen. Even better was dad and mom were in so much pain because their ghetto brakes stopped working about half way down that they barely had energy to pick their kid up and take him down to the medic. Luckily some friendly bikers quickly road blocked every entrance into the area to help get the kid out. In this scenario, you suddenly have mountain biking viewed as the most dangerous sport in the world. and a set of parent terrified with some child broken (thank god it was a kid, the crash would have likely hurt an adult a lot more).

Your analogy, I buy camera, I take picture, I get good or crappy shot, but most people realize the difference between a 200$ Point and shoot and a SLR. And most salesmen make a point of trying to inform the buyer (they want to sell more which usually means better)...heck even a 50$ camera is better in comparison to some of the junk they sell in big box stores.

There is nothing of the sort in wally world. Anyone who buys a bike there expects a bike, not a toy. The problem is, they are all toys. Fine, any of us may have or did start riding on those, but its a dangerous practice once you start using them for what you assume they should be meant for.

It should be simple if people buy these bikes they need to be fully informed, this bike should not and cannot be used for any off roading (avoid vague terms like "extreme" and "real"...that just confuses the issue)...


Believe me.. from being a serious snowmobiler I am very familier with Whistler... and I agree with your points... but a lot of what you are saying is geared towards someone who WOULD go to an aggressive riding area like that... I would bet statistically speaking 99% of people that buy ANY mountainbikes do not use them for any sort of aggressive riding... Believe me... I can run the analogy against a lot of items that walmart sells against a specific store... guns...car tires...mobile electronics... so on and so forth...

I am not saying the bikes are more or less safe... I used to work at a few shops when I raced BMX and understand that its a HUGE difference in how the bike is built and the quality... but just the same not everyone has access to a pro shop... or would buy a bike there even if they did...

I stand by my overall point... even walmart bikes have their place in the world... and for the majority of the John Q. Public... they will be fine...

On the same token... it does help to be informed... I personally wouldnt buy a bike from walmart... but my girfriend has for her son a few times... they have stood up to his abuse... I just had to do the building...

They have their place, but I think education needs to be sold with the bikes. :) I suppose that was my only point, the assumption by most people buying them that these are offroad vehicles makes it very dangerous :)

They have their place, but I think education needs to be sold with the bikes. :) I suppose that was my only point, the assumption by most people buying them that these are offroad vehicles makes it very dangerous :)


10000000% agreed....which is something you definately WONT get from a walmart bike vs. a pro-shop bike...

generally speaking most people dont need $50k in camera gear like I have... but thats because I am a professional photographer... run a photography website... and can say most days dont go by without shooting more than 50 pictures minimum...

your awsome

your awsome

I am glad that you took all of what I said and reduced it to that... by the way... its spelled awEsome...:rolleyes:

Just noticed the WTB saddle.

Reminds me of the CT "Hooligan" FS DH MTB. Heavy and overpriced, but it gives many misinformed people the impression that it's what mountain bikers ride. They are seen everywhere in Toronto. IMHO, its a great shame to be turned off cycling because of a clunky first bike when the money can be invested in a better second hand bike from craigslist.

I fix up bikes and sell them again for a modest profit. When my friends see me riding and selling an old rigid frame kona for $300, they laugh at me and tell me no one will buy it when CT sells new bikes for cheaper. I made them a bet that the bike will sell and now I am $6 richer.

I remember that hooligan all to well. When i first started biking i only knew of CT bikes(thats all i could afford anyways) That was the "best" bike. I never did buy 1. Now although my frame is still from sportmart else everything is decent now and i can actually go on manufactures websites :P my buddy has a CT bike and its fine for him, and ive ridden it, its heavy there is no travel in the forks, but is ok, it gets the job done.

Now, now. That bike never claimed to be a DH bike.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5585806
That bad boy on the other hand...that one's even labeled a DH bike. And look at those glowing reviews...did well on the "tough trails" and has "rugged, quality components for more serious riders." And check out the description: "This aggressive bike shows the bumps in the road who's boss." It even has the paper thingy in the front wheel...bet that's one of those new-fangled load bearing cardboard discs!

What I don't get is that bike costs $500. My first "mountain" bike was a Walmart bike...but I also got it for $100. And it sort of made sense...I was the target audience at the time...kid without a lot of money who needed something to go short distances on the road, and maybe wanted to do some super-easy trails that were basically the equivalent of a skinny fire road. I didn't need an FS for that. This bike...I'm not even sure WHO the target audience is. For $500 you can actually get yourself a real bike. I certainly didn't have $500 to spend when I bought the $100 Huffy, but if I did, you can be sure I would have done enough research to figure out that that bike is not what I should be buying.

Now, now. That bike never claimed to be a DH bike.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5585806
That bad boy on the other hand...that one's even labeled a DH bike. And look at those glowing reviews...did well on the "tough trails" and has "rugged, quality components for more serious riders." And check out the description: "This aggressive bike shows the bumps in the road who's boss." It even has the paper thingy in the front wheel...bet that's one of those new-fangled load bearing cardboard discs!

What I don't get is that bike costs $500. My first "mountain" bike was a Walmart bike...but I also got it for $100. And it sort of made sense...I was the target audience at the time...kid without a lot of money who needed something to go short distances on the road, and maybe wanted to do some super-easy trails that were basically the equivalent of a skinny fire road. I didn't need an FS for that. This bike...I'm not even sure WHO the target audience is. For $500 you can actually get yourself a real bike. I certainly didn't have $500 to spend when I bought the $100 Huffy, but if I did, you can be sure I would have done enough research to figure out that that bike is not what I should be buying.

The other thing about this one and the one that started this thread that's sad is that Mongoose actually makes some very decent "real" mountain bikes (the Teocali series, for example), but I am sure that I am not alone in thinking that the fact that they make abominations like this robs them of credibility on their good bikes. (A version of what's happened to Schwinn, too, as mentioned upthread.)

Oh well: still lots of good bikes to consider.

haha are you guys from kenosha n milwaukee?

The other thing about this one and the one that started this thread that's sad is that Mongoose actually makes some very decent "real" mountain bikes (the Teocali series, for example), but I am sure that I am not alone in thinking that the fact that they make abominations like this robs them of credibility on their good bikes. (A version of what's happened to Schwinn, too, as mentioned upthread.)

Oh well: still lots of good bikes to consider.

Right...but you won't find the ECD at Walmart...

Yeah.. I'm going to admit it, since half the forum knows anyways. Last fall, my dad saw this bike at walmart on the sale rack. it was a return, the tire was blown out, but they replaced it. it was a $300 bike at the time. He asked the lady how much it was (No price sticker!) and she said that he could have it for the same price as one of the $75 dollar next's on the same rack.

He didn't know if I would ride it, but he bought it anyways. He brought it home and I was like "Dad, why did you bring home a walmart bike?" He just stated that he was sure it wasn't pacific cycle. I called b.s. on it though, and just decided to ride it.

I had my dad set it up and took it out for a run on a somewhat aggressive trail the next day. Hit a few jumps, it performed alright,but the weight contributes to the bikes poor center of gravity. This causes some real scares on technical areas. I just decided to go off this one rock drop, about 4' high. I bottomed out both the front and rear suspensions, and I screamed several four letter words and proclaimed that I was wearing a cup next time.

Random complaints: The frame sucks. The front suspension is okay, seems to be a lot better than most walmart bikes. The back suspension must have been off of a little tikes bike or something. it's TERRIBLE. Both the FD and RD suck. the disc brakes are okay, good power, but the pads are horrid. The plastic pedals are crap, as are the stock plastic grips. I swapped to mosh step pedals and some wally world grips.

Sadly, the brakes are the highlight of the bike...

Bottom line: Unless you want to buy it for $75 by sheer luck and resell it to some dude driving past your house for $250 like I'm going to, just don't buy it. don't even LOOK at it.

they make these because they sell. They sell because people think they are a good deal. I suspect very very few people ever get really hurt on these bikes due to failure because they ride them about 50 miles (I am talking about the entire lifetime of the bike) and most is in spurts of about 10 minutes on a MUP or a parking lot. They will marvel at the awesome suspension when they ride off of 5 inch curb.
You see these things all over in garages (similar type bikes). Couples that say they are going to start riding bikes to get in shape get them - the guy does not want to curvy framed comfort bike with a basket. These look tough and manly so they get them. Neither ever ride except the first weekend and the bike sits for eternity.
You will also see these around campers at parks and race tracks. The most aggressive terrain they ride over is freshly mowed grass.

The simple truth is that people could spend their money better. But the fact that Americans have a negative savings rate shows that people do not spend their money as well as they could. Hard to fault a retailer for giving people what they want.

As the poster said above, there is nothing unique about this (he talked about cameras).
4 banger 19 foot I/O boats are the same thing as these bikes. Junk that will break down but people buy in droves
$200 eMachines (computers) are the same
$30 printers
$50 wakeboards from walmart
$100 snow skis from Dicks
$15 DVD players

The list could go on forever.

Believe me.. from being a serious snowmobiler I am very familier with Whistler...

What do you ride? '03 REV 600 here, few tweaks. ~130hp. Next ride will be an 800 bored to 880 on the XP chassis.

To keep the post on topic I sent you a PM...:thumb:

On-Topic is so overrated:D

I am glad that you took all of what I said and reduced it to that... by the way... its spelled awEsome...:rolleyes:

:roflmao2:This post made my day. Thanks!

:roflmao2:This post made my day. Thanks!

No, because he also missed that the proper word is "you're".