General Cycling Discussion - The Story of the new bike

Okay about a week ago I bought a new bike from Walmart, a Mongoose XR200 for $160

Everything's good about it. Disc brakes, 21 speeds, a wickedly designed derailure. Sure it needed a few adjustments here and there to shift right.

the day after I bought it the front derailure cable snapped. I hadn't even noticed that it had frayed. So, I took it off and I had an extra cable so I tried to put it on. The shifter design was incredible, but extremely difficult to do maintenance upon. So, now I have to take it back to Walmart and prey that they will replace the cable for me. It was also doing some other wierd things, such as the chain hitting the front derailure if you got into the higher gears. So, I'm going to ask them to ride it to make sure that there aren't any problems with it.

Think Walmart will do all that for me?

Heres the actual bike: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2513014&cat=5304&type=5&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4178%3A4180%3A4183%3A5304

Brian....being a senior member your kidding right ?

Even though I bought a Wallygoose too, but that was before I became informed!

Get you money back, go to your LBS and buy yourself a real Mongoose.

I have no local bike shop. Around here, a $160 bike is the best in town!

Im a former Wal Mart bike rider. My advise is to take it back for a refund and buy a TREK. Yes they are that darn good.

You have exceeded the life limit of that bike throw it away in the trash and eventually it will make it's way down stream with the rest of the Wal-Mart trash.

The people at Walmart that put the bikes together have a lot of them to do. They're put together quick. From what I've seen you'd better know how to fix a bike if you buy one there.

If you really don't have an LBS within a practical distance, I would actually in this case (though it goes against everything I believe in) buy online... professional assembly is key with any bike so I guess you'd still be kinda SOL there... theres a few companies that setup the bike and then break it down for shipping so you might look into that, but with Walmart bikes its a losing battle.

Tonight was a real eye-opener. The Mrs. and I wet to "Wally World" to pick up a few things. Our travels took us past the bike department. I about fell over! There was a huge rack of Schwinn Bikes, mostly BMX and MTB. It used to be yuo had to go to a real bike shop to get a Schwinn. It is sad when a venerable manufacturer like that has to cheapen them and sell at a discount store. My guess is that if you had trouble they might replace the bike, tell you to "contact the manufacturer", or you are on your own. Assembly? Ha! They probably have some inexperienced high school kids doing it! If you are going to ride around the block once or twice a year a "wally-World Special" would probably be fine. If you are going to do some serious miles spend the money and get a good quality bike. You will not regret it.

'bent Brian

Folks... The bike he purchased was a beach cruiser. It was not a mountain bike and he had no reason to be using the shifter in first place. This bike should be left in one gear and that's all. If you have problems with this, remove the derailluer, shorten the chain and make it a single speed. Problem solved.

Folks... The bike he purchased was a beach cruiser. It was not a mountain bike and he had no reason to be using the shifter in first place. This bike should be left in one gear and that's all. If you have problems with this, remove the derailluer, shorten the chain and make it a single speed. Problem solved.
Less gears, more beers.

My opinion if you are not going to ride it a lot, then keep it. But if you are planning to ride to elevate your fitness then maybe you might consider a different bike, something that is a little more worthy for the long haul. And somehow learn how to tune and maintain a bike. Maybe read a book or two.

Folks... The bike he purchased was a beach cruiser. It was not a mountain bike and he had no reason to be using the shifter in first place. This bike should be left in one gear and that's all. If you have problems with this, remove the derailluer, shorten the chain and make it a single speed. Problem solved.
Have you seen that bike?! It's anything BUT a beach cruiser. It's a real speed demon. (When it works anyway)

Okay I took it back to Walmart today. They said it could be fixed but the bike dude wasn't there. They had me write down everything that was wrong with it.

I wrote
Front shifter cable snapped
Chain hitting components
Not shifting properly

I knew the term for every word, just didn't want to sound too gearhead-ish.. And I ride my bike everywhere. Even a Kmart bike lasts me for at least a year. And in a year I'll be driving a car!

And I ride my bike everywhere. Even a Kmart bike lasts me for at least a year. And in a year I'll be driving a car!

Sad.

I realize it may be difficult, but try to grasp that a bike isn't a means of getting from point A to point B -until- you can drive. It is a fine mode of transportation and recreation in itself. Many of us on this board had to waste a lot of years before we realized that.

Paul

With all due respect ShadowRider you are asking for all sorts of static when you post about a bike of this caliber. It doesn't sound like you have too many options (are you under 16) but a good used bike would have been less of a headache, find a buddy with a car and go to a LBS.

Sad.

I realize it may be difficult, but try to grasp that a bike isn't a means of getting from point A to point B -until- you can drive. It is a fine mode of transportation and recreation in itself. Many of us on this board had to waste a lot of years before we realized that.

Paul

Here come the elitists...!

And it is not going to work right when you get it back from Wally World. When I was riding the Roadmaster. Wal Mart would replace the parts about two weeks wait. Then I would have to readjust everything the so called bike guy did to it. For $199 you can buy a much better bike. TREK! Im glad I switched.;) Lighter, Faster, All 21 gears WORK & CHANGE when I want them to, average speed on the "Roadmaster" 10mph, average speed on my "Trek" 15-16 mph and bump free.

Meh. Really, all I wanted was for them to replace the cable that broke. I can adjust it to work from there. I've built whole bikes before, but that was with old shifters. Not the new style that say "Insert cable into hole" and the hole leads no where. Plus I didn't want to mess it up too badly a day after I bought it.

Also, I was just mad he called my race bike a beach cruiser. It's the best bike in my town. I've failed to see any better or faster. (Well, the day the bike ran right anyway)

Btw, the average speed for my XR200 was 20mph, and it road confortably, no bumps at all. And I'm not estimating. I had a speedometer and everything.

And it got to 40 like there was nothing (took something outta me though.. wore my out but once I got there the bike did the rest.) Totally awesome bike for my purpouses! And it has a flame job :love:
Btw, I'll let everyone know how it goes when I go to get it, hopefully tomarrow.

And it got to 40 like there was nothing

I'll bet the ******bag that built your bike also installed and config'd your speedometer.

40 on a Wal-Mart bike? dude...no way..

I'll bet the ******bag that built your bike also installed and config'd your speedometer.

40 on a Wal-Mart bike? dude...no way..

Yeah even 20 is like questionable, specially on those tires. Probably input the wheel size wrong.

I bought the speedometer from http://jensonusa.com and installed it myself.

You guys are cruel - he likes the bike and that's all that matters.

55/Rad

Here come the elitists...!

How the crap was what he said in anyway elitest? Do you really think elitests are the ones that don't own cars and ride their bikes everywhere?

Sad.

I realize it may be difficult, but try to grasp that a bike isn't a means of getting from point A to point B -until- you can drive. It is a fine mode of transportation and recreation in itself. Many of us on this board had to waste a lot of years before we realized that.

Paul

Could you explain what you mean by this? It is unclear to me. Are you saying that until he gets his drivers license then why should he bother biking? I *honestly* don't understand. Your post is very confusing.

Okay about a week ago I bought a new bike from Walmart, a Mongoose XR200 for $160

Everything's good about it. Disc brakes, 21 speeds, a wickedly designed derailure. Sure it needed a few adjustments here and there to shift right.

the day after I bought it the front derailure cable snapped. I hadn't even noticed that it had frayed. So, I took it off and I had an extra cable so I tried to put it on. The shifter design was incredible, but extremely difficult to do maintenance upon. So, now I have to take it back to Walmart and prey that they will replace the cable for me. It was also doing some other wierd things, such as the chain hitting the front derailure if you got into the higher gears. So, I'm going to ask them to ride it to make sure that there aren't any problems with it.

Think Walmart will do all that for me?

Heres the actual bike: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2513014&cat=5304&type=5&dept=4125&path=0%3A4125%3A4178%3A4180%3A4183%3A5304


Well, it never hurts to ask but don't expect too much. If its a grip shifter, then there is rubber on the shifter that peels back to reveal the hole where the cable goes. I took mine apart once and had a heck of a time getting it back together! Once I remembered where it came out at, it was apparent. If you push it through on the good cable, you'll see where it comes out. Pain in the butt!

PM me if you need a better description :)

Well...20mph on any bike is doable, given proper gearing....but is the bike going to last very long at that speed is the real question.

I know my outlook starts making some nasty sounds from the suspension when I'm mashing 20mph on rough terrain...feels like the bike is about to self destruct...I couldn't imagine how anything made by pacific would feel doing that. Who knows, it may actually be decent, I dunno since i havent rode one.

As far as 40mph...that kind fo speed on an MTB is incredible torture to it...unless your sure that bike isn't going to break on you...I wouldn't even try to go that fast. I know my old wallyworld roadmaster was unsafe at 5mph, let alone the 30 i hit with it once...that was when i snapped the stock chain too. How did I know it was 30...the light rail train goes 30, and i was keeping up with it neck and neck...I was actually trying to chase it down so I could sleep on it on my way to work, heh. And during that entire run, all i felt was frame flex and very unstable handling...really i'm lucky I duidn't dump too hard when the chain went...picked the dirt off my clothes and walked to the station....during lunch I got a new chain...that chain kept blowing off the gears...i guess the cassette and chainrings were worn out already after less than 200 miles.

The diamondback....well it's seen a few thousand so far, looks great, but I've beaten that fork up so badly....as well as the frame....and it's still holding up nice, just likes to make a bit of a racket when i'm pushing it a bit too hard. It still looks and runs fine though...i bet the bike will last me easily for a year from now.

Price diff:

wally-roadmaster $53
DB Outlook $200

mileage:

WM-RM about 200
DB-O over 2000 (i think closer to three but i'm not sure so I'm rounding down)

10 times the mileage for four times the cost seems a good deal to me...and the DB still works :D

I'll offer one reason that cycling has a limited appeal: snobbery on the part of many cyclists. It seems as though many folks are obsessed with the gear and how much it cost. I wonder if some riders buy new bikes for the image and the ability to show off the new carbon-fiber dohickey to the other group riders more than for the bike itself.

Shadow has a bike he likes. It came from Wal-Mart. We all know that there are better bikes than Wal-Mart specials. We also know that Porsches are better cars than Hyundais, but many of us can only afford the latter. Again, Shadow has a bike that he enjoys. For that, I say more power to him.
To those who sneer at his bike, I can only point out that any attempts to "grow the sport" will fail as long as the cycling community is percieved by new riders as a bunch of moneyed snobs.

Sad.

I realize it may be difficult, but try to grasp that a bike isn't a means of getting from point A to point B -until- you can drive. It is a fine mode of transportation and recreation in itself. Many of us on this board had to waste a lot of years before we realized that.

Paul

Agreed. If he actually spent more money on the bicycle, there would be no need to buy a car. He'll spend thousands each year on his motor car, but will not make the investment in buying a good quality bicycle. If he thinks bicycles are too expensive, just wait til he starts paying car insurance, gasoline, traffic tickets, repairs, car payments and parking.

He may have taken the inexpensive route in bicycle ownership, but there will be none once he becomes a motorist.

Also, I was just mad he called my race bike a beach cruiser. It's the best bike in my town. I've failed to see any better or faster. (Well, the day the bike ran right anyway)


I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. Look. I have a Pacific toy store mountain bike with dual suspension. After 3 months, the bike no longer shifted gears so I stopped using them. All those toy store bikes stop shifting real soon and you'll never see any of these food vendors using the shifter. Ever!

I've come to accept my cheap toy store bike for what it really was. A beach cruiser. There's nothing wrong with a beach crusier but don't expect to break any land speed records. I keep my rusting department store bike outside 24/7 and would NOT want a more expenisve cycle because it would get stolen.

Eventually, you will come to the same conclusion that I did and stop using the shifter. Otherwise, you'll hate bicycling for these last few years before you become a motorist. Put the bike on a low gear and keep it there.

wal mart is trash if you want a quality bike pony up some nice dough to get something that'll last years i.e. specialized, gary fisher, trek anything but mongoose. since mongoose went to walmart theyve gone downhill as schwinn is doing right now.

Agreed. If he actually spent more money on the bicycle, there would be no need to buy a car. He'll spend thousands each year on his motor car, but will not make the investment in buying a good quality bicycle. If he thinks bicycles are too expensive, just wait til he starts paying car insurance, gasoline, traffic tickets, repairs, car payments and parking.

He may have taken the inexpensive route in bicycle ownership, but there will be none once he becomes a motorist.
You expect the average 16 year old to take more interest in his bike than in driving a car? Please...the best we can hope for is that he doesn't completely lose interest in cycling and eventually realizes that there is room in his life for both. That could be at 18, 35 or never.

For me, it happened at 29. Better late than never.

55/Rad

How the crap was what he said in anyway elitest? Do you really think elitests are the ones that don't own cars and ride their bikes everywhere?

Now come on! We are elitist, and there's nothing wrong with that. We think that we're better, because we ARE better. Just like someone from USA comparing his economy with someone from N Korea. Are we going to get touchy-feely about each economy, and say that the ultrastalinistic one has it's advantages?

Bikes are inexpensive, fast, fun, and keep us healthy. If more people rode them, the environment would be cleaner and people would be more connected to their communities. We rock because we are aware of these advantages, unlike the masses who are stupid as turnips.

We rock because we are aware of these advantages, unlike the masses who are stupid as turnips.

You underestimate turnips.

Now come on! We are elitist, and there's nothing wrong with that. We think that we're better, because we ARE better. Just like someone from USA comparing his economy with someone from N Korea. Are we going to get touchy-feely about each economy, and say that the ultrastalinistic one has it's advantages?

Bikes are inexpensive, fast, fun, and keep us healthy. If more people rode them, the environment would be cleaner and people would be more connected to their communities. We rock because we are aware of these advantages, unlike the masses who are stupid as turnips.

Here we go, just what I was waiting for. If the purpose of shadows bike is to get from point A to point B then his bike is FINE. If not he'll soon buy a better one at his local LBS.

Somehow your elitist schpiel turned into a use bikes rather than drive rant. I'm all for biking but a car has its uses as well, to group everyone who doesn't bike or who does bike but doesn't have a bike that costs $239321 is exactly the attitude which prevents more people from cycling.

a car has its uses. to group everyone who doesn't bike or who does bike but doesn't have a bike that costs $239321 is exactly the attitude which prevents more people from cycling.

I think that biking is a great way to get around, no matter what one's age or income level. I bike for the reasons that I mentioned. I'm certainly not a biking evangelist. My wife drives as do most of my friends. The person with whom I ride most, uses a bright red Magma. I'm happy to keep the gears functioning.

Elitist-schmitist. I was jokig about that.

Ya gotta like the way these posts end up going, makes for fun reading. I think the point about the bike was made in the fact he had trouble with it right after he bought it. Having a heavy bike is one thing but having something that keeps breaking is another problem.