Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - The Walmart SS....to upgrade or buy this??

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thehammerdog
05-18-11, 12:34 PM
I have a great old school 80's steel Italian roady 5speed hub. needs stem & bars to begin to go the SS route....Iwas at Wlamart amd saw this bike went on line and WOW.
The wheels are cool looks cool crap Aluminum but true SS drop outs..I was eyein gup mustach bars and new cranks.....cheaper to buy this thing....

http://www.walmart.com/ip/700c-Mongoose-Cachet-Fixed-Speed-Road-Bike-PLUS-On-Guard-Chain-Lock/16349549:thumb:

ac921ol
05-18-11, 12:49 PM
the bike has already been discussed, look up the old thread, which shouldnt be past page 2, the bike has potential, but its, a hit or a miss.
thenomad
05-18-11, 01:36 PM
use what you have, much better ride than that turd.

Kayce
05-18-11, 01:52 PM
Those bikes are know for their inconsistant quality control, and quick wearing parts. I would suggest going another route. Are you sure you need new cranks for getting going? And unless it is without handlebars there is no reason you would need to change out the bars.

Also being in Jersey you have access to two of the best bike cities in the US, if youre can get to philadelphia go to bike church for cheap parts swaps, and knowledgeable volunteers to help you figure out what you need and how to do it.
thehammerdog
05-18-11, 02:23 PM
The frame I have is an old school lugged Italian steed. a size to small but good for jerking around town I need to get a new stem & bars to make it fit better. I am stuck with the current rear wheel because it is only a 5 SPEED and narrow, unless a track wheel would fit. The walmart bike actualy looks cool and would be easy to use.....I hav ethe tools to change out any crapy stuff if/when needed.
Kayce
05-18-11, 02:29 PM
5 speed hub spacing is almost always(over 90%) 120mm, which is the same as modern track hubs. So you would be able to swap out a track wheel.

The walmart bike would take a decent amount of work to get rolling, and you would have to swap out a few thing to get it riding comfortable, and then quickly swap out parts. In a short period of time you would have swapped out enough to pay for a better new bike, and soon enough you would have swapped out everything but the low end frame. It would be a money pit.