Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - new to cycling

Let me start off by saying my main goal for cycling is to get in shape and pursue a new hobby. I am a college student and funds are limited so i decided to buy a walmart thruster fixie, i understand its a pos, but it gives me the opportunity to start cycling now versus waiting for a deal on craigslist. I have been riding for about a week now and the thrusters poor quality is starting to show. The wheelsets are my biggest complaint, the rims have already bent and have gone severely out of true and the wheelset is really heavy. My plan is to ride the thruster until i have the money to build a proper bike. Would it be best to replace parts on the thruster and carry them over to a nicer frame when i can get my hands on one? If i was to buy new a new wheelset i dont know what would be best for me, im a heavy guy (190) and do a lot of curb hoping, im not set on having ultra light aero wheels but something with less roll resistance then the stock mcdonalds wheels would be nice. I was looking at these, http://http://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87_172_183&products_id=450 (http://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87_172_183&products_id=450) but i have no reference as to how strong the wheels are. Any advice is appreciated

Take it back.

Any wheelset you buy will put you into the price territory of a complete bike from bikesdirect, which will be vastly better than a Thruster with new wheels.

Take it back.

Any wheelset you buy will put you into the price territory of a complete bike from bikesdirect, which will be vastly better than a Thruster with new wheels.

Might be the way to go.

I don't have any experience with the Thruster, but I have a Windsor Hour(one of the cheapest fixed gear bikes on BD @ around $280ish, when I last checked). I've had it for a year, and its holding up great. I replaced the pedals(junk, but better than the thrusters), and the saddle(though the stock one was tolerable) and I've had zero problems with it.

I was like you, college kid - looking for something cheap that I can commute and get in shape on. Now that I've gotten back in shape I want to try cyclocross really bad. When I invest in a cyclocross bike - I'll still have my cheap-o fixed gear for around town, vacations, back-up, etc.

I can certainly appreciate being on a budget(hence the Hour), but that's about the lowest anyone around here will recommend starting with. Think of a Thruster as a more practical alternative to a "beach cruiser". Its really meant to just be ridden at a casual pace to a bar /beach /coffee shop. I wouldn't want to be bombing hills or doing a fast fitness ride on one.

+1. Sell thruster, put that and any money you were going to use to upgrade/buy new wheels into a bd bike. Better starting point.

Someone new to bikes should not get loose ball wheels. Especially not budget loose ball wheels.

Sell thruster

I lol'd cause it's so possible.

I lol'd cause it's so possible.
Very good point lol I don't think anyone will buy it, well I guess I'll run the thruster into the ground until christmas time. Besides the extra weight and rolling resistance with the thruster will be more exercise. Thanks for the help, also what's wrong with loose ball bearing, are they less durable or is it just a maintenance thing

Loose ball bearings can be a bit finicky.

Maintenance thing is what I'm saying.

That said, old school loose balls are durable, but the new stuff is getting cheaper and cheaper, cups and cones are getting softer and finished to looser tolerances, so durability is a problem too.

I lol'd cause it's so possible.

So possible that he could totally turn a profit off of it. Clean it up and it could end up going for anywhere between full refund and $50 profit

So possible that he could totally turn a profit off of it. Clean it up and it could end up going for anywhere between full refund and $50 profit

Gotta put dope tarck dropz on it first though.

Honestly, OP, you are better off riding your junk bike until you can afford to buy a new one. Picking up parts one at a time will be more expensive and more hassle.Then, when you have your new bike, you can set this one on fire and throw it off a cliff.