IB Boyd

Hello All,
Just started commuting about six months back when gas prices were out of control. Not knowing any better, i went to down to Wal-mart, bougth a mountain bike and a helment, and was off to the races. Upgraded to road tires a month ago, and saw a marked improvment in speed.
My Wal Mart flyer ( as I have dubed it) is getting the job done, but its starting to bruise my ego when the people all deck out in bike gear fly past me like im going backward on the uphills. I used my GPS today to figure out my speed, and averaged 12.5 MPH with a 22 mph max speed. My comute is fairly level, with a couple moderate uphills-probably nothing a serious rider would notice. I have a seven mile ride to work, that im doing 2-3 times a week, depending on what im doing at work that day. Do I just need to suck it up and concentratre on conditioning, or would it be worth it to consider a road bike of some sort. If I do get a road bike, i will probably be looking at an older used one (yes, Im cheap).
Nice to meet you all,
Boyd E.
Imperial Beach, ca

Tobias Greenich

I commuted for a long while on a wally-world special. It got me from point A to point B just fine. The time to upgrade came when I realized I wanted to do more with my cycling than the bike would easily allow.

Really, if you feel like getting a new bike, I'd go for it. I'm not sure how well your bike is fitted to you, but if you get a new one that fits better, it can improve your cycling immensely. It's all about what you want to do with it.

datlas 

It's mostly about the engine. I suggest you make sure you have a good fit (as mentioned above), consider a set of cheap clipless pedals, and ride what you have for several thousand more miles.

wirehead

Much can be done with a mountain bike frame by swapping out the tires... which is like $20 or so each end. Get skinnier tires without tread. And maybe some bar ends.

Of course, huge advantages to going to a road bike as well.. some stuff's just not worth trying to upgrade a wallyworld frame with.

e0richt

I have a dawes lightning sport road bike that is much better quality than a walmart special and is pretty affordable... go to ebay and look for a seller named "chicabike"...

I have about 1300 miles on mine and I weigh at the 3 dollar mark...
(but am trying to get less...)

I have a trek 1220, and I use the dawes for commuting because its more rugged when dealing with potholes and such. Not only that,
it does have eyelets for a rack and fenders...

uke

For under $400, the Forge CTS 1000 is a steal. Bought one a month ago, and have been riding it since.

knobster

I wouldn't worry about a new bike just yet. Keep riding the one you have and see if this is something you really want to do. Keep this one during the Winter and if you find you're still riding come Spring, reward yourself with a new bike. Craigslist is your friend.

Tommy C

I say go to your LBS and take a couple of bikes for a spin. If you feel it rides better than your Supper Wally and it is within your budget, give it a thought, You can always sell your Super Wally and you will enjoy a better ride and nicer commute.
You don't have to spend a fortune when buying a new bike.
Norco LRT2 is a nice bike, little more money will get Marin Muirwoods which is also a great ride.
I am not really into road bikes so I can't really recommend any.

CCrew

I'd ride what you have. Your average speed isn't that much out of line for a MTB, and not that overly far off what I run on my MTB, which is a LBS bought Trek. It's not all the engine, part of it is simply what you're riding. MTB's are geared lower and designed not so much for the street. Get in the grass/gravel/dirt against that road bike that passes you on pavement and you'll probably leave him in the dust.

Yes, I can average much higher times on my road bike, but it's like driving a sports car. Higher maintenance, more finicky, and in some respects less comfortable. Nothing to be ashamed of being left by a road bike, nor being on a X-Mart bike. Ride what you have until it starts having issues and decide from there. In the meantime you'll be in better shape physically, and there's nothing lost. It's really all savings.

-Roger

ryanwood

I was in a similar place as you several months ago, I didn't want to upgrade from my cheapo mtb to a better commuter because I didn't even know if I was going to stick with it. But after I upgraded to a cyclocross bike with higher end components than my mountain bike, I love cycling to class and work. It is the best part of my day. I started cycling because gas was expensive, but now I cycle because I love it.

savethekudzu

You're doing a quite respectable job. Yes, by all means, get a new bike if you want a new bike - but don't do it just because you think a new bike will make you faster.

Andy_K 

Red lights and stop signs kill your average speed on a commute. I started out last year on a GT Timberline (which is pretty close to a Walmart bike) and averaged about 12 mph. A year later, on either my cyclocross bike or my "urban 29er" I can average around 15 mph. I could probably do that on the Timberline too if I still had it, but after I got the cyclocross bike, every second I spent on the Timberline I wished I was on a better bike, so I gave it to my nephew.

joshwa

you certainly don't need to get a road bike, but you'd have alot more fun if you did. i rode a mtn bike for years and just recently got a 2008 schwinn fastback. bought it brand new but it was last years model so the lbs gave it to me for $100 less than sticker and threw in $100 clipless pedals, thereby saving me $200 (the bike didn't come with pedals). if you wanna get a road bike my advice would be to call around to local bike shops in your area and ask if they have any lower tier models they need to get rid of and be willing to make a deal on. but realize that you're probably not gonna pay less than $600 for a quality road bike. if you're willing the drop that cash you'll be glad you did.

Fantasminha

If it makes you happy and you can afford it, go for it. You only live once.

Having said that, let me tell you that I have 4 bikes and they all have the same problem--the rider.

Let us know what you decide!

apricissimus 

It's true that the engine is the best component to upgrade, but you may find it easier to do on a nicer bike that's more fun to ride. You'll want to spend more time in the saddle, which will lead to better performance.

TonyCtattoo

i think i posted this same thread once. i got a trek since then and like it.

Crank57

In my honest opinion the worst thing about a Box-Store bike is the almost total lack of guidance and fitting. Those bikes are heavier than the typical bike shop bike and the components are bottom end and might not last as long, but they are functional. It's just that they only have one size and no one to even tell you how to adjust the fit. A bike shop bike will come in at least 4 sizes and the bike will be selected and fitted to your body size and leg length and reach, etc.

I now ride a Giant road bike. It weighs about 23 Lbs. since I put fenders and a rack on it, has skinny, high pressure tires. It seems to coast forever and I love the ride because it fits. It feels like all the energy I put into the pedals moves me forward. It has Shimano 105 components and cost about $750 3 years ago. I have seen similar bikes used on Craigs List for about $400.

I also had an older typical box store bike, a Huffy, that weighed about 45 Lbs., had wide low pressure tires with knobby tread. It never felt like it was coasting effortlessly the way the Giant does. I think the Huffy cost $59 about 18 years ago. Best thing about riding that bike was how good the Giant felt after riding the Huffy. It served its purpose however and I think was worth what it cost.

darkmanx2g

You can stick with the Walmart bike. But the problem is the more you ride, better shape you get which leads to craving for more speed. I also had a Xmart bike and it lasted me a month to upgrade to a flat bar road bike.

The Schwinn Ranger bike is just sitting in the garage because the Trek 7.3 fx is so much more fun because of the improved speed, comfort, and efficiency. I am ready for another upgrade next year and get a traditional road bike or cyclocross bike.