Big_D_WV

I wish I'd had found this place earlier. I mentioned to my wife a few weeks ago that I'd like to get a bike to ride back and forth to work(actually hinting around that I wanted to buy a new motorcycle). I only live 6 miles round trip but the gas sure does add up.
Anyhow, I come home last week and in the living room set a nice looking aluminum framed mountain bike with a candy green painted rear half, full suspension and all from Wally World(NEXT) Well, as I get to looking at it, there is a sticker that says something to the effect of ' not intended for riders over 180lbs. OK then... I am 5'11" and close to 75 pounds over that weight rating. I sat on it, feels OK. Tightened up the collar on the coil, went over the bolts and tightened them up... did I mention it came from Wal-Mart? and hit the back yard.
It seems to support me well other than the skinny guy seat and my fat ass- then I find this place. Now the bike still sits in the living room. Should I have her take that thing back and get another bike or what? I am scared to death to try and ride to work and ending up as a greasy spot on the side of the road after reading about spoke counts and other fat guys on bikes stuff.
I really don't want to spend and arm and a leg for a new bike as I'd rather spend that money on our little boy. It amazes me that bicycles are going for as much as they are now. I remember as a younger fella spending a couple bills to buy a good bike, now it seems a decent bike runs upwards of $800- ouch! I've drove cars that didn't cost that much for 3 and 4 years at a time


But anyhow, I think this place is awesome. Great information to be had and nice people to talk to from what I've gathered.

chipcom 

1. Take the POS back
2. A decent 'new' bike for commuting, a Trek 7.2FX for example, can be had for less than $400.
3. Used bikes can be found even cheaper

alanfleisig

Don't take the previous poster's "POS" comment seriously. It's probably a decent bike.

Wally World may be covering its behind. On the other hand, if it concerns you enough to keep you from riding it, then the bike is not going to work for you. Take it back to Wal-Mart and point out the weight restriction sticker, and ask them to take it back, if you want.

Alternatively, you could have a local bike shop examine it, and get their opinion. They might (but only might) know who made the bike for Wal-Mart, and know something about its construction.

The previous poster made a good point: a bike like the Trek is well under $400 and you will not have to worry about the weight limits on that frame. I have to add that you will probably be pleasantly surprised at the quality and feel of the "hybrid" model the poster suggests. Bikes have come a really long way since "the old days," and some $250-$300 bikes will knock your socks off if you haven't ridden a real bike in a while.

lil brown bat

I think you'll be happier with a hybrid without suspension than you will with a mountain bike with full suspension.

chipcom 

Dude, it's a NEXT. It's a POS, no sense mincing words.

piette

I agree with above, a nice Trek 7.2 FX can be had for under $400 and you will love it. This is the time of the year when Trek begins to haul out the new '09 models, so you may find a bike shop with a '07 model on the floor that you can get for reletively cheap. I have a 7.3 FX for my fun rider and I love it.

Jeff

Mazama

I rode a Trek 7200 for two years/7,500 miles with few problems, and I am pushing 350#. It costs around $500.00

ModelT

Whatever bike you end up with, put some time in on it away from traffic until you feel comfortable and confident on it.

wrk101

As long as you treat the Next as a temporary step until you get more familiar/comfortable with the type, size and style of bike that fits your riding, great. I would expect it to be garage sale/thrift shop donation fodder within a year. At that point, either shop Craigs List, or if you want new, develop a relationship with a local bike shop (not XMart). I see good bikes here on Craigs List just about every week.

StephenH

Big D- Riding a $100 solid-frame mountain bike from Academy at 280 lbs, I went off road twice and had to buy a new rear wheel each time- so that's the first lesson, stay on the road and off the "mountain". Gears and brakes gradually got out of whack and couldn't hardly be gotten back into whack. Anyway, at that price, if it was half a fit, I'd probably ride till I decided I didn't ever want to ride a bicycle again or until I wanted something better.

The quicker that one falls apart, the easier it will be for your wife to see why a $75 bike is not a good idea.

Wogster

Don't be so sure, around here, cycling is exploding with popularity, an article from the Globe and Mail states that bike shops are so busy they are turning away work. I wonder if gas at 123.5¢/L (or $4.75 per US Gallon) has a lot to do with it, see a lot of scooters around too.....

Neil_B

It's a full suspension bike from Wal-mart. The price is about 80 dollars. Chipcom's description is accurate. And if the OP brings it to a bike shop, they'll probably agree, if they look at the bike to begin with. Some shops won't service Wal-mart bikes.

If he wants to stick with bikes from the Beast of Bentonville as his 'bike shop', at least look at this bike instead. Yes, the Trek 7.2 is better for the components alone, and indeed most other manufacturer bikes are better, but this is more likely to hold up:

https://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5585808

* Frame: Schwinn aluminum hybrid
* Fork: SR Suntour "NEX" Trekking front suspension fork
* Shifters: Shimano Easy Fire 24-speed shifters
* Stem: Integrated headset
* Handlebars: Schwinn riser bar
* Crankset: Suntour NEX 208 28/38/48
* Front Derailleur: Suntour top pull
* Rear Derailleur: Shimano Altus
* Brakes: Promax alloy linear pull brakes
* Wheels: SWFT Aero 24 spoke deep dish alloy
* Tires: Kenda 700 x 38c
* Pedals: Dual density comfort
* Seat: Schwinn memory foam comfort saddle

10 Wheels

Love your wife. Ride the New bike till you figure out what you really need?
When you buy the 2nd bike give the 1st one to some kid who can't afford anything.
Your Wife, You and the kid will be happy.
Smile when you ride.

Big_D_WV

No, it's not that at all. I'd love to have the best of the best, but I'm in no position to do that right now... our son comes first. My wife heard me make a comment and she acted on that. I do know that the bike is not of the best quality, but until I decide that I want to jump in and buy an expensive bike it'll have to do. The thoughts of asking her to take it back ran wild yesterday, but I didn't want to sound selfish about the whole deal. At least she was listening- right?

I rode it a bit yesterday, it held up fine. No plans of any off road riding in the near future so it should be OK. My big `ol butt has not sat on a bike for probably 15 years- I'll stick with the easy stuff for now.

Thanks for the replies, and suggestions. I will take a look at a 'quality' bike when I decide to go that route. Until then, <sarcasm>just watch out for the fat guy on a green bike... don't force him to make any sudden moves that may jeopardize the integrity of the inferior molecular makeup of the Wal-Mart distributed, cheaply made POS</sarcasm>

Tom Stormcrowe

Big_D,

I rode a Wallyworld quality bike for a year and it did the job. It's not goignt to suddenly implode on you.

My take......


Your wife tried to do a good thing. Even when you eventually replace that bike as a daily rider....keep it as tribute to your wife doing something nice for you. atch your spoke tension. I would have the wheels checked after about 100 miles and occasionally check that the spokes aren't stretching and loosening up. The bike is what it is, after all and won't have the best quality wheels and components. It will pedal though and will do the job as long as you don't thrash it.

st0ut

Well one of my greest joys of bicycleing is riding with my son. so when you take it from gee i want to get to work cheap and fast + this is now our families hobby sport. it really becomes more about the family.

I dont use a bike to commute I use it for local errends. A cisco router and Sun Fire are faster than any bike.

bautieri

10 Wheels: How dare you use logic and compassion on the Internet ? Seriously, well said.

All the OP has to do is ride the bike around a bit to determine what he likes, what he doesn't like, and where he thinks he will be spending the majority of his time riding. The NEXT bike won't spontaneously combust on him (hopefully). You can always take the bike to a shop and have an actual bike mechanic tune it. Remember, the fellow who put the bike together at wal-mart is unlikely to have much experience doing so. He/she may very well have been pulled from another department to fill in. If the bike shop wont look over your bike and tune it up for you then f'em. Find one that will then do your buisness with them. So ride the bike then if you decide that you like biking enough to consider it as a primary source of exercise and transportation to and from work let us know. We'll be happy to offer suggestions.

10 Wheels

I started out on 2 free MTB (Given to me). Bought a craglist road bike for $15.
Now have put 1700 miles on The new Felt F-80 since March 20th.
3200 miles

10 Wheels

3200 miles year to date and lost 20 lbs to boot.

chipcom 

Sorry folks...I commuted on wally world bikes for years...and even I wouldn't touch that Next with a ten foot pole, based on my (mostly bad) experience with lots of them. Why throw away 80 bucks on a POS when you can get something a bit more reliable that will last longer and be much more suitable for the next person when you upgrade, for around 2 bills - or even a decent used bike for the same money?

Takabrash

I definitely agree with the "take it back" folks. It's great that your wife tried to do something nice for you- but it's just going to end up being $80 down the drain. If you try to ride it much you'll either destroy it or learn to hate biking. You can usually easily get a much better bike on Craigslist for the same price or under $200. Those make MUCH better starter bikes to see if you want to keep with it.

epcolt

What part of West Virginia are you in?

redneckwes

I've spent the last few weeks moonlighting at the LBS rebuilding those things for people.

Generally, Chipcom is dead on, they are junk, but with a little mechanical skill you should be able to keep it on the road. Just don't spend much repairing it. We just did one for a guy who wanted his Next "all gone over" $120 worth of parts and repairs on a $80 bike later...

Ride it.. wear it out...learn to fix it....drop 30lbs.... Get wife to get you something better for Christmas...

proethele

Yep - I bought a '07 7.2 FX a couple of months ago. It worked out well because they didn't have my size (17.5") in the '08's, and I liked the '07 colors better. The shop had it marked $25 off because it was an '07, and I had a 10% off coupon, so it got it for under $400 out the door. I am significantly heavier than the OP and it's held up fine for me...