JackoDandy

I'd argue that the Walmart bike with new components would ride smoother than any of the 1990's bikes you posted. Plus, the lady liked the way the Walmart bike looked so who are we to argue?

My argument isnt that a Walmart bike is an ideal bike, my argument is that its an ideal "toe in the water" test.

MRT2

Couldn't disagree more strongly. A well maintained old hybrid (or mountain bike) is often about as good as a new entry level hybrid or mountain bike. OP could easily settle this by coming back with an update.

cagedbird

I had a lot of fun reading these comments! I imagine that a lot of people come here, ask a question, and are never seen again. I am very committed to my health now for various reasons and giving up on any new exercise adventure that I attempt just isn't something I do any longer.

The truth is that I haven't checked in here because my niece was born on the 15th and I have been very busy riding my bike to her house to go help her tired parents and to hold her, of course! She has helped me cut my time down pretty dramatically because I just can't wait to get my hands on her.



I really, really love my bike. For a $95 bike and a 300 lb chick putting over 6 miles on it each way plus errands at both stops, I figure it's doing pretty darn well! I do have to put a little air in the tires after each 6-mile ride, but I'm figuring that is a weight issue? (Thoughts on that? Is there something wrong?)

I do not ride the bike every day because I'm not quite good enough to make the 8-mile ride to work plus the 9-miles to my brother's house yet. I also don't always ride my bike back home each time because when I leave my brother's house, it is usually very dark. With the twists and turns in our roads, this is dangerous with me missing a lot of good night-riding equipment, plus my route is right along the Susquehanna river and I don't feel like eating mayflies.

My brother took my bike to the post office yesterday to pick up his mail because he's one of those people that gets quite jealous when his family gets new toys. I offered to go get it myself, as I have done so several times this past week. I guess he just needed to get out of the house! Anyway, when he brought it back, I decided I wanted to ride down to the park. I hopped on and the pedals did nothing! I knew that something was wrong, of course, so I inspected everything and the chain had come off the set of teeth. After yelling at my brother for breaking it, as he has a tendency to, I just got my fingers in there and wrangled it back on to the teeth. There is a LOT of black grease on that chain! Is that a problem? Any thoughts as to why the chain came off? Is this something that I should worry about happening to me on the road? Not like it's a big deal to put the chain back on the teeth, but a problem is a problem.

Regarding the other bike shop, that is awesome to hear. I'd really like to go check it out. It would be nice to take my bike in to someone and have them look it over and make sure that everything is adjusted correctly. Those brakes squeal just a little too much for my liking and even after checking that DIY website, I can't quite figure it out.

Anyway... I am off to work! I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend!

goldfinch

Thank you for the report, it sounds like you are riding it quite a bit. Keep your brother off your bike! If things are adjusted correctly chains can still drop off when shifting under load. He probably was pushing the pedals hard when shifting.

Yes, chains are kind of yucky. At some point you will want to read about cleaning and lubing your chain.

Your niece is adorable.

MRT2

Bike tires lose some air over time, but you should not expect to have to put air in the tires every 6 miles. It is not your weight. Most likely, you have a flat tire, though one that holds air for a short time. You need to find the source of the flat or your slow leak will get worse.
Throwing a chain could be rider error, or it could suggest that the derailleurs need an adjustment. You need to take it to a bike shop, or adjust the derailleurs yourself.
Excessive brake squealing suggests the brakes are out of adjustment, or the wheels are not true.
Excessively dirty chain means you need to clean your chain, then re lube it.

JackoDandy

Just keep pumping your tires and riding your bike.

Though I approve of your Walmart bike, it was $100 and at that price the tubes will be the cheapest you can buy but - so what.

I have a $2500 roadbike that hs thrown the chain more times than I care to remember - it happens.

Its' good to know your still riding and your bike isnt on the side of the road gathering dust.