EKW in DC

The BB on the TrailWay is a piece of she-ite. Mine died a few months ago. I'd put about 6,000 miles on it. It had been serviced and repacked a couple times along the way, but by the end always made noise and had play in it until is basically disintegrated.

Unfortunately for the last nine months of that bike's life, the BB was stuck... by that I mean it could not be removed, at least w/o risking destroying the threads in the BB shell. Since it was my only bike and I was saving for and close to having enough $ for the Surly I now own and ride, i just let it go.

That said, after two years of commuting, the only remaining working parts original to the TrailWay by its death were the headset, front derailleur, and brakes, which sucked BTW. It was a good bike to get me started and convince me (and more importantly my wife) that I was serious about cycling and bike commuting and therefore justify the expense of a nice frameset and some better components. I wouldn't buy another one, though.

az2008

Did you clean and repack the BB when new? I've done this to 4-5 department-store bikes and they usually have insufficient grease. The grease doesn't even feel/smell like grease. I think it's Cosmoline, a metal preservative. Most had metal shavings in the BB from the tapping of the cup threads.

I don't know if the shavings were much of an issue. It's just aluminum alloy compared to hardened steel balls and races. But, if there's not much grease (or, it's not really grease), that could change the score.

Also, I've noticed that BBs (and axles) are overtightened. They feel grumbly. Every one I've worked on out of the box. That too could contribute to an already undesirable condition of poor grease and metal shavings.

I've cleaned and repacked my Schwinn Avenue's BB twice after riding it (after the initial clean/repack), and the Trailway once. I haven't noticed any wear on the races.

I'd like to replace the BB with an outboard BB. But, as you describe, I'm worried the cup may give me trouble. Instead of tearing up the frame, I'll ride it as long as the BB holds up. Then give removal a shot. If the BB holds up (the way I've seen other Trailways on the road), it seems like the worst that will happen is bearing replacement every couple years.

That's another reason I want to see how long the BB lasts. Just to have my own experience in that regard. If I replaced it with an outboard, I'd never know.

KD5NRH

Some of them make decent part kits for restoring better bikes. My wife's Schwinn is essentially just the Schwinn fork, bars, frame, freewheel and cranks with everything else stripped from a WalMart Next.

Again

Nothing at all is wrong with it, Caroline.
Most of the snobby characters who diss anything cheaper than what they bought are really only looking for justification of their choice, or want to show how they are *real riders*.

monsterpile

I was on a small college campus in Washington state about a week ago for my sister-in-law's graduation. I coulnted 5 of these on the bike racks around the girl's dorms which was a pretty large percentage of the bikes there. At least 3 of them were moved while i was there for a couple days so they were being ridden.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/26-L-Cranb...green/12509650

Again

I see. You wouldn't want to apply your own judgment of the product, would you now?
Personally, I have made many very satisfying "mistakes" at our Walmart, and look forward to many more.
But, then again, I feel good when I buy a good product for a good price, and snob appeal doesn't do anything for me.

johnj2803

feel the same way

CJ C

thats the girl version of the bike i commute 3 days a week on, run errands on, and have the child seat on. so far three months and i am still loving it, just a PITA to carry it up and down stairs.

powerhouse

From what I've learned, everything.

Again

You need to pay better attention in class! ☺

monsterpile

For a campus cruiser type one of those cruisers is tough to beat. Like you said its heavy, but basically there is nothing to go wrong on them and they are so cheap.

CJ C

dirt cheap i paid 87 bucks out the door (tax included) cant really go wrong with that and i use it more than my 80's road bike i fixed up. I will probably keep the beast for ever, but yes i am lusting for a nicer bike when funds become available.

Jaguarundi

Unless you're doing serious races, there's nothing wrong with a Wal-Mart bike. I used a Wal-Mart mountain bike for the past 4 years and loved it. It was heavy to be sure, but that thing was SOLID. I frequently rode it down the stairs. Ridiculous, I know. But that's another good thing about the Wal-Mart bike: you can do stuff like that and not worry as much about damaging your bike. And since my friends, with their fancy road bikes, weren't that fast of riders, I was keeping up with them just fine. I say go for it.

ps, A bike that you love is worth way more than the nicest bike out there.

stopher87

Truth.

Salts

Hi all

I am a new member to the forum, i am just getting back into biking after being away from it for about 7 years. at the moment i dont have a very big budget for a bike either, but will be saving to invest in my dream bike in the future, i would like to get your opinions on the below listed bikes, and let me know which of the ones i have listed, would be the best choice for my needs and if any of them are better made parts etc. than the others, and what u would upgrade on the one you choose.
i will be using the bike for short rides 3 to 4 times a week, on asphalt, some dirt trails, a few very small hills, 2 to 6 miles rides each outing till i get my endurance built back up. i am also not sure if i should go with a bike that has no speeds or a bike with speeds.
thanks for any input that you may have.

here are the ones i am debating between:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Schwinn-Al...-Bike/15711179

https://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Women-s...-Bike/13398152

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Schwinn-Si...-Bike/15711175

https://www.walmart.com/ip/NEXT-Avalo...-Bike/14272885

https://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Women-s...-Bike/13398136

or if you recommend a single speed bike, looking at this one:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/26-L-Cranb...green/12509650

thanks again

jdswitters

Buy the huffy, then you have more money left over to buy a bike you like later when you know what you want out of one. It also has the advantage of being the simplest of the bikes you listed, the fewer things to go wrong or that need adjustment and the better off you will be in the beginning. One more thing, use some money you saved to get the bike tuned up by a local bike shop or someone you know who knows their way around bikes. I am assuming you don't based on this thread, but if I am wrong accept my apology in advance.

best of luck,

Seattle Forrest

Those grapes sound sour.

Bikes are tools. Different ones are appropriate for different purposes. One size doesn't fit all. It's not like people are calling each others' kids ugly.

dahut

Exactly. I have a WalMart bike, as we speak. It's a 'Roadmaster' MTB. I ride it all over town. Works like a bike should.

Again

You seem to agree with me - are you misinterpreting my comment?

monsterpile

I would 2nd going for the Huffy because its a great bike for short little rides and even when you get a new bike later you can take this on short rides with family or friends or to the coffee shop or whatever is close. I have seen these in person on a college campus and they are nice looking bikes. If you get this one just enjoy the ride don't expect to be fast.

Again

But I would suggest you get one with some gears to overcome the occasional head wind!

tjspiel

Your comment seems to imply that anyone who discourages folks from buying a bike from Walmart is doing so for disingenuous reasons. That's the comment I believe Seattle Forest is reacting to.

If you've been following the latest thread on the Denali, it's very clear (at least to me) that it has genuine deficiencies when compared to a modern road bike that you'd get from a bike shop. In practice those deficiencies may not matter to a given buyer but they are there nonetheless. However, given the cost of a road bike from a bike shop you certainly can't blame people for getting a Denali instead.

Still, in my mind you can get a much better bike by spending a little more and buying one from Bikes Direct, or for that matter buying a used road bike from the mid 80's or newer. When I look at the Denali I see a bike that tries very hard to look the part but it's mostly show and not so much go. Even the marketing of it is deceptive:

"The GMC Denali 700C 21-Speed Road Bike is built around a lightweight aluminum road bike frame for racing or commuting. You'll stop on a dime with the alloy calipers and brake levers, and the high-profile alloy Vitesse racing rims look as good as they perform. The Shimano derailleur and Shimano Revo shifts make it easy to change gears quickly and smoothly, and the high-performance 700c tires are up to the challenge of rigorous street racing. Lastly, this road bike will help you stay hydrated with the included alloy water bottle cage."

It implies the bike is made for racing and it's very lightweight, yet it's heavier by a good 4 lbs. than my 25 year old Peugeot. That Peugeot while an OK bike for it's time, would have been considered too heavy for anyone serious about racing. The Denali also has what is essentially a mountain bike drive train because they're more common and less expensive than drive trains for a road bike.

The "stop on a dime" quote is particularly interesting since the brakes are very much a weakness on that bike.

Again, I think there's a place for a Denali but what I am worried about is people thinking that they're saving $500 or more by choosing a bike like that without a good understanding of the downsides.

That's not snobbery.

CJ C

salts,

i put in my vote for the cranbrook, i have the male version of it and commute to work 4 miles each way 3-4 times a week on it, take my son to the park on it, go to the grocery store on it.

and for exercise its great because its just you moving it without any help with gears.

the reason i chose it, is was because i dont have a lot of discretionary cash and didnt know if i would like biking like i did in my teens and 20's, so i didnt want to drop $$$$$ on something collecting dust. i went with the cranbrook because it has very little to go bad on it. no cheapo derailliuer, no cheapo brake calipers. its just a crank and a coaster brake. those wally world full suspension 24 gear bikes scare me, just too much cheap plastic to break or go wrong.

now if you do go with the cranbrook, replace the pedals ($15-$20) when you get a chance or free cash. take it for a look over by a LBS (this is usually $40 because of the no gears or brakes make it cheaper). you need to put a front wicker basket on it asap (beach cruiser are no verbally required to have this), and practice your whistling (for some reason riding one makes you whistle)

Ira B

A co-worker has one of those in a 6 speed she uses for her 1 mile commute.
She has had it for 4 years and every so often I tune it or fix a flat ect... for her.
It is quite adequate for the use it is put to but I couldn't imagine riding it much further around here with all the hills.

CJ C

tjspiel,


I am all for people buying a walmart bike, as they can be a good starting point. but i agree with you on the Denali, which fits perfectly Boro personality, it just doesnt seem like a smart choice. I understand that $150 is dang good price but for me if i get into road biking (which i am now) i dont think a denali is out of the box made for that sport or non mechanical types. like you said all show and no go.

i think for the sport of road biking your best bet is a LBS, because you get a fitted bike with free maintenance/adjustments a warranty from the LBS and Manufacture.

for a basic beginner bike and to get somebody riding and off the couch, there is nothing wrong with a target/walmart/sears/kmart bike. as long its not the suspension crap they shill.

for me i am riding the crap out of my wally world, and saving cash to buy a giant defy3 this winter from the LBS. and after i buy the defy i still will be riding the crap out of the walmart huffy.