You guys crack me up! I had to admit to my husband tonight "all the crazy bike people are starting to grow on me"

I don't have a picture of me riding the bike, but here's a picture of the bike (and for anyone who makes fun of a kick stand - you obviously have better bike storage than I do... mine's in the living room right now!)

Brake levers are set a bit to high. They should be about 45 degrees in relation to your handles. That way, your hand position shouldn't change when you have to apply the brakes.

Also, unless you're that short, you might need to raise the seat some. Seat should be at hip level when you're standing next to the bike. Tip toes should touch the pavement. Leg almost fully extended on the downstroke.

Really? I don't think I had to move my hands to brake, but I'll test it again and adjust. Oh yeah I meant to say the seat needs to come up - I figured that out on my test run!

You need a different bumper sticker.

"I AM PART OF THE PROBLEM"

congratulations on buying the Walmart bike.

+1 There is ALOT of elitism in cycling even in the utility/commuting sector. This is a byproduct of the marketing illusion that everyone needs to be on the megabuck frame used to win the Tour De France to get to A to B. Or that you bike has to come from a LBS that has platinum doorknobs on its WC.

Oh my Gosh, the seat height needs to be adjusted! More evidence that WalMart bikes are inadequate for commuting, LBS bikes never need an adjustment after purchase.

Nice looking bike. The left brake lever looks ok. The right one needs adjustment for sure. Raising the seat will change the angle of your arms. Adjust brake levers accordingly.

Thanks for the laugh this morning.

It's nice how you can tell that the bike doesn't fit her without even seeing her on it. I especially like your arbitrary 45degree comment.

[edit]... now we have two of you... gmsdc15 - same goes for you.

Congrats Caroline. I would not recommend a Wal-Mart bike to most people, but I think that with you only going a mile or two you'll be fine and got what you wanted. When the time comes to ride more and you save up enough for a better bike, you'll be really impressed. Until then, enjoy the ride and let us know how the commuting goes.

Uh oh...does CigTech have another account?

fix

I picked up the Walmart Schwinn Varsity about a week ago. I have been riding it every day for a few miles and I really enjoy it.

After about 1/4 mile I got a flat and shortly after fixing it the other one went flat, both were caused by the spokes. I swapped out the cheap tubes with a better pair and installed some rim tape and haven't had any more problems. The wheels were far from true but that didn't take too long to fix.

I usually average about 18-20mph but the top speed I have had on that bike at was 32mph and I will admit I was rather nervous being at those speeds on a Walmart bike but it handled just as it should.

The "vintage" shifters are a pain to deal with but I am getting used to them. The seven gears on the right thumb are pretty easy to handle but the two on the left can be tricky. The shifting still isn't as smooth as I would like but its getting better with slight adjustments.

The fit is far from perfect for me with the "one size fits...one..." but its not too far off, no major pains for discomfort, yet. The saddle needs to be swapped out for something better but that is no different then most bikes.

Overall I am quite satisfied with my purchase. It was $220 (or 2.5 tanks of gas for me) but I would suggest ordering it online so you can assemble it yourself for obvious reasons. Shipping is free if you have it sent to the store. This is not a perminant bike for me but it will do a great job holding me over until I finish saving up for the one I want, even after I get it I am sure I will still get plenty of use out of it.

Some of the comments on the brake lever angles were not entirely clear. When your saddle height is correct, rest your fingers on the brake levers. The back of your hand and fingers should be in a straight line with your forearm when you are in your normal riding position.

If your hand is tilted above or below that line, then you are putting some pressure on the wrist ligaments and reducing the ease with which you can pull on the levers.

Thank you!!!

So how do you like the bike now, after another two months on it?

good luck with the commuting

It'll be fine. I have a $300 Giant bike and it'd probably have been OK with stock cheapo components, except that I ride 8 miles a day over very rough gravel road. That eventually led to many broken spokes (requiring me to build a durable rear wheel) and eventually a broken axle. I've replaced other stuff on my bike but just due to putting 15000 miles on it. It had about as cheap components on it as you can get and they all lasted 10000 miles.
I was thinking about buying a "nice" bike (IE around $1000) a few weeks back when I broke that axle, but I decided to repair instead. I'm really quite happy with my $300 bike, even after 3+ years of every-day commuting 22 miles round trip. So now it has a new rear wheel with a freehub instead of the cheap freewheel it had before (freehubs are more durable due to bearing placement and wouldn't have broken as this one did).

It looks fabulous, and I happen to love kickstands.

I've only seen one comment pushing someone to spend more than was necessary, but I haven't been on this forum for very long. I think most of us are happy to ride just about anything, because bikes are just fun.

After 20 years, I laid out big bucks on a bike for the first time this summer. While I am loving the bike, I'm also figuring it will take 5-10 years for me to recoup the cost in gas. I still kick myself when I see a cheaper version that probably would have worked just as well. ...I've...got...to...quit...checking...Craigslist.

For a mile, a Walmart bike is absolutely fine. I'm sure that the OP will be happy for a long time.

I'm not going to make fun of your kickstand. Both of my bikes have them.

Is it safe to say most commuters have them?

I can't imagine a bike without a kickstand.

What would you do with it when you take it to the store? And, no bike rack available.

Sure would look funny laying on the ground, all locked up.

My brother bought a used Mongoose three years ago after he had a stroke and the State pulled his DL. I would guess he rides it a couple thousand miles a year and says he has no complaints with it.

If you were to ask him there is nothing wrong with Wal Mart bikes.

I bought a pair of Schwinn Sidewinders from Wally world for us to ride with our kids. Other then a little heavy I really felt they were ok for the $129 I gave for each of them. Shimano components...cheap ones but they worked and have not given any trouble. Worked a lot better then my old P8 Peugeot. I commuted on it for a few weeks before I found that the fact that it was too small was killing my knees. Sold it to a work cohort that it fit better. He still riding it happily and had no problems with it.

Wife still has hers and likes it for our MUP rides. She has no intention of getting on the roads with me so most of its miles are on the trainer.

Nice ride, I hope you really enjoy it & stay safe.

I take it you are serious?
I have no use for a kickstand and never have had an issue not having one.
Everything I lock up to is upright. I lean my bike against the sign, bike rack, or whatever. Not one issue.