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Having trouble finding a bike in my price range

Old 05-16-14, 07:28 PM
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Having trouble finding a bike in my price range

So I'm thinking about getting either a GMC Denali or a Genesis Road Tech from Walmart. My wife works for them so I'll get a 10% discount too. Anyone have any thoughts on these bike? What upgrades should I do to it if I get one of these?
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Old 05-16-14, 07:56 PM
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Bud, I hate to rain on your parade, but any bike from a big box store isn't going to be worth upgrading much, since most parts will be worth as much or more than the bike itself if they're available aftermarket. I would just go and pick one out on sale that feels comfortable. Between those two, I think they're pretty comparable, I'd suggest the GMC since it is cheaper. Take it in to a local Bike shop to get it adjusted/tuned up after its assembled, it will ride much better than the way the walmart guys will, since the bike shop does this all the time and as a specialty. I would suggest though, picking up a pair of pedals, a seat you like, lights, and possibly a rear rack, since you can transfer them to a new bike if you find you enjoy commuting by bike. Oh, and tires/inner tubes. A better set will save you a lot of frustration and money in the long run as you bike.

Bottom line: This is your starter bike. Don't invest too much in it, plan to one day spend a bit more buying a bike at a bike shop.

To be clear. I think its great you're getting into commuting, and I started out with a cheaper bike from Dick's Sporting goods around the same price as these. Just sharing some experience. But definitely be ready to get better inner tubes, or even tubeless tires, they're wonderful.

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Old 05-16-14, 09:34 PM
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Here is my own opinion on the matter, you can take or or leave it...

I'd look on craigslist before getting a big box bicycle shaped object (BSO) that will only last you 2-3 years. The components on those bikes are lowest bidder, so they don't last very long. I went through two BSO's in 3 years, they look the part but the quality just isn't there. As for the 10 percent discount, the bike is worth about 20-50 dollars in all honesty, so don't think a discount is doing you any real favors.

A 200 dollar used bike off craigslist will give you value for your money spent, and last for many years.

- Andy
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Old 05-16-14, 09:50 PM
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You might want to check with Salvation Army and Goodwill thrift stores. They sometimes have very decent bikes that the rich folks don't want to bother hassling with on Craigslist. I bought a Specialized in very decent shape for $80 four years ago. They wanted $120, but I bargained them down. Carry a pump with you when you go looking, because they usually have flat tires.
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Old 05-16-14, 09:51 PM
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I wouldn't discount the local bike shop either, the one I finally found that fit had a few used bikes available.
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Old 05-16-14, 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by ClarkinHawaii
You might want to check with Salvation Army and Goodwill thrift stores. They sometimes have very decent bikes that the rich folks don't want to bother hassling with on Craigslist. I bought a Specialized in very decent shape for $80 four years ago. They wanted $120, but I bargained them down. Carry a pump with you when you go looking, because they usually have flat tires.
Yes, bring pump and your bargaining skills!

Originally Posted by JosephG
I wouldn't discount the local bike shop either, the one I finally found that fit had a few used bikes available.
Thats how i got my bike, by calling around & stopping in. I ended up with a really great bargain.

- Andy
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Old 05-16-14, 10:50 PM
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Lucky for you, there is a very thorough review thread in this forum from a few weeks ago on the Denali: https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...er-around.html

Looks like a lot of pros and cons on that bike. Some love it, some not so much.

One poster pointed out that Walmart also sells the Schwinn Admiral for less money, and that it is already for commuting with fenders and a rack:

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Old 05-16-14, 10:59 PM
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Originally Posted by TransitBiker
Thats how i got my bike, by calling around & stopping in. I ended up with a really great bargain.

- Andy
Yup! I got way more bike than I expected by checking out the shops instead of going by their new stuff listed online.
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Old 05-17-14, 03:28 AM
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Hey there Briney11!

There's no doubt that Xmart bikes rule in the mass marketing of bicycles. Recently, their drivetrains have gotten better. So much better in fact, that they're beginning to mimic the lower tier drivetrain components on the traditional bicycle, sold by the big three independent companies, not too many years ago. IMO, if any of your components should fail, replacing them with higher quality components could quite possibly extend the practical utility of your Xmart bicycle by years.

Therefore, before making your choice between the Denali, the Genesis, the Admiral, or any other of these mass produced Xmart bikes, just make certain that you read the reviews and research their drivetrain components. IMO, though the mass produced bikes are getting better at mimicking quality drivetrain components, you simply can't trump the dependability of a single speed.

However, like @TransitBiker has already stated, you just can't beat a quality used bike in mint condition. This would be your best bet. Problem with that is, you simply must either be bicycle savvy yourself, or you have to have someone else who is knowledgeable, accompany you on your quest for a good used trustworthy bike. Otherwise, you could get duped!

* In 2012, 75% of all bikes sold within the U.S. were mass-market produced Xmart bikes.

Last edited by WestPablo; 05-17-14 at 06:19 AM.
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Old 05-17-14, 07:11 AM
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2 part handlebar??? If you do get that one, be sure to get a proper handlebar and have local shop move all of the hardware etc from the old one to the new one. Just my 2 cent.

I still feel poking around on craigslist and checking out bike shops will land you a better deal on something that you can add to and not worry about whatever you're adding being money away from a better bike in the future.

As for 75% of bikes being from xmarts, don't forget there are large sporting goods stores that do actually have non-BSO offerings in the low to medium range, with a few high end models shuffled in there. At Dick's sporting goods i came across several good deals on clearance & scratch/dent items.

Thats the other option, is call around & ask about canceled orders, returns, scratch/dent inventory. You may be surprised at what you find. Again, this is what i did & look what i ended up with....

- Andy
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Old 05-17-14, 08:19 AM
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I almost bought this one last night. 700c Schwinn Varsity 1200 Men's Road Bike, White/Black/Green - Walmart.com
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Old 05-17-14, 09:38 AM
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OK, I found a 2003 model Trek 7500 FX for $225. Will this 10 year old bike be better than a new walmart bike?
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Old 05-17-14, 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by briney11
OK, I found a 2003 model Trek 7500 FX for $225. Will this 10 year old bike be better than a new walmart bike?


Yes x10000.

- Andy
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Old 05-17-14, 09:55 AM
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The Trek comes with a pump, 2 new Bontrager tires, handlebar extentions, and a trip meter.
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Old 05-17-14, 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by briney11
OK, I found a 2003 model Trek 7500 FX for $225. Will this 10 year old bike be better than a new walmart bike?
So would you rather have an old aluminum frame with decent components, or a new aluminum frame with cheap components?

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Old 05-17-14, 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by WestPablo
So would you rather have an old aluminum frame with decent components, or a new aluminum frame with cheap components?
That's why I'm on here. I need help figuring this out. Which one will last longer? Is a 10-11 year old bike worth the same amount as a new Walmart bike???
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Old 05-17-14, 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by briney11
That's why I'm on here. I need help figuring this out. Which one will last longer? Is a 10-11 year old bike worth the same amount as a new Walmart bike???
If a ten year old bike was made of steel with no rust, I would have no worries. However, I've always thought that an aluminum bike over ten years old, most likely has been ridden quite a bit. Since aluminum has fatigue issues, I'd be hesitant about purchasing an old aluminum bike.

Components can be swapped. It's not so easy to swap frames...

* If the aluminum bike hasn't been ridden that much, it is indeed of greater value.

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Old 05-17-14, 10:50 AM
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My trek cruiser is 12 years old & all it had wrong was stuff from crashes. No frame issues at all. I'd pounce, but get LOTS of photos & test ride first if possible.

- Andy
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Old 05-17-14, 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by briney11
That's why I'm on here. I need help figuring this out. Which one will last longer? Is a 10-11 year old bike worth the same amount as a new Walmart bike???
Before I got my Raleigh RX, I was riding around on a 17yr-ish old Trek mountain bike. Parts were readily available, frame was in great condition, and its still ready to be used now. Now that its all fixed, my brother in law may start using it.
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Old 05-17-14, 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by WestPablo
However, I've always thought that an aluminum bike over ten years old, most likely has been ridden quite a bit.
Probably not as true of the stuff you find on Craigslist but I imagine most bikes are more aged from sitting outdoors than from actually being ridden.
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Old 05-17-14, 12:20 PM
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Personally, if that Trek is in decent shape it will be worlds above the Xmart bikes. I ended up landing myself a really nice Mountain bike through Craigslist from 2003 that's aluminum frame, never had any problems.

Things to look at on the bike:

Are there any hairline cracks or major paint chipping/rust near the frame joints?

Are the shifters, derailleurs or crankset rusted?

How smooth does the ride feel?
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Old 05-17-14, 01:18 PM
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Nashbar flat bar road bike at $250, 50% off right now. If you're not up for trying to find a used bike on Craigslist, this bike is a great option. It's considerably better than any X-Mart bike at only a little bit more money. Nashbar Flat Bar Road Bike - At Least 50 Percent Off These Items
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Old 05-17-14, 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by briney11
The old Varsitys and Continentals were built like tanks. Not the best the old Schwinn produced but they're still better what they have in their big box store channel.
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Old 05-17-14, 02:20 PM
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All of those bikes on wallyword's site emphasize the visual impact of the frame. Decals, specifying the colors. No emphasis on quality or reliability. In my personal experience.... everything from the plastics to paint to alloys used in parts, and even the adhesives and fasteners are just much less durable. So many people complain about weather, bike lanes etc as reasons for US cyclist numbers being so low, i think it's the crap that is being passed off as acceptable to the unwitting patrons of these establishments. I'm just glad that Briney11 was up on the ball enough to ask somewhere about a low budget purchase instead of diving into something that will likely lead to frustration a year or two down the line.

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