sup guys, i'm looking for a decent entry level road bike, and would prefer a LBS but there aren't many around my way and if there are, they don't have much of a selection in my price range ( >$400).

so i'm just looking to pick up a starter bike to learn what I like/dislike for a future investment in a better bike. but for now, i'm looking for something that i can ride casually, for both leisure and distance/endurance, and possibly commuting. something that is durable and LIGHT that can climb some hills here and there. so i did some reading on road bikes and would like a compact crankset, 25c tires, 12-25 cassette, probably a 54cm frame (i am about 5'8, 30inch inseam)

so my question is what would be the best bike off the walmart selection based on my needs? I know I get what I pay for, so I shouldn't expect much but which of these bikes has the best components?

any help is much appreciated!

Adult Bikes : Cycling - Walmart.com

$400 will get you a bike which, while not premium, is a good bike, with the features you mention plus some others like trigger shifters on the brake levers, a freehub (better than a freewheel and found generally on 8-speed and higher rear), and maybe a carbon fork. But not at Wal-Mart. Try Bikes Direct, Performance Bike, or Nashbar.

would you mind linking me to a few bikes with decent specs that you would recommend I take a look at? Also, i assume they require assembly if ordered online...do they come with instructions? lol

came across this: Save Up to 60% Off Road Bikes - Motobecane Mirage S

thoughts?

Moving this from Road.
General cycling is probably a more receptive fit for this thread.

Before you buy... whatever you buy...

Familiarize yourself with the different grades of aluminum and what "butted" means since that's what you're probably going to be on.

Familiarize yourself with the different grades of Shimano components since that's what you're probably going to get.

The reason being, all of the frames at this price point come from the same places... So, a 6061 double butted frame form one brand is no better/worse than any other brand. The same goes for the components.

Just buy the cheapest one with the best components you can find.

Bikesdirect, Nashbar, or Used. I recently rode in a charity ride with a guy on a walmart roadbike, and the thing sounded like it was gonna fall apart everytime we went over a bump. The only bikes you will find in LBS, and this includes Performance, in your price range are entry level Hybrids and maybe a Mountain bike or two.

You should buy the best quality bike for your money.

Walmart bikes are not in that category. They're mass produced, cheaply built, come in only one size and are disposable.

Like the other posters said, you have BD, Nashbar and Performance. You can also look for quality cromoly vintage bikes on eBay. Bikes made of Reynolds 520, 531 and 853 are excellent values if you could increase your overall budget.

High quality bikes will be built of double butted steel or alloy, will carry a higher price, comes in several sizes for the most accurate fit and they will last a lifetime if taken care of.

What's the old adage here? Learn to buy for quality, not just for the bottom line. It will make you a happier and more satisfied consumer.

I have no idea where you're from, but I'd encourage you to look at bike co-ops and other nonprofits in your area including Goodwill and Salvation Army. The last two will be more of a crapshoot in terms of quality and condition but you could find a real diamond in the rough in any of these places for well under your budget and you'll have money left to upgrade components. Take a friend with you who knows a little about bikes and be prepared to pay one of your LBSs for an hour or so of shop time to give the bike a good going over to see what needs tuning, tweaking, or replacing.

If your only real choice is a Walmart bike, as an assembler, I'd recommend either the Sidewinder, which is a 26" bike, or the Third Avenue, which is 700c. Both are made by Schwinn. Schwinn isn't now what Schwinn used to be- in some ways, it probably never was - but these are good solid bikes, hard for even a half-assed assembler to screw up, and neither one will cost you more than $200 unless you live in a state with sales tax.

Feel free to ask any questions... except why I'm in this job.

Can't go wrong with:

Vilano Men's Forza 1.0 Shimano Road Bike: Kids' Bikes & Riding Toys : Walmart.com

I bought a Gravity Liberty 1 road bike from Bikes Direct a year ago and have been satisfied with it. I've got about 2000 miles on it and have switched the micro-shift shifters and front derailleur to Shimano Claris.

What's your opinion of the Schwinn Admiral sold at Wally's?? Resembling the old three-speeds from yesteryear, it offers a seven speed rear cog.

The Schwinn big store bikes are not the same as the bike dealer Schwinns.

The latter are top notch quality. I have no idea what Dorel was thinking in turning Schwinn into a cheap mass market bike.

I have the IBD Schwinn and I love it! I'd never by one from Walmart because the quality just isn't there.

In your first posting you said you wanted something that is durable and light. Light may be a relative term. It means different things to different riders. I personally wouldn't buy a regular bike weighing over 29 pounds. Most of the used bikes I bought for other people weigh less, some considerably less and all of them have been well below your maximum price. WalMart and most of the other mass merchandisers are far more concerned about what a bike looks like rather than how well it works or how much it weighs. It is the opposite of what makes good sense. As to durable, some people do ride WalMart bikes for miles and miles. I think that they may just have been lucky because most owners don't get thousands of miles or years out of these bikes.

The term "light" is pretty relative. A LHT is lighter than my coworkers BSO aluminum hybrid, but when I told him manufacturers are getting steel bikes under 25 pounds now, his retort was "are they making them from steel mesh then?"

A "light" Wal-Mart bike is probably heavier than a heavy non-BSO.

lower your expectations in proportion to the $ cost you paid.

Note, they may not have even put it together right.

so get a safety check done where there is a proper bike mechanic.

Just make sure it's aluminum and is a good size for your height.

Has anyone out there purchased or ridden the Schwinn Admiral that's offered at Wally's**********?? If so then what's your opinion of the overall bike and ride??

I'll second this.

rexmakesbeats,here's a listing of co-ops to see if there's one near you.
Bicycle Collective and Co-op Links

Not only now, but for quite some time. I ride 35 year old steel that's well under 25 pounds.

What is BSO aluminum hybrid??

Some of the older 531 double butted road bikes with tubulars got down to about 20 pounds even!

BSO + Bike Shaped Object......................

Here we go again, and I am going to give the opinion most on here don't like. I ride several 1000 miles a year on Walmart bikes. If you are willing to do your own adjustments, maintenance, and don't care to ride for speed or in a group, they can do just fine. And go into an LBS and you'll see all kinds of LBS bikes in the shop getting repaired and tuned up, In fact, it's repairs that give many LBS their profit of margin.

I've toured to Texas on a Walmart bike. Hauled groceries etc... Walmart quality bikes is all you will see in countries like China where EVERYONE rides their bike out of necessity or even our local chicken plant will have dozens of bikes, all of them Walmart bikes.

They aren't for everyone though. Sizing can be an issue, especially if you are tall. If you want to ride in a group, you will be snobbed anf eel out of place. And they are heavy compared to an LBS equal.

If you are looking into a Walmart bike, why not buy one, if you don't like it, return it. It's not a big investment.

Just for me, they make me sit up in too high of a position with too wide of a seat and I prefer a flat bar with an add-on of bullhorns. I think it only has a rear derailleur and a single cog in the front. Nice rack on them though. Again, you can buy it and return it if you don't like it.

Good luck in whatever you choose and happy riding.

Their Schwinn Prelude looks decent for the price, but I wouldn't count on it being light. I'm not sure it's worth $100 more than the Denali. There are several in the forum including me who have quite a bit of experience with the Denali so if you have questions just ask.