I'm getting a bumper sticker...
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 42
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I'm getting a bumper sticker...
"I RODE A WALMART BIKE AND DIDN'T DIE!" 
If you would like to discourage purchasing bikes (or anything else for that matter) from Walmart, please do so here. I already bought my Walmart bike, and this is my update!
So my neighbor and I finally had some time last night to assemble my bike, then I took it for a ride this morning and he adjusted a couple of things and I'm all set! This isn't much of an update, because I've really only ridden it once (so YES I totally know there are plenty more opportunities for the bike to fatally fail me) but so far I'm happy with it. I had fun riding around my neighborhood this morning and am looking forward to my first commute Monday morning! Although my neighborhood is called HILLcrest and I walk around it all the time, I never really realized how hilly it is
My neighbor was really quite impressed with the bike for the price and agreed that I would be FINE riding it to work and around the neighborhood/park. He's going to get me some new pedals from the bike shop where he works and probably a new seat eventually (this one is okay but just not that comfortable).
I'll check back in after I've had a chance to try it out some more! Thanks again for all the advice!

If you would like to discourage purchasing bikes (or anything else for that matter) from Walmart, please do so here. I already bought my Walmart bike, and this is my update!
So my neighbor and I finally had some time last night to assemble my bike, then I took it for a ride this morning and he adjusted a couple of things and I'm all set! This isn't much of an update, because I've really only ridden it once (so YES I totally know there are plenty more opportunities for the bike to fatally fail me) but so far I'm happy with it. I had fun riding around my neighborhood this morning and am looking forward to my first commute Monday morning! Although my neighborhood is called HILLcrest and I walk around it all the time, I never really realized how hilly it is

My neighbor was really quite impressed with the bike for the price and agreed that I would be FINE riding it to work and around the neighborhood/park. He's going to get me some new pedals from the bike shop where he works and probably a new seat eventually (this one is okay but just not that comfortable).
I'll check back in after I've had a chance to try it out some more! Thanks again for all the advice!
#3
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: clipped in
Bikes: Pacific hardtail (frame only right now); Weyless SP (frame/fork right now); Jamis Dakar XLT 1.0 custom build-up (fully functional)
Caroline ;
Just posted on your old thread, not a minute ago, and then found this one; glad it's starting out well for you.
Just posted on your old thread, not a minute ago, and then found this one; glad it's starting out well for you.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Far NorthEast Texas
Bikes: Trek SU200, old Wards Hawthorne 3-speed
"I RODE A WALMART BIKE AND DIDN'T DIE!" 




Attagirl Caroline162! I hope you enjoy your new bike, & report here on your riding & enjoyment for *years* to come. It'll drive the BikeSnobNazis even further around the bend.
Why, How *dare* you buy, use, & enjoy something that they didn't recommend!!!
Good for you! Go get 'em, have fun, & watch out for cars, trucks, other bikes & other large moving objects.




Attagirl Caroline162! I hope you enjoy your new bike, & report here on your riding & enjoyment for *years* to come. It'll drive the BikeSnobNazis even further around the bend.
Why, How *dare* you buy, use, & enjoy something that they didn't recommend!!!
Good for you! Go get 'em, have fun, & watch out for cars, trucks, other bikes & other large moving objects.
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,559
Likes: 53
From: The 'Wack, BC, Canada
Bikes: Norco (2), Miyata, Canondale, Soma, Redline
Come on now... this is hardly a fair test of the product. After all you state that you and a friend assembled it on your own. So now the bike isn't loaded with deathly time bombs that the "highly trained staff" at Wally's usually installs. So how can this be considered a Wally's bike now?

You're out on two wheels and have a grin on your face so all's right with the world. Many, many happy miles to both you and the bike.

You're out on two wheels and have a grin on your face so all's right with the world. Many, many happy miles to both you and the bike.
#11
Rock on, Caroline! Millions of people round the world use bikes that would make Walmart machines look like Orbeas as their sole means of transportation. As long as it does what you need it to, it's a perfectly fine machine!
#12
genec
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27,072
Likes: 4,533
From: West Coast
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
"I RODE A WALMART BIKE AND DIDN'T DIE!" 
If you would like to discourage purchasing bikes (or anything else for that matter) from Walmart, please do so here. I already bought my Walmart bike, and this is my update!
So my neighbor and I finally had some time last night to assemble my bike, then I took it for a ride this morning and he adjusted a couple of things and I'm all set! This isn't much of an update, because I've really only ridden it once (so YES I totally know there are plenty more opportunities for the bike to fatally fail me) but so far I'm happy with it. I had fun riding around my neighborhood this morning and am looking forward to my first commute Monday morning! Although my neighborhood is called HILLcrest and I walk around it all the time, I never really realized how hilly it is
My neighbor was really quite impressed with the bike for the price and agreed that I would be FINE riding it to work and around the neighborhood/park. He's going to get me some new pedals from the bike shop where he works and probably a new seat eventually (this one is okay but just not that comfortable).
I'll check back in after I've had a chance to try it out some more! Thanks again for all the advice!

If you would like to discourage purchasing bikes (or anything else for that matter) from Walmart, please do so here. I already bought my Walmart bike, and this is my update!
So my neighbor and I finally had some time last night to assemble my bike, then I took it for a ride this morning and he adjusted a couple of things and I'm all set! This isn't much of an update, because I've really only ridden it once (so YES I totally know there are plenty more opportunities for the bike to fatally fail me) but so far I'm happy with it. I had fun riding around my neighborhood this morning and am looking forward to my first commute Monday morning! Although my neighborhood is called HILLcrest and I walk around it all the time, I never really realized how hilly it is

My neighbor was really quite impressed with the bike for the price and agreed that I would be FINE riding it to work and around the neighborhood/park. He's going to get me some new pedals from the bike shop where he works and probably a new seat eventually (this one is okay but just not that comfortable).
I'll check back in after I've had a chance to try it out some more! Thanks again for all the advice!
#13
Caroline,
Glad you are having fun with your bike. Keep us updated.
Have you tackled the River Trail yet? If you need an LBS, I can recommend the Community Bicyclist Bike Shop in the back of the Tanglewood Shopping center on Cantrell.
Glad you are having fun with your bike. Keep us updated.
Have you tackled the River Trail yet? If you need an LBS, I can recommend the Community Bicyclist Bike Shop in the back of the Tanglewood Shopping center on Cantrell.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
#14
A good friend of mine has been using his walmart road bike as his main form of transportation for quite a while now. It's not nice, but it works. It will certainly add to your appreciation of a non walmart bike when you get one.
#18
Been Around Awhile

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,661
Likes: 1,978
From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
#20
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Conifer CO
#21
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
I have 3 bikes.
One is a Wal-Mart Schwinn, one a Giant Cypress DX, and the last an unbranded antique.
The Cypress is currently unusable due to popped spokes. The Schwinn has the same amount of miles, and less trouble out of it. I enjoy all of my bikes, but the Giant takes so much upkeep. The Schwinn is just a knock around bike. I like that.
One is a Wal-Mart Schwinn, one a Giant Cypress DX, and the last an unbranded antique.
The Cypress is currently unusable due to popped spokes. The Schwinn has the same amount of miles, and less trouble out of it. I enjoy all of my bikes, but the Giant takes so much upkeep. The Schwinn is just a knock around bike. I like that.
#22
Bike Commuter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim California
Bikes: Cannondale R700, Custom Cannondale Fixed, Research Dynamic Mountain Bike
#23
genec
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27,072
Likes: 4,533
From: West Coast
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Sure, but she said she was only going one mile and it was relatively flat... given those conditions her wally world bike should be fine... more or less.
But we'll see how well it lasts over time... for someone riding 3500+ miles a year, this probably wouldn't be the right bike,
But we'll see how well it lasts over time... for someone riding 3500+ miles a year, this probably wouldn't be the right bike,
#25
Pics. Now.
Which bike did you get anyway? Some Walmart Bikes are simplistic enough that they can still perform well (by which I mean their cruiser bikes). Some of the other ones I wouldn't trust. But for a 1 mile commute, any bike will do.
Which bike did you get anyway? Some Walmart Bikes are simplistic enough that they can still perform well (by which I mean their cruiser bikes). Some of the other ones I wouldn't trust. But for a 1 mile commute, any bike will do.




