Posted on 06/10/2010 10:00:41 PM PDT by topher
Early in 2010, I bought a new Roadmaster bicycle from Wal=Mart. This was a 26 inch Chinese made mountain bike (bicycle).
I had a number of problems with the bike from the start.
The brakes did not work and had to be worked on. In only two months, the brake pads were worn out -- something I had never since before. I have riding bikes -- on and off -- since learning during the presidency of Dwight David Eisenhower.
I took the foot pedals off to see if I could swap with pedals that had two straps.
Standard 26 inch mountain bikes have either 1/2 inch or 9/16 inch pedals. These were either 3/8 or 5/16 and I was afraid that these pedals would break and cause an expensive repair.
Then the tires were a problem that they were so loose that they would pop out of the rim.
The last straw was I needed the rims off of the bicycle for another bike.
After switching rims, the Chinamart rim buckled on a turn and threw me with enough force to break my arm.
Before it happened, I feared that the rim might just buckle from inferior design.
It should be said that Roadmaster Bikes shares in the blame. The scary thought is that I believe the parent company also owns Schwinn Bicycles.
The Bad Boy Ultra is a 27 speed. It can scale any hill without having to get off and walk. Going downhill in the high gears I could take off if I had wings.
And it has disc brakes on both wheels.
A generally good rule to live by...
If it costs more than $100, or if you’ll want it to last more than a year or two, don’t buy it at Wal-Mart.
In 1974 I used to “Mountain bike” on a modified Raleigh ‘english’ 26” racer with 20” BMX wheels.
I even made my own handle bars.
But I would never consider a Walmart Mountain bike suitable for off road use, and I think they may even have tags that say just that.
I ride a Trek salvaged from a spare parts pile.
Aren't Chineese products metric?
Cannondale or Specialized.
Full Disclosure: I"m doing the MS 150 in Minnesota this weekend.
Forecast is for rain.
Cheers!
I made that painful mistake about 15 years ago. I still have a spot on my knee where I have no sensation due to the crash.
LOL - why waste your dough at QallyWorld?
When I last visited Tucson, I went to the local Pawn shop
Got a nice Cannondale for 50 USD. It’s a college town, eh?
no brakes and no seat. Redid the brakes and put a new seat on it.
Rode the living snot out of it for 6 weeks of my vacation and sold it for 400 USD.
I don’t bother to ship a bike anymore, I buy one at a pawn shop, put a few dollars and a bit of labor in it.
Sell it when I leave.
You might consider for the bucs you spent at wallyworld, a pawn shop special just might be the better ticket.
Have fun and Ride On!
I bought the infamous NEXT NITRO mountain bike at Walmart. It’s a “shocker” in bike parlance, which means the frame is articulated with a shock absorber under the seat. It has 18 gears and a pretty green paint job. I needed a ride to work when I had my car in the shop last March, and I resolved to get the cheapest bike I could find, so I knew where to look.
The bike rack was rather disorganized, and most of the bikes were $100+ , but it was hard to match prices with the merchandise in many cases. I liked this one, but figured it would be more expensive. I found a clerk to scan it for me and he said it was $70. I asked, “$170 ?” and he said, “No, $70”, so no-brainer.
I haven’t had any real problem with it, although it does seem a little suspicious. I certainly wouldn’t go mountain biking with it. It rides OK, though, and it shifts very nicely. The chain did come off once, but that was because I overshifted past the lowest gear. I bought some metric Allen wrenches so I could tighten some things up and adjust the handle bar height. It was super tight, and I had to work hard to loosen it, so I was afraid it would just break, but it didn’t, and the adjustment worked as expected. ( BTW, I suspect your pedals are metric. )
Of course, I read the horror stories such as yours on the net, but I ride it pretty easy, and it seems OK. If I keep it up over the summer, I might get a real bike. The last few weeks the roads have been torn up, so I’m waiting for the coast to clear.
I really enjoyed riding, which I haven’t done for years. The first day it was quite an exertion to ride 4 miles, and the merest undulations made me feel like I was riding in a mountain stage of the Tour. After only a few round trips, I shaped up considerably, though, and I really felt rejuvenated. Amazingly, I didn’t get stiff and sore.
“Aren’t Chineese products metric.”
Yes, Metric......
Most bicycles on the US market under about $2000 are made in China no matter whos name is on it. Most are made by bicycle mfg “Giant” in Tiawan.
I have two “Trek” bicycles each costing over $500 that were made in Tiawan to Trek’s designs/specifications. Both of these bicycles use quality componets supplied by Shimano.....
In over 6 years of use on Sacramento’s American River Bicycle Trail I have yet to have any problems other than an occasional flat tire...... Periodically I take them to a Bike shop for a tuneup and maintenance. They have been a joy to use and enjoy.
I have a Wal*mart bike that I got new that has held up reasonably well, in spite of what I’ve put it through. (approaching 10 years on the original break pads, though I’ve had to replace the chain and rear cassette)
Of course, that was before the prices dropped and the manufacturing location changed.
Take it easy and get well soon!
The last bike I bought at Wal-mart was a plain, fat tire, no gears bike. It's done reasonably well.
My accident was om a concrete sidewalk... Street riding, noty mountain biking.
Biking is less stressful on the knees.
Might have struck a heavy ant or worm [/sarc off]
The Wal=Mart store assembled it.
This is the size of the threaded part of the bike pedal.
It was much smaller than the small standard 1/2 inch.
So maybe 9mm.
Take up swimming.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.