Anyone poor and riding Walmart bikes?

[happinesshill]

Will I be "Boo'ed" out of the forum for this post?
:)
I have to say that I *KNOW* Walmart bikes probably suck in the grand scheme of bikes. I don't know anything, at all, about cool bikes! I just know what I can afford and I can only afford $200 bikes right now. To me, that's a good chunk of change. I wish I could be fitted for a bike and have my dream bike.

But for now, it's this Schwin City Series bike. I like it. It's so much better than my old clunky mountain bike. Actually, it wasn't a bad mountain bike...I had gotten used to it...until I tried the new one at Wally World. I don't do any off-roading riding really...I mostly stick to the road. So this new bike is more suited for that and rides so smooth and fast, compared.

Anyone else in my boat and riding a bike like this? Don't be afraid to "come out" and talk. I feel so alone on the forum with so many cool bike owners talking all this lingo...I don't have a clue what any of you are talking about! LOL

[Biciclista]

no you won't be boo'ed out. but if you start having problems, check craig's list, better (used) bikes can be had for the same price.

welcome to TE...

[indysteel]

Everybody is welcome here, regardless of what type or brand of bike they ride. So, you need not worry because you have a Wal-mart bike. My hat goes off to you for sticking to your budget; there's absolutely no shame in doing that, especially in the age of plastic.

Every year we welcome new riders to TE and, regardless of what they ride, there is a learning curve with the lingo. If you have questions, feel free to ask. There's a subforum specific to "New Riders," too.

So, welcome to TE!

[Atlas]

You're riding a bike and that's the important thing. If you find you have some spare money it's not a bad idea to take it into a bike shop and have them look over it. My sweetheart is a bike mechanic and the biggest issue with department store bikes (which he works on a lot) is they aren't lubed or built right. It's not totally necessary, but not a bad idea either.

What's most important is you have fun.

[Cataboo]

I second looking for a used bike when you want to maximize the amount of value you get for your money.

I know there was someone else on here who was putting in some serious mileage on her huffy - I can remember her avatar picture, but not her name.

The important thing is that you're out and riding your bike, no matter what type of bike it is - a walmart bike that gets ridden is way better than an expensive bike shop bike that doesn't get ridden.

[MomOnBike]

Boo you? For getting on a bike and riding? Around here?

No, no and no.

We don't do that.

End of discussion.

[arielmoon]

Welcome to TE!

Good for you for getting a bike in your budget and getting out and riding!!

Stick with it and come here often to learn from the wonderful people here!

[Owlie]

Oh no, we won't boo you. You're riding a bike.:)

[happinesshill]

Oh, wow, awesome!! Thanks everyone...I feel so much better. I will check out Craigslist, hadn't thought of that!! :) I might find some great gear if I don't get a bike. Thanks for all the great comments. I feel like part of a family now.

[indigoiis]

When I first stared riding and posting here, I had a hand-me-down ca. 1990's GT steel mountain bike that was for someone 6' or taller (I'm 5'6 with very short legs), a pair of lightly padded danskin cottony/spandex compression (?) shorts - well, they were black and looked like the real thing - and a sort of wicking fabric t-shirt and work gloves cut off at the fingers for bicycle gloves.

I was (am) the Salvation Army Thrift Store model of cyclist. :)

What's important is that you are RIDING. The rest will come.

[Trek420]

Welcome to TE :) All are welcome here. You may find out how to maintain and dare I say upgrade your bike, look for a used one in the future.

I have a :::gulp:: full custom bike but the one I ride most is old and bottom of GT's product line. Another I found dumped by the side of the road (it's gorgeous now).

All bikes are good! :D

[Roadtrip]

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

Oh, wait.. that wasn't aimed at you :D

+1 on the atta girl on the riding ANYTHING. Just ride.

+1 on the CraigsList ideer. I bought my used Trek on CL for about half what it would have cost me new and not much more then the $200 you mentioned having to spend on a bike.

I'd rather see someone spend what they could afford and have money left over for a good helmet (really important) to go with that bike. I can find really good quality and stylist helmets at my sporting goods retailer for about $50.

Shannon

[radacrider]

Welcome and so glad you are out there riding - that is number one, afterall!:D:p

Waaaay back in 1990, after I had been riding a lowish to mid-range bike I splurged on a great bike, because I knew I really loved riding a lot. Ha, I spent $1500 on a top-end Bridgestone with Dura-Ace components.

Guess what? I am still riding that same bike, save new saddle and don't know how many tires and tubes. Today, it's "vintage", old-school down-tube shifters, traditional drop bars, 7 speed rear cassette.

But .... I love riding it, it is my commuter joy ride. Bought my son a new bike, to him, for $350.00. Back in its day (89/90) it was probably a 800-1000 something bike with its Shimano Ultegra 600 component group. He loves it, loves the old style shifting, totally loves that it is so much lighter than the bike it replaced.

As others have said, you don't always have to buy new.

Happy, happy riding to you!

[janmanuel]

Where are you in TN? I'm in east TN...I've had good success finding used bikes at a couple shops in and around Knoxville.....

[indysteel]

Where are you in TN? I'm in east TN...I've had good success finding used bikes at a couple shops in and around Knoxville.....

She mentioned in another thread that she's from Western TN; about an hour from Memphis.

[Koronin]

Welcome. My road bike is a used Trek 2000 I bought at a local beach bike store this past July.

[Catrin]

Welcome! We do not boo women riding bikes. Never. Ever!

This is a great forum, and it is rather addictive :)

[Artista]

This is a great forum, and it is rather addictive :)

"Addictive" is an understatement! I have to get my TE fix at least twice a day because I learn & laugh soooooo much reading this forum:)

ETA: In fact, reading this forum is what gave me the idea to buy an older bicycle & update it. I ended up with a much nicer bike than I could have afforded had I purchased a new one. And, I got a like-new saddle of my dreams at a great price from another TE'er on the trading board.

[lauraelmore1033]

My first "grown up" bike was a Magna mountain bike from Target. Put a lot of miles on it before it was stolen. My next bike (some ten years later) came from Sports Authority and was near your price range. We shared thousands of happy miles together before I realized she was too small for me. Also, I had been reading TE long enough to start coveting a road bike--a better road bike. If you stick around long enough, you'll eventually succumb to bike envy and an upgrade is likely to follow...

[TxDoc]

Will I be "Boo'ed" out of the forum for this post?

Nope :)
Actually the title of the thread brought back some memories and made me smile...
Several years ago when I entered specialty school, I was in a world pretty much new to me where I had to learn how to live on a budget.
I figured that living close to the hospital and spending about a year car-free was a good way to build some savings for the next few years and start over. I went to WalMart and purchased the cheapest bike available that would fit me. I think it was something like $ 44 at the time, and believe me I had to save for it.
It was black, had a big decal 'roadmaster' and looked like a hardtail mountain bike or something of that kind. Granted - I grew up in Europe with Bianchi and Campagnolo, so I had no idea what a mountain bike would look like :rolleyes: and much less I knew how to use a flat bar bike.
By average cyclist standard, it was for sure one ugly bike :p - but it took me back and forth to the hospital and anywhere for almost a year, night or day, rain or shine, sometimes with loads of groceries or with a few huge and heavy pathology books in the backpack.

A year later life was normalizing, sort of, I purchased a car and a used Bianchi that I knew how to ride ;) and put the Wally-World bike in the garage and pretty much forgot about it.
At some point, we had someone remodel our outside stairwell, and for a couple of weeks we had workers all around the house. One day, moving tools in and out of the garage I re-discovered the Wal-Mart bike. One of the carpenters looked at it and said 'oh I wish I had a bike to ride to work in the morning instead of waiting for the bus'. I put some air in the tires and gave him the bike. Next thing you know, he was riding around the block with the happiest smile.

So yeah, it may have been one ugly cheap walmart bike - but it made life better for at least two people, and maybe more if he will also pay it forward someday. Making two people happy - that's a lot of good work done by just one bike.

[hebe]

Nope :)<little snip>
A year later life was normalizing, sort of, I purchased a car and a used Bianchi that I knew how to ride ;) and put the Wally-World bike in the garage and pretty much forgot about it.
At some point, we had someone remodel our outside stairwell, and for a couple of weeks we had workers all around the house. One day, moving tools in and out of the garage I re-discovered the Wal-Mart bike. One of the carpenters looked at it and said 'oh I wish I had a bike to ride to work in the morning instead of waiting for the bus'. I put some air in the tires and gave him the bike. Next thing you know, he was riding around the block with the happiest smile.

So yeah, it may have been one ugly cheap walmart bike - but it made life better for at least two people, and maybe more if he will also pay it forward someday. Making two people happy - that's a lot of good work done by just one bike.

This has just made me all goo-ey on the inside. You've just reminded me that the very first bike I had, that I wobbled along rail-to-trails on before moving away and losing my nerve, was eventually donated to a help the homeless projectwho were delighted to receive it. Bikes have such an amazing instrinsic value regardless of their actual monetary worth or reputation.

To happpinesshills - no-one here will judge you. Whatever you ride, the chances are someone else has ridden it too and will have fond memories.

[Bike Chick]

Nope :)
Actually the title of the thread brought back some memories and made me smile...
Several years ago when I entered specialty school, I was in a world pretty much new to me where I had to learn how to live on a budget.
I figured that living close to the hospital and spending about a year car-free was a good way to build some savings for the next few years and start over. I went to WalMart and purchased the cheapest bike available that would fit me. I think it was something like $ 44 at the time, and believe me I had to save for it.
It was black, had a big decal 'roadmaster' and looked like a hardtail mountain bike or something of that kind. Granted - I grew up in Europe with Bianchi and Campagnolo, so I had no idea what a mountain bike would look like :rolleyes: and much less I knew how to use a flat bar bike.
By average cyclist standard, it was for sure one ugly bike :p - but it took me back and forth to the hospital and anywhere for almost a year, night or day, rain or shine, sometimes with loads of groceries or with a few huge and heavy pathology books in the backpack.

A year later life was normalizing, sort of, I purchased a car and a used Bianchi that I knew how to ride ;) and put the Wally-World bike in the garage and pretty much forgot about it.
At some point, we had someone remodel our outside stairwell, and for a couple of weeks we had workers all around the house. One day, moving tools in and out of the garage I re-discovered the Wal-Mart bike. One of the carpenters looked at it and said 'oh I wish I had a bike to ride to work in the morning instead of waiting for the bus'. I put some air in the tires and gave him the bike. Next thing you know, he was riding around the block with the happiest smile.

So yeah, it may have been one ugly cheap walmart bike - but it made life better for at least two people, and maybe more if he will also pay it forward someday. Making two people happy - that's a lot of good work done by just one bike.

Awesome post! That certainly put a smile on my face.

No, you will not get booooed off of here for riding a Wal-Mart bike. My first "adult" bike was bought 7 years ago at a little bike shop in a nearby town that specializes in cheap bikes. I think he carries Schwinn and GT and is the only wrench in a 50 mile radius. It was a $200 mountain bike and I bought it to try to loose weight after I quit smoking. I thought I had bought a "really nice bike" that I couldn't really afford but my justification was that $200 was what I had saved from not buying cigarettes for 3 months. Little did I know that I would get bitten by the bike bug!

Fast forward 4 years and the $200 bike was replaced with a road bike and was hanging in the shed gathering dust. I gave it to a friend's daughter who was going to college. She rode it all 4 years of college then took it to California for graduate school. She sold it for $50 before she came home after graduation so I'm guessing it's still in California.

Enjoy riding, happinesshill, that's all that matters and welcome to TE!

[tulip]

I agree that you might want to look for a used bike. However, a beginner might not know what to look for in terms of condition. In that case, you might want to go to a local bike shop that sells used bikes. Many cities have such bike shops, and some cities have bicycle coops that sell only used bikes. If you buy it from a bike ship, it is more likely to have been thoroughly looked over and repaired than if you buy it off of Craigs List.

[warneral]

Welcome! I"m glad you've found the love of bike riding! I'm on haitus until the snow melts in wisconsin, but I still love coming here :)

[malkin]

One of the worst things about dept. store bikes is that they may have been assembled by people who know nothing about bikes. So do a basic set up check to be sure the brakes and shifters and cables and tires. If you don't know what to look for, find someone to help you learn.

Our neighbor had a bike from Costco with the fork on backwards.

[Serendipity]

Like others, my first 'adult' bike, bought around 12 years ago, was a Walmart bike. Wanted something that wasn't too expensive as I wasn't sure at that time whether I would like cycling enough to invest serious $$ in a bike.

Turns out I did like cycling that much...rode that bike for two years sold it, bought a used hybrid from my favourite lbs, sold that bike and bought my road bike.....then my commuter/mtb.....latest addition was a lovely turquose beach bike (and I can hardly wait for the weather to warm up so I can ride it)!!!

As I recall, that used hybrid actually cost me less than the new Walmart bike, so + 1 on the recommendations to look for a used bike if you decide you like cycling that much - and I bet you will, its addictive :D - lbs, craigslist - folks from my cyclling club often are selling or know someone who is selling.

[Blue_Fedora]

Nope :)
Actually the title of the thread brought back some memories and made me smile...
Several years ago when I entered specialty school, I was in a world pretty much new to me where I had to learn how to live on a budget.
I figured that living close to the hospital and spending about a year car-free was a good way to build some savings for the next few years and start over. I went to WalMart and purchased the cheapest bike available that would fit me. I think it was something like $ 44 at the time, and believe me I had to save for it.
It was black, had a big decal 'roadmaster' and looked like a hardtail mountain bike or something of that kind. Granted - I grew up in Europe with Bianchi and Campagnolo, so I had no idea what a mountain bike would look like :rolleyes: and much less I knew how to use a flat bar bike.
By average cyclist standard, it was for sure one ugly bike :p - but it took me back and forth to the hospital and anywhere for almost a year, night or day, rain or shine, sometimes with loads of groceries or with a few huge and heavy pathology books in the backpack.

A year later life was normalizing, sort of, I purchased a car and a used Bianchi that I knew how to ride ;) and put the Wally-World bike in the garage and pretty much forgot about it.
At some point, we had someone remodel our outside stairwell, and for a couple of weeks we had workers all around the house. One day, moving tools in and out of the garage I re-discovered the Wal-Mart bike. One of the carpenters looked at it and said 'oh I wish I had a bike to ride to work in the morning instead of waiting for the bus'. I put some air in the tires and gave him the bike. Next thing you know, he was riding around the block with the happiest smile.

So yeah, it may have been one ugly cheap walmart bike - but it made life better for at least two people, and maybe more if he will also pay it forward someday. Making two people happy - that's a lot of good work done by just one bike.

Awwwww.... this made me positively misty :)

[ClockworkOrange]

Nobody worries about what bike you have, TE is a great site, I feel like it's my faraway family, 'cos I can come on here and ask the most ridiculous questions and always get an answer.

Love your post TxDoc :)

My first bike at the age of around ten was second hand and my current bike that I have now had 11 years was a hand-me-down from my son and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Homeschooling mom to six children OMG and you have time to play out? :D BTW your son sounds a love, when you both go off cycling and he considers you. Hopefully you will feel your asthma and back problem is slightly easier the more you ride, it has definitely helped me.

(Sorry to go slightly off topic)

[happinesshill]

Thanks all for the comments. Wow! Awesome stories!! Yeah, I homeschool during the day and when hubby gets home in the afternoon, I hit the road with my son. He is a good kid!

I just really wish it wasn't so cold. I miss riding. I'm just waiting for some nicer days (won't be long now and spring will be here in TN) I noticed that the longer I rode, the easier breathing became (Plus, I think some of it was the bike itself, hauling a big, heavy mountain bike) Hopefully the new bike will help that. It seems so much lighter. Luckily, my husband is very into bikes and has worked on them, built them and fixed them up all his life. He hasn't been big into expensive bikes, just always worked with what he had. So he can go over my bike and make sure it's good and fix it up good for me (new seat, grease the joints good, etc.)

[Susan126]

Welcome Happinesshill! :)

[Tri Girl]

Welcome to TE! :) We're glad you're here.

Doesn't matter WHAT you ride, just that you do! My students gave me a gift card to Target for one Christmas (it was a $80 gift card). I bought a Magna mountain bike and a helmet and rode that thing for a summer. Then I forgot about it, and started riding it about 3 years later. I helped me fall in love with riding, and that's what's important.

Two wheels are two wheels- doesn't matter where those wheels come from!

[KimmyC]

Hi and welcome happinesshill!!

[ciao_bella]

This is a great post Happinesshill, thanks for starting it. When I first started hanging around this forum, I felt a little intimidated by the knowledge of the women on here and the high level bikes they had. But I soon realized that this is a very helpful bunch of ladies, and everytime I posted a question, even ones I thought were stupid, I received great advice and a lot of encouragement.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the responses you have gotten here.

Welcome!

Ciao

[smilingcat]

We are not fascinistas at all. Its great that you are out riding and ENJOYING!!

I rotate through my bikes when I go out riding. One is more for nolstagia sake but I still love that bike. The bike was manufactured by Bridgestone, the tire company. It has to be 20 years old or older!! Components are from that vintage. Brake handle and shifters are separate. And I love riding the bike. I don't feel the urge or the need to keep up with those on spiffy bike with all the racing stuff. I get to enjoy my ride without the distraction!!

Enjoy your ride, enjoy reading hundreds of interesting posts here.

smilingcat

[Bike Writer]

I love the title of this thread and your gutsy and forthright style. I ride a Schwinn that I bought used on craigslist and I am pretty certain it came from a department store, maybe Target. I wanted something to give me a non impact exercise workout and I always loved bike riding in my youth and as a young adult but fell out of the patten of bike riding until recently. I also was raised on Schwinn's and had several of them over the years.

Anything with wheels that go round and round, a set of handle bars to hang onto and a seat to watch the world go by is a ticket to freedom and the great outdoors. It's your passport to a most lovely time.

That cheapie little bike has taken me to parts unknown and I've put loads of miles on it this summer and even signed up for an organized ride and showed up just as proud as punch with this bike among hundreds of fancy roadies. I've had the most adventursome summer in many years on this bike and it makes me feel like a kid again. I love my bike.

Txdoc I second that motion to vote this the best ever post! It made my day.



By average cyclist standard, it was for sure one ugly bike :p - but it took me back and forth to the hospital and anywhere for almost a year, night or day, rain or shine, sometimes with loads of groceries or with a few huge and heavy pathology books in the backpack.

A year later life was normalizing, sort of, I purchased a car and a used Bianchi that I knew how to ride ;) and put the Wally-World bike in the garage and pretty much forgot about it.
At some point, we had someone remodel our outside stairwell, and for a couple of weeks we had workers all around the house. One day, moving tools in and out of the garage I re-discovered the Wal-Mart bike. One of the carpenters looked at it and said 'oh I wish I had a bike to ride to work in the morning instead of waiting for the bus'. I put some air in the tires and gave him the bike. Next thing you know, he was riding around the block with the happiest smile.

So yeah, it may have been one ugly cheap walmart bike - but it made life better for at least two people, and maybe more if he will also pay it forward someday. Making two people happy - that's a lot of good work done by just one bike.

[happinesshill]

Thanks everyone and thanks to you (bikewriter) for that lovely post. Bike riding has been so freeing for me. It isn't about the workout (but that part's great) It really has helped me with some issues I was having about my parent's divorce and hard times I was going through. Whenever I got on that bike, it felt like something spiritual was happening to me. When I got off my bike, I was ready to go again. I was never done riding. I always thought of my "next" ride, where I'd go...what I'd see. I have to say, with my son along, we have had some really interesting times and some great adventures. It's so fun to share it with him.

I don't know what I mean...but I'm sure I don't have to explain. You all know.

[emily_in_nc]

I don't know what I mean...but I'm sure I don't have to explain. You all know.

You are absolutely right. It's magical. We get it. It's sad that so many others do not, but that's one of the main reasons I love TE. :p

[Karma007]

Ha! My first ride was a Target mountain bike! Welcome!

[rianners]

The first bike I ever bought was a Schwinn from Walmart! It was $80 on sale. LOL. I bought it so I could ride to the bookstore, one of my favorite hang out spots, about 4 miles away. It worked well enough until a few of the parts went bad.

My current bike is a K2 T-Nine Crosswind bought at a closeout sale. I'm actually going to use it for a 53 mile bike event in April. I thought about buying a "real" road bike, but I thought it would be a waste, since I haven't learned to looooove cycling, yet. I'm working on it, though!

[shootingstar]

I bought a Norco bike when returning to cycling at 32 yrs. ..an unexpected purchase..but it took me on several long bike touring rides each ranging from 500 kms. to 1,100 kms., was also my commuter and fitness bike.

I gave it away to a sister after riding it regularily for 12 yrs. But kept it around for another 2 yrs. before selling it after buying and riding a 2nd bike more regularily.

I still borrow to ride it from a sister when I visit her in Toronto. :p

[Grog]

I bought a Norco bike when returning to cycling at 32 yrs. ..

Norco makes great bikes!

[Trek420]

Bump! Update on Walmart bikes

https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxdgq9/mechanics-ask-walmart-major-bike-manufacturers-to-stop-making-and-selling-built-to-fail-bikes