I want to start cycling but I cant afford a $300 bike, is it ok to just get one from Walmart?

Question

Or should i just forgo the alternative altogether?

Answer 1

Go to a real bike shop and look around... it is worth the extra time and money.

Never buy a bike from Walmart, Kmart, Target, Sears, etc. You will end up spending MORE because of faulty parts, workmanship, and most kids working there don't put them together right from the box anyways...

Answer 2

No! The problem with a Walmart bike is that everything on it is cheap crap. It will rust, break or otherwise wear out faster than you could believe even if you get the most expensive one there.

The only way to do it right is to save the money and get a real bike from a bike shop. There are good reasons for this. One is that every good bike shop will give you free service for the first year at least. So you get your tune-ups and such taken care of and done properly.

Also by getting a Brand name bike you are getting not just the name but better components on it as well and thats where you will end up saving money in the end. Mind you, if you ride alot and hard then you will be putting money into an bike as long as you ride it, but you will constantly be making your Good bike Better.

Personally I picked up a Gary Fisher. I baught the bike for $249 since it was the previous years model, then I just kept upgrading as I could afford it. I hav now ridden over 1500 miles and as I go it keeps geting better and better. Also the more you ride the more you will find out what to look for in your next bike.

Dont look for the last bike you will have to buy. Look for the best deal you can get on a good bike that will last you untill you decide which bike you want to get.

Key points to choosing a bike:

Lifetime warranty on frame.
Limited warranty on all components

check the bikes ratings online and weigh out your options.

Test ride it and make sure it is comfortable.

Then after you get it I would impress upon you the importance of getting an aftermarket seat. Most stock seats are not ergonomic nor comfortable on rides over five minutes. Having a great seat will make your rides much less strenuous and much more enjoyable.

Answer 3

while you're still looking at getting into cycling, I recommend what I did. Found a bike shop that had a used bike for 99.00. It was beyond a doubt the best 99.00 I've ever spent. It is a trek 810 mountain bike, I've probably ridden it close to 500 miles or more by now. I upgraded in May, bought a trek 1200 road bike and have put around 150 miles on it so far (been slacking a bit on the riding...ugh weather...).

I'd avoid wal mart, just on principle, I'd try to find good quality used bike in a bike shop and go from there. That way, you're not spending 800.00 on a road bike when you're not sure you'll like riding it for 2 hours at a clip.

Answer 4

My mother bought a $99Aus ($75US) bike a few years ago. She rode it quite a lot for several years, then sold it on and bought a better bike. The cheap one is still in use. Every chromed component turned rust colour within about a week. The brakes needed a fair bit of adjustment to make them work, but it did the job. If like most people you are going to ride the bike twice then put it in the shed for a few years and throw it away , the cheap bikes are perfect. If you do find you do lots of cycling, you will probably upgrade it before long, but it will still be good value for money.

All the above assumes you can do mechanical work on the bike yourself, or have a friend to do it, In my experience new bikes (even $1000 ones from shops) tend to be fairly poorly put together and need a fair bit of tweaking and tightening initially.

Answer 5

Do whatever it takes to start riding. Walmart now carries Schwinns. These are likely not expertly assembled and might require some adjustment soon after you put some miles on it. For $300 you should be able to get a decent used bicycle from a bicycle shop. In the end, though, follow what ever gets you into the saddle.

Answer 6

Why wouldn't it be OK? Is the exercise you do on a cheap bike not as effective as on an expensive bike? If you are not doing racing, or 50 mile trips, or mountain biking just what is the advantage of riding an expensive bike? I think the people saying "no" are just way too into biking.
On top of that the puny little seat on those expensive bikes are just TORTURE to ride on. Get a cheap bike until you decide that you want something nicer and, on top of that, get one of those wide seats so you won't feel like you're being cut in half.
Good exercising!

Answer 7

I cringe whenever anybody states they are considering buying a bike from Wal-Mart. The bikes are brand-name, but cheaply made. And good luck finding a real bike mechanic that will work on it.

On the other hand, if it gets you on a bike, it's not necessarily a bad thing. If you do buy one (and I still strongly recommend spending a little more and buying from a bike shop,) then I recommend you eventually buy a real bike.

Answer 8

depends on what you want out of it. just banging around town? an x-mart bike is fine. If you are actually going to be riding for miles, look instead for a good used bike. But if all you got is $100, and you want a bike, I suggest save for a little longer, because a better brand will have better components, be more sturdily built, and be lighter...which will all enhance your experience.

Answer 9

I would not get on from wal-mart. They are usually going to fall apart in 50 miles.
buy a used bike - you can still go to a bike shop and get something good for 300$.
what you also get it tune ups and service on your new bike as well as getting a proper fit.

Answer 10

Please don't do that.

Take what money you have and buy a used bike made by a name-brand bike manufacturer. Craigslist and Ebay are good sources. College student newspapers are also a great place to find good quality bikes that owners want to get rid of for cheap.