Walmart Bikes...

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scubaru89

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So I finally bought an engine from bikeberry.com and it should be here in a few days. I had been looking however for a usable bike without much luck in the lower price range. I have been up and down craigslist and ebay and the only bike I found usable turned out to be a total nightmare of rust and bad parts.

So I have picked up a Roadmaster Granite Peak 26" bike from Wally World.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Roadmaste...gMethod=Recommendation:wm:RecentlyViewedItems

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I've seen an engine fit on this bike on two different youtube videos and mentioned on one or two forums. However my issue is the reliability. I understand this is a Walmart bike so its obviously built with very cheap components, some of which are the bearings for the rear wheel.

My logic is I will be using it to travel to and from school which is 2 miles each way, and to work which is 4 miles each way. I am in the city of Williamsport so speeds are 25 mph and there are plenty of stop lights to keep me doing maybe 15 tops. I feel if the bearings do wear out it shouldn't be that hard to replace them or even replace the whole back wheel.

I figured why pay a higher price for something that I am going to be taking apart to upgrade parts on, and its a cheap commuter. So should I be worried about trouble from a cheaper bike?
 
Only problem I've had with retail store bike was not enough grease on the wheel bearings (easy fix) and not assembly correctly. You may wish to consider upgrading your tire tubes, stock ones are too thin and don't hold air well.
 
Only problem I've had with retail store bike was not enough grease on the wheel bearings (easy fix) and not assembly correctly. You may wish to consider upgrading your tire tubes, stock ones are too thin and don't hold air well.

I can have it greased in no time, and I'll do a once over on everything before I even get the motor on it. I did find the one brake wasn't tight enough so I'm sure there is another surprise somewhere.

It was $88, I can't really expect anything amazing from it. I also know I'll be upgrading or changing a lot of little pieces on it.
 
Sounds like you've already made up your mind. If that is what's in your budget, live and learn.
You get what you pay for.
 
Sounds like you've already made up your mind. If that is what's in your budget, live and learn.
You get what you pay for.

In a way I do want to find a used bike that is of better quality, but I am afraid either I'm taking the risk with a craigslist find or I'm still paying over $200 at a bike shop for a reconditioned bike. I just don't have the money. :cry:
 
Nothing at all wrong with a Walmart bike. The $89 Cranbrook makes a great motorized bike if like said....fresh grease, adjust everything.
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Of course I modified it a bit but all the Cranbrook parts are there!
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Nothing at all wrong with a Walmart bike. The $89 Cranbrook makes a great motorized bike if like said....fresh grease, adjust everything.
001.jpg

Of course I modified it a bit but all the Cranbrook parts are there!

In a way that is kinda my logic. I paid $88 for a frame, wheels and a few other pieces, a lot of it will be replaced and upgraded.

Sure I can spend a good $300 on a better bike but I get to a point where I can't see myself ruining such a great bike by strapping a motor onto it and forever changing the bike. I'd rather destroy a cheap-o Walmart bike.
 
Depending on your pocketbook, I can understand a wallyhell bike, because we all upgrade a couple of times.If you know you're going to stick with a certain type of bike, seriously consider researching the quality bikes of the late 80's early 90's on ebay and such.It's a pain to have a bike shipped, but there is good old "steel" to be had that's light as some of this new aluminum stuff, and most for about $100 more than you'd pay for a new bike.
Watch those wallyhell welds.
 
Depending on your pocketbook, I can understand a wallyhell bike, because we all upgrade a couple of times.If you know you're going to stick with a certain type of bike, seriously consider researching the quality bikes of the late 80's early 90's on ebay and such.It's a pain to have a bike shipped, but there is good old "steel" to be had that's light as some of this new aluminum stuff, and most for about $100 more than you'd pay for a new bike.
Watch those wallyhell welds.

I will say I wasn't thrilled to buy a bike from Wally world, but given the drastic change in price from cheap to quality I chose this route. I am still looking for a bike that might be a tad more and offer better quality than I have now, problem is when I look at the Trek, Schwinn, Giant, etc websites the ones in my range are there "cheaper" lines that end up at Walmart and target. Ive been all over bike sites, Amazon, eBay, etc. I've called various bike shop, I've looked about as much as I can for used or cheaper quality and not much sits below $250.
 
10092.jpgHey Scub,

This is my 48cc Roadmaster 1995 model. Sure, not the best, but going strong at 500 miles +............ Uno, faster than my 66cc at 34.8...................
 
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