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    Am I dumb for trying to use a Walmart bike on steep rides?

    Am I dumb for trying to use a walmart bike on step rides?

    My partner found this bike on the curb and thought she could keep it at her place so I don’t need to shlep my bike back and forth between our houses.

    Took it on two rides. First ride the bike pads disintegrated and I replaced those. On the second ride I was still sketched out by the brakes.

    I think part of the issue is that the rims are painted which is reducing the braking power.

    I also get a pulsation from the rear and front brakes on steep decents. I think this is due to the seam of the rim being so prominent. You can see where the pain started rubbing off in the one high spot.

    That said the brakes were better until it started raining and I felt like I could barely control the bike.

    Ive included a photo of what the elevation profile of our ride look like.

    Is this bike even meant to be doing this kind of riding? Given it is a department store bike should I just put it back on the curb?

    by RelativeFamiliar7890

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    6 Comments

    1. Majestic_Constant_32 on

      It is not meant for extremes. It’s a park bike or rail trail bike. Probably weighs 30lbs. I would not ride it anywhere where bike handling is important. Don’t put on curb take to a bike cooperative. Someone can use to get to school or work.

    2. 96-D-1000 on

      Honestly it should be perfectly fine, what I would do is bring it to a shop if you don’t have the tools or expertise for a look over of all the parts as department store bikes are often put together by non bike mechanics and are sold in poor riding condition.
      New quality tyres is always a nice upgrade too.

    3. jeffbell on

      You have quite a bit of gap on the brake pads. You could dial that in tighter and have a bit more braking force.

      Soon the paint will wear off everywhere which will help some.

      It will never brake as well as disc brakes or even bikes with smoother rims.

    4. KitchenPalentologist on

      Supermarket bikes are almost always poorly assembled and adjusted. I would get a shop to tune the brakes and you’d almost certainly be fine. They will tell you if they’re dangerous.

    5. WrenchHeadFox on

      While a bike like that is technically rideable, in my opinion no one should ride them unless it’s their only option for a bicycle. It turns one of my favorite things (riding a bicycle) into something wholly unfun in my experience and opinion.

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