A lot of “reviews” on the internet claim that Walmart’s new full-suspension mountain bike, the Ozark Trail FS.2 Slalom, is a game-changer, so I bought one to see if it actually lives up to the hype.

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39 Comments

  1. Correction: It DOES have a true Horst Link suspension linkage, which is pretty advanced for a $450 bike. A few of you pointed this out, and so I took a closer look—there is a link on the chainstay. I had quickly surmised it was a single pivot 4-bar, but was wrong. You guys are sharp!

  2. Gamechanger for me was the Decathlon Rockrider AM 50s , full Sram driveline and rockshox Recon fork with sunringle wheels, $1500 canadian, so like $1100 American. Cheaper than the bike i bought in 2008 that im replacing.

  3. Another competitor to this specific bike would be the Rockrider ST530S, since it's around the same price point while having a considerably better coil shock in the back suspension.

  4. Well, well. Walmart is upping its game because local shops like the one near me have nothing less than $4500 for FS MTB's. It is obvious to target those people who the bike industry has forgotten.

  5. It sure doesn't change the game much for someone like you with a lot of other bikes, but if you didn't have any mountain bike at all, something like this is ABSOLUTELY a game changer for many people looking for an affordable entry to the hobby

  6. I've heard that Bentonville AR where the Walmart Headquarters is at has some amazing Mtn Bike trails and that a lot of the top executives at Walmart love to Mtn Bike.

  7. Haaaaaaa Haaaaaaa, walmart hired new employees that changed their bikes? NO, it was farmed out to China that does nothing but COPY what is in the industry. Copied at a cost to QUALITY and CRAFTSMANSHIP. Close, but no cigar. It looks good but the closer you get the more flaws identified. The POLISHED TURD concept. Is that a diamond over there. It sure sparkles and shines, but the closer you get it's just a turd.

  8. My first MTB was a Walmart bike about 25 years ago. I cost around $100, I think. Very heavy, marginal suspension (front and rear), but I rode it for a year until I know I was serious about riding. Then I bought a Giant XTC hardtail for about $1200, that was a game-changer for me! Walmart bikes have their place and I'm glad they are improving the quality – I suspect that is thanks for the Walton grandsons of the Walmart founder who have lead the transformation of Bentonville into an MTB destination.

  9. 2 of the Walmart heir are avid MTBer. Also Walmart is apparently in 500 millions to build trails in Arkansas. That would explain the change of direction

  10. Hommie literally described this bike is perfect for all the smooth jump track trails at the Walmart headquarters in bentonville.. don’t think they’re watching the reviews on YouTube. Not calling YouTube reviews out, I love them! But Walmart headquarters is in the fastest growing bike community in the nation and Walmart is personally putting millions of dollars into the parks each year, and they’re making a bike for their back yard

  11. If your shock has rebound damping for 850 lb spring rate, decreasing the spring rate to 700 lbs will make it less likely to "buck." The shock's rebound damping will allow for a more controlled rebound with 17% less force working to extend it.
    Were you intending to say the damper will suffer from packing as it is over damped on rebound? Sure would be a ton cheaper to replace a spring than the cost of a new air shock.

  12. People aren't losing their minds about a department store bike. People are losing their minds about a decent affordable bike.

    Bike manufactures have gone off the rails these last few years and pretty much out priced many of the rider from having a decent well known bike. Even what once were the secondary manufacturers are now pricing their bikes insanely high with the excuse of "technology" (which no one wants) and rising costs.

    Heck, even Aliexpress material has started to come round, that says a lot!

  13. This is a $4xx bike. It's brilliant at that price. Suspension might not be epic, but beats a hardtail in many ways. Again, $4xx bike.

  14. Love the look of this $4xx bike. Trek has competition. You can buy 5 of these for one of the lower end Trek models. This is a great value. If I got one, I would hunt down a lightly used one for $300, then pour $500 of really nice upgrades. Then you would have a sweet ride for ~$800!

  15. Great bike reviews, My daughter and i ride on weekends, usually rail trails or street, i boaught us each a Trek, mostly because of availability at the time a few years back, overal we are happy, what is your opinion on Trek? Thanks

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