I'm looking to buy a bike for casual rides at the local greenbelt, not commuting or anything serious. I rode a fixie in college so I'm comfortable with that type of frame/seating/posture, but want the fatter, comfier tires of a gravel bike so that's why I'm shopping these options.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/700C-GRAVEL-BIKE-Smooth-14-Speed-Green-Tea-Adult-Unisex/5825928918
I'm hoping that the BD X2 would be a worthwhile upgrade for the price, mostly as a matter of reliability as I'm not too concerned with peak performance. I've just read a few things about Bikes Direct so I'm wary that it's not actually going to be any better.
Any thoughts? I'm not expecting too much out of either option.
Update: I went to walmart and hopped on the 58 cm floor model. Immediately snapped the rear derailleur at the axle bracket š Not a deal breaker at that price but not inspiring lol
by UnlikelyLandscape641
9 Comments
Inexpensive bikes are a constant headache. Do you have a community volunteer bike shop near you? If so, you should be able to find a good quality bike for the same money or less thatās been gone over and is ready to ride.
I don’t think the Motobecane is worth the extra price, to be honest. They’re both good value entry-level bikes.
Regardless, I would take whichever bike you get to a reputable bike shop and have them take a close look at it. Budget bikes are sometimes put together really poorly and having it properly assembled and torqued and tuned could make a really big difference to both performance and safety.
So, my first ārealā road bike was from Bikes Direct. Like someone said here, I just took the box to my local and trusted bike shop so they could put it together and tune it all up. Over all, it was an extra $150, which seemed very fair to me.
Like I said, it was a road bike, so not the same. However, I loved my experience with the bike order and I loved the bike even more. It was a carbon bike with 105 components. This bike unfortunately got stolen, otherwise Iād still be riding it.
Iād say go full head on with Motobecane. Just know their frames are a bit outdated, but for entry level they are great.
This depends heavily on whether 49 cm, 54 cm, or 58 cm truly fits you. The Walmart listingās sizing guide is a stretch, especially if youāre going to ride a lot. Thereās a reason most bike brands offer 2-3 cm sizing increments. Riding something too big is going to cause chronic shoulder problems, and riding something too small may feel constrictive when riding hard.
For what itās worth, my first road bike was a Motobecane from BikesDirect (in 2012), and I rode it for years without any complaints.
The Walmart bike is a pos.
The bikes direct is a low entry level, but likely not a pos.
Be prepared to nothing to ever be exactly right and require frequent adjustments. Just know that going in and use it as much as you can.
Iāve worked at a LBS for a long time now; Iād say that the motobecane is a much better buy for your money. Despite having the most 2001 website they could possibly have, bikesdirect is a legit company who will deliver the product you purchased. As another person said, having a professional do the assembly for you should set you up with a reliable bike.
The ozark trail bikes have gotten some decent reviews, but theyāre assembled by the least skilled people possible, and the parts are even cheaper than you think.
Update: I went to walmart and hopped on the 58 cm floor model. Immediately snapped the rear derailleur at the axle bracket š Not a deal breaker at that price but not inspiring lol
As an owner of a bike shop directly across from Walmart, let me say: Iāll build the Motobecane for you – they are inexpensive but they are reasonable. If you bring the Walmart bike into my shop, I will tell you what Iāve told other customers: āplease go get your money backā.
Some of the Walmart bikes are OK, but many are subpar and not serviceable.
The fact that you had a new one break underneath you speaks to that.
You say that was not a dealbreaker, but how could that not be a dealbreaker? Why would you waste even $288 on something that broke while still in the store? That wonāt last 4 to 6 months?
The Ozark looks like a better bike. The ltwoo shifters are decent