Walmart, CT Bikes any good?

[Aj23]

I'm looking for a cheap bike, not the best. Just to go on some short bike rides once in a while (maybe an hour or two) I was thinking about getting a Cheap dual suspension bike from walmart such as the CCM bike for $109.99, would these be of any good value for the price?

[MtX]

If you can spend $300 at the local bike shop, then do that instead....the bikes are built better with higher quality parts.

[wushudrew]

if your budget is only $100, then you don't have much of a choice unless you go used. even then, you'd be hard pressed to get a decent bike for $100.

the bikes from walmart and CT are terrible, and you get what you pay for. however, for just getting from point A to B on the cheap, there isn't another option.

if you must get one from those types of stores, get a hardtail (no rear suspension). it wont be as comfortable, but the parts will generally be of higher quality than a dual suspension bike of the same price.

[thesober]

Eeks, $100 budget for a dual suspension, get it if you are planning on riding at a jogger's pace. As the other poster's said above, get a front susupension only bike, you wont need more than that for what you want to do.

[IronMac]

What sort of riding are you planning on doing for an hour?

[Aj23]

What sort of riding are you planning on doing for an hour?

Just a few bike trips for fun...such as riding down the waterfront in my area (its a nice place, and is very large), down to the morningside area, a friend's house, etc. Any bikes you would suggest at this range? Even the cheapest single suspension bike I found was more than this...

[dreamwalker]

Hey,

I'm into bikes, nice to see you are getting into the hobby.

I would not suggest the bikes from CT or Walmart, however, they are built using cheap parts and are very heavy, considerably more than the local bike shop bikes.

Especially those 'dual suspension' bikes that they have, the suspension is fairly useless, a real 'rear suspension' costs 3x the cost of that bike! This adds -considerable- weight, especially if you are going to do any light trail biking at all.

My suggestion would be to wait it out and find a good deal for a used bike from Craigslist, this would ultimately lead you to being happier in the long run;

A cursory glance at craigslist reveals some options;

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/666936808.html (Aluminum frame, nice front suspension)
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/666646172.html
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/666384622.html
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/yrk/bik/661532471.html

[IronMac]

Just a few bike trips for fun...such as riding down the waterfront in my area (its a nice place, and is very large), down to the morningside area, a friend's house, etc. Any bikes you would suggest at this range? Even the cheapest single suspension bike I found was more than this...

For that sort of riding, forget suspension. You don't need it. I ride along the waterfront for hundreds of kilometers and I don't feel the need for it.

As dreamwalker suggests, your best bet might be to choose a nice used hybrid bike from Craigslist. The most important thing is to ensure that the bike FITS you.

[Oni-kun]

If you're looking for a mountain bike buy a hardtail, those cheap dual suspension bikes from Walmart and CT suck. If you're thinking about getting a real bike, the cheapest entry level bike would be a Giant Boulder or Giant Boulder SE, Trek 820, or Trek 3700. You'd be looking at around 300-400 dollars.

If you're gonna buy some crappy bike and it'll only last 1 year and every year you'll have to buy a new one why not buy a bike that should last you 5-10years depending on how you take care of it.

[CSR]

If you're looking for a mountain bike buy a hardtail, those cheap dual suspension bikes from Walmart and CT suck. If you're thinking about getting a real bike, the cheapest entry level bike would be a Giant Boulder or Giant Boulder SE, Trek 820, or Trek 3700. You'd be looking at around 300-400 dollars.

If you're gonna buy some crappy bike and it'll only last 1 year and every year you'll have to buy a new one why not buy a bike that should last you 5-10years depending on how you take care of it.

For that sort of riding, forget suspension. You don't need it. I ride along the waterfront for hundreds of kilometers and I don't feel the need for it.

As dreamwalker suggests, your best bet might be to choose a nice used hybrid bike from Craigslist. The most important thing is to ensure that the bike FITS you.

Hey,

I'm into bikes, nice to see you are getting into the hobby.

I would not suggest the bikes from CT or Walmart, however, they are built using cheap parts and are very heavy, considerably more than the local bike shop bikes.

Especially those 'dual suspension' bikes that they have, the suspension is fairly useless, a real 'rear suspension' costs 3x the cost of that bike! This adds -considerable- weight, especially if you are going to do any light trail biking at all.

My suggestion would be to wait it out and find a good deal for a used bike from Craigslist, this would ultimately lead you to being happier in the long run;

A cursory glance at craigslist reveals some options;

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/666936808.html (Aluminum frame, nice front suspension)
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/666646172.html
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/666384622.html
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/yrk/bik/661532471.html

if your budget is only $100, then you don't have much of a choice unless you go used. even then, you'd be hard pressed to get a decent bike for $100.

the bikes from walmart and CT are terrible, and you get what you pay for. however, for just getting from point A to B on the cheap, there isn't another option.

if you must get one from those types of stores, get a hardtail (no rear suspension). it wont be as comfortable, but the parts will generally be of higher quality than a dual suspension bike of the same price.

Great advice so far, dont' waste your money on CT/walmart bikes.. just get a good used bike from craigslist instead.

[Oni-kun]

Oh if you're buying something used make sure its the right size for you. There are many ways and even controversy over what is the correct size. For a quick and dirty way to get a general idea, stand over the bike over the frame, the tube should be a few CM under your balls, if its high enough to touch your balls its probrably too big.

The frame I use has barely enough clearance its an 18inch frame, but the next size down was like 16 and it would have been way too small for me so I opted fhr the 18inch.

EDIT: Also this here http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/yrk/bik/661532471.html is a great deal if its in your size and in good condition. This is a steal http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/666646172.html it sounds too good to be true maybe though.

[lilgreek]

I am also thinking of buying a bike from Canadian Tire. I am looking into the Supercycle Medallist Road Bike for 299.99. I went and looked at the bike and it seems nice and light. I am not looking to spend 1000 on a bike I dont intend to use all the time. Maybe a once a week for a 5k trek. Anybody have any comments on this particular bike?

Here is a link to the bike:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/pr...08474396673781

I have like 100 dollars of canadian tire money so I wanted blow it on the bike aswell.

[phyrefly]

I am also thinking of buying a bike from Canadian Tire. I am looking into the Supercycle Medallist Road Bike for 299.99. I went and looked at the bike and it seems nice and light. I am not looking to spend 1000 on a bike I dont intend to use all the time. Maybe a once a week for a 5k trek. Anybody have any comments on this particular bike?

Here is a link to the bike:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/pr...08474396673781

I have like 100 dollars of canadian tire money so I wanted blow it on the bike aswell.

It's a decent bike. It'll probably get you a lot of flames from the elitists here, but it's been a pretty solid ride for me so far. I'm a beginner and can average 26-27km/h on longer rides, which is decent. It IS quite heavy though... 28-30lbs. Also, if you don't plan on riding on roads (as in riding with cars), it probably isn't for you.

I've put about 700-800km on it. Didn't bother with rim tape and haven't had a puncture so far. You will have to adjust the brakes, f/r derailleurs, seat and possibly drop bars. The pedals are kind of narrow, so if you have wide feet, it will probably have to be replaced. I'm replacing the brake pads with koolstops soon, since the stock pads doesn't have great stopping power.

If the medallist costs you $200, then it's a decent deal. You can probably find something better on CL for $300 though.

[Oni-kun]

If the medallist costs you $200, then it's a decent deal. You can probably find something better on CL for $300 though.

I second this. I personally just don't trust the people at CT and Walmart and the likes to assemble a bike. It comes in a box in pieces and highschool kids working a part time job put it together. If you buy a CT bike you'll probrably have to take it to a local bike store to get everything adjusted unless you want to do it yourself.

Have a look on craigslist for some used bikes or even go to your local bike stoer and look at some bikes there.

Again if you're not doing road riding you might as well get a mountain bike or hybrid.

[Talamasca]

I'm in the same boat as the OP so thanks for the info, guys. Can anyone recommend any good bike shops in the Mississauga area?

I'm looking for an entry-level bike, riding on paved trails and stuff like that.