Should I buy a cheap Wal-Mart bike?

Question

Well, I'm starting high school soon, and I want to play a sport. But I have no one to pick me up after practices, so I'm considering riding a bike to and back from school. But with the fear of an expensive recreational commute bike getting stolen just for school, I think it isn't worth it. Though It's obvious that Wal-Mart items are low on quality.. No one would want to steal a cheap Wal-mart Quality bike and if it does get stolen, it would be a breeze to replace.

Should I get one? And which brand should I get? One with different speeds please.

Answer 1

Wal-mart is evil, don't go there.  Go to a bike shop, get a cheap bike and an expensive lock. Did you ever notice that the vast majority of women shopping at wal-mart are obese?

Answer 2

I have thought about this too. I am still debating between buying a wal mart type bike to buying one of the cheapest ones I could find at a bike shop. I don't feel comfortable leaving my Mountain Bike left locked up in a public place.

Answer 3

I would not buy the Walmart bike.

I used to have a Kmart bike. It made me hate biking.  Gears are no good and it is heavy.  I bought a used road bike on ebay for $85.  The bike was good quality when new (Has Shimano 105 components, which would be found on ~ $1000 bikes when new, today's prices...)  A good new bike makes a good used bike.  So my advise is to buy a bike that was good quality when new and it is cheap now only because it is old, not because it is bad.

Walmart bike is cheap because it is bad.  Buy a cheap bike because it is old instead.

Answer 4

Mongoose

Answer 5

I wouldn't do it, I love bike, and just the thought of riding a bike of poor quality sends shivers down my spine.  Go to a bike shop and buy a good bike, but save some money to get a really good lock.  U-locks are really good, own one myself and they're dam near impossible to cut with hand tools.  I highly doubt people are going to take power tools to your school for the sole purpose of stealing one bike.  I personally use a u-lock on my $400 BMX at school.

Answer 6

Yep, that's the best use for an el-cheapo Walmart bike.  I own an $80 NEXT bike from Walmart exactly for that purpose--  Tooling around campus and running short distance errands.  It's such a piece of c**p, no bike thief would bother to steal parts off it when I leave it U-locked unattended.

When you are rushing off to class, you won't have time to mess around with the wheels' quick release or thread a cable lock through your saddle.  With just a simple U-lock, thieves can steal your wheels or seatpost.  That's why one should NEVER bring an expensive bike to school.

I got my $2000 carbon fiber bike for nice weekend recreational long distance rides.  When I do those rides, the bike never leaves my sight.

Answer 7

Oh god yes, buy a cheap one.  Ive had mine over a year and ride it quite a bit for whatever. Works just fine!

Answer 8

no one will take a bike

Answer 9

thieves who steal bikes will steal any bike! they are just as attracted to a shiny metallic paint job from wallywood as they are a muted color scheme on a bike shop bike. probably more attracted to the bling look of the wallywood bike. most of the time, the thief has no idea of the value either way, and pawns it for just enough to get his next hit of crack. as previously suggested, get a good used bike for around the same price as a wallywood special. it won't have that bling look to it, so it'll be less attractive, and you'll have the piece of mind that you're on a quality ride..

Answer 10

You already have yourself sold on a walmart bike so why bother asking here?