New people to the bike and/or gravel scene aren't going to be worried about weight. I think this bike is for anyone that needs to get out and ride around on a budget. If they feel like they want to move onto bigger and better from this bike great, if not not big loss. Seems like a win/win situation for people just trying to get onto a bike for the first time or after a long while.
Just buy a used bike bro the long-term ownership review on this will result in people spending hundreds of dollars replacing components they wish they had got something nicer. Trust me don’t be stupid. Those components are all garbage.
I got one for work and commute. Haven't done a thing to it and after 600 miles and one tune up into it.. best buy I ever made and extends the life of my other bike. People over think it tbh.
I’m going to put 1k in this bike. My money my choice. Love this bike!! I have got more attention with this bike! People love it!! People are tired of spending thousands of dollars on bikes just to keep up with what’s cool it doesn’t make them any less lazy!!! lol. I love out riding people with cool expensive bikes with my ozark trail!!!! lol. They start asking me questions about it. lol. Love this thing!!! Great video!!!!
I was never a fan of road bikes and the super skinny tires always used fat tire mountain bike or 29ers , hell i never heard of gravel bike until 2 weeks ago then i saw this bike at walmart and fell in love with it and its put the passion back in riding again for me. So ill ride the hell out of this bike and down the road get another one or a even better one now that i know i love gravel bikes. Worth $250 to me all day
I bought mine and then found out that gravel bikes exist. I didn't even know it was a thing. I just assumed u took a mountain bike or hybrid on anything that wasn't road. im like why are the tires on this road bike so fat? oh what's that? its not a road bike its a gravel bike? wtf the fuck really those exist? right than thank you information tag that comes with the bike I should have read u at the store instead of at home but thats ok cause this wonderful mistake got me on the rocks.
I hate working on cars, but love working on bikes so if you want to upgrade a $250 bike then have at it. I watch more bike upgrades/fixes videos than someone going down trails. I'm looking forward to watching your upgrades.
Do you think you will ever do a video on swapping out the drop bars for straight bars? That would be awesome! Yes I’m new to all of this. Keep up the great work!
I'm mid 50s. I had been shopping for an urban grocery getter. The cheapest bike before this with "real parts" was about $400. For those of us getting back into biking after a long break, the sticker shock is real. I snatched one up when I saw the price and watched some review videos. You overlook that you can get it for cheap and upgrade piecemeal over time for those on a budget. I'm enjoying learning how to do my own work. I can't get used to "riding the hoods" so I'm going to swap the drop bars out for a knock-off H-bar. Eventually going to build it up to a proper bikepacking/touring machine.
Hey there!!! Welcome back to the sport and I'm glad th8s bike is treating you well! Sticker shock is definitely a real thing HAHAHAHA I've done quite a few budget builds over the years, and I agree this would be a very nice bike for upgrading over time as parts wear out or as you get cash available for it! Everybody's wallet is different, so as long as it works for you that is all that matters!!! Appreciate the comment 😁
Yea... My saddle went fast HAHAHAHA I ended up using a budget saddle off of Amazon. (Charge spoon saddle) Typically the riding shorts (Chamois) I use are zoic branded ones. I absolutely love them and have 4 pairs now. I really think they are great!
Great insight as always. Excited to see what upgrades you decide to make. I like the budget friendly/ bang for the buck approach too. Thanks for sharing!
Just picked this bike up and absolutely love it. I'm a mountain biker and my expensive enduro is not what I want to be taking out for fitness rides around my city when I can't get to the trails. For 250$ bucks this was a great fill in bike for those times and the weight doesn't bother me, since i'm used to riding heavier mtbs any way. Had to do a bit of a tune up from the store, so maybe not the best for someone with no mechanical knowledge, but outside of that I haven't found anything wrong with it. Also cut the seat tube post in half to save a little bit of weight since it's SO long.
@johnnyfromtheblock7195 awesome and glad you enjoy it!!! That is a good idea on cutting the seatpost if you have the extra length. Appreciate the comment!
I ended up upgrading the free wheel to a SHIMANO MF-TZ50, I highly recommend it and so far is the best $26 (including the tool) i have spent on this bike. I feel like the gearing was just a little too high for a lot of the trails and streets I ride. I did have to replace my brakes because they were completely worn after 200 miles, I could have gotten away with just pads but I decided that i would go ahead and spend the money and get slightly better calipers and pads.
I have been looking for a used bike to ride around the neighborhood with my kids or to take to the campgrounds in the summer instead of my higher end mountain bike. This bike is perfect, looks fantastic, rides fairly well. I’ll probably just take off the front derailleur and/or just make it a single speed to better fit my use and to worry less about stuff needing adjusting. Couldn’t be happier!
Also, I’m 6’2”, but a 32” inseam, long torso and arms, the fit is good enough for my needs. I did flip the stem over, and may move my seat and/or get a slightly longer stem, but for the most part, it’s great for my usage. Not sure I would want to crank out 30+ mile rides on it, but again, for me, it’s great!
I found out about this bike and immediately got the itch to make a build. I definitely can not afford to do that and i already have an aluminum cannondale topstone so i'm going to follow along and live vicariously through you
44cm is 28 lbs . Adding a Falcon 14-40 freewheel ($62) and a carbon fork ($114) then add 29x2.215” tires on stock wheels and tubes makes a world of difference for this bike and it still looks stock 😉
This bike was just made for Aliexpress! What this bike needs right now: - Ceramic brake pads (Soocent pads are the best - trust me, I know!) - a new rear hub with an HG body (plenty of options there - just get the cheapest one you can find with four sealed bearings and it'll be fine.) - Hollowtech II-style crankset. Just get the cheapest one (the ones with a spider will almost certainly be 130bcd; get a direct mount crankset and a separate spider if you want to use 110bcd chainrings.) - If you want to go 1x, go ahead and pick up an Ltwoo shifter and rear derailleur and a big-ass-range cassette as well.
So pretty much drop twice the cost of the bike into the bike is that what you’re saying there’s no point of buying a new rear hub and switching it out with that cheap wheel you might as well just buy new wheel set plus a crank set plus a whole drive train??
i just ordered this bike, and i can't wait... although, i don't do mountain biking, i'm more of a BMX riding and road bike rider... but i want something that looks awesome, and can carry stuff... i've ordered a rear bike rack, a matching pannier bag, and fork racks... i'm too heavy to ride my road bikes now, and i hate loading up a huge backpack when i just want to ride to a lake, fish with a lunch bag, maybe some books... i think it's going to be awesome...
You’re going to trash that bike so fast with all that weight.. The cheap bearings found all over this bike will be exposed pretty quickly. I guarantee you’ll need new wheels within a year.
@@Animalstyle69 I already got it new wheels and group... I took off the 48spoke monsters off of my old track bike and swapped out some nice hubs I had laying around my old carbon fuji...
It's fun! I bought one and liked it but decided to return it because I already had projects I was working on. I bought it out of curiosity and I was not disappointed for the price. I'm 6' tall with my shoes on and the 50 fit fine. Just needed a different stem...
i have one in a medium size, and it's 30lbs. not what you said. i have way more better bikes than this one, but i am gonna make a bus bike out of it. i really likie mine. i rode it yesterday. this bike is really smooth. i find that i like riding it all the time. this bike is set for touring and bike packing which is what i wanted. i have replaced the saddle and put an adjustable stem on it. next will be fron and rear racks. this bike is perfect for what i want. why don't you tell them about all the braze ons, and the steel front fork and the 36 spoke double wall rims made for carrying loads and touring. comes with a kickstand, and kenda tires. are you kidding me? For 250 dollars!! there should not be any complaints.
That is very interesting.... I have video of weighing mine up even and it is 36Ibs..... Maybe my scale is off but that is very interesting you are saying yours is 6Ibs lighter which would make more sense compared to the 44cm sized weight.. I myself am not a "tourer" so I am not really the one to share all that info on what specifically is on it for mounting because I lack the knowledge there. I am more of a budget mountain bike channel but found this bike very interesting and tempting at the price so I snagged it for some riding and extra content on the channel. Thanks for the comment!!!
As a former bike mechanic I LOVE that half way decent budget options are coming out for the average person wanting to get their feet wet with whatever style of riding. Wholeheartedly agree with the point that anyone considering buying should give it a thorough looking over/torque check (Park Tool's videos are your friend if you're learning maintenance!) or swing by a bike shop and pay a bit for them to do it. I always liked when someone stopped by our shop with a bike they just bought at the Target next door for us to give it a good look - a big part of the reason big box bikes get such a bad rap is their often poor assembly at the store. Quick question for you: Is the fork steel or aluminum on this bike?
Thanks for the comment and definitely agree there!!! The fork is steel and sounds like that is where some of the weight is hidden on this bad boy HAHAHAHA
The biggest problem with upgrading is with the wheelset and fork. The freewheel rear wheel means your forced to buy another wheelset if you want more than seven speeds as well as a wide range of cassette options (it's like 27 1/4 vs 700c). And then there's the fork, which at 3.4lbs is a boat anchor. But, and this relates to the wheelset, to try and find a budget, tapered, QR fork is quite the quest as most tapered disc forks are thru.
@racerx8410712 they do offer some upgraded freewheel options, but you definitely will not get the HG range with a freewheel. This is imo a buy and not upgrade much bike at the price. Contact points if you want, but not much more. When you get more into it , Poseidon redwood would be your next best option. Very sharp bike and plenty capable for most riders at a great entry price 😁
I just wanted a bike to get out and ride, get a child seat for my toddler, get out of the house on paved trails. Went to see which size i should get as I'm 5' 8", right between them. My walmart had it for $125! Just an unreal get, I don't even know why it was on sale. I had to adjust some things, the front gear shifter by the chain (sorry don't know the name) was rubbing on the chain when it was in the higher gear, but a simple adjustment. The assembly by a walmart employee wasn't top shelf, as you would expect. Already ordered the seat upgrade you recommended becasue after just 10 minutes I was already feeling it.
I bought it just to ride in the road because my mtb tires that i use are about $180+ right now fot both with nee sealant. So for $250 im saving money actually because im not wearing out my fork, shock, gx cassette, chainring, dropper post on my Commencal Tempo Ohlins Edition that ive got about $6k in currently and i honestly believe was a great deal for what I got for how i ride. This gravel bike is a great deal for what it is. I did bring it to my lbs and have them adjust everything and put on some Victoria road tires to make it lighter and faster
The gravel tires didn’t workout in my case. And I’m completely lost with what tire to get. I not just a beginner, am ignorant to this sport, please help me out. Thx for all the knowledge and tips 🙏🏾 you’ve got a subscriber ✌🏾
Hey there and thanks for the sub! I would recommend you just try some 700c tires that are road rated. They will look pretty smooth and not have many knobs or be hardly visible. There are a ton to choose from though!
I think this is a great bike to get as a gift or bonus bike to force your friends/family into riding with you. I think it's also a great bike for someone who isn't sure exactly what type of gravel bike they're looking for before spending $2000 on something imperfect.
I agree with you on all accounts! At the price it is just such a nice and easy way to get into the sport and see what you think! Appreciate the comment!
dont force them, they will hate it belive me. not everyone appreciates a bikes. I would love for my family to come out as well but I know that if I push them out it will be the same as when they push me to go to any sporting event. it just makes u hate it even more. but yeah anyone looking to try the sport that dosent want to spend an arm and a leg... yeah this bike will due. another not so talked about advantage is that u can also ride it to the grocery store or gym and if it gets stolen u dont lose 1-4 months rent.
I purchased one and I’m happy with it. Of course the seat was replaced before my ride. I like the Shwinn Commute from Target. ( The Shwinn Commute from Walmart is a different seat) I purchased with the intent of swapping out the drop bars for flat bars as I’m not generally a fan of drop bars. First 6 miles just weren’t comfortable. So I flipped the stem from angled down to angled up, and adjusted the bars basically level on top. Upright and on the “hoods” is comfortable for me. I would consider a shorter stem if I could find one with the same rise. I’ve also decided that the bars are staying. Got about 50 miles on it now, mostly paved and no issues. Mine was actually put together correctly. I’ll probably get an aluminum seat post because they are cheap enough and can carry fewer tools. Any weight savings is just a bonus. Anything else will only be replaced if something breaks. It’s a budget bike. It’s not going to come with $10k worth of components.
I got this bike two days ago and I just returned it. I think it’s a truly stellar bike and great for most people but just not for me. I’m 6’1” and the bike just did not fit. I had plenty of clearance between my knees and the handlebars, however I had to raise the seat up and it ended up being that for me to look forward I had to bend my neck so far that it was uncomfortable. It was like trying to look straight up while sitting forward in a chair. If the bike were a 58cm or maybe even 56cm I’d have no problem. I also had an issue where the brakes started rubbing after I took the front wheel of the first time and I just couldn’t fix it, and I fixed the brakes on my car just fine. The assembly on my bike was just so poor. It’s a shame. I really wanted this bike but I guess I’ll try and fix my old 2019 Schwinn trailway hybrid. It doesn’t have the drop handle or disc brakes but it does have a front suspension so I think it will be ok on the trails I have nearby. I’m still looking for something that will fit but it’s just so hard to find something in my size. I’m even looking more into mountain bike (but I want a chill road ride) and road bike (but then it’s hard to go on terrain I have in my location). Just so frustrating as someone who’s really interested in a new hobby and can’t find a way in. Or maybe the answers in my face and I need to fix my schwinn. Either way great informative video, love the content on the ozark trail, glad I tried it, and I hope this comment helps others make an informed decision.
Appreciate your kind words and bummed for you over having to return it. But, This is a great question to ask you then!!! How was the return process for you since I bring it up in the video?
@@chickensendies Return process was smooth. Just walked in and went to customer service and told the guy there that the bike was defective and not the right fit and he just scanned the barcode on the bike and looked at my receipt and I got my money back. I definitely would recommend that people buy the bike and try it out since the return process is very easy.
@chicagodog3171 Really appreciate you sharing, so thank you! I've never returned a bike but have other items, so I figured it should be just as smooth. HAHAHAHA Thanks!
I think for upgrades rather then replace just the pads, consider getting some cheap cable pull hydraulic calipers. I've never used them myself but heard great things about them.
Im strongly thinking about grabbing one of these. Color matches my commencal meta and just casual road riding is what id mostly do with it and as is it seems perfect. Id love to set it up with a 1 by setup for weight savings less moving parts. Wonder how much weigjyt savings could happen with removing some crap off of it
@PDillz I'm sure you could shave more weight thank you think with some nice upgrades like that! Square tapered and a 2x adds weight for sure. Then, you'll also be able to remove the front derailleur for more weight savings.
I'm loving the G1. I wouldn't have a gravel bike if it wasn't for this. I bought a fat tire bike last year, my first bike in over 10 years. A few months later I bought an xc trail bike. I didn't need a third bike but this was too much of a value and potential to pass up. And, I don't think the stock saddle is bad.
Very fair review. Seems a great $250 bike. Perfect for someone that wants cheap transportation. It probably isn't the best choice to upgrade but it's cheap to buy & cheap to maintain & you don't have to worry (as much) locking it up outside. Depending on the size of the freewheel I MIGHT upgrade to a Shimano MegaRange (freewheel) with the 34t granny but even that's only like a $20 investment.
@@stevengagnon4777 Oh dear. That means adding a few links or buying a new chain. If a new chain is needed, you'd have to buy off Ali instead of Amazon to keep it to $20.😅
The bike is listed at 30.4 lbs stock. Side by side, the AXUM COMP is about the same weight. The big steel chaining adds a lot to the weight. Also, the AXUM COMP has a much better seat post, which is obviously a trash component on the G1.
I got this other day. My brakes dont have any travel at all, they bite quick but are noisey. Am not a big rider, never had proper gravel bike just hand down random bikes. This bike is perfect for me at this price range. Cant have many expensive hobbies.
@@chickensendies my issue is I geek out so I have to be careful what I get into. it will be on my mind 24/7 and I'll have to dive deeper just out of curiosity. I'll keep the bike stock for a while. Then if I upgrade hopefully I'll be able to go 👍or 👎
I started riding quite a bit just the last couple years, but it's always been the same trail system around my house (80% paved bike path, 20% dirt roads and easy dirt trails). goals are just fitness and getting outside, usually 10-15 miles at a go. had been riding the same old 18-speed trek mtb I've had for 25 years, but it started wearing out. wasn't sure what to do, didn't really want to drop a thousand bucks, also didn't want some garbage huffy bike. this walmart gravel bike has been close to perfect for me. it's significantly faster and more fun to ride than the old MTB. only thing I don't like is the 2x7 transmission, would love to replace it. I think I could get a close enough functional range even out of a more spread out 1x8 and be much happier. that's stuff I've never messed with though, so I'm not sure I want to go down that road.
That I'd great and I'm glad you ate enjoying it so much! Though overwhelming at first the worse part of upgrading a bike is getting the correct tools for it 😅😅😅 it honestly is pretty straight forward and parktool videos are your friend!!!!
I got that brown charge saddle in 2022. Pain. Pain discomfort and more pain. I switched to a Fizik argo r5 i think and i loved it until I cracked it in half. Now its a selle italia split saddle that says rx on the side, its pretty comfortable even when time trialing. Don't get that charge saddle. For context I've been riding no chammois since I was 14 and Im 25 now. Its a non issue until that charge saddle enters the chat.
Ah man... I hate hearing that. I have put quite a few miles on mine now and it has been fine for me though. I typically ride Ergon saddles on my mountain bikes and absolutely love them 😁
I have two high end road and MTB bikes. The Ozark gravel bike i purchased needed minimum tuning and the mechanical brakes worked fine no stopping problems. As far as the weight concerns go it is a bit heavy on the climbs, if the weight is concerning lose 30 lbs body weight....lol 😂
I’ve been watching videos about road bikes, but the price scared me away. After watching this video I grabbed this bike from Walmart, ordered the saddle , pedals and sit post your recommended on Amazon, but I don’t know what tire to get. I’m new to this. Pls help me out with the road tires.
Hey there and glad you snagged one and are enjoying it!!! The stock tires are a pretty good mix of road/gravel. If you are wanting more road oriented you will be looking for basically smoother tires with not many knobs or knobs that are not that deep. There are so many option that it would be hard for me to give you one specific model or even brand. Hope you can get what you are looking for!!!
Im a 44 year old dude, and ill be coming from BMX riding, finally just want something to sit down on lol Also on a fixed income, I found this bike last week, and will be getting one soon, the price point is hard to beat, especially for newbs like myself. Theres a ton about road/gravel bikes that seem like rocket science to me, but your videos on this bike have helped me feel better about spending the money. Now just hoping as a shorter rider (28" inseam at 5'6") that it will be comfortable in the long run. I really appreciate these videos about this bike! Also, can you by chance tell me the stem size? as Ill probably be looking for a slightly shorter one,
That is terrific new and I truly think this bike is perfect for someone like you!!! Really glad my videos helped you and keep me posted on over how it treats you!!! 😁
@@chickensendies definitely will as I remember. Probably gonna look into an affordable cargo trailer to make it a grocery getter lol Really like the idea of you doing more budget upgrades videos, as I think that would be awesome, I could learn as I go. I subscribed, and look forward to more videos
Do you mind sharing the model/price of the saddle and any other changes you've made to the contact points of the bike? Looking at this bike and wondering how much I might be spending changing out some of the stuff.
Hey there! The saddle is a charge spoon saddle off of Amazon, I also swapped the seat post with a budget option off of Amazon, and got some decent flat pedals. Other than that it is stock from this video!
I ride a budget Wal Mart gravel bike. A Genesis Bohe that I have been upgrading over time. I am about $600 into it now and I love the bike. I probably won't be sinking anymore into it though cause it is a budget bike after all and you have to draw a line at some point. I bought it because it was something I could pick up for cheap and upgrade over time, and I don't race and I'm not out there trying to set any land speed records on gravel roads. I ride cause it's fun. My other reason for buying a budget bike is the fact that no way in hell am I spending 1500 dollars or more on a bike that I'm going to take out on rough gravel roads. Could I afford to spend that? Yes I could. Am I willing to? Not really. If did spend that then the bike would never see anything but pavement and what fun would that be? I think it's great that now someone who wants to get into gravel or mtb,but either can't afford to or doesn't want to drop a ton of cash on a bike can pick up a decent bike for an affordable price. Whether you love or hate budget bikes, the fact is it gets people out on bikes that might otherwise not get out there.
Mine came with the same group set as the Ozark Trail. It has since been replaced with all Shimano. The only problem I really had was that the left(front)L-twoo shifter failed after 60 miles. I shifted to the big chainrings after a climb felt something snap inside the lever. Just an FYI.
@chickensendies Very strange. I think ifni were to swap the fork and crankset out for a carbon fork and hollow tech crank the 44 would be like 24-25lbs which is not bad for a Gravel bike. But the difference in weight between sizes is extremely weird. I might expect a pound.
@@oldcrowcornhole Same imo..... I'll end up ripping it to the frame and weigh it out eventually. Definitely perplexed though when I heard the weight difference lol
I was looking at bikes direct, bicycles online, chain reaction cycle's, I like polygon path 4 for $950 on sale Poseidon ambition x, feel like around $1,000 is about the max, that's with selling my old jamis coda and I gotta sell it first, nothing much around $500 it seems, this for $250 is a great for anyone though I will look at one myself.
I agree here! The price is the most separating factor. I know some will say that $500 more for a Poseidon is not much but to some it really is. Imo you get what you can and this at $250 is fine stock and will get you going! Appreciate it, Derek!
In the area of North Carolina I live and ride in. There doesn't seem to be any flat areas of gravel, unless you go up to the New river trail in Virginia. So to market it as a gravel bike, may seem a little far fetched. I just don't think the bike is geared low enough.
I can definitely understand the worry there. It has some decent gearing but again at $250 they had to keep the price down in some places. On a positive note you can always grab one try it and if it does not work the return process at Walmart is usually pretty painless. Thanks for stopping by!!!
I already have a check point, I'm just amazed how many folks are praising this bike. Wal-Mart's Ozark Trail brand has become a staple in the outdoor budget category. I own a couple of their items. A couple of RUclipsrs were singing the praise of their Mountain Bike last year. But I see some folks making upgrades that I believe would be better suited to better Bikes. I'm thinking ones like The Trek Domone AL, I'm sure Specialized and Giant have their versions also. Definitely would be better with a carbon fork. I think it's more of a bike that you can ride off the floor. When gravel was in it's infancy, there were a lot more budget options. But they seem to have all disappeared.
@hippymtnbkr Yea, sadly it seems there are not many budget options in this category and the price for other bikes are a pretty big pill to swallow for some 😅😅😅
I have a Fuji Sportif, and am looking into doing bikepacking, but I am not sure if the frame can take the racks and etc. Would this Walmart bike work for bikepacking ??? Just starting out with weekend trips.
Hey, there and thanks for stopping by! I sadly have no input on actual bike packing tips. I know the bike has mounts and I am sure it would be fine but I personally have never gone bike packing. Hopefully you can find someone with more knowledge there than me!
I seen a video of this bike and the front wheel being pulled off from the fork just from using the front brakes heavily. Even with the QR properly tightened the recess in the forks where the QR fits into isnt deep enough to provide much of any safety.
@@chickensendies it was a RUclips short, guy in the comments said he was riding it had to brake suddenly and that's when he found himself going over the handlebars, I questioned him, and he posted a RUclips short showing the wheel coming off the fork when the brakes was pressed pretty hard.
@madmax2069 Was not saying I did not believe you. But, I feel as though some form of foul play was going on. Whether it was factory or user for that specific event I obviously do not know. But, As mentioned mine has been absolutely fine with no issues and this is the first time I have heard of the issue you are talking about. Thanks for the comments! 😁
Do you know Walmart's production cycle? Will they make this bicycle for a couple years? Or is it a limited run? Once they're sold out they're gone? I'm very interested in this. Pat, it's a purchase that will have to wait a couple months
It's weird when people expect $1200/$1500 bikes for $250 from Walmart. Those people are out of touch with who this bike is for and what to expect and how it'll be used.
lets take something into consideration. the average price of adult bikes at Walmart nowadays are like 300-400$ which is insane for the Walmart market because people that buy bikes there either dont have 1-7k to spend on a bike or just simply dont want to spend 1-7k bike. with that said this bike is bellow the 300$ mark and decently put together. it exists to allow people to get on the rocks at an affordable price. so anyone complaining that its too heavy or that xyz dosent perform nearly as well as they're glorious trek bike........I just have one question for those individuals..... do u also take stock Honda Civics on test drives and expect them to perform like a lambo or mclaren? is that where your loaded pockets and microscopic appendage brought u too in life? If this is the case than I recommend u stop popping every soccer ball that lands in your yard, mabey stop asking for the manager at every establishment u go too and definetly go tell ur wife's boyfriend to take a hike. u need that experience in your life do it. its better than being 38 and acting like a 7 yearold compensating for lack of attention.
Sadly at the end of the day bike elitists or snobs exist.... You get a $250 bike here that I afmgree with is built well for the price and is a very budget friendly way to get going in the bike world. I believe the saying is "Haters gonna hate" lol
these are low cost bikes that are pretty good for the cost. But IMO they should be ridden as they come. Spending money on upgrades is a little pointless if you wanted a better bike then spend more if you want a budget bike these are pretty good but as soon as you drop a load of money on upgrades it soon stops being a budget bike.
The frame itself isn’t bad. That’s the only thing that’s not total garbage. The move here is to buy the bike strip it down and build it back up if you got decent parts laying around then sell all the stock components to people that are stupid enough to buy this bikeand keep it stock. They are going to need them as they’re constantly breaking these cheap parts. I don’t think you guys realize how cheap the bearings are in this thing.. headset bottom bracket wheel bearings is there any chance those things are gonna last more than a year or two? You will drop the cost of the bike repairs after a couple years if you’re riding this thing hard. Especially if you’re a heavier rider, you’d be a fool to think you’re gonna go out and shred single track on this thing without destroying it quickly.
@Bikes0420 Obviously this bike is not made for "shredding" single track... Sure, I did it for giggles, but this is for road miles and gravel riding, and it is absolutely fine for that stock. If people want to go out and upgrade every part on it, they sure can. It is their money and can do as they please. The stock components on the bike are fine, and after many miles on mine they are still functioning no issue. In many of the groups I'm in, theirs have been fine too 😁 Appreciate the comment and ride on 😉
@@chickensendies Thank you! My rear end was in pain after the first time I rode this bike. I haven't got back on since until I do something about the seat lol.
I agree this bike is a good value, but I do not think it will have much resell value. If you get this bike, enjoy it and don't expect to recoup much of the cost. It is much easier to resell a "branded" bike, as people looking to buy a Walmart bike will either purchase new or expect to pay no more than $50 for a used bike. Of course if you upgrade a bunch of components, then you could get more from the enthusiasts in the used market , but then we're back to square one (i.e. upgrading this bike too far doesn't make sense) Anyway I'm bitter the Ozark is too small for me 😭 If they had a large I would buy it today.
That is a valid point but I agree.... For the price you would be better off keeping it and just enjoying it. I do still stand on selling a more expensive bike currently. Very hard to get your money back with all the sales and such for new ones 😅😅😅 Hopefully they will release some bigger sizes!!! 😁
This is a bike for newbies to drop bars and a bike to take camping or on a vacation and not have to worry about your high dollar bike being ridden off by someone else 😊
@jefframsey8764 I strongly think the somebody riding off on it is a great reason for this... Sadly this day and age you have to worry about it and losing a $250 bike is much better than a high end bike. Buy it, ride it, and enjoy it 😁😁😁
Yeah, about a Walmart, bike about 20 years ago, the handlebars twisted around and I faced dove into the cement with my helmet. I threw it in the bushes and went to my local bike shop.
@stevek4382 hate that happened to you.... Always recommend double checking bolts and how the bike was overall assembled. If you aren't comfortable doing that definitely take it to a LBS. Appreciate the comment and ride on! 😁
compression less housings and metal pads man, lol I think u did great 250 and upgrade guilt free not spending 2500 lol and they laugh at us lol ok just invest the savings brother
They will always laugh lol. If I cared about their opinions, it would be different. It is my money and I'll spend and enjoy it as I see fit 😁😁😁 Appreciate the comment!
there's nothing wrong with the brakes. mine work great, What needs to be done with these bikes is taken to a bike shop and completely tuned by a certified bike mechanic. However, mine needs some adjusting on the gears!!
I am more than capable for adjusting bike brakes. As I stated I just have not done it yet on this specific bike. I have built many bikes from the frame up and this is not my first rodeo 😁 Again, Appreciate the comment!
I do agree with this statement. bought mine from Walmart and the first thing I noticed was the brakes were rubbing on the disks without pressing the brakes. this was easy to fix but that shows that quality of work is not the best wherever Walmart assembles their bikes.
@attiumeyami417 Yep, definitely check it over yourself if purchased at a store or if your not comfortable get a bud whonis or take it to a local bike shop 😁 Appreciate all the comments you've been leaving. Thanks!
I was never a fan of Walmart but anyone who is selling a usable out of the box bike for $250. Is moving in the right direction. (They are also selling reasonably priced Intense MTB’s.) I’m sick of opening a magazine and looking at $12-14,000 bicycles.
I put 35c tires on a vintage road bike from 1985. I spent about 250 canadian dollars all said and done and I can guarantee it will last longer and is more enjoyable to ride than this walmart bike.
I have an 85 steal race bike that had been in storage give to me and it's the best riding bike I own. That thing still has all the reflectors and the dork disk is clear as a bell. I love hearing others riding that era of bikes.
Buy it, if you don't like it, sell it for $100. Do not upgrade it, it's not worth it. If you love it, sell it for $100. Buy a "real" bike. Truly a waste of money to upgrade, one is still left with a dog of a frame and fork.
@ronbell7920 no reason to sell it if you realize you don't like it in a weak or two. Just take or back for a full refund. Bike is fine for general riding and gravel 😁
New people to the bike and/or gravel scene aren't going to be worried about weight. I think this bike is for anyone that needs to get out and ride around on a budget. If they feel like they want to move onto bigger and better from this bike great, if not not big loss. Seems like a win/win situation for people just trying to get onto a bike for the first time or after a long while.
Exactly what I think as well! Appreciate your input!
🙋♂️
I think it's a bit aggressive for it's target demographic.
(50 cm Medium)
TTL - 565
Reach - 395
Stack - 572
Just buy a used bike bro the long-term ownership review on this will result in people spending hundreds of dollars replacing components they wish they had got something nicer. Trust me don’t be stupid. Those components are all garbage.
@@Animalstyle69a beginner is not going to know what to look for on a used, nor would they know what a working or broken bike looks like
I got one for work and commute. Haven't done a thing to it and after 600 miles and one tune up into it.. best buy I ever made and extends the life of my other bike.
People over think it tbh.
That is great to hear!!!! I think people do over think it. Nice bike for the price. Buy it and ride it! 😁😁😁
I’m going to put 1k in this bike. My money my choice. Love this bike!! I have got more attention with this bike! People love it!! People are tired of spending thousands of dollars on bikes just to keep up with what’s cool it doesn’t make them any less lazy!!! lol. I love out riding people with cool expensive bikes with my ozark trail!!!! lol. They start asking me questions about it. lol. Love this thing!!! Great video!!!!
@sojourn1544 at the end of the day you do what you want to! As long as you are enjoying it that is all that matters 😁😁😁 SHRED ON!!!
Thank for your review! How smooth the ride is - like how hard?
How good the grip on the road is in snowy/rainy condition?
I was never a fan of road bikes and the super skinny tires always used fat tire mountain bike or 29ers , hell i never heard of gravel bike until 2 weeks ago then i saw this bike at walmart and fell in love with it and its put the passion back in riding again for me. So ill ride the hell out of this bike and down the road get another one or a even better one now that i know i love gravel bikes. Worth $250 to me all day
Yea!!!!! Ride that thing! Stoked for you 😁😁😁
Im 4:27 😮😊
I bought mine and then found out that gravel bikes exist. I didn't even know it was a thing. I just assumed u took a mountain bike or hybrid on anything that wasn't road. im like why are the tires on this road bike so fat? oh what's that? its not a road bike its a gravel bike? wtf the fuck really those exist? right than thank you information tag that comes with the bike I should have read u at the store instead of at home but thats ok cause this wonderful mistake got me on the rocks.
@attiumeyami417 They have something for everything HAHAHAHA Hope you enjoy your new bike!!! 😁
I hate working on cars, but love working on bikes so if you want to upgrade a $250 bike then have at it. I watch more bike upgrades/fixes videos than someone going down trails. I'm looking forward to watching your upgrades.
I agree! At the end of the day it is your bike/money so just enjoy it how you see fit!
Appreciate it!!!
Do you think you will ever do a video on swapping out the drop bars for straight bars? That would be awesome! Yes I’m new to all of this. Keep up the great work!
I'm mid 50s. I had been shopping for an urban grocery getter. The cheapest bike before this with "real parts" was about $400. For those of us getting back into biking after a long break, the sticker shock is real. I snatched one up when I saw the price and watched some review videos. You overlook that you can get it for cheap and upgrade piecemeal over time for those on a budget. I'm enjoying learning how to do my own work. I can't get used to "riding the hoods" so I'm going to swap the drop bars out for a knock-off H-bar. Eventually going to build it up to a proper bikepacking/touring machine.
Hey there!!! Welcome back to the sport and I'm glad th8s bike is treating you well! Sticker shock is definitely a real thing HAHAHAHA I've done quite a few budget builds over the years, and I agree this would be a very nice bike for upgrading over time as parts wear out or as you get cash available for it! Everybody's wallet is different, so as long as it works for you that is all that matters!!! Appreciate the comment 😁
I need recommendation's on saddle replacements or good padded butt pants because this things default saddle is very rough on me xD
Yea... My saddle went fast HAHAHAHA I ended up using a budget saddle off of Amazon. (Charge spoon saddle) Typically the riding shorts (Chamois) I use are zoic branded ones. I absolutely love them and have 4 pairs now. I really think they are great!
Great insight as always. Excited to see what upgrades you decide to make. I like the budget friendly/ bang for the buck approach too. Thanks for sharing!
Appreciate your kind words! Hopefully will get the first upgrade video up next week! 😁
Just picked this bike up and absolutely love it. I'm a mountain biker and my expensive enduro is not what I want to be taking out for fitness rides around my city when I can't get to the trails. For 250$ bucks this was a great fill in bike for those times and the weight doesn't bother me, since i'm used to riding heavier mtbs any way. Had to do a bit of a tune up from the store, so maybe not the best for someone with no mechanical knowledge, but outside of that I haven't found anything wrong with it.
Also cut the seat tube post in half to save a little bit of weight since it's SO long.
@johnnyfromtheblock7195 awesome and glad you enjoy it!!! That is a good idea on cutting the seatpost if you have the extra length. Appreciate the comment!
I ended up upgrading the free wheel to a SHIMANO MF-TZ50, I highly recommend it and so far is the best $26 (including the tool) i have spent on this bike. I feel like the gearing was just a little too high for a lot of the trails and streets I ride. I did have to replace my brakes because they were completely worn after 200 miles, I could have gotten away with just pads but I decided that i would go ahead and spend the money and get slightly better calipers and pads.
Did you end up getting a new chain or did you make the stock chain still work?
I have been looking for a used bike to ride around the neighborhood with my kids or to take to the campgrounds in the summer instead of my higher end mountain bike. This bike is perfect, looks fantastic, rides fairly well. I’ll probably just take off the front derailleur and/or just make it a single speed to better fit my use and to worry less about stuff needing adjusting. Couldn’t be happier!
Also, I’m 6’2”, but a 32” inseam, long torso and arms, the fit is good enough for my needs. I did flip the stem over, and may move my seat and/or get a slightly longer stem, but for the most part, it’s great for my usage. Not sure I would want to crank out 30+ mile rides on it, but again, for me, it’s great!
I'd say if that is what your gonna use it for 1x all the way! Plenty of nice budget options for that 😁
I found out about this bike and immediately got the itch to make a build. I definitely can not afford to do that and i already have an aluminum cannondale topstone so i'm going to follow along and live vicariously through you
I understand that! Hopefully you enjoy the build and I appreciate it! 😁
44cm is 28 lbs . Adding a Falcon 14-40 freewheel ($62) and a carbon fork ($114) then add 29x2.215” tires on stock wheels and tubes makes a world of difference for this bike and it still looks stock 😉
Wild 44cm one is 8Ibs less HAHAHAHA Appreciate the comment 😁😁😁
Changing fork is almost 3lbs
@@jefframsey8764 This is what I've heard. Definitely on the upgrade agenda.... Actually have all the parts to do it. Just gotta do it lol
Which carbon fork did you get?
Laced in a Shimano M325, 7-10 speed cassette rear hub. I reused spokes, perfect length, but did put brass nipples on build.
I bet the brass nipples look great!!!
This bike was just made for Aliexpress! What this bike needs right now:
- Ceramic brake pads (Soocent pads are the best - trust me, I know!)
- a new rear hub with an HG body (plenty of options there - just get the cheapest one you can find with four sealed bearings and it'll be fine.)
- Hollowtech II-style crankset. Just get the cheapest one (the ones with a spider will almost certainly be 130bcd; get a direct mount crankset and a separate spider if you want to use 110bcd chainrings.)
- If you want to go 1x, go ahead and pick up an Ltwoo shifter and rear derailleur and a big-ass-range cassette as well.
You could make a very nice bike if you go that route! 😁😁😁
So pretty much drop twice the cost of the bike into the bike is that what you’re saying there’s no point of buying a new rear hub and switching it out with that cheap wheel you might as well just buy new wheel set plus a crank set plus a whole drive train??
@@Animalstyle69 Yeah. What's your point?
i just ordered this bike, and i can't wait... although, i don't do mountain biking, i'm more of a BMX riding and road bike rider... but i want something that looks awesome, and can carry stuff... i've ordered a rear bike rack, a matching pannier bag, and fork racks... i'm too heavy to ride my road bikes now, and i hate loading up a huge backpack when i just want to ride to a lake, fish with a lunch bag, maybe some books... i think it's going to be awesome...
Very nice and I am sure it'll be great for that!!!
You’re going to trash that bike so fast with all that weight.. The cheap bearings found all over this bike will be exposed pretty quickly. I guarantee you’ll need new wheels within a year.
@@Animalstyle69 I already got it new wheels and group... I took off the 48spoke monsters off of my old track bike and swapped out some nice hubs I had laying around my old carbon fuji...
@@GumbiiGrows Do your thing and enjoy it! 😁😁😁
It's fun! I bought one and liked it but decided to return it because I already had projects I was working on. I bought it out of curiosity and I was not disappointed for the price. I'm 6' tall with my shoes on and the 50 fit fine. Just needed a different stem...
Gotta respect that! Glad you liked it while you had it!
i have one in a medium size, and it's 30lbs. not what you said. i have way more better bikes than this one, but i am gonna make a bus bike out of it. i really likie mine. i rode it yesterday. this bike is really smooth. i find that i like riding it all the time. this bike is set for touring and bike packing which is what i wanted. i have replaced the saddle and put an adjustable stem on it. next will be fron and rear racks. this bike is perfect for what i want. why don't you tell them about all the braze ons, and the steel front fork and the 36 spoke double wall rims made for carrying loads and touring. comes with a kickstand, and kenda tires. are you kidding me? For 250 dollars!! there should not be any complaints.
That is very interesting.... I have video of weighing mine up even and it is 36Ibs..... Maybe my scale is off but that is very interesting you are saying yours is 6Ibs lighter which would make more sense compared to the 44cm sized weight..
I myself am not a "tourer" so I am not really the one to share all that info on what specifically is on it for mounting because I lack the knowledge there. I am more of a budget mountain bike channel but found this bike very interesting and tempting at the price so I snagged it for some riding and extra content on the channel.
Thanks for the comment!!!
As a former bike mechanic I LOVE that half way decent budget options are coming out for the average person wanting to get their feet wet with whatever style of riding. Wholeheartedly agree with the point that anyone considering buying should give it a thorough looking over/torque check (Park Tool's videos are your friend if you're learning maintenance!) or swing by a bike shop and pay a bit for them to do it. I always liked when someone stopped by our shop with a bike they just bought at the Target next door for us to give it a good look - a big part of the reason big box bikes get such a bad rap is their often poor assembly at the store.
Quick question for you: Is the fork steel or aluminum on this bike?
Thanks for the comment and definitely agree there!!!
The fork is steel and sounds like that is where some of the weight is hidden on this bad boy HAHAHAHA
The biggest problem with upgrading is with the wheelset and fork. The freewheel rear wheel means your forced to buy another wheelset if you want more than seven speeds as well as a wide range of cassette options (it's like 27 1/4 vs 700c). And then there's the fork, which at 3.4lbs is a boat anchor. But, and this relates to the wheelset, to try and find a budget, tapered, QR fork is quite the quest as most tapered disc forks are thru.
@racerx8410712 they do offer some upgraded freewheel options, but you definitely will not get the HG range with a freewheel. This is imo a buy and not upgrade much bike at the price. Contact points if you want, but not much more. When you get more into it , Poseidon redwood would be your next best option. Very sharp bike and plenty capable for most riders at a great entry price 😁
Solid video and im looking forward to the upgrades.
Appreciate it, and thanks for the comment 😁
I just wanted a bike to get out and ride, get a child seat for my toddler, get out of the house on paved trails. Went to see which size i should get as I'm 5' 8", right between them. My walmart had it for $125! Just an unreal get, I don't even know why it was on sale. I had to adjust some things, the front gear shifter by the chain (sorry don't know the name) was rubbing on the chain when it was in the higher gear, but a simple adjustment. The assembly by a walmart employee wasn't top shelf, as you would expect. Already ordered the seat upgrade you recommended becasue after just 10 minutes I was already feeling it.
What an absolute steal!!!! Have a blast making memories with your toddler. I love riding my bike with one of my girls 😁😁😁 Appreciate the comment!
I bought it just to ride in the road because my mtb tires that i use are about $180+ right now fot both with nee sealant. So for $250 im saving money actually because im not wearing out my fork, shock, gx cassette, chainring, dropper post on my Commencal Tempo Ohlins Edition that ive got about $6k in currently and i honestly believe was a great deal for what I got for how i ride. This gravel bike is a great deal for what it is. I did bring it to my lbs and have them adjust everything and put on some Victoria road tires to make it lighter and faster
Nice on swapping to Victorias! I bet it feels better on the road. I agree at $250 it is a nice bike! Perfect for what you got it for!
Just bought the small frame for myself and my girlfriend as it was impossible to get the bigger frame size. So far so good though!
@@m73jaredII good deal and glad it is working out!
The gravel tires didn’t workout in my case. And I’m completely lost with what tire to get. I not just a beginner, am ignorant to this sport, please help me out. Thx for all the knowledge and tips 🙏🏾 you’ve got a subscriber ✌🏾
Hey there and thanks for the sub! I would recommend you just try some 700c tires that are road rated. They will look pretty smooth and not have many knobs or be hardly visible. There are a ton to choose from though!
It looks nicer than my bike. I bought a used bike for $65 on the Facebook marketplace. I don’t care who makes fun of me.
@lakaumbucha hey, as long as it works and you can ride it that is all that matters! SHRED ON!!!
I think this is a great bike to get as a gift or bonus bike to force your friends/family into riding with you. I think it's also a great bike for someone who isn't sure exactly what type of gravel bike they're looking for before spending $2000 on something imperfect.
I agree with you on all accounts! At the price it is just such a nice and easy way to get into the sport and see what you think! Appreciate the comment!
dont force them, they will hate it belive me. not everyone appreciates a bikes. I would love for my family to come out as well but I know that if I push them out it will be the same as when they push me to go to any sporting event. it just makes u hate it even more. but yeah anyone looking to try the sport that dosent want to spend an arm and a leg... yeah this bike will due.
another not so talked about advantage is that u can also ride it to the grocery store or gym and if it gets stolen u dont lose 1-4 months rent.
@attiumeyami417 I'm hoping one of these days I can get my Father out on the trails with me 😁😁😁
@attiumeyami417 being hyperbolic, not actually "force" them to at gunpoint or something but more like reduce the barriers of having their own bike
I purchased one and I’m happy with it.
Of course the seat was replaced before my ride.
I like the Shwinn Commute from Target. ( The Shwinn Commute from Walmart is a different seat)
I purchased with the intent of swapping out the drop bars for flat bars as I’m not generally a fan of drop bars.
First 6 miles just weren’t comfortable.
So I flipped the stem from angled down to angled up, and adjusted the bars basically level on top.
Upright and on the “hoods” is comfortable for me.
I would consider a shorter stem if I could find one with the same rise.
I’ve also decided that the bars are staying.
Got about 50 miles on it now, mostly paved and no issues. Mine was actually put together correctly.
I’ll probably get an aluminum seat post because they are cheap enough and can carry fewer tools.
Any weight savings is just a bonus.
Anything else will only be replaced if something breaks.
It’s a budget bike. It’s not going to come with $10k worth of components.
Glad you are enjoying yours! Definitely a nice bike for the price! Ride on!!! 😁
I’d love to see a wheel and 40-45 tire upgrade. And if you decide on changing the drive train to something suited for climbing
I am definitely interested in a drive train upgrade. Front wheel is part of my first upgrade video 😁 Hopefully it'll be done next week!
I got this bike two days ago and I just returned it. I think it’s a truly stellar bike and great for most people but just not for me. I’m 6’1” and the bike just did not fit. I had plenty of clearance between my knees and the handlebars, however I had to raise the seat up and it ended up being that for me to look forward I had to bend my neck so far that it was uncomfortable. It was like trying to look straight up while sitting forward in a chair. If the bike were a 58cm or maybe even 56cm I’d have no problem. I also had an issue where the brakes started rubbing after I took the front wheel of the first time and I just couldn’t fix it, and I fixed the brakes on my car just fine. The assembly on my bike was just so poor.
It’s a shame. I really wanted this bike but I guess I’ll try and fix my old 2019 Schwinn trailway hybrid. It doesn’t have the drop handle or disc brakes but it does have a front suspension so I think it will be ok on the trails I have nearby. I’m still looking for something that will fit but it’s just so hard to find something in my size. I’m even looking more into mountain bike (but I want a chill road ride) and road bike (but then it’s hard to go on terrain I have in my location). Just so frustrating as someone who’s really interested in a new hobby and can’t find a way in. Or maybe the answers in my face and I need to fix my schwinn. Either way great informative video, love the content on the ozark trail, glad I tried it, and I hope this comment helps others make an informed decision.
Appreciate your kind words and bummed for you over having to return it. But, This is a great question to ask you then!!! How was the return process for you since I bring it up in the video?
@@chickensendies Return process was smooth. Just walked in and went to customer service and told the guy there that the bike was defective and not the right fit and he just scanned the barcode on the bike and looked at my receipt and I got my money back. I definitely would recommend that people buy the bike and try it out since the return process is very easy.
@chicagodog3171 Really appreciate you sharing, so thank you! I've never returned a bike but have other items, so I figured it should be just as smooth. HAHAHAHA Thanks!
I think for upgrades rather then replace just the pads, consider getting some cheap cable pull hydraulic calipers. I've never used them myself but heard great things about them.
I've seen a few do this on a Facebook page I'm in. May do that just because HAHAHAHA
But then you’ve gotta replace everything that will cost twice as much as the bike if you want Hydro drop bar shifters/ brake levers
Great video and great bike
Appreciate it and thanks for the comment!
Im strongly thinking about grabbing one of these. Color matches my commencal meta and just casual road riding is what id mostly do with it and as is it seems perfect. Id love to set it up with a 1 by setup for weight savings less moving parts. Wonder how much weigjyt savings could happen with removing some crap off of it
@PDillz I'm sure you could shave more weight thank you think with some nice upgrades like that! Square tapered and a 2x adds weight for sure. Then, you'll also be able to remove the front derailleur for more weight savings.
I'm loving the G1. I wouldn't have a gravel bike if it wasn't for this. I bought a fat tire bike last year, my first bike in over 10 years. A few months later I bought an xc trail bike. I didn't need a third bike but this was too much of a value and potential to pass up. And, I don't think the stock saddle is bad.
That is great! I have a Dolomite ALX as a fat bike and LOVE it!
Stoked the stock saddle works for you!!! Definitely was a no go for me HAHAHAHA
Very fair review.
Seems a great $250 bike. Perfect for someone that wants cheap transportation. It probably isn't the best choice to upgrade but it's cheap to buy & cheap to maintain & you don't have to worry (as much) locking it up outside.
Depending on the size of the freewheel I MIGHT upgrade to a Shimano MegaRange (freewheel) with the 34t granny but even that's only like a $20 investment.
Thanks man and I appreciate it!
I think that type of an upgrade would be perfect for this bike. Not too much money and would help it out!
You will most likely need a chain , as the stock chain will be too short
@@stevengagnon4777 Oh dear. That means adding a few links or buying a new chain. If a new chain is needed, you'd have to buy off Ali instead of Amazon to keep it to $20.😅
The bike is listed at 30.4 lbs stock.
Side by side, the AXUM COMP is about the same weight. The big steel chaining adds a lot to the weight.
Also, the AXUM COMP has a much better seat post, which is obviously a trash component on the G1.
Good thing is new seatpost is very reasonable on Amazon 😁😁😁
I got this other day. My brakes dont have any travel at all, they bite quick but are noisey. Am not a big rider, never had proper gravel bike just hand down random bikes. This bike is perfect for me at this price range. Cant have many expensive hobbies.
Sadly hobbies can get pretty expensive quickly 😅😅😅
Glad you are enjoying yours!
@@chickensendies my issue is I geek out so I have to be careful what I get into. it will be on my mind 24/7 and I'll have to dive deeper just out of curiosity. I'll keep the bike stock for a while. Then if I upgrade hopefully I'll be able to go 👍or 👎
I started riding quite a bit just the last couple years, but it's always been the same trail system around my house (80% paved bike path, 20% dirt roads and easy dirt trails). goals are just fitness and getting outside, usually 10-15 miles at a go. had been riding the same old 18-speed trek mtb I've had for 25 years, but it started wearing out. wasn't sure what to do, didn't really want to drop a thousand bucks, also didn't want some garbage huffy bike. this walmart gravel bike has been close to perfect for me. it's significantly faster and more fun to ride than the old MTB. only thing I don't like is the 2x7 transmission, would love to replace it. I think I could get a close enough functional range even out of a more spread out 1x8 and be much happier. that's stuff I've never messed with though, so I'm not sure I want to go down that road.
That I'd great and I'm glad you ate enjoying it so much!
Though overwhelming at first the worse part of upgrading a bike is getting the correct tools for it 😅😅😅 it honestly is pretty straight forward and parktool videos are your friend!!!!
Another use case is long/hilly commute. Throw a rack and maybe fenders, and it'll be doing pretty good.
Yep! Nice easy commuter! Good to see you, Sim! 😁😁😁
@@chickensendies thanks ! Same 🤟
@@sim_dude I am still just chugging on here HAHAHAHA
I got that brown charge saddle in 2022. Pain. Pain discomfort and more pain. I switched to a Fizik argo r5 i think and i loved it until I cracked it in half. Now its a selle italia split saddle that says rx on the side, its pretty comfortable even when time trialing. Don't get that charge saddle. For context I've been riding no chammois since I was 14 and Im 25 now. Its a non issue until that charge saddle enters the chat.
Ah man... I hate hearing that. I have put quite a few miles on mine now and it has been fine for me though. I typically ride Ergon saddles on my mountain bikes and absolutely love them 😁
I have two high end road and MTB bikes. The Ozark gravel bike i purchased needed minimum tuning and the mechanical brakes worked fine no stopping problems. As far as the weight concerns go it is a bit heavy on the climbs, if the weight is concerning lose 30 lbs body weight....lol 😂
Heavy bikes just make you stronger!!! HAHAHAHA
I’ve been watching videos about road bikes, but the price scared me away. After watching this video I grabbed this bike from Walmart, ordered the saddle , pedals and sit post your recommended on Amazon, but I don’t know what tire to get. I’m new to this. Pls help me out with the road tires.
Hey there and glad you snagged one and are enjoying it!!! The stock tires are a pretty good mix of road/gravel. If you are wanting more road oriented you will be looking for basically smoother tires with not many knobs or knobs that are not that deep. There are so many option that it would be hard for me to give you one specific model or even brand. Hope you can get what you are looking for!!!
It's for me, a 40 year old that's trying to keep in shape and doesn't want to break the bank finding a new hobby.
@squirrelhitscar absolutely perfect for that! 😁😁😁
Im a 44 year old dude, and ill be coming from BMX riding, finally just want something to sit down on lol Also on a fixed income, I found this bike last week, and will be getting one soon, the price point is hard to beat, especially for newbs like myself. Theres a ton about road/gravel bikes that seem like rocket science to me, but your videos on this bike have helped me feel better about spending the money. Now just hoping as a shorter rider (28" inseam at 5'6") that it will be comfortable in the long run. I really appreciate these videos about this bike!
Also, can you by chance tell me the stem size? as Ill probably be looking for a slightly shorter one,
That is terrific new and I truly think this bike is perfect for someone like you!!! Really glad my videos helped you and keep me posted on over how it treats you!!! 😁
@@chickensendies definitely will as I remember. Probably gonna look into an affordable cargo trailer to make it a grocery getter lol Really like the idea of you doing more budget upgrades videos, as I think that would be awesome, I could learn as I go. I subscribed, and look forward to more videos
@frankdoyle715 Perfect setup to run and grab some goodies!!! HAHAHAHA Appreciate the sub and welcome to the channel 😁😁😁
Do you mind sharing the model/price of the saddle and any other changes you've made to the contact points of the bike? Looking at this bike and wondering how much I might be spending changing out some of the stuff.
Hey there! The saddle is a charge spoon saddle off of Amazon, I also swapped the seat post with a budget option off of Amazon, and got some decent flat pedals. Other than that it is stock from this video!
I ride a budget Wal Mart gravel bike. A Genesis Bohe that I have been upgrading over time. I am about $600 into it now and I love the bike. I probably won't be sinking anymore into it though cause it is a budget bike after all and you have to draw a line at some point. I bought it because it was something I could pick up for cheap and upgrade over time, and I don't race and I'm not out there trying to set any land speed records on gravel roads. I ride cause it's fun. My other reason for buying a budget bike is the fact that no way in hell am I spending 1500 dollars or more on a bike that I'm going to take out on rough gravel roads. Could I afford to spend that? Yes I could. Am I willing to? Not really. If did spend that then the bike would never see anything but pavement and what fun would that be? I think it's great that now someone who wants to get into gravel or mtb,but either can't afford to or doesn't want to drop a ton of cash on a bike can pick up a decent bike for an affordable price. Whether you love or hate budget bikes, the fact is it gets people out on bikes that might otherwise not get out there.
I was actually looking at the Bohe before this was released but held off. Glad you have one and it is treating you well!!!
Mine came with the same group set as the Ozark Trail. It has since been replaced with all Shimano. The only problem I really had was that the left(front)L-twoo shifter failed after 60 miles. I shifted to the big chainrings after a climb felt something snap inside the lever. Just an FYI.
How is yours 36lbs? My 44 was 29lbs out of the box?
Now it's down to 27 with seat post, tires, saddle, and switched to TPU tubes.
This is the question I have been asking. It is wild the 44 is 8Ibs less than the 50.
@chickensendies Very strange. I think ifni were to swap the fork and crankset out for a carbon fork and hollow tech crank the 44 would be like 24-25lbs which is not bad for a Gravel bike. But the difference in weight between sizes is extremely weird. I might expect a pound.
@@oldcrowcornhole Same imo..... I'll end up ripping it to the frame and weigh it out eventually. Definitely perplexed though when I heard the weight difference lol
@chickensendies I think that fork weighs like 5lbs is part of the issue.
@@oldcrowcornhole Yea, I have heard this a few times now. I have a new fork to put on so that will be interesting to check out!
I was looking at bikes direct, bicycles online, chain reaction cycle's, I like polygon path 4 for $950 on sale Poseidon ambition x, feel like around $1,000 is about the max, that's with selling my old jamis coda and I gotta sell it first, nothing much around $500 it seems, this for $250 is a great for anyone though I will look at one myself.
I agree here! The price is the most separating factor. I know some will say that $500 more for a Poseidon is not much but to some it really is. Imo you get what you can and this at $250 is fine stock and will get you going! Appreciate it, Derek!
In the area of North Carolina I live and ride in. There doesn't seem to be any flat areas of gravel, unless you go up to the New river trail in Virginia. So to market it as a gravel bike, may seem a little far fetched. I just don't think the bike is geared low enough.
I can definitely understand the worry there. It has some decent gearing but again at $250 they had to keep the price down in some places. On a positive note you can always grab one try it and if it does not work the return process at Walmart is usually pretty painless. Thanks for stopping by!!!
I already have a check point, I'm just amazed how many folks are praising this bike. Wal-Mart's Ozark Trail brand has become a staple in the outdoor budget category. I own a couple of their items. A couple of RUclipsrs were singing the praise of their Mountain Bike last year. But I see some folks making upgrades that I believe would be better suited to better Bikes. I'm thinking ones like The Trek Domone AL, I'm sure Specialized and Giant have their versions also. Definitely would be better with a carbon fork. I think it's more of a bike that you can ride off the floor. When gravel was in it's infancy, there were a lot more budget options. But they seem to have all disappeared.
@hippymtnbkr Yea, sadly it seems there are not many budget options in this category and the price for other bikes are a pretty big pill to swallow for some 😅😅😅
Usually with a budget bike you get what you pay for, when changing parts just experiment, I always like to check out Mr Walmart 😉
Yep! I'll look at the bike racks when I swing in HAHAHAHA
@@chickensendies Like a Walmart Store Clown 🤡 right?
I have a Fuji Sportif, and am looking into doing bikepacking, but I am not sure if the frame can take the racks and etc.
Would this Walmart bike work for bikepacking ???
Just starting out with weekend trips.
Hey, there and thanks for stopping by! I sadly have no input on actual bike packing tips. I know the bike has mounts and I am sure it would be fine but I personally have never gone bike packing. Hopefully you can find someone with more knowledge there than me!
@@chickensendies , thank you for your honest response !!!
@thefucrew9865 Of course and thank you! Last thing I want to do is be misleading so honesty is just better HAHAHAHA
@@chickensendies , THANK YOU !!!
You have a new subscriber, just for that.
@@thefucrew9865 Appreciate that and glad to have you on board!!!
I seen a video of this bike and the front wheel being pulled off from the fork just from using the front brakes heavily. Even with the QR properly tightened the recess in the forks where the QR fits into isnt deep enough to provide much of any safety.
Interesting.... I've had 0 issues with mine there and have definitely not been riding it easy.
@@chickensendies it was a RUclips short, guy in the comments said he was riding it had to brake suddenly and that's when he found himself going over the handlebars, I questioned him, and he posted a RUclips short showing the wheel coming off the fork when the brakes was pressed pretty hard.
@@chickensendies seems RUclips won't let me post the link to the short.
@madmax2069 Was not saying I did not believe you. But, I feel as though some form of foul play was going on. Whether it was factory or user for that specific event I obviously do not know. But, As mentioned mine has been absolutely fine with no issues and this is the first time I have heard of the issue you are talking about. Thanks for the comments! 😁
@@chickensendies I didn't say or believe anything of the sort, I was simply trying to show what it seen.
Do you know Walmart's production cycle? Will they make this bicycle for a couple years? Or is it a limited run? Once they're sold out they're gone? I'm very interested in this. Pat, it's a purchase that will have to wait a couple months
Sadly I do not have this kind of info. I'd imagine it is like the mountain bike version and will be around for a bit 😁
It's weird when people expect $1200/$1500 bikes for $250 from Walmart. Those people are out of touch with who this bike is for and what to expect and how it'll be used.
Yep, Just buy it and ride it! At $250 it is such a nice entry price to drop bar bikes 😁
I would totally buy this bike but the biggest size is a medium 😕 anyone know if they are going to have bigger sizes?
@@TacomaAddict23 hopefully they will eventually but sadly no word as of now
lets take something into consideration. the average price of adult bikes at Walmart nowadays are like 300-400$ which is insane for the Walmart market because people that buy bikes there either dont have 1-7k to spend on a bike or just simply dont want to spend 1-7k bike. with that said this bike is bellow the 300$ mark and decently put together.
it exists to allow people to get on the rocks at an affordable price. so anyone complaining that its too heavy or that xyz dosent perform nearly as well as they're glorious trek bike........I just have one question for those individuals.....
do u also take stock Honda Civics on test drives and expect them to perform like a lambo or mclaren? is that where your loaded pockets and microscopic appendage brought u too in life? If this is the case than I recommend u stop popping every soccer ball that lands in your yard, mabey stop asking for the manager at every establishment u go too and definetly go tell ur wife's boyfriend to take a hike. u need that experience in your life do it. its better than being 38 and acting like a 7 yearold compensating for lack of attention.
Sadly at the end of the day bike elitists or snobs exist....
You get a $250 bike here that I afmgree with is built well for the price and is a very budget friendly way to get going in the bike world. I believe the saying is "Haters gonna hate" lol
these are low cost bikes that are pretty good for the cost. But IMO they should be ridden as they come. Spending money on upgrades is a little pointless if you wanted a better bike then spend more if you want a budget bike these are pretty good but as soon as you drop a load of money on upgrades it soon stops being a budget bike.
I agree here and if you plan on upgrading Id personally recommend contact points and leave it at that. Really overall a nice bike at the $250 mark!
The frame itself isn’t bad. That’s the only thing that’s not total garbage. The move here is to buy the bike strip it down and build it back up if you got decent parts laying around then sell all the stock components to people that are stupid enough to buy this bikeand keep it stock. They are going to need them as they’re constantly breaking these cheap parts.
I don’t think you guys realize how cheap the bearings are in this thing.. headset bottom bracket wheel bearings is there any chance those things are gonna last more than a year or two? You will drop the cost of the bike repairs after a couple years if you’re riding this thing hard. Especially if you’re a heavier rider, you’d be a fool to think you’re gonna go out and shred single track on this thing without destroying it quickly.
@Bikes0420 Obviously this bike is not made for "shredding" single track... Sure, I did it for giggles, but this is for road miles and gravel riding, and it is absolutely fine for that stock. If people want to go out and upgrade every part on it, they sure can. It is their money and can do as they please. The stock components on the bike are fine, and after many miles on mine they are still functioning no issue. In many of the groups I'm in, theirs have been fine too 😁 Appreciate the comment and ride on 😉
I never seen gear shifting like this on a cheap road bike , wirh disk brakes often found, on more expensive bike and Kendra tire good deal !.
@@russellevans8846 I definitely think it is a nice deal at the price 😁
Notification squad 💪💪💪
Hey, Fractured!!! My man 😁😁😁
@@chickensendies 250 for working new bike is a steal. I wonder if you can find "better" with that price from marketplace etc 🤔
@@fracturedrider I have been looking.... I have been unsuccessful this far 😅
Which seat do you have and do you know if it comes in black? Thank you.
This is what I have in black 😁
Charge Bikes Spoon Saddle CRMO Rails Black/RED Logo a.co/d/9NpTg9S
@@chickensendies Thank you! My rear end was in pain after the first time I rode this bike. I haven't got back on since until I do something about the seat lol.
@@Khan_Art_ Definitely switch out the saddle 😅😅😅
I’m taking my Ozark Trail back to Walmart. 🙂
One of the bonuses from buying at walmart.... Easy returns lol
What saddle & pedals did you go with?
Great beater bike….don’t get hurt
Yep, a easy $250 purchase and just go ride! HAHAHA Appreciate it!
I agree this bike is a good value, but I do not think it will have much resell value. If you get this bike, enjoy it and don't expect to recoup much of the cost. It is much easier to resell a "branded" bike, as people looking to buy a Walmart bike will either purchase new or expect to pay no more than $50 for a used bike. Of course if you upgrade a bunch of components, then you could get more from the enthusiasts in the used market , but then we're back to square one (i.e. upgrading this bike too far doesn't make sense)
Anyway I'm bitter the Ozark is too small for me 😭 If they had a large I would buy it today.
That is a valid point but I agree.... For the price you would be better off keeping it and just enjoying it. I do still stand on selling a more expensive bike currently. Very hard to get your money back with all the sales and such for new ones 😅😅😅
Hopefully they will release some bigger sizes!!! 😁
This is a bike for newbies to drop bars and a bike to take camping or on a vacation and not have to worry about your high dollar bike being ridden off by someone else 😊
@jefframsey8764 I strongly think the somebody riding off on it is a great reason for this... Sadly this day and age you have to worry about it and losing a $250 bike is much better than a high end bike. Buy it, ride it, and enjoy it 😁😁😁
@@jefframsey8764exactly I'm a backpacker so I already have the gear I'm gonna throw some budget bags on this and hit the trail
Yeah, about a Walmart, bike about 20 years ago, the handlebars twisted around and I faced dove into the cement with my helmet. I threw it in the bushes and went to my local bike shop.
@stevek4382 hate that happened to you.... Always recommend double checking bolts and how the bike was overall assembled. If you aren't comfortable doing that definitely take it to a LBS. Appreciate the comment and ride on! 😁
compression less housings and metal pads man, lol I think u did great 250 and upgrade guilt free not spending 2500 lol and they laugh at us lol ok just invest the savings brother
They will always laugh lol. If I cared about their opinions, it would be different. It is my money and I'll spend and enjoy it as I see fit 😁😁😁
Appreciate the comment!
@@chickensendies 🤑🚴🖖
there's nothing wrong with the brakes. mine work great, What needs to be done with these bikes is taken to a bike shop and completely tuned by a certified bike mechanic. However, mine needs some adjusting on the gears!!
I am more than capable for adjusting bike brakes. As I stated I just have not done it yet on this specific bike. I have built many bikes from the frame up and this is not my first rodeo 😁
Again, Appreciate the comment!
I have actually been very impressed with my shifting. I had to do some slight tweaking with the cable tension but now it is shifting like butter 😁
I do agree with this statement. bought mine from Walmart and the first thing I noticed was the brakes were rubbing on the disks without pressing the brakes. this was easy to fix but that shows that quality of work is not the best wherever Walmart assembles their bikes.
@attiumeyami417 Yep, definitely check it over yourself if purchased at a store or if your not comfortable get a bud whonis or take it to a local bike shop 😁 Appreciate all the comments you've been leaving. Thanks!
You should get an aliexpress carbon fork for $55 haha
I almost did this but decided to go a route that I have not seen on the RUclips yet. Hopefully will be posting it tomorrow!
36 pounds is what 90’s era mountain bikes weighed. More proof that gravel bikes are just 90’s mountain bikes at their core.
I always think about what BMX bikes weighed in the late 90s and early 00's and the tricks they were doing on them HAHAHAHA
Did you weigh it or is that listed shipping weight? That seems heavier than the earlier ones.
@gk5891 I weighed it in my unboxing video. But, others have stated their 50cms are less so I need to reweigh mine evidently 😅
Put a electric motor and battery well knoe brand but lowedt price available
That would be interesting HAHAHAHA
It’s a bike for everyone lol.
I do not disagree here HAHAHAHA
I was never a fan of Walmart but anyone who is selling a usable out of the box bike for $250. Is moving in the right direction. (They are also selling reasonably priced Intense MTB’s.)
I’m sick of opening a magazine and looking at $12-14,000 bicycles.
@@jeffreyhoops3611 I agree 😁😁😁 $250 out the door is great to get going!
Mikey Day is a bikaficianado
I put 35c tires on a vintage road bike from 1985. I spent about 250 canadian dollars all said and done and I can guarantee it will last longer and is more enjoyable to ride than this walmart bike.
I can't say you are wrong but at $250 brand new this is not a bad bike by any means 😁 Appreciate your comment and enjoy your bike!
I have an 85 steal race bike that had been in storage give to me and it's the best riding bike I own. That thing still has all the reflectors and the dork disk is clear as a bell. I love hearing others riding that era of bikes.
Buy it, if you don't like it, sell it for $100. Do not upgrade it, it's not worth it. If you love it, sell it for $100. Buy a "real" bike. Truly a waste of money to upgrade, one is still left with a dog of a frame and fork.
@ronbell7920 no reason to sell it if you realize you don't like it in a weak or two. Just take or back for a full refund. Bike is fine for general riding and gravel 😁
Its for the poor,!
HAHAHAHA Sure 😉