Walmart's Budget-Friendly Gear Is A Game Changer, According To Seasoned Mountain Bikers

All around the world, discerning cyclists sneer at the phrase "Walmart bike." The bike doesn't even have to come from an actual Walmart store; the expression has simply become shorthand for a cheap, disposable bicycle. For years, people have invested in a Walmart bike because they're not very picky, or they want to save a buck, or because they know their children will quickly grow out of it. The conventional wisdom goes like this: Walmart bikes are handy for a spin around the neighborhood or a pleasant ride on one of the most beautiful bike trails across the US to add to your bucket list, but you won't get far before components break down and essential parts fall off.

This reputation is misleading, though. Walmart sells a wide range of makes and models, and some manufacturers — like Schwinn and Huffy — have outfitted everyday riders for decades. They may be mass-produced and heavy, and you might see raw welding marks on the frames, but you could ride most bikes for hundreds of miles without a serious problem. If you're handy, you can also switch out a few parts and quickly elevate the quality of a Walmart bike. The superstore's website is a major aggregate, so if you don't see anything appealing in a physical location, you could order (for example) a carbon fire SAVADECK gravel bike for $2,000. It may not win the Tour de France, but we're betting it's not junk, either.

There's even better news: Walmart's reputation is evolving, thanks to its surprising in-house brand, Ozark Trail. Both amateur and professional critics have expressed surprise at how nicely Ozark Trail mountain bikes are put together, and for the disarming price of $400. The demand for bicycles is growing, and by all appearances, Walmart is rising to the occasion.

The Ozark Trail Ridge model is a pretty standard mountain bike: It has front suspension, dual disc brakes, and nine speeds, which should be plenty for casual riders. The wheels come in three sizes: 24-inch diameters for kids and 27.5 and 29 inches for adults. The frame also comes in several sizes, accommodating riders' heights between 5 and 6 feet. The bike even comes with a kickstand, which is a rare luxury these days.

But as the website Mountain Bike Action notes, this budget-friendly bicycle is full of surprises. "Walmart says the Ridge's frame is made of 6061 aluminum," wrote Ron Koch in his review. This lighter allow explains its manageable 33.8-lb. weight. "Surprisingly, it has internal cable routing, as well as ports for a stealth-routed dropper seatpost." In other words, the cables don't hang loose around the bike; they're actually threaded through the frame, which keeps them tidy and protected. He adds, "Everybody likes the way the Ozark Trail looks. Its lines, components and geometry all look like a modern mountain bike. What shocked us most is nothing broke or bent under moderately hard riding."

YouTuber KevCentral agrees with this assessment, especially for new riders. "You can spend a lot of money on mountain biking," KevCentral opines, referring to bikes that can cost more than a used car. "It is a sport that usually has a very high entry fee. We have been blessed with bikes at Walmart that have been changing that paradigm — and I think this is a further evolution on the idea of what you can get on a budget and still have some fun."

The Ozark Trail Ridge is a timely development, and probably not by accident. Interest in mountain biking — and bikepacking — has spiked in recent years, and more riders want affordable bikes they can trust to take on more demanding excursions. California will soon boast a massive mountain bike park with miles of epic trails, and the first leg of the "Pacific Crest Trail for bikes" recently opened in Washington State. A mountain bike with versatile tires can also serve as a commuter bike for both kids and adults; the thicker rubber can handle potholes, broken glass, and tree roots that often stymy road bikes and hybrids.

"I think it might be a real mountain bike," says Seth Alvo on his YouTube channel, Berm Peak Express. He also has some sage advice for new buyers: "You can't just take it off the shelf and ride it. You gotta check it over yourself or bring it to a bike mechanic. That's kind of the name of the game with department store bikes." Make sure all the components are tightened and adjusted, and no components have been damaged or lost during shipping and assembly. Once a mechanic has approved the Ozark Trail's condition, you'll be ready as ever to hit the trail.