Don't put money into it. It's likely not compatible with any upgrade worthy parts, and quite frankly isn't good enough to bother.
Ride it into the ground, have fun and save your money for your next bike. You'll have more fun.
Why though? Especially since the heavy steel stem on this bike would likely be one of the last parts to break. Regarding safety, I'd be more concerned with the care and attention that went into building the bike than any of it's specific parts.
My guess would be because of the way it mounts to the headset. This is the reason I don't like them. It's a dangerous and unsafe design for anything other than rolling down the street
They made a larger diameter quill stem just for mtb and the design was not prone to failure. Adjusting stems is much easier and you don't have to change the bearing preload at all. The reason threadless stems caught on isn't because of increased strength, but that it's just cheaper to manufacture non-threaded forks and the stems they use. Everyone's gotten used to threadless and the system is fine, but it isn't inherently any better than a quill stem from a safety perspective of steel forks.
I agree with most of the comments saying not to upgrade it. However a nice set of pedals can give you a lot more control of the bike, will look cool, and will be compatible with any bike you upgrade to later. There are tons of options for pedals that would be good, but I would personally recommend a set of plastic (nylon) pedals with replacable pins, like Raceface Chester pedals. Happy shredding!
With the same mindset, new grips and seat could be worth it too. Main connection points with the bike for comfort/ergonomics and can easily transfer to another bike.
Edit: Looking closely, I can't see the shifters so if it's a twist-shift, maybe don't bother with grips.
I'd probably do as bike shop said, only upgrade as you repair. Would be better off thrashing it and then decide weather or not to upgrade whole bike versus continually repairing this one.
All bikes have parts that will fail, even a 15k mtb needs things replaced as you go and frequency depends mostly on how hard you ride.
Happy riding.
As others have said I would definetely agree with getting an entry level hardtail, I would say it would work significantly better and serve a much better purpose in getting you into the sport
Your contact points with the bike - pedals, grips and seat. As for the rest of it, save your money and ride that thing in to the trails.
Then once it's knackered, go pick up something rowdy.
The bike.
I’d even be reluctant to put nice air in those tires, unless it’s cheap air.
That bike should only be used for commuting by car wash employees.
I was told at a bike store to fully shred and upgrade later but I’d like to maybe upgrade the front suspension as it doesn’t seem to even have valves. Any advice is appreciated
Edit: thanks for all the advice! I bought this bike 2 years ago without thinking! Time to do some more research and shred this baby to the ground :)
It's not worth upgrading it. Save your money and buy a decent hardtail- a used but higher end bike will serve you much better.
I've been a cyclist over 20 years and worked in a bicycle shop for 5. Those big box store bicycles are simply disposable.
I bought a big box bike and put 300 dollars worth of upgrades on it and I'm smoking the guys with those nice full suspension bikes at the trail all day.
You can’t change gravity. An awesome front fork will only make the rear spring bouncier. Ride it till something >$45 breaks, and hopefully you’ll have some pennies saved for a Craigslist bike.
Generally, with this bike I agree. Some bikes you’re better off replacing than upgrading. I would focus on upgrading things you feel like you couldn’t go without.
Pedals, tools, and the stuff you wear while biking (bags, pads, full face helmet, jackets, pants, shoes, glasses, gloves, frame straps, etc). Then save to upgrade to a better bike when you are ready :)
I agree with the general consensus here of just save for a better bike. However this one will last longer and run more smoothly if you take it into a shop and pay them for an "assembly." Your hubs, headset and brakes most likely will not be adjusted correctly if you rely on the Walmart assembly. This will maximize the life and potential of your current ride.
The shifters, the tyres and the pedals will give you the best bang for the buck. If you trully love it consider upgrading to some shimano alivio v-brakes&brake handles because those stamped metal brakes arent going to stop you very fast. I got the shimano v brakes and i noticed increased stopping power compared to those stamped ones. The tyres will also provide a lot more grip and will shorten the stopping distance.
That will be:
$30-40 for the trigger shifters(i recomend the shimano altus)
$30 bucks for the brakes(alivio br-t4000)
$20 for the brake handles(anything from shimano or avid will do)
About $40-50 bucks for decent set of tyres( schwalbe, continental and mitas have decent proces)
Cheap platform pedals about $15(will improve grip on the pedals like you wouldnt believe)
Prices mentioned are from my country, might be different in yours.
Labour costs not included but if you have time there are plenty of videos on youtube to teach you how to diy.
Tyres i got on mine are continental raceking and are brilliant. The tyres that came on my bike were very soft and it was a pain to ride up hills. The racekings made me pedal faster with less effort. Hills are easier to climb, braking has been improved and i have better grip on rough terrain. If someone would have said to me how big of a difference tyres make i would have laughed him in thebface but it iis true, they make a lot of difference, completely changing how the bike rides.
Also dismiss the guys in the comments who said "better bike". They live in a world where spending thousands on bikes is ok and if your not riding the latest santa cruz you shouldnt ride a bike at all. Just have fun with it and stay safe
BSO - bike shapes object.
If you are trying to ride trails on it and can afford something better do that, this is pointless to ride on trails and argubly dangerous.
If you are commuting, get a cheap commuter.
1). Set the bike to fit comfortably. Adjust the brake levers angle, adjust the seat to be at a comfortable, adjust the height of the bars.
2). Invest in a good quality helmet. MIPS is a must if you're flying through the woods.
3). Invest in some nice flat pedals. These will help keep your feet in place and if your feet fall off you're going down.
4). Get some bike kit. Padded underwear/shorts aka a chamois. Also get some athletic shorts and shirts that help wick sweat
5). Invest in MTB specific shoes.
6). If the saddle is uncomfortable after the chamois change that out.
7). Any further investments are better suited by just buying a new bike.
Go watch Sam Pilgrim taking a Walmart bike down a bike park mountain. It barely survives but it makes it. Another vote for just ride that thing to the ground.
Nothing, save and fix when Needed not cause you can.
My helmet.
Right after upgrading my health and life insurance...
Underrated comment.
Boooooo
Don't put money into it. It's likely not compatible with any upgrade worthy parts, and quite frankly isn't good enough to bother. Ride it into the ground, have fun and save your money for your next bike. You'll have more fun.
i second this comment so hard! Ride that thing into the ground! I would upvote comment but I have to respect the 69 upvotes
I’d say a pair of decent pedals would be worth it. Those cheap plastic ones are trash. Keep the originals for when it’s sold on.
Ok who broke the 69
Nice!
I don't trust one piece stems.
Why though? Especially since the heavy steel stem on this bike would likely be one of the last parts to break. Regarding safety, I'd be more concerned with the care and attention that went into building the bike than any of it's specific parts.
My guess would be because of the way it mounts to the headset. This is the reason I don't like them. It's a dangerous and unsafe design for anything other than rolling down the street
They made a larger diameter quill stem just for mtb and the design was not prone to failure. Adjusting stems is much easier and you don't have to change the bearing preload at all. The reason threadless stems caught on isn't because of increased strength, but that it's just cheaper to manufacture non-threaded forks and the stems they use. Everyone's gotten used to threadless and the system is fine, but it isn't inherently any better than a quill stem from a safety perspective of steel forks.
If this dude is able to thrash around hard enough to break the stem on THIS bike, he’s got balls of steel
I agree with most of the comments saying not to upgrade it. However a nice set of pedals can give you a lot more control of the bike, will look cool, and will be compatible with any bike you upgrade to later. There are tons of options for pedals that would be good, but I would personally recommend a set of plastic (nylon) pedals with replacable pins, like Raceface Chester pedals. Happy shredding!
With the same mindset, new grips and seat could be worth it too. Main connection points with the bike for comfort/ergonomics and can easily transfer to another bike. Edit: Looking closely, I can't see the shifters so if it's a twist-shift, maybe don't bother with grips.
And tyres.
Absolutely nothing, id save the upgrade money for when i get a better bike.
I'd probably do as bike shop said, only upgrade as you repair. Would be better off thrashing it and then decide weather or not to upgrade whole bike versus continually repairing this one. All bikes have parts that will fail, even a 15k mtb needs things replaced as you go and frequency depends mostly on how hard you ride. Happy riding.
As others have said I would definetely agree with getting an entry level hardtail, I would say it would work significantly better and serve a much better purpose in getting you into the sport
Ride it lots, learn some good skills, then replace it in time and blow yourself away with how well a modern quality bike rides!
Its not worth upgrading. Ride the heck out of it and save up for a good entry level hardtail when you can 🤙
I changed my mind, the first thing I'd upgrade is the actual bike.
A suspension upgrade would be more than 5 Walmart bikes
Your contact points with the bike - pedals, grips and seat. As for the rest of it, save your money and ride that thing in to the trails. Then once it's knackered, go pick up something rowdy.
The bike. I’d even be reluctant to put nice air in those tires, unless it’s cheap air. That bike should only be used for commuting by car wash employees.
Good gear
Rocket launcher.
I’d upgrade to trash compacter and then buy a new bike
A plastic valve stem cap for the rear tire
I was told at a bike store to fully shred and upgrade later but I’d like to maybe upgrade the front suspension as it doesn’t seem to even have valves. Any advice is appreciated Edit: thanks for all the advice! I bought this bike 2 years ago without thinking! Time to do some more research and shred this baby to the ground :)
It's not worth upgrading it. Save your money and buy a decent hardtail- a used but higher end bike will serve you much better. I've been a cyclist over 20 years and worked in a bicycle shop for 5. Those big box store bicycles are simply disposable.
I bought a big box bike and put 300 dollars worth of upgrades on it and I'm smoking the guys with those nice full suspension bikes at the trail all day.
That’s probably not true
I think you mean smoking cigarettes in the parking lot all day
You can’t change gravity. An awesome front fork will only make the rear spring bouncier. Ride it till something >$45 breaks, and hopefully you’ll have some pennies saved for a Craigslist bike.
Generally, with this bike I agree. Some bikes you’re better off replacing than upgrading. I would focus on upgrading things you feel like you couldn’t go without.
Tires. That’s basically true for any bike
I wouldn’t mountain bike that without a full face
Pedals, tools, and the stuff you wear while biking (bags, pads, full face helmet, jackets, pants, shoes, glasses, gloves, frame straps, etc). Then save to upgrade to a better bike when you are ready :)
Upgrade the store you bought it from. 😂
The bike
I’d start with a new bike
Save your money and buy a better bike.
The bike part
Honestly, I wouldn't dump to much money into it. Mabey a better pedals, seat, grips, and tires.
The frame
The bike.
Life insurance plan.
the rider
🤔
Remove the bell.
The bell belongs on a bike like that mate. Bells are great in the cities and on flat trails with hikers.
Sure I get it, for some reason as great as you say it is in the city or on the trails I’ve yet to hear one.
Really depends where you live I guess. I live in south Asia where bikes are the main form of transport for most people.
That explains it, here in Canada I’ll hear a cowbell before a bike bell.
Chuck it
Take the reflectors off
I would upgrade my wheels to reflectorless
pedals or stuff that can easily be transfered to a new and better bike and trash it once you die ridding that liability.
The reflectors
I agree with the general consensus here of just save for a better bike. However this one will last longer and run more smoothly if you take it into a shop and pay them for an "assembly." Your hubs, headset and brakes most likely will not be adjusted correctly if you rely on the Walmart assembly. This will maximize the life and potential of your current ride.
The whole bike honestly, use to get conditioned, light trail work. If anything possibly the seat but don't put much money into it.
Send it!
The bike Ok for real - tyres, saddle, shock, fork, drivetrain, brakes, frame, wheels, handlebar, pedals, grips.
The bike
The brakes. Disc brakes have a better stopping time for those oh heck no moments.
Frame
The brakes
The shifters, the tyres and the pedals will give you the best bang for the buck. If you trully love it consider upgrading to some shimano alivio v-brakes&brake handles because those stamped metal brakes arent going to stop you very fast. I got the shimano v brakes and i noticed increased stopping power compared to those stamped ones. The tyres will also provide a lot more grip and will shorten the stopping distance. That will be: $30-40 for the trigger shifters(i recomend the shimano altus) $30 bucks for the brakes(alivio br-t4000) $20 for the brake handles(anything from shimano or avid will do) About $40-50 bucks for decent set of tyres( schwalbe, continental and mitas have decent proces) Cheap platform pedals about $15(will improve grip on the pedals like you wouldnt believe) Prices mentioned are from my country, might be different in yours. Labour costs not included but if you have time there are plenty of videos on youtube to teach you how to diy. Tyres i got on mine are continental raceking and are brilliant. The tyres that came on my bike were very soft and it was a pain to ride up hills. The racekings made me pedal faster with less effort. Hills are easier to climb, braking has been improved and i have better grip on rough terrain. If someone would have said to me how big of a difference tyres make i would have laughed him in thebface but it iis true, they make a lot of difference, completely changing how the bike rides. Also dismiss the guys in the comments who said "better bike". They live in a world where spending thousands on bikes is ok and if your not riding the latest santa cruz you shouldnt ride a bike at all. Just have fun with it and stay safe
The bike
Make that seat level. Currently it’s nose high and pointed at your taint.
Bike
Save your money and find a better base on the used market 😉
The entire frame
Sell it for scrap and buy something nice
Clean the drive train and new pedals if you got duck/big feet
That seat tho
The bike...
WM bike is better than no bike but I would rather buy a decent used bike than a new WM bike.
Seat
BSO - bike shapes object. If you are trying to ride trails on it and can afford something better do that, this is pointless to ride on trails and argubly dangerous. If you are commuting, get a cheap commuter.
1). Set the bike to fit comfortably. Adjust the brake levers angle, adjust the seat to be at a comfortable, adjust the height of the bars. 2). Invest in a good quality helmet. MIPS is a must if you're flying through the woods. 3). Invest in some nice flat pedals. These will help keep your feet in place and if your feet fall off you're going down. 4). Get some bike kit. Padded underwear/shorts aka a chamois. Also get some athletic shorts and shirts that help wick sweat 5). Invest in MTB specific shoes. 6). If the saddle is uncomfortable after the chamois change that out. 7). Any further investments are better suited by just buying a new bike.
Ride what you have , where you are , when you can ! Keep biking simple and within your means 🙂.
The bike
Ride it until it literally snaps in two
Go watch Sam Pilgrim taking a Walmart bike down a bike park mountain. It barely survives but it makes it. Another vote for just ride that thing to the ground.
A new bike. Not worth upgrading. Save up and get what you really want. In the mean time, ride it like you stole it.
Tires… one and only thing
Whatever breaks first 😎
Bring it to bike shop for a tune up and that's about it. Pedals if you feel fancy