Walmart 29er Mountain Bike
May 7, 2010, 9:51 am / Categories: Biking
Retail bohemoth Walmart made cycling news last month when it released a $149 fixed-speed bike. This month, another Walmart surprise: Shoppers can now add a 29er mountain bike to their cart and wheel to the checkout for a low price of $199.
The “Men’s Mongoose Impasse” has an aluminum frame, rigid fork, disc brakes, 21 speeds, and a Shimano drivetrain with SRAM shifters. The “huge 29-inch wheels chew up terrain with ease,” according to Walmart.
I haven’t seen this rig in person, so it’s difficult to make any evaluation. But there’s one review on the site already, apparently from a prankster with a pen name of “Doushy.” He hails from Georgia and writes “This bike is awesome! The 29” wheels roll over anything and everything! I was even able to roll over a 3” curb in my front yard with no problem! I think by riding this bike chicks will really start to dig me!”
Despite the joke, is the Walmart 29er — at $199! — a good buy? And the real question of the day: When will Walmart/Mongoose jump on the current cycling moment to release a cyclocross model or a single-speed mountain bike to round out its collection?
—Stephen Krcmar
Well I’m coming off a Jamis 26” w/ front shocks. I find this bike just as great if not better. I can ride wheelies for miles on it as well. Sure I will slowly change out components on it. But simple fact is. Frame hasn’t broke yet. I ride pretty hard. And the firm ride well just make me stay on my game a little more. Endo’s are easy the rigid front. Great bike for the price. components are very interchangable with other products. Already have Hydrolic rear breaks. Great Bike, Buying a second one for a back up for flat landing shows
Well I’m coming off a Jamis 26” w/ front shocks. I find this bike just as great if not better. I can ride wheelies for miles on it as well. Sure I will slowly change out components on it. Already have Easton high handlebars thats my comfort. But simple fact is. Frame hasn’t broke yet. I ride pretty hard. And the firm ride well just make me stay on my game a little more. Endo’s are easy with the rigid front. Great bike for the price. components are very interchangable with other products. Already have Hydrolic rear breaks. Great Bike, Buying a second one for a back up for flat landing shows. Frame brakers and nonstarters, I’ll ride wheelies around you all day. Haaa Wallies got a good one for the buck this time around!
I also bought one of these bikes and really like the bigger feel of the 29er over the little 26er. BIG difference. I am more confident in the rough sections and like the taller frame and wheels since I am a tall guy. The gears are not bad for the price and it feels rock solid. I don’t care for the supension bikes that eat up your power instead of laying it on the ground. Just get a suspension seat post and a better seat to protect you from the hard terrain and have fun!!!
I bought the BIG EZ 29er ,, It rides awsome, i ride it on pavement up and down hills here in TX for the price it’s a great buy,, i take it to the bike shop once a month cause i ride it everyday,, I’ll never go back to a 25 26 27 bike again,, it great on uneven surfaces big rocks dirt, roads,, its awsome
for ChunkY…with ANY walmart bike..you HAVE to take it to a shop and get it set up/tuned up…the guys that assemble these are NOT rocket scientists…you get a pretty good value for the buck & can buy half a dozen of these for the price of a specialized…quitcher bitchen and enjoy life..all is not perfect
i bought this bike on sale for 160$ turns out it was missing some parts. took it back then bought a new one of the same model. im a big guy i weigh about 300lbs and love riding this bike. it is a great value for the poeple who don’t like all the worthless garbage they put on the suspension bikes.
I purchased this bike today, and for 170, and the first thing I did was take it apart and reassemble it myself, as the bike guy at Wal-Mart didn’t assemble it correctly. I used to be an avid rider, but I haven’t been on a bike in over ten years so I figured for the price it would be a nice way to get back into riding. Like most everyone else I am pleased with value of the bike. Yes it does require some tweaks here and there, and obviously a new seat, but overall I am happy with the purchase so far, and I just took it out for a ten mile ride. As far as the frame is concerned, I am have always been partial to rigid frames anyway, call me old fashioned. Well thats my two cents.
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You get what you pay for. This is the lowest end bike Mongoose makes and it’s no surprise to see it priced at $199. Cheap components and wouldn’t be surprised if the frame broke on a 3” curb.