|
Post by desertbikes on Jan 4, 2024 6:32:24 GMT -7
I ALWAYS SAY, NEVER TRUST 3RD PARTY SELLERS ON WALMART'S WEBSITE!
But I broke my rule this once. Shimano Altus triggers, 2x8 drivetrain, replaceable derailleur hanger, etc for $250 was worth a shot. Guess we'll see. More to come...
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jan 4, 2024 8:09:08 GMT -7
i've had very good results shopping wally's e-commerce, 3rd party or not.
|
|
|
Post by desertbikes on Jan 4, 2024 18:55:20 GMT -7
Glad you've had good luck. I have not and Walmart absolutely does not take any responsibility. Ebay finally stepped up a few years ago & helps with most issues. This makes Wally the new ghetto level online retailer. They hired ex-amazon people to setup eCommerce & its always sucked. I've often wondered if Bezos still pays them to do such a bad job for Wally.
More to the point though, that's a $600-$700 bike. I did some research on OJ Commerce & they look legit. Another low price chinese drop shipper with a US address & a web designer that speaks actual english & probably went to college. Overstock.com was the first to dump big money advertising into this biz model (at least in the US) and they've done well with it. Still keeping my fingers crossed.
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jan 4, 2024 21:08:04 GMT -7
looking forward to your report! the vivi e-bikes further down the page in your link look good too.
|
|
Admin Czar
Administrator
Mentally Exhausted & Socially Indifferent
Posts: 264
|
Post by Admin Czar on Jan 5, 2024 5:38:17 GMT -7
Yeah was looking at the Vivi & a few other $800 electric fat bikes. Most seem to be pretty good deal as long as they have a minimum of 48V 500watt motors. Some even have 750-1000 watt. Then you have to watch battery size. To keep the price lower some put a 10-12.5 Ah (rounded to 13 Ah in the ads). Most reports say battery time/mileage is overstated by 30-50% in the ads. Pedal assist of electric fat bikes is fine if you accept what that means at purchase time. These things weigh in around 65# for a hardtail & t least 75# for a steel frame full suspension. Some full suspension folding fat bikes are around 80#. Tough enough to pedal on flat land but throw in mud, hills or dirt & its a long slog in 1st gear. Or more than likely, frequently walking the bike. Ive been toying with the front & rear wheel motor drives mounted on the Mongoose Hitch. Not for riding yet but for weight & fitment or cables & battery. I can see that retrofitting the old frames is only practical to a point. Same with new bikes that are simple the same as I've been doing - slapping e-parts on frames not designed for that purpose. Interestingly, you run into the same issues as EV cars: 1. How far can I reliably go on a charge? 2. How much do I trust it off a main road? 3. How much could I fix in the field/on the road with tools I can carry? Most bike owners are mechanically limited regarding bike repair. Now throw in electrical troubleshooting & most are absolutely screwed. Especially younger people. I see a whole new service market in the cards of some future entrepreneur.
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jan 5, 2024 14:38:18 GMT -7
when my vortex was having problems i went looking for a diagnostic flowchart. not sure such a thing exists.
electricity is some kind of evil magic. OUT, FOUL DEMONS! OUT, I SAY! IN THE NAME OF LUCIFER, BEGONE!
|
|
Admin Czar
Administrator
Mentally Exhausted & Socially Indifferent
Posts: 264
|
Post by Admin Czar on Jan 7, 2024 20:17:30 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jan 8, 2024 9:04:34 GMT -7
so, you can get 1 from amazon, or 3 from wally, and weld them all together into some kind of all-terrain hexacycle!
|
|
|
Post by desertbikes on Jan 12, 2024 6:11:20 GMT -7
Well, after 10 days this bike finally shipped. Was beginning to have doubts. Of course, it hasn't actually arrived yet.
|
|
Admin Czar
Administrator
Mentally Exhausted & Socially Indifferent
Posts: 264
|
Post by Admin Czar on Jan 13, 2024 17:24:29 GMT -7
Well, after 10 days this bike finally shipped. Was beginning to have doubts. Of course, it hasn't actually arrived yet. I spoke too soon! I ordered the bike on the morning of Jan 3rd. Nothing happens until the 9th when it finally ships Fedex from Champaign IL. Obviously that's not an asian import dock so it was in the states. It tracks to Albqu NM @ 11:49 PM on the 10th, so it's making good time - until it disappears. No updates since yet still sched for delivery today. Oh, and shipping weight is 26 lbs - about 25#s too light - so who knows what actually shipped. So today I noticed an email from the supplier sent yesterday (don't check email everyday since retirement). They're offering a "store credit" due to a problem with the order. Why? The bike is still listed on the Wally website, at $75 more than I paid, but one might assume they're still in stock. Why not ship another if Fedex damaged it or "lost" it? (Shit is "stolen" off trucks all the time). I did go into this with eyes open and only a slim margin of confidence I'd ever see the bike. And I may yet. Incompetence is frequently conflated or confused with conspiracy (sorry. yes, more politics).
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jan 14, 2024 5:53:45 GMT -7
"just because we're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get us!" i've also heard that if you go far enough left (right) you come out on the right (left). so i don't put much store in the labels, the real question is, are you a decent person?
here's hoping it works out to everyone's satisfaction.
|
|
|
Post by desertbikes on Jan 14, 2024 17:24:33 GMT -7
the real question is, are you a decent person? That's a loaded comment. Right up there with judging people by "the content of their character".
|
|
|
Post by desertbikes on Jan 14, 2024 18:01:55 GMT -7
While I was checking Fedex this afternoon & saw the bike was back in Oklahoma City, a Fedex truck was dropping the bike at the front gate Apparently Fedex is expediting deliveries by bending time and space! Einstein would be proud!
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Out of the box the bike weighs just 38.7 lbs. Not a bad start. Medium 17" frame size.
First, the good.
It's got potential. It has wide aluminum handle bars & an aluminum seat post. Standard Mongoose anal torture saddle.
It really does have 180mm front disk with standard 160mm in the rear. No TPI rating on the tires & they're generic so I'd guess 30tpi wire bead, but we'll see. Quick release wheels front & rear.
Shown in pics confirmed it does have a replaceable derailleur hanger.
Trigger shifter & non integrated brake levers. The wheels appear to be true out of the box.
The Not So Good
Trigger shifters & both derailleurs are Microshift brand. They've always been the lowest of low-end stuff but will give then a shot.
Plastic pedals - yeah like you find on a $100 "Mountain" Bike It has a freewheel, not a freehub (what a pisser)
Only one pair of water bottle bosses Paint is very thin powder coat. No top coat/sealer
That's about it so far. It appears identical to the Dolomite ALX. It's a step above the Mongoose Malus & Hitch & original Dolo. It is NOT worth $600 by a long shot, the price of the aluminum Dolomite. Maybe $400 on a good day by 2023 standards. At $245 I shoulda bought two.
The mystery of Why So Cheap is also solved. It was manufactured in July of 2022 in a batch of 245 units. Pacific cycle had to dump that 18 month old inventory. You don't wanna carry that stuff as an asset that long when you're after 4-5 turns a year on inventory.
Will post more clearances & feedback as It goes along.
|
|
|
Post by desertbikes on Jan 15, 2024 14:02:18 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jan 15, 2024 18:21:37 GMT -7
looks great, except i don't recognize that last pic, what's that bit called?
|
|
|
Post by desertbikes on Jan 15, 2024 18:49:58 GMT -7
looks great, except i don't recognize that last pic, what's that bit called? Burrito Verde de Desertbikes Especial! It's a requirement after new bike test runs.
|
|
|
Post by desertbikes on Jan 15, 2024 18:59:53 GMT -7
This was a surprising experience. Finished assembly & found the bike ready to ride. I mean, the tires had held factory air at 15lbs for 18 months, the front & rear derailleurs didn't need adjustment nor did the brakes. That never never happens Ever! The only problem that bugged me is the cable routing at the bar. Not a big deal just annoying.
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jan 16, 2024 1:55:45 GMT -7
well if you're like me, nothing can ever be perfect right out of the box. you have to add your personal touch for that. or it's a trick! the gods have set a trap for you, and they're snickering at you already. your choice.
how's the ride? i havent been out on any of my bikes for about 2 weeks, what with alternating cold and rain.
|
|
|
Post by desertbikes on Jan 16, 2024 4:19:25 GMT -7
well if you're like me, nothing can ever be perfect right out of the box. you have to add your personal touch for that. or it's a trick! the gods have set a trap for you, and they're snickering at you already. your choice. It's both of those things. The seat in the photos isn't stock. First mod before the first ride. And I don't trust the gods so I'm being easy on the bike thinking something will break as karma payback.
It rides well so far. The wheel bearings are well adjusted & the headset is smooth. It's a slightly smaller frame than the Gravity Bullseye so it feel a bit more nimble. The Microshift stuff has improved somewhat & looks like a near copy of Shimano stuff, right down to the "X" in the front derailleur casting (similar to Shimano's XT).
I'm gonna give it a few days but don't think it will be the electric conversion. At least not the first one. I like it enough to keep it and do a few minor upgrade. This allows me to keep the Gravity as a dedicated Fat 29er instead of swapping the wheels out when I want the huge fat tires on it. Usually when its wet outside.
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jan 16, 2024 12:36:48 GMT -7
how many bicycles do you have now? asking for a friend..
|
|
Admin Czar
Administrator
Mentally Exhausted & Socially Indifferent
Posts: 264
|
Post by Admin Czar on Jan 16, 2024 15:43:39 GMT -7
I guess 10 or so between bikes, trikes, and those in various stages of entropy. Some were given to the wifes church for raffle or just because.
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jan 17, 2024 6:31:55 GMT -7
one for each toe!
|
|
|
Post by desertbikes on Jan 30, 2024 19:42:53 GMT -7
Guess I can't leave well enough alone. New riser bar for the old bad back, new seat post with a single adjustment bolt instead of the stock 2-bolt unit, and new pedals. The photos are disappointing. The red bike & bars are like a metallic candy apple and really pop in real life. This bike will not be the e-bike. The frame size is perfect for me. It feels more nimble & well balanced than the others. The Bullseye Gravity will be a dedicated fat 29er now. It's still the fastest bike in desert terrain although not as comfy as a 26" fat bike. The Hitch and Dolomite will be the sacrificial electric experiments.
|
|
|
Post by lurker on Jan 31, 2024 1:53:41 GMT -7
looking good, the red accents on pedals and handlebars pop right out!
|
|