La Brea Bike

https://www.walmart.com/cp/viathon-b..._fbins_enp_spg

"I can't believe Timmy the seasonal furniture assembly kid fitted me to the wrong length stem!"

tagaproject6

So much faulty logic. But hey, if it makes you feel better about yourself. Might as well put in the Rapha is now walmart tripe.

Zaskar

No worse than any other website. It's not like you're going to see the bikes on the rack in the store.

The backstory is as legit as any manufacturer, i.e. a bunch of bike industry guys partnered with a massive retailer... designed a frameset, found a contract manufacturer, spec'ed familiar components... We've seen this movie many times. But this time, the biggest e/retailer in the world is behind it.

https://gearjunkie.com/walmart-high-...s-grow-cycling

Cypress

Walmart is finally selling a mountain bike that can actually go offroad. Good on them!

ksryder

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1...art-bikes.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...ike-brand.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...take-news.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/cyclocros...avel-bike.html

DrIsotope

So should we also hate on Vizio because they make TVs that are exclusively sold through big box stores and chains?

When a startup bike builder partners with WalMart, you are guaranteed to receive a product, quality TBD. If you throw some money at a Kickstarter, you may well get nothing.

I have a 0% chance of buying a Viathon bike, while at the same time have 0% issue with WalMart selling them.

La Brea Bike

Seemed like a humorous pairing to me. So yeah, I feel better about myself 🙄. Have some coffee.

La Brea Bike

Vizio is low end quality for sure. They have a ton of DOAs...

sdmc530

I don't see an issues with Walmart selling these bikes. They get a bad wrap because they are sold though Walmart. Have not seen a lot of in depth reviews yet but so far they look and sound pretty decent. The price isn't the best but for a decent carbon frame its there. I actually like the fact that a guy with resources at Walmart and a passion for cycling can do this. I think its pretty awesome actually. I wish I had the money and resources to start my own personal bike line.

Bad mouth Walmart all you want ( and I don't shop there either) but if you read about what the grandson I think he is from Walmart has done for cycling community, culture, and infrastructure in and around Bentonville, AR and the area I think he is probably a pretty cool guy. Its easy to do with money but he actually did it!

I am not going to purchase one but can't put them down either. I think they will be fine, assuming I or my LBS can put the thing together.

I will say your correct, they DO suck at making a TV.

BigPoser

I think they look pretty good. I won't buy one since I ride my own stuff, but they do look nice.

Sapperc

Interesting for sure, at least at the current sale prices. At regular MSRP not so much. Specs are only available for the frame sets not the built up bikes, so no info on stem lengths, crank lengths, handlebar specs, or centerline crank to ground distance. Also, the warranty is only 2 years. Clearly they aren’t targeting discerning cyclists who are very particular about what they want in a bike. Still, I find myself checking the reviews to learn more. The few reviews available are fairly positive. Just window shopping, as I’m not really looking to part with any money on another bike. I think at the current sale prices I might take a chance if I really wanted a high end gravel bike. 60 day return to the local Walmart means no shipping costs. Really, seems like a seamless trial. Anyway, it will be interesting to see how the Viathon line develops.

La Brea Bike

I have zero input on the bikes themselves. They are probably fine. The thought (purely from a satirical perspective) of them actually performing bike shop operations out of the brick and mortar store brought images of "The people of Walmart" to mind. I can clearly see the guy in stained pajamas making fun of a guy in full kit in the checkout line... I don't know, maybe I have a weird sense of humor...

RedBullFiXX

Viathon bikes coming to a US CX team, with Big Tour teams to follow ?

bikemig 

I like it. These are obviously not BSOs. The more people riding quality bikes, the better.

hefeweizen

I would like to see wal-mart pair up with specialized.

ksryder

This topic was beaten to death 6 months ago and literally nothing new has happened since then.

badger1

This.

That aside, perhaps folks here don't realize, as said above by @sdmc530, that the 'sons [grandsons?] of Walmart' are themselves very, very dedicated cyclists -- especially mtb -- and have been actively pursuing and funding advocacy/trail development initiatives?
https://www.bikemag.com/features/profiles/walton/

This line of bikes is, I would think, related to that. Low hanging fruit, I know, and WallyMart is an easy target, but still ... a moment's thought might give a few folks on here pause. Then again, that's a big ask around here on teh Biek Forms.

Sy Reene

I'd be a bit more apt to buy one of these.. if I could find a review from anyone who's actually bought or ridden one:

Schwinn Paramount

MinnMan

These are the guys who bought Rapha, no?

If you look up the net worth of various Walton family members, it's astronomical. If a few of them are cycling enthusiasts, great. As somebody already mentioned, maybe they can be induced to help support the US race community in one way or another - sponsoring a team or putting some money behind some marquee races. Like maybe the Walmart Tour of Arkansas?

If I owned an LBS near a Walmart, I wouldn't be too concerned.....yet.

CAT7RDR

I see the MSRP on the DA and Ultegra models dropped $1,000 and $500 respectively, Slow sales? Or, just marketing? Seems like with Walmart's purchasing power, those prices could drop further and be a true leader for economical carbon road bikes with upscale DA and Ultegra components.

sdmc530

Agree, I actually thought they would blow the price out of the water right out the gate and then creep up after they get some sales and good publicity. they could so do this easily.

MinnMan

I admit that I don't know enough about the business side of this. But as Walmart's purchasing power comes from their ability to buy in volume, I don't know that they'd have much advantage here unless they thad projected sales that were high compared to other high volume buyers. Are they going to get a better price from Shimano than Specialized or Trek? I don't think so. Is there some other part of the price equation where they'd have an advantage - i.e., cutting out the mark ups between manufacturer and retailer, or being able to operate with smaller margins? Maybe so.

canklecat

If you're worried about whether the assembler paid any attention to torque specs, see if you can order it unassembled and DIY.

WhyFi

Purchasing power doesn't mean much if consumers aren't purchasing the item from them. Like it or not, this type of product isn't in Wal-Mart's wheelhouse and there are going to be some serious reservations from buyers in this price-point. With some time, marketing, good reviews, etc, they might move some units, but even if they were offering Ultegra at 105 prices, there would still be some significant consumer hurdles, service and brand/retailer perception chief among them, IMO.

goenrdoug

Someone should let them know the Floyd's-sponsored team is dying for a sponsor... Seems like a great way to advertise these bikes...