I’ve always been about adventure on a shoestring. Whether it’s due to budget constraints or spontaneous plans, finding affordable gear is crucial. Now, a retail giant is stepping into the gravel bike market, aiming to make it accessible to everyone. Walmart, known for its budget-friendly offerings, has released the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer gravel bike.
Following their successful Ozark Trails mountain bike line, Walmart is now targeting gravel cyclists with the G.1 Explorer, a drop-bar bike with 29-inch wheels and mounting points, all for under $250. This price point is set to disrupt the entry-level gravel bike scene, making adventure cycling more attainable than ever.
Naturally, I had to test it out. Days before its official release, I got my hands on an Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer straight from Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville. My mission: to ride across the Ozarks, exploring the new bikepacking routes around Fayetteville and heading towards Little Rock. This journey would be the perfect proving ground for this budget gravel bike.
In short: After nearly 300 miles from Walmart’s backyard to Arkansas’ capital, the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer revealed both its strengths and weaknesses. The brakes were concerning, and the shifting was challenging, but the numerous mounting points were a pleasant surprise. However, the most significant question remains: can a bike, especially one with what we might expect to be “Walmart Bike Tires,” truly shake up the cycling industry?
Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer gravel bike ready for adventure
The Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer gravel bike, featuring tires typically associated with Walmart bikes, awaits testing on diverse terrains.
Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer: Key Specs
- Weight: 30.4 lbs.
- Fork: Steel, quick release with mounts
- Frame: 6061 aluminum
- Sizes: Small and medium, 29” tires
- Drivetrain: L-TWOO 2×7, with Shimano Tourney rear derailleur
- Handlebar: Drop bar; 400mm top width with 15-degree flare
- Stock tires: Kenda 700x40c, soft gum sidewalls
- Stack: 560 mm (medium)
- Reach: 395 mm (medium)
- Wheelbase: 1,034 mm (medium)
- Fork geometry: 72-degree head tube; 63mm trail
Pros
- Unbeatable budget price
- Front fork mounts for added versatility
- Gravel-ready geometry for diverse terrains
- Flared handlebars for enhanced control
Cons
- Questionable brake performance
- Stiff and basic shifting
- Heavy frame impacts agility
- Potentially flat-prone “Walmart bike tires”
Initial Thoughts on the Ozark Trail G.1
My first impression of the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer was formed as I unpacked it. Being just under 6 feet tall, I usually ride a large frame. The medium Explorer, with its 56cm stack and 40cm reach, seemed surprisingly manageable thanks to my shorter torso. It’s worth noting that Walmart offers this model only in small and medium sizes.
What immediately stood out were the mounting points. Many pricier gravel and adventure bikes skimp on these, making the Explorer’s generous mounts a welcome surprise. Three water bottle mounts within the frame triangle, along with front fork mounts for racks or cages, meant I could easily attach my Old Man Mountain racks and gear.
This abundance of mounts is a smart, budget-conscious feature, perfectly aligning with Walmart’s target audience. Riders can utilize affordable dry bags, panniers, and trunk bags they might already own, rather than investing in expensive, trendy bikepacking bags. While my rack choices might not have been the absolute cheapest, I opted for reliable, albeit well-used, gear I already had.
The geometry of the Explorer also leans towards classic gravel bike design. The 72-degree head tube angle, 44mm fork offset, 440mm chainstay, and 1035mm wheelbase all point to a well-rounded gravel geometry. The handlebar drops appeared deep, but the 15-degree flare seemed practical. But what about the tires, often a point of cost-cutting on budget bikes, especially “Walmart bike tires”? The Kenda 700x40c tires with soft gum sidewalls looked the part, but performance remained to be seen.
Front fork mounts on the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer, enhancing its utility and adaptability
Front fork of the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer showcasing mounting points, a surprising feature for “Walmart bike tires” equipped gravel bike.
First Ride Impressions: Fayetteville Trails
“I’ve heard about that bike, haven’t seen one yet,” the mechanic at Phat Tire remarked. “Good or bad, it’s going to change things for a lot of people.” With that and a few extra inner tubes (just in case those “Walmart bike tires” lived up to budget expectations), I set off to test the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer.
Fayetteville is a cyclist’s paradise. The Razorback Greenway, a 40-mile paved trail, runs through it, with numerous offshoots, some gentle, others more technical. I spent three days exploring these trails before venturing into the Ozarks.
The Kenda tires, seemingly inspired by Kenda Booster Pros, performed adequately on paved surfaces. However, carrying around 265 pounds of gear and myself, I knew the soft sidewalls would need higher pressure to avoid pinch flats on rougher terrain. This is often the compromise with “Walmart bike tires” – prioritizing affordability over puncture resistance and robust construction.
Shifting was stiff but consistent enough for casual riding. I could maintain speeds up to 26 mph on flat and slight downhill sections. Uphill, however, was a different story. The 2×7 L-TWOO drivetrain offered limited range. For casual riders, prioritizing smooth shifting over gear range with budget components is understandable. But as I climbed the first steep paved hill, being overtaken by cyclists training for a mountain bike race, I realized the Ozarks would present a gearing challenge.
Braking was also a concern. Even with adjustments, achieving consistent stopping power without brake rub proved difficult. Hauling 265 pounds, the brakes felt underpowered, foreshadowing potential issues on descents, especially with tires that might not offer optimal grip in all conditions – a typical concern with “Walmart bike tires”.
Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer on its maiden ride through Fayetteville's scenic trails
First ride on the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer, exploring the versatility of “Walmart bike tires” on Fayetteville’s diverse paths.
Ozark Challenges: Strep and Tire Troubles
The initial two days of the Ozark crossing were demanding – 50 miles of an uncompleted bikepacking route up a mountain. A tough test for any bike, let alone a budget one. Adding to the challenge, strep throat hit me on day one.
Despite the rugged terrain and my illness, the Explorer’s frame performed admirably. Its slight flex was reasonable considering the heavy load. The steel fork struck a good balance, stable yet not sluggish even with front-mounted gear.
The cockpit was a mixed bag. The hoods were comfortable, but the drops felt too deep for anything but smooth descents. On rougher roads, wider handlebars would have been preferable. However, the most immediate issue was the performance of the tires. While they looked like typical “Walmart bike tires” in terms of price point, their capability was being pushed to the limit.
Within those first two days, the brakes, drivetrain, and especially the tires reached their limits on steep ascents and descents littered with gravel and rocks ranging from golf ball to baseball size. This terrain was beyond the intended scope of these components, particularly the tires.
The Explorer is suitable for bikepacking in gentler hill country and unloaded rides on moderately steep terrain. But the approach to White Rock Mountain was anything but moderate. Feeling increasingly unwell, I ended up pushing the Explorer up hills I’d normally ride on most gravel bikes.
Two flat tires in as many days exacerbated the situation. The Kenda tires, while perhaps adequate for smoother gravel, were no match for the sharp rocks under the weight of nearly 300 pounds. Downhill sections frequently resulted in bottoming out and pinch flats, highlighting a significant drawback of what might be considered typical “Walmart bike tires”. The soft sidewalls, while contributing to ride comfort on smoother surfaces, became a liability in tougher conditions.
By the second day, braking on descents became genuinely alarming. Between fixing flats, worsening illness, and a looming eclipse viewing deadline, time for brake adjustments was scarce. This led to some nerve-wracking descents at speeds around 15 mph, relying on brakes and tires that were clearly not designed for this level of stress.
Handlebars and basic components of the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer, reflecting its budget-conscious design and "Walmart bike tires" focus.
Handlebars of the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer, showcasing components designed to meet a budget, including the consideration of “Walmart bike tires” for affordability.
Finding the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer’s Comfort Zone
Plan B became essential. Weakened and running low on tire patches, I made a strategic decision. The remaining 200 miles would follow a detour along paved roads and harder-packed gravel closer to highways. Immediately, flats ceased to be an issue, as the larger, jagged rocks were avoided.
On milder terrain, the drivetrain’s limitations became less critical. The limited gear range, which was a hindrance on steep climbs, now helped mitigate the stiff shifting by reducing the gear jump between shifts.
After about 125 miles of hard riding, the brakes and front derailleur required adjustment with an Allen wrench. While they never became truly smooth or quiet, they became more reliable.
I concluded the adventure with three days of city commuting. The Explorer proved surprisingly nimble and practical for urban riding.
Value and Verdict: Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer
Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer on paved road, highlighting its versatility beyond gravel trails.
The Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer demonstrating its adaptability on paved roads, extending the usability of “Walmart bike tires” beyond gravel.
The standout feature is the $248 MSRP. This price is less than some high-end handlebars or saddles. The Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer, despite its shortcomings in shifting, braking, and tire performance (especially those “Walmart bike tires” in demanding conditions), carried a sick cyclist and 265 pounds of gear across the Ozarks for under $250. That’s a remarkable feat.
Many of the bike’s weaknesses are less pronounced with lighter loads and less extreme terrain. Seasoned cyclists accustomed to bikes costing ten times more will undoubtedly find performance limitations. And yes, the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer is only available in two sizes.
However, for light adventures, the Explorer is surprisingly capable. It might be one of the most widely accessible gravel bikes on the market. Despite lacking refinement, its combination of availability, capability, and incredibly low price makes the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer a genuine contender for budget-conscious adventurers. It is, as the mechanic predicted, poised to “shake things up,” making gravel cycling and adventure more attainable, even if it starts with “Walmart bike tires.”
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