I’ve been wanting to get into off-road and gravel cycling for a while now. Before I bought my Trek Madone, I actually considered getting a gravel bike, but I kept asking myself: How much gravel are you actually going to do? I even thought about just getting gravel tires or a second wheel set for my Madone, but then I realized that’s an expensive road bike. I really didn’t want to risk damaging it on a trail. So, when my friend Rachelle suggested we try some gravel riding, I googled “cheap gravel bikes” and the Ozark Explorer G1 from Walmart popped up. After watching a few videos and seeing the $300 price tag, I decided I was willing to take the risk. I know you usually get what you pay for, and I went in with that mindset.
The First Ride
My friends Blaise, Rachelle, and I headed up to the Croton Dam via the Old Croton Aqueduct. If you haven’t ridden it, the trail is mixed terrain and isn’t a continuous path, you have to jump onto the streets to connect to the next section.
The ride from Van Cortlandt Park up to the Dam was about 30 miles, I actually had a great time for my first gravel outing. Most importantly, the bike held up and got me to the Dam, which was one of the things I was a little nervous about!
The Verdict
For the price, it’s a decent bike. Since I don’t have a high-end gravel bike to compare it to, it felt okay for what it is, but I did run into two main issues:
- The Shifting: I had a hard time switching from the small ring to the big ring. Was it annoying when I wanted to change gears? Yes! But again, you get what you pay for.
- The Brakes: They work, I had to squeeze both levers when I wanted to come to a complete stop.
Who is it for?
Would I recommend it? If you’re like me who already has a “main” bike and you just want an entry-level gravel ride that won’t break the bank for occasional trail days, then yes. You just have to be willing to deal with some gear and brake quirks. But if you’re planning to go “full in” on gravel, I’d say do your research and invest in something a bit higher-quality bike that fits the type of riding you want to do.
I’m still not sure where I’ll take my gravel riding next, but I definitely want to explore more off-road. I’ll likely upgrade to a better bike eventually, but for now, this one is good enough to get me out there.
Check out these other reviews if you’re looking into the G1:
Gear Junkie Review: Ozark Trail G1 Explorer Gravel Bike Review
ReCycles Bikes: Is Ozark Really A Game Changer? — They talk about how the weight is surprisingly good for a budget bike, but emphasize that the assembly from big-box stores can make the brakes and gears feel unsafe out of the box.
CADE Media: Entry Level Bikes Redefined — They mention the geometry is great for beginners, but noted the same “rattly” shifting issues and weak mechanical brakes that I experienced.