Ep:30 (279): Ozark Trail G1 Explorer Gravel Bike!! Initial Impressions

Big Box store bicycles have been getting better and better in recent years (some are actually quite good starting points for a budget bike, often comparing very favorably to bike shop brands). Over the last 3 years, I've personally bought 3 (GT Aggressor Pro, Kent Trouvaile, Ozark Trail Ridge 29) and won 1 in an online giveaway (but we won't talk about why I don't still have that one...), and there's a new one recently released that has been getting lots of positive buzz around the interwebs, the Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer from Walmart, selling for only $248 (plus tax).
Having been hankering for another do-it-all/gravel bike for a couple of years now, I had to pick one up for myself! Here's a first look and my initial thoughts on it after getting my hands on one.
Where to order online:
www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trai...
Note that they are available in-store at many locations (if you can find one). Mine was bought locally in-store.
There is also a Facebook Group that is growing for owners, and (so far, at least) has many great members who are enthusiastic and excited about this bike. Search for "Ozark Trail G1 Explorer Gravel Grinders, or follow this link:
/ 1243800279925842
ALSO, I've recently committed to "Bike 100 Miles Challenge" and I've created a fundraiser on Facebook to help the American Heart Association!! Click the link below to check out my Fundraiser page, check my progress, see ride pics, and make a donation 😁
/ 983194953431655
Small ADVentures can be found (or made from) everyday's simple things, get out and enjoy the day! 😁
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Farcebook: / olskoolroddersmodels
This video is intended for adult/mature audiences and is not intended for children under the age of 18. Do not attempt anything that is above your own personal skill levels, neither Small ADVentures channel nor I am responsible if you get injured or killed doing what you see in videos on this channel, YOU and only you are responsible for your own choices.

[@torokun]

I picked one up too. It’s good enough to just run it down and replace some parts later down the line.

[@SmallADVentures1973]

That's my thought as well. I'm hoping to get my 2nd ride in on it over the weekend (I enjoyed my first ride on it Thursday), and it's my intention to ride it 100 miles by June 30th for a fundraiser for the American Heart Association with only the most necessary of changes (if any) before then 🙂

[@Wannaridebikes]

29. 1.1 tires will fit the frame. And it makes it look fierce.

[@SmallADVentures1973]

@Wannaridebikes good to know, thanks 😊 I bet it does, I love that "monster cross" look 😁👍 I ran WTB Nanorapters (29x2.1) for a while on my last cyclocross bike, it was a fun bike too 😊

[@alexs.5295]

I can't wait until these bikes from stores like Walmart get even better. If they can at least be 70-80% of the quality of higher end bikes, it might force these companies to stop charging outrageous prices lol

[@SmallADVentures1973]

I've been mtn biking since the late 80's except for a 5-6 year break, this is the first time I would've ever said this, but some of them are already as good as many "brand name"/bike shop brand's entry level bikes that often cost hundreds more. So I say "me too, my friend" 😁👍

[@seamybmw]

Pretty cool bike Stephen take it out and splash some mud around that nice new paint lol enjoy mum's home better get the dishes done 👍👍

[@SmallADVentures1973]

🤣👍 on both, lol! They have a pretty good dishwasher, just load it and press a button. We used to have a dishwasher, but he moved out when he turned 18 🤔🤦🤣

[@RussellModelCars]

cool trail bike hope you have fun with it.

[@SmallADVentures1973]

Thank you, rus,I have been so far 😁 I hope you're well, brother 😊

[@obitime1994]

I got the small size (I’m 5’5) and it’s nice. A few adjustments, tighten down bolts and it rocks. Ordered a new freewheel with 34 t to get up steep hills, pedals and seat/post for an added 60$. Can’t go wrong for the price.

[@SmallADVentures1973]

I agree 100%, my friend! 👍 I'll be trying to get a after-ride review video up soon (within the next couple of weeks anyways), I have very little negative things to say after having 2 rides on it 😊

[@Testbug-dy6tj]

I'm fixing to do a section of the GDMBR in new mexico with this bike. I put tannus armour in my tiers and green slime in my inner tubes, iv already got 10,000+ miles on It, it's a good bike. And upgrades just make it better. Enjoy your OT-G1. I know it's off subject, but I think it's actually called the GI (General Issue), but couldn't because of legal issues, so they changed the "I" to a 1. It's probably not true, but an idea.

[@SmallADVentures1973]

Cool, you should do some videos on that ride! 😁 That's interesting (the GI vs G1 thought), I haven't heard that 🤔🙂

[@keithjenkins7952]

Good looking bike bud, sounds like a deal too. Any bike that gets you out is a good thing.

[@SmallADVentures1973]

Agreed, a n d thanks old friend 😊🙏

[@DannyPimienta]

I’m looking to pick one up next week. I too plan to remove the kickstand. Do you recommend some plugs to fill the holes or leave as is? Also, are you adjusting anything in particular before heavy use?

[@SmallADVentures1973]

Cool!! I think you'll like it 😊 In my opinion, no plugs are needed. It's an aluminum frame, so no worries about rust 🤔 Other than the seatpost, I literally have not made any adjustments on this bike since buying it, BUT I consider myself lucky to have gotten an actual properly assembled one. It's always a good idea to give any new bike a good once over (this applies to high-end bikes as well) to make sure everything that's supposed to be tightened has been. I did do this, and had my bicycle grease at tge ready as well, but everything was good on mine, plus I knew from the parking lot ride from store to car when I bought it that it'd been well adjusted before I bought it 😊

[@DannyPimienta]

@@SmallADVentures1973 that was my concern as well about assembly. I’m considering having one shipped and assemble it on my own. My local Walmart had 3-4 in stock and all of them roll out the store this morning while I was there lol. I’m hoping to learn bike maintenance with this bike and do some CX with it over the fall.

[@thenexthobby]

Being away from my biking hobby for nearly 30 years, it took me awhile to understand what a gravel bike is, given that any cheap mountain bike can easily handle gravel! The frameset’s the main issue. MTB geometry isn’t great on flat surfaces, so even when you convert one with different components, wheels/tires you have a bike that now isn’t great at anything. I love my old MTB, but I mostly wanted to take it on mild trails and fire roads, not root and stump nightmares. I’m interested in “gravel.”

[@SmallADVentures1973]

I was away for about 5 years, and while I still really enjoy riding, I'm not as "die hard" as in years past, maybe "more casual" would be an apt description 🤔 There were years that I raced mtn bikes, and I endured ("raced being too strong of a word 🤣) tge 24 Hours of Snowshoe twice, on a rigid singlespeed no less. Nowadays, I still enjoy flowy single-track, but I also enjoy dirt/gravel roads, rail trails, etc just as much 🙂 I'd heard the term "gravel bike" before I took a few year off, but hadn't given it much thought until the last couple years. Without knowing it, I'd built that cyclocross bike in the 00's into basically a gravel bike, and it wound up being the bike I'd post the most miles on (ever) because it was so versatile. Comfortable for road or dirt/gravel roads, capable of lite trail duty or loading it down for bike camping or short tours. A do it all kinda bike. That, to me, is what a gravel bike is 🤔, and that's my intention with this bike. As I sit typing this, I just got home from my second ride on this bike, and knowing what I paid for it and having put about 20 miles on it now (total), with a mix of a little single-track, and about 50/50 gravel trail (bike path) and pavement...I'm smiling and happy with my purchase so far 😊 I'll be doing a ride review video soon (I have a model kit video I need to get out first) 🙂

[@tiktokcomps8918]

Looks cool

[@Reset317]

KkOoL bike I kept the small tire on the rear and a fat tire on the front still fast and I can tear through the sand 👍🏻 👍🏻

[@SmallADVentures1973]

I've never built a mullet bike, but they look fun and capable 😁👍

[@DisabledCyclist]

I haven't heard of this one I'll have to look into it. 250 bucks? I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

[@SmallADVentures1973]

Yep, $248.00 (plus tax, of course). Without giving too much spoiler, I got some video footage on that first ride, including some review-type thoughts. I haven't looked at it to see if it's usable yet.

[@1992SteveTina]

This should be interesting. The level of quality on these "big box" store bikes has been going up the last few years. You have 13 too many gears on that, ha! But can't wait to see how this does.

[@SmallADVentures1973]

🤣👍 and yes it has, brother. Hoping to get a 2nd ride on it tomorrow. Surprisingly happy so far, but there are chinks in its armor 🤔

[@Olskooldime]

You need a minitruck to haul that bike bro, haha!

[@SmallADVentures1973]

That I do, my friend 👍 One that sits low 😏

[@SteveTina1992]

Happy Father's Day coming, LOL! :-)

[@SmallADVentures1973]

If you mean this is my dad's day gift, as you know, I bought and paid for this. Nice try though 🤔🤣

[@Moostery]

I can't get my hands on one because the Large size which is still a little small for me is always out of stock.

[@SmallADVentures1973]

Man that would drive me crazy 😞 I hope you find yourself one, my friend 🙂

[@WayneSmith-zx3tf]

I gotta quit watching all these review vids. about this bike!!

[@SmallADVentures1973]

@@WayneSmith-zx3tf lol, that's why I ended up buying one, watching all the reviews 😂 I'm still happy with it, I need to get a 100+ mile review video done 😊

[@MrStingraybernard]

Trek marlin weighs more then this bike

[@SmallADVentures1973]

I like the Marlin 🙂 I didn't know that 😲 I can see this bike getting in the mid 20's pound range easy enough without spending a small fortune 🤔 For me personally, that'd be plenty lite, my primary mtn bike is around 34lbs rn 🤷🤣