Ozark Trail M.2 Ridge 29 Mountain Bike from Walmart - an update to the people's MTB

[@johnlawrence4352]

Bought one for my son, first real mtb. Added hydraulic mt200 but even stock it’s amazing how much you get with the m2. Truly makes the sport accessible on cost, for less than a PlayStation.

[@cruz5037]

Best comment of the day💪

[@matthardy5466]

Cant thank you enough for the video! Ive watched so many hours of reviews trying to find a good budget fit. I had essentially decided last night on a different bike because of the few small issues with the original Ridge...only to see this video posted 3 hours prior. Went out this morning and got the m.2. It's a game changer for me who has been roughing it out on a Hyper. Thanks again for such in-depth reviews!

[@billyroot9565]

I've been fighting so hard trying to decide between the Ridge and saving up for a Marlin 5! I happened to be at Walmart today and saw they have the M.2, as someone who's best mtb to date is a Schwinn al comp with Fooker pedals, I was actually really pleasantly surprised with the Suntour fork 💯. I would certainly like to look into an air fork in the future, but had been under the impression that I would feel a NEED to do it ASAP, but I don't believe that would be the case, freeing up money (especially over the Marlin 5) for Shimano hydraulic brakes. Seeing this video really helps to settle it for me, and the fact that they even have a small (did that even exist before?? 🤔) really just drives it home 💯 Thank you so much for all the videos! It feels like you're one of the few that remembers what it's like to want get out there, and "on a budget" REALLY MATTERS. 👍

[@robertsilva5041]

They have a page on Facebook just for the Ozark Trail Ridge. It's an amazing group.

[@mybugmy64bug31]

very thankful for your channel Kev. I bought 2 ozark trail gravel bikes, one for trails and converted the other into a road bike. 100% satisfied with the quality of the brand. Also bought a Giordano Valor on the Mendham Bikes website thanks to your videos and reviews. Ozark Trail brand has hired some really good developers/ planners/ designers for these bikes. out of the box these bikes are really nice quality. im a fan for sure

[@DavidDAVIS-u2k]

I found a ridge 29 for a 110$, it was a return, the only problem, was the handelbar was off center. I own a high dollar trek but , I use the ridge as my main bike. I can leave it lock outside a store, if get stolen I'm out only 110$ . It's not as good as my trek, but for a town bike and trail riding , it's great.

[@aaronbehindbars]

Whoever did the final assembly on the bike in your video looks like they know what they're doing. All of the cables had the right amount hanging off the clamps and bent neatly out of harm's way. No telling how well they tuned it, but the mark of a decent mechanic is cable neatness. My opinion of the JAK Super Brake is that it's very sensitive to proper setup and greatly benefit from quality cables and compressionless housing. Lately, I'm coming back around on mechanical discs for their ease of care.

[@carterdavis5176]

I cant believe im saying it but Walmart killed it with this bike. The only thing that I could possibly nit pick is only having it in one color haha!

[@theredspoon1763]

Internal cable routing is the worst cable situation you can possibly have on a MTB: 1. The cables have kinks to overcome sharp turns inside the frame which makes shifting a whole less consistent. 2. More often than not you have to disassemble the whole BB for something as simple as changing the housing of the derailleur cable. 3. It's a feature sold to people who care more about looks than functionality, which is not really the way to go with off-road sporting equipment. I have worked as a bike mechanic for close to a decade and it takes a certain kind of people to think internal cable routing is superior. It's usually the type of person who complains about untidy cockpits for bragging reasons: "WhY sPeNd So MuCh MoNeY wHeN tHe CoCkPiT oN mY bIkE mAkEs It LoOk LiKe A cHeAp ToY?" Another part is the aero XC fraction of people with too much disposable income who just want the anesthetically most pleasing rig in the neighborhood which is the most aero. Funfact: internal cable routing creates no noticeable drag compared to external one for non-professional riders. Even for professionals the gains are marginal at best. On a MTB the last thing I would want are internally routed cables. Everything just gets a whole lot more complicated just for the aesthetics. I specifically shop for bikes which feature exclusively externally routed cables (minus maybe the dropper on the las ~30 cm from the down tube into the seat tube.

[@SucculentDoorbell]

You're totally right. Those losers are in the /mtb section of reddit. I would know, I left that subreddit after 4 days.

[@steveb3582]

I bought my Ozark trail ridge 29 mtb here in NH spring of 2024 after watching many videos of the ridge 29 on youtube mine is this exact parts spec w frame mounts for brake hose etc however it does not say M 2. Not sure if they released some prior ridge models this way. Either way mine is heavily modified now only in the necessary areas and has been proven to be a super solid bike for sure. Very impressed with how it performs in all types of riding especially considering I am 6'0 tall and 240lbs and been riding it like an enduro bike lol

[@johndef5075]

They are giving you more cable options while high end bikes are giving you less. I've seen frames with no derailleur routing at all. Strictly wireless.

[@Tarkov.]

I love seeing these small tweaks. I hope that the current huge price crash doesn't hurt the advancement of budget bikes, I'm sure Walmart isn't getting hurt as much since their prices are already so good.

[@ChrisA8rown]

They’ve had this version for a little while now but haven’t labeled it m.2 for some reason. I love mine with upgrades!

[@bibasik7]

Yeah, I've been seeing Ozark Trail Ridges with the same Advent/Acolyte setup since late last year.

[@ecopennylife]

Such a coincidence with new KevCentral inspired features, or are they listening 😊

[@mrfunkybassist]

I have the original, the only thing I wish it had was the ability to fit fatter tires in the back but 2.4's should be good enough either way. Awesome bike at an awesome price! I've been seeing a few in my area on clearance for $280 or so

[@rickc303]

If only the frames had beautiful metallic paint with nice graphics rather than matte battleship gray and block lettering

[@KevCentral]

I actually like the choice of battleship gray. The block letters I could take or leave, but the gray ages well as trail nicks and digs add up where a beautiful finish starts looking bad quickly

[@pentiuman]

My first impression of any gray Ozark Trail is that they primered it gray, but - like so many amatuer car restorer, didn't paint it.

[@KevCentral]

Ha! That used to be something seen in my town all the time, but I can’t recall the last time I’ve seen a primer car rolling around

[@marnig9185]

Missing thru axle on the frame:( but that's my only concern:) waitin for M.3

[@blbills]

If I'm ordering online do you know how to specify the new M.2 variant? Your link appears to be to the standard OTR (more than likely Walmart isn't specifying)...

[@KevCentral]

There is only one link. I suspect they’ve burned through most of the old inventory when my local stores (the last to get anything) start having the new models.

[@RideShagbark]

Wow. Now with a clutched derailleur and easy to replace brakes. It really is the goto starter bike now. Add some decent pedals, MT200's and a cheap dropper over time.

[@HanmaHeiro]

Yes! I got this about 3 weeks ago. I coulda gotten the original but it seemed this one has a better derailler but I feel it has a worse shifter

[@KevCentral]

Advent shifter is much better than the LTwoo, IMO

[@HanmaHeiro]

​@@KevCentral I mean worse as in for my hands. The LTWoo had me using my thumb for but down and up shifting which I liked. The microshift is more traditional thumb and index finger usage

[@Randy-ry9ss]

You should use your pull to get them to change the color.........I love a bright bike when I'm street riding!

[@KevCentral]

Trust me…I have zero pull when it comes to anything Walmart decides. I have offered free consultation, but that falls on deaf ears.

[@Randy-ry9ss]

@@KevCentral I have been working for them for 28 years and i have zero pull as well!

[@gutzboy1]

Forget about adding a budget dropper seat post and inexpensive air suspension fork, they should make the frame a boost frame. I know that might cost more for Walmart and definitely up the price to buy the bike.

[@samochoa6733]

Go back and get 2 of them. Do a budget vs expensive parts upgrade.

[@KevCentral]

😁

[@fedricojgarza464]

Kencentral do more Walmart MB bikes

[@KevCentral]

Thanks. I have hundreds of videos on Walmart bikes

[@andrewbetrosian2784]

Can't find it on walmart websit

[@KevCentral]

They still have them linked as the same bike (link in description.) The only way to for sure get the M.2 at this point is in store, but I suspect shipped bikes are likely M.2 at this point

[@andrewbetrosian2784]

@@KevCentral Thank you

[@HanmaHeiro]

​@@andrewbetrosian2784I can confirm that shipped bikes are the M.2 when I went to pick my large frame bike at 2 different stores even after calling to confirm that they see it says large on the white label, they turned out to be the medium. I ordered on online and it came to my home as a the proper large frame

[@bikdav]

I almost bought an OZARK TRAIL (original). It was that good. But, I ended up buying a used SPECIALIZED for cheap - even though I needed to replace the worn drivetrain components.

[@KevCentral]

Congrats on the Specialized

[@jarperhones5364]

That kickstand is in a new spot! The mount on the old version (which I have) is unusable. Tried putting a kickstand on my bike and my heel hits it.

[@MTB_FANATIC99]

With the internal cable routing All you got to do is tape the new cable to the old cable and fish it through that way and bleeding brakes are really not that hard and if somebody's going to upgrade the hydraulic disc brakes they're going to have to learn how to do it anyway

[@tycobb2580]

I found one Walmart here in south Texas that had it in stock for $400 . . . not bad

[@sjanzeir]

Ozark Trail _get_ it - the Big _It._ there's no reason for anyone on a budget buy anything else because this M.2 is a habitual/compulsive upgrader's goldilocks bike! We simply can't ask for more.

[@KeoOutdoors]

I don't like the way the M2 has the mounts on the downtube. I been a hunt for a Medium first gen frame.

[@TechyTinkerer1981]

we keep them in stock in Lawton Oklahoma

[@leonnekrotiuk3607]

Can’t get this bike in Canada what a shame!

[@yeabuddy6070]

Im still rocking my hyper hydro form with an upgraded front fork and rear air shock👍

[@tycobb2580]

I had to research what you are talking about . . . that does look like a good deal

[@yeabuddy6070]

@tycobb2580 ... Kev has a whole series on upgrading the hydroform 👍

[@KevCentral]

He still has the hydroform frame too 😁

[@obxarms7685]

The chainring is now a narrow-wide on the M.2.

[@michaelbrinks8089]

Off subject but it's obvious the rear wheel of a bike takes more abuse & holds the bunt of the rider's weight. Which is why the rear rim gets outta true & broken more often than the front wheel. Yet the rear of the bike frame ( seat & chain stays) are so much smaller diameter size tubing. Than the front half of the frame. 🤔

[@MotoAtheist]

Having a channel and the amount of upgrades you do, why don't you have proper tools and kits to make your own hydraulic hoses so you run everything internal?

[@Jac_91_]

👌👌👌

[@Jinnrn16]

👍

[@deadinside7600]

I'm really hoping they make an electric version. Even if it came with a hub motor I see potential.

[@KevCentral]

Nah. Hub motors are horrible for actual mountain bike use. Most are cadence sensor + all the rear weight to fight with

[@Dinty51]

I converted the original to electric with a hub motor. It doesn't work as great as a MTN bike but I use it for commuting

[@roachwerks3043]

i genuinely think walmart or whoever is designing these bikes has been watching MTB youtube videos and reviews

[@TerryBrooks-n6p]

Had a oz trail bike and the fork beat me to death

[@KevCentral]

Minimal acceptable fork for green trails, IMO

[@letsgoOs1002]

Budget air fork and budget dropper post sound like a bad idea. Better just to buy the bike and do that on your own. Parts that move a lot become a pain when they try to take newer stuff and make it cheap. The stock fork is fine for more and installing a dropper post can easily be done for not that much.

[@KevCentral]

There are affordable air forks that are good. Suntour even has some, but I get what you’re saying

[@letsgoOs1002]

@KevCentral suntor makes some of the best ones in the world. That's not even a joke the upper line just won a bunch of medals of the Olympics. As for everything there are different levels. I just think it would easier to update after buying so not to confuse the bike builder and buyer.

[@GDub83]

honestly my only complaint with Ozark Trail is for $400. It should be through axle on the front and back. There’s no reason for it not to be at that price point with other budget bikes on the market that are half the price and include most of the same stuff.

[@KevCentral]

What bike has thru axel front and rear and is priced below $400?

[@GDub83]

@@KevCentral Apologies if I wasn’t clear earlier. What I meant is that manufacturing through-axles at the $400 price point shouldn’t be an issue these days. There are bikes on the market, priced lower than the Ozark Trail, that feature quick release, internal cable routing, and a cassette. With Walmart’s purchasing power, if they invested in marketing, they could easily sell these bikes for $250 and still make a profit.

[@SucculentDoorbell]

​@@GDub83$400 new is already a fair price for a 29er. Try getting a new 29er anywhere for less than $350 these days, it's not possible unless you do barely used on resale pages.

[@stevencole7331]

It's a shame your not being paid by Walmart for your engineering and promoting their bikes.

[@TokenTombstone]

I like bikes.

[@MTB_FANATIC99]

See my other comment but they could also add a cheap air fork even if they added Amazon ZTZ Air fork or something like that they're like 120 bucks and up the price a little bit then add hydraulic disc brakes charge 500 be a much better and more capable bike

[@KevCentral]

It would need to be better than ztz or similar

[@KevCentral]

It would need to be better than ZTZ (or similar forks.) WM would want to keep it reliable

[@MTB_FANATIC99]

I think if they added hydraulic disc brakes and charged an extra 50 to 70 bucks people would buy these bikes I have a polygon extrada 7 and for $800 it came with a lot through axles hydraulic disc brakes Shimano Dior drivetrain one by drivetrain but like I said more people would be up to buy the Ozark trail ridge if it had at least hydraulic disc brakes on it that's what would stop me from buying it and actually did stop me from buying it

[@CJGrand1]

"Real mtb".....😂😂😂

[@biohazardKandiKid]

No no no we don't want an e bike at all just stick to what they have no e bike at all

[@KevCentral]

I doubt they’ll stick to just analog. eMTB/eBikes are the only growing segment of cycling

[@Friday_V7]

Could you review an affordable road bike? Not race bike or anything, just road bike. Like a plain single speed 700c? 😁