Roadmaster bikes have been popular among riders for decades. They are often thought to be entry level, and affordable, if you are a beginner Roadmaster is a good choice.

For most scenarios, their bike is sufficient for beginners and commuters. You can pick them as your first bike and change to a much more professional one as your experience grows.

Their products have some room for improvement if you want expert level features, however, the price is great especially when you have a tight budget.

The Roadmaster Granite Peak Mountain Bike series is one of their popular product lines. According to our research, it might be the cheapest mountain bike on the market.

Let’s take a closer look.

Who is it for & is it worth to buy

Best for: Beginner / Commuter

Price: Affordable

Quality: 7 (range from 0-10)

This bike has a front suspension fork to absorb impacts on tough terrains.

It comes with a 18-speed twist shifters and a Shimano rear derailleur. According to my experience, for such a low price the Shimano derailleur is really a luxury. It performs well when climbing/descending.

For commuters those configurations should be enough to get a pleasant riding experience.

Features & Details

Front shock fork

The front suspension fork can absorb the jarring impact of rough roads, many competitor bikes don’t have this feature at this price range.

18 speed index derailleur

To conquer different road conditions like climbing or descending, mountain bikes often have a shifter to change the gear ratio that helps you with better control.

A 18 speed index derailleur should be enough for most cases. This bike uses a Shimano rear derailleur, which is really a luxury at such a low price. Although it may use a low end one, the quality can be guaranteed. As a well known brand and no.1 supplier of shifters Shimano has a solid name in the industry.

Weight

It has a total weight of 37.0 lbs(16.78kg). This is normal for a mountain bike. You can pick a road bike if lightness is your biggest concern.

Frame

They use steel frames, again, this is common for a bike with a low price tag. The ideal material is carbon fibers, which is very expensive and only can be seen on high end products.

Wheel Sizes

What I’m talking about in this review is the 26 inch wheel size one, Which is designed for male adults. It also has a 24 inch wheel one for boys.

The 26″ one fits riders ranging from 5’4″ to 6’2″ in height.

The 24 inch one fits riders ages 8 and up, or 4’8″ to 5’6″ in height.

You can pick the different sizes accordingly.

Brakes

Both the front and rear brakes are linear pull brakes, it is quick and responsive, and enough for many cases. Disc brakes are much more expensive, and the low end products of disc brakes work no better than a well designed linear pull brake.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable price with great features, may be the cheapest on market
• Front suspension fork
• 18 speed shifter, Shimano rear derailleur
• Comfortable
• Front and rear pull brake

Cons

• A little heavy

Specifications

Weight:	37.0 lbs(16.78kg)
Material:	Steel
Front Fork	Front Suspension Fork
Brake:	Front and Rear Pull  Brakes
Shift	18 speed shifter, Shimano rear derailleur
Wheel Size	Both 24Inch and 26 Inch Available

 

Is it affordable?

Yes, this bike is affordable, especially when you have a tight budget.

Actually, according to my experience, the Roadmaster Granite Peak might be the cheapest mountain bike you can find on the market.

Does it come assembled?

It depends, for many times it comes half way assembled, it is very easy to assemble, you just need to adjust the handlebars and the seat. Some vendors will deliver this bike with it already assembled. You can check your retailer for more information.

Are the gears easy to shift?

Yes, it uses a Shimano rear derailleur, which is the one of the best shifter brands on the market, it has a solid quality for many years and is well accepted.

Can I use it as a commuter?

Yes, this is a great bike for commuting, the front suspension fork and the Shimano shifter makes it great value and delivers a pleasant riding experience. It performs well on complex road conditions like climbing and descending, bumps and impacts.

 

Conclusion

Their design features comfortability, at an affordable price. The riding experience is easy and pleasant.

No matter if you are using this bike as a commuter or just for recreational purposes, it is a great choice for beginners. I think it is really worth the money with the branded components like Shimano derailleur.