Buying a bike in a department store will save you money. Is there really a difference between discount and specialty shop bikes? Can you buy a good bike at a discount?
It is time to go shopping for bikes. You know the kind of riding you'll be doing and the type of bike you want. Now, where do you go to buy your new bike? Like most people, your buying plans may be guided by a budget. With many BMX bikes starting at about $200 at your local bike retailer you may be tempted by the $85 department store discount version. Is there really a difference?
Sales and assembly The variety of frames sizes in department stores is very limited. They also lack trained salespeople to help you select the proper size frame for your size and needs. The employees at department stores aren't trained for bicycle sales or assembly. "They definitely don't have the quality workmanship that you'll get at an IBD (Independent Bicycle Dealer)" says Ryan Cranston of Ruby Canyon Cycles. Bicycle shops offer staff that has a knowledge base specific to bicycle assembly, repair, and use. Cranston has seen brand new bikes brought into the shop that he describes as scary. "They weren't safe at all," he says.
The bike and parts The design, suspension and parts on discount bikes are often severely outdated. Low-quality components will wear out fast and can cause more extensive damage to other parts. Often, the price to repair the bike will near the original cost of it. With a quality bike the components are longer lasting, more durable and repairs will be more cost-efficient. A good bike, with good parts increases the performance of the bike. Nobody wants to be stuck on the bike that you have to pedal downhill.
Beyond the sale The majority of bike retailers stock only quality models. This allows them to (in most cases) offer a lifetime guarantee on the frame in addition to the manufacturer's one-year warranty on the components. Other benefits of buying from an independent dealer are that many offer test rides before buying the bike and may give a free first tune-up.
Enduring value When the time comes to buy a new bike, due to growth or changing needs, a quality bike has a resale value. The usual resale value is about one-half of the original purchase price. There is no true resale value for a discount bike.
Department store bikes may seem like an affordable option. But, according to Cranston, you'll be missing out on the biggest benefits of buying from an independent retailer which are, "knowledge, service and quality of product."
The copyright of the article Buying a Bike in Extreme Sports is owned by Jodi Gallegos. Permission to republish Buying a Bike in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Jodi, I wish you'd written this about two years ago, when I made the
mistake of buying a department store bike. I was so shocked by the prices
in the real bike stores (here in Germany, anyway) and was on a tight budget
at the time, so I took the cheap way out. Since then I met and married a
nice guy with a great bike, and I can never keep up with him - OK, sure
he's probably fitter and/or stronger than me, but I like to blame the cheap
bike for at least part of the disadvantage! cheers Amanda
Sep 15, 2006 12:08 PM
Jill Florio :
i totally agree. having the right bike for you is so crucial. you can
overspend easily, but underspending just leaves you literally in the dirt.
the right bike is a good investment, if you take care of it. just like a
car. :)
Sep 16, 2006 9:31 AM
Alan Sorum :
Great timing for the article. I still use a Bridgestone that I bought from
a shop in Arizona 15 years ago. I think it's time to get another.
Sep 16, 2006 9:18 PM
Jennifer W. Miner :
How important are different tire widths for non-racers like myself?
Sep 17, 2006 6:54 PM
Jodi Gallegos :
Amanda, it may be time to have that great guy get you your own great bike
:)
Jennifer, I'm going to assume that you're asking about tires
in general (not BMX specific). Tire width is really a matter of personal
preference. Width varies from about 1.95-2.5" with the average sizes
sold being 2.1-2.3". The narrower tires are best for cross country
riding. At 2.5" you have a tire that will have the heaviest weight.
If you are concerned about minimizing the weight of your bike, they may not
be the best choice. But, if you're into aggressive downhill riding,
2.5" may be the way to go!
Sep 18, 2006 9:22 AM
Jill Florio :
Jen, that's not really an issue for just toodling around. Are you talking
road bike, touring bike, mounain bike or hybrid? See...? :)
I
personally found that I had a lightweight mountain bike with a knobby on
the front and a slick on the back. helped me go faster on the roads plus
gave me a little more control for gravel paths. it wasn't as great for the
real dirt trails, but it made a nice commuter bike to cover both pavement
and gravel urban trails.
and a lighter bike is nice for
smallish women like me. make a big difference. more so than tire width for
just the average joe. but even that is good to a point - you don't want a
superlight bike either. or i don't - it's too much of a target for stealing
and then you have to worry about it everywhere you go.
all of
this changes if you LIVE for biking. But this is just for the communter or
occassional biker. plus there is nothing sadder than an expensive bike
getting rusty in someone's garage, flat tires and out of tune. :(
Sep 18, 2006 12:27 PM
Jodi Gallegos :
Thanks, Jill. And, as I mentioned tires size really is a personal
preference. Two people with the same riding surface, etc. can have
entirely different picks for tires.
Sep 18, 2006 12:37 PM
Jill Florio :
:)
Aug 15, 2008 5:16 PM
Guest
:
People telling you to buy bike shop bikes instead of bikes from department
stores are usually people who work at bike shops. I was really close to
spending $1800 on a bike from a bike shop. At the last second I walked out
to think more about it. Just on a whim I went to Walmart and ended up
buying a bike there (a schwinn)- I LOVE IT! I have ridden the HECK out of
that thing for two years- not a single problem- EVER. LOVE IT.
People who knock department store bikes are dumb. Don't be dumb. It is a
waste of money.
Sep 29, 2008 7:26 PM
Guest
:
Tire With Is Very Importanted To BMX Racers Like Myself.
Oct 4, 2008 3:29 PM
Guest
:
Hey people im just getting into buying a bike and i was wondering what bike
i should get because i was looking at a mongoose bike from walmart and it
looked pretty sturdy to me and tha width of it was perfect. Anyways should
i get a mongoose or should i get a different bike from a different store?
