General Cycling Discussion - 4th bike in 3 weeks...finally, a good one!

I guess the title sums it up. I have bought and exchanged 4 bikes in the last 3 weeks, trying to find one that suited me. I took two back to WalMart, including a Mongoose. I bought a GT Aggressor 3.0, with a few upgrades installed. It is a darn good bike, but it was just too small, and I could not get used to the handlebars being so close to me, it was a size 14. (XS).

I picked up a KHS Alite 1000 this evening. A paltry $499.00, plus tax, and a nifty water bottle holder. I put my already purchased bell cargo carrier on the stem. I am (I think for now) a very happy camper. The shop owner stayed for almost an hour after closing to show and sell me a bike. He will ALWAYS get my business in the future if he is willing to do this for a customer who bought a not-so-expensive bike.

He tuned it, and insisted that I ride it, and then he rode it himself to make sure that he was happy with the way that it was set up. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has purchased this type of bike. I would like to know how you like it.

BTW, why do my hobbies all have to be so darned expensive? At least I can use this one everyday, and without spending any money every time that I do it. Best - Ted

Ha, Ha, Ha. And you don't think you will be "spending money every time you do it." That's a good one. Only took you a couple of weeks to go from $200 to $500. Join the club, Ted. You're hooked.

ParamountScapin,

So......you noticed eh?????? Just don't tell my wife. I have her thinking that I have a nice set of $100 hunting rifles, a coupld of $100 bikes, and a $300 computer.......I find a lot of stuff "at yard sales" .....you get the picture. :)

Best - Ted

What bike shop did you use??? I use to live in Dallas and work in Hiram a little over two years ago. The only two I know of near Dallas is Boneshaker and whatever the name of the one in Douglasville is. Just curious if there is one that I don't know about. I think I have picked out the LBS I want to deal with as they are in between where I work and home so I don't have to drive out of my way.

It is called "The Bike Shop" It is located in the strip shopping center beside WalMart in Hiram. You can easily throw a rock and hit WalMart's garden center from the front door of the shop. If you are interested, I'll get you a telephone number this evening when I get home. - Ted

If your facing wally world is it to the left of the garden center ,like where the Cingular store is?? Also what brands do they sell and how are the prices in your opinion?? I might have to go visit them as I live in Lithia Springs right next to Thorton Road so it's not that far. Whenever we ride on the Comet I always park at the Florence Road location. I need to have a bike shop near me for the weekends anyway. I guess my other option would be the Silver Comet Depot. How are they?? I hope you don't mind me asking you these questions? I'm new to biking so for now personality and the way the shop looks is my first consideration until I know enough to tell whether they are knowledgable and honest. Of course price is always a factor when I'm not ordering on-line.

The Terminator, I just sent you a private message.

Zman,

It is to the left of WalMart, very close to Cingular, towards the dry cleaners, past the little resturant. I looked all over the internet when I got home, and the bike was around the same everywhere I found it. I did find it for $449, but heck, you have to add shipping and around $50 to have it tuned at the bike shop anyways. I admit that shipping is negated by not paying sales tax, but by getting it locally, I established a very good relationship with the shop, I can take it back for free adjustments for a year, if I have a warranty problem, they are right there, so it is worth it to me even if I would have paid a little more money.

I saw Raleighs, Biancas ( of which I am getting a used one from a friend on Saturday), Giants, KHS brand, and there was even a used Mongoose carbon frame. There were several other brands. The telephone number is 770 222 1559. - Ted