Northeast - Bicycle Buying Tips for NYers

posted http://mittelmitte.blogspot.com/2007/06/bikecycling-resources-for-manhattannyc.html

i hope this can help someone.
c


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Bike/Cycling Resources for Manhattan/NYC Bikers

After spending a few months researching and purchasing hybrid/cruiser bicycles for me and my wife, I decided to share my list of tips. Here goes.

1) Bike Stores:
There are too many to list here, but Google has quite a few listed. I would suggest you buy from your local retailer, no matter how good the online prices are (see below for how to maximize discounts). You will save on shipping, and get the advantage of a local 2-3 year limited service warranty. I used Metro Bikes on 96th Street, but wouldn't suggest it- if you have another choice. They always seemed to busy to take care of us, didn't offer to fit us once we got the bikes, the prices are not great, the bikes were not in on time, and, in general, service was sub-par.

One store I did like (allot) is Tread Bike Shop, in Washington heights (map). If you live in the area, or can visit, i strongly recommended you do so. We stopped by for a tune-up and chat, and met patient, knowledgeable sales staff that were willing to help us, even if we didn't spend anything. The location itself was spacious, and the prices are way better than "lower" Manhattan. (tell them CJ sent you).

2) Bike Store Discounts/Tips:
I hate haggling. Mostly cause it makes me feel cheap, which i am not (really). Also cause it makes me feel like the item i am shopping for can be worth different amounts, depending on who is purchasing it. I don't like that feeling. So here are the sure-fire bike-shopping tips for the non-haggler.

a) Price match to another store in the area. You can do this online/over the phone, and is not really haggling- so doesn't leave you with a dirty feeling. I suggest price matching to Bicycle Habitat, which has its low prices listed online. I did this.

b) use coupons, from Bike Forums or Fatwallet. I didn't do this.

c) use a discount from Transportation Alternatives. They have 10% off most bike shops. I didn't do this, but wish i did.

3) Online Biking Maps:
a) NYC Bike Maps (unofficial) is, hands down, the best. its a Google mashup, and has good details (for example, this turn)

b) Official NYC Map is good, but the PDF you print would be tiny. better off getting a free one from the bike store.

4) Online Pedeometer:
GMaps Pedometer, another googlemaps-mashup, does a good job of helping you plan/review the distance of your trails. (here is our latest run).

Next time: Trek 7.3 FX / WSD 7000 reviews!!

One additional tip. Stay away from Craigslist NYC. The bikes that are usually listed are complete junk. There are a handful of people that are "reconditioning" bikes and selling them through Craigslist, mostly in Williamsburg and the lower east side. None of them would have cost as much as they were asking new, never mind in the condition they're in. Mostly they're old dept store bikes being sold as "vintage" or "ride this beauty home today" or some such come on.

Just to confirm for myself that I'm not out of line here, I also checked craigslist in other cities and didn't see anything like this. And also I'm NOT the poster that railed about this in rebuttal to some of the ads, but I have to agree with what he says. The funny thing was another response accusing this guy of working for Walmart. The irony of this is that there isn't a single walmart in NYC. And I have zero interest in selling bikes myself, I was looking to buy one for my daughter and after looking a few times I realized that most of the listings were for junk.

Gotta agree about Craigslist. When I was looking, most of the "newer bikes" that had, say, only been ridden a couple of times, needed new brake pads, tires, etc. I don't know what they might have done on those few rides but I manage to get several thousand miles out of a set of brake pads. In the end, you might save $50 off a new bike but by the time you get new tires and any other little odds and ends, you wind up paying just as much as an LBS and you won't even have a warranty.

Good tips.

Just a note though: Most shops will give TA, 5BBC & NYCC members discounts, but not on bikes. It's usually on parts, accessories or service. Obviously this varies from one shop to the next.

I'd also look closely at a shop's service plan if you don't do your own wrenching.

Lastly, it's NYC and Friday, Saturday or Sunday are going to be hectic at almost any decent shop. If you want a fair amount of a salesperson's time, try going to a shop on a weekday or at the very least early in the am on Fri, Sat or Sun.

Gotta agree about Craigslist. When I was looking, most of the "newer bikes" that had, say, only been ridden a couple of times, needed new brake pads, tires, etc. I don't know what they might have done on those few rides but I manage to get several thousand miles out of a set of brake pads. In the end, you might save $50 off a new bike but by the time you get new tires and any other little odds and ends, you wind up paying just as much as an LBS and you won't even have a warranty.

You can even see it in the pics that these bikes are in poor condition and these people are full of something. And just about anything you buy in a bike shop would be a better quality bike to begin with and not cost all that much more.

Good tips.

Just a note though: Most shops will give TA, 5BBC & NYCC members discounts, but not on bikes. It's usually on parts, accessories or service. Obviously this varies from one shop to the next.

I'd also look closely at a shop's service plan if you don't do your own wrenching.

Lastly, it's NYC and Friday, Saturday or Sunday are going to be hectic at almost any decent shop. If you want a fair amount of a salesperson's time, try going to a shop on a weekday or at the very least early in the am on Fri, Sat or Sun.


agreed! good point. !!

Good tips.

Just a note though: Most shops will give TA, 5BBC & NYCC members discounts, but not on bikes. It's usually on parts, accessories or service. Obviously this varies from one shop to the next.

I'd also look closely at a shop's service plan if you don't do your own wrenching.

Lastly, it's NYC and Friday, Saturday or Sunday are going to be hectic at almost any decent shop. If you want a fair amount of a salesperson's time, try going to a shop on a weekday or at the very least early in the am on Fri, Sat or Sun.

good point, from the NYCC website, (although i didnt use it), it seems SOME stores have 10% off NON-SALE bikes (which are most).

i think it worth it to inquire, over the phone. easy way to save lots of $$.


Shop discounts

NYCC members receive discounts from the following New York City bike shops:

A BICYCLE SHOP
345 West 14th Street
(212) 691-6149
10% off non-sale items.

BICYCLE HABITAT
244 Lafayette Street
(212) 431-3315
15% off parts, accessories; 10% off bikes, no discounts on sale items, no double discounts.

BICYCLE HEAVEN
348 East 62 St.
(212) 230-1919
mybikeheaven
8.25% off accessories, repairs, rentals, bikes.

BICYCLE RENAISSANCE
430 Columbus Ave.
(212) 724-2350
10% off repairs, accessories (not on sale items and new bikes).

BIKE WORKS
106 Ridge Street (corner of Rivington)
(212) 388-1077
10% off parts, accessories, repairs.

CONRAD'S BIKE SHOP
25 Tudor City Place
(212) 697-6966
conrad's bike shop
8.25% off parts, accessories, repairs.

GOTHAM BIKES
112 West Broadway
(212) 732-2453
10% off parts, accessories, repairs.

LARRY AND JEFF'S
2ND AVE BICYCLES PLUS
1690 2nd Ave @87 St.
(212) 722-5903
15% off accessories and parts; 5% off or better on new bikes.

PIERMONT BICYCLE CONNECTION
215 Ash Street
Piermont, NY 10968
(845) 365-0900

4 Washington Street
Tenafly, NJ 07670
(201) 227-8211
10% off of EVERYTHING including bicycles. FREE SHIPPING on purchases over $100.

SID'S BIKE SHOP
235 East 34th Street
(212) 213-8360
8% off parts, accessories, clothing.

TOGA BIKE SHOP
110 West End Ave.
(212) 799-9625
10% off parts, accessories, repairs.