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That the big box stores are frowned upon when looking for a reasonably priced bike? I just bought a Trek 3700 (girls) for my 8 y/o daughter from a local dealer. It's a great bike and should last her a good long while. Now I just purchased a Schwinn Trailways 700c Hybrid from Target, sure, go ahead an laugh but it is exactly what I've been looking for and more....Oddly enough it has many of the same components that the Trek 3700 has for $100 less.
IMO, there are good deals to be had if you know what you are looking for and know what to expect. Most bikes that I've seen in the under $700 class are all made in China so, as long as you're getting what you want, what's the difference? Just curious, not looking to start a flame war....
Cheers,
BS
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Does Target offer you one year free adjustments on your Schwinn? Did a store employee at Target fit you to the bike properly? Does Target offer warranty repair work at the store?
If you are confident in your wrenching skills and can ensure that the Target bike was properly assembled and tuned, sure why not?
Otherwise, I certainly wouldn't put my daughter on a bike assembled by a stockboy.
To me, it is about supporting the local shops instead of the big box stores.
Some things, I refuse to pay bike shop prices for, such as trip computers and so forth that are marked up 200%. Other things, like bikes and accessories that are much better when they're name brand, I support the bike shop.
This may not make sense, but I'd be much more likely to support Target than Wal*Mart.
i hear the same thing when it comes to video games. yeah i know, WAY different catagory, but the same argument. always hear "support you local mom & pop store" (ie video trader instead of places like gamestop, etc). well if the mom & pop stores wouldnt jack up the prices, Id be more inclined to shop there. now saying that, the next bike Im goin to get wont be from a walmart or target. reason being is cause I want to get a lighter weight bike from someone that actually knows what they're talkn about instead of some heavy weight on a rack near the ceiling by some young dip &#%# that skateboards when he's not poppn pimples.
Does Xmart sponsor any clubs or teams? Any rides start from the Xmart parking lot?
That the big box stores are frowned upon when looking for a reasonably priced bike? I just bought a Trek 3700 (girls) for my 8 y/o daughter from a local dealer. It's a great bike and should last her a good long while. Now I just purchased a Schwinn Trailways 700c Hybrid from Target, sure, go ahead an laugh but it is exactly what I've been looking for and more....Oddly enough it has many of the same components that the Trek 3700 has for $100 less.
IMO, there are good deals to be had if you know what you are looking for and know what to expect. Most bikes that I've seen in the under $700 class are all made in China so, as long as you're getting what you want, what's the difference? Just curious, not looking to start a flame war....
Cheers,
BS
The key is in your last sentence..."as long as you're getting what you want" and what you can afford to pay. You also have to remember that any mail order or big box store bikes "always" needs the wheels to be trued, dished properly, and spokes tensioned...so there's a hidden cost/extra expense that most dont take into account. The factory settings of the drivetrain and brakes are barely adequate and usually needs to be fine tuned.
One could make the argument that a name brand bike at an LBS needs the same attention to details and adjustments when they received their bikes from the factory, but in most cases, everything should be checked and adjusted before that/those bikes hit the showroom floor/put on display for sale. The higher prices "should" reflect the labor/time put into those bikes so the buyer is happy from the beginning with free adjustments for whatever time period. It's often different when everything works great on a stand as opposed to actually riding the bike.
At a big box store, it all depends on who is assembling the bikes and if they can make the adjustments with the equipment they have at their disposal. Most will just assemble the bike and not check anything and returns for a replacement bike or refunds are a lot higher. With lower cost bikes, there is always the concern for consistant quality...a relatively straight frame with good welds is one of them...the drivetrain is usually off-the-shelf made up of mostly name brand parts. Follow up adjustments are not usually available, so the consumer has to go to their local LBS and pay for the service.
Personally, there are a few bikes at the big box stores that seem decent enough to buy, if it fits you. I've taken the time to adjust a few of the neighbors kids bikes and they are happy with their bikes as all heck. BUT there is a stigma about buying a bike from an x-mart or mail order bike and you can read about it on many of the topics at this forum. Some of the criticism is well deserved while other comments are from people that have no first hand experience with the bike and are quick to make a judgement/their opinion known and possibly unfairly label the OP. As long as I see people riding their bikes and are happy with them, I could care less where they bought their bikes or what type of bike they ride and putting them down just paints the cycling community with a broad brush as being elitist, narrow minded, and prejudicial...
Thanks for all the replies. I understand the deal about the free tune ups and proper adjustment of the various components on a bike from a big box store. I went over the bike, adjusted the brakes, transmission and checked the wheels before riding it. It took me about 20 minutes to get everything set which for me, helps me understand the components and how they work that much better.
Just like there is a difference between "knowledge" and "wisdom", there is a similar difference between "put together" and "assembled".
Here's another reason to use your local bike shop:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=4874170#post4874170
If I'd bought the bike from a big box store, assuming they carried Dahon, I'd have to go right to Dahon.
If I'd bought it locally, it would have never even left the store, much less give me a headache to make it right.
$100 for safety and reliability
The LBS will tune the bike and ensure that everything works right. A poorly adjusted/assembled bike is quite dangerous
If you took the Target bike to a LBS to adjust and inspect it, you would be out about $80, so you saved about $20 overall. $20 is about what you will spend in 6 months to get brakes and shifters readjusted after the cables stretch a bit (which is usually included when buying at a LBS)
If you are a good experienced bike mechanic, there is nothing wrong with a decent Target bike
Well...As I said...I went over the bike and have it in perfect order...Took me less than 30 minutes so, I think I got a great deal.... Thanks again for the replies!!
My main complaint about the department store bikes is the weight. The components may be the same, but geez, there's lead hidden in some of those "aluminum" frames.
Back in the early '90's, there were two possible scenarios for bike assembly in "Big box" stores. I used to build bikes for a national toy chain. Some stores used to staff a couple of "Mechanics" who only really got very basic bike building training. However, my personal experience was that some of the mechanics were knowledgable and dedicated (though not nearly LBS skill levels) before they ever applied for their jobs. The suppervisors would back off of the required number of builds per hour to allow the quality and customer satisfaction generated by these few mechanics to blossom. Many customers got low quality bikes that were properly assembled and tuned that Christmas.
The other scenario used by many stores was to hire outside contractors to come around at night and assemble bikes. I can't speak to that as I have no personal experience there.
As has been mentioned in this thread already, if your competent with a wrench, buy your bikes anywhere you want. Of course product quality is pretty much consistant with price...and remember, all the vendors are making money. I always figured that a Toy Store bike was a toy and a bike purchased at the LBS will be represented properly as anything from a good piece of exercise equipment to a mode of long range transportation. I guess in the end, it all depends on what you're looking to buy.
Happy Trails
I can't be the only reader here from Small Town America. LBS in my town means "local bike SERVICE," not sales. One guy has a shop, one guy has a van he brings to your location, and both of these guys are single-man businesses. Both of these guys carries small parts, the guy with a shop (a very SMALL shop) carries tires and a very few wheels, both can order stuff, but neither sells bikes. You go out of town to buy, then bring it home and these guys can maintain and ever upgrade a bit for you.
Am I going to drive 100 miles each way to get my bike worked on, just to take advantage of a warrenty? Probably not. So if I'm spending the same amount to get the service whether I have a $100 bike or a $1000 bike, I'll probably stay with the lower cost bike longer.
Also, I wanted a tandem. The nearest LBS that carries brands that build tandems was 50 miles away. I had 2 choices through them, a Trek or a Cannondale. Fit the bike to me? No way, there was one model of each, take it or leave it. Test ride? No way. They would order ONE for me, but once ordered it was mine, no sending it back if I didn't like it. Wanted an accessory that was listed in the owner's manual. No way. It doesn't exist, no matter what the owner's manual says. Don't like they way they treat you? You can always buy at Target or Walmart.
Gee, why do so many people buy at Target and Walmart?
Catherine
That the big box stores are frowned upon when looking for a reasonably priced bike? I just bought a Trek 3700 (girls) for my 8 y/o daughter from a local dealer. It's a great bike and should last her a good long while. Now I just purchased a Schwinn Trailways 700c Hybrid from Target, sure, go ahead an laugh but it is exactly what I've been looking for and more....Oddly enough it has many of the same components that the Trek 3700 has for $100 less.
BS
My wife has a Schwinn from a LBS we got her 2 years ago, and I bought the Targe Schwinn for my mother. Here is the problem with the Target bike: Brakes were adjusted so poorly that it was dangerous to ride. I know how to tune up a bike so it was no big deal for me. Many other customers would take the bike out for a ride and find that they could not come to a stop and possibly crash because of such a grievous error in setup. I didn't mind saving the money because I spend over an hour going over the bike completely to make sure everything was setup properly. The LBS would charge you $75 that setup convenience. For the average consumer going to a good LBS is critical as they would never know what was wrong with the bike and have no clue how to even begin adjusting the handlebars and seat hight. I see it all the time... no wonder these people can't ride more than 3 miles before their bodies hurt.
Happy riding,
André
I'm going to be the bad guy here and agree, with limits, with the original poster. Over the last 10 years I have purchased for the family: From LBS: 2 Treks, 2 Giants, 1 K2, 1 Burley, 1 Gary Fisher. I have also bought 2 bikes from WalMart, 1 from Toys-R-Us, and 1 from Target. Our helmets and accessories (cages, computers, seat bags, lights, etc. are a true mix of LBS and WalMart).
While I like supporting my LBS (3 of them), I cannot help but be compelled sometimes to buy on value alone, especially on the lower end stuff. I am an engineer, and a very skilled wrench. The other day I needed a cone wrench to adjust bearings, so I took one of my cheap open end tools and milled it thin to fit. I find myself fussing with LBS bikes to get things to my satisfaction, so the thought of taking apart and re-assembling a Target bike doesn't faze me if the product fit my needs.
Schwinn (Pacific Cycle) sells near identical bikes to Target and Ski House (directly across the street) in my area. The only difference is about $125. If Barkingspud can do the required servicing himself and this model was what he wanted, why not? Tell me you wouldn't do the same if the situation were identical?
Note again before you throw rocks at me that I do indeed support my LBS when the product is right!
Steve
I used to work at target and had a few chances to talk to the guy who built the bikes.
Please don't die.
Here's an interesting blog article (http://www.industryoutsider.com/?p=147) from our forum administrator. I think it speaks for itself.
i hear the same thing when it comes to video games. yeah i know, WAY different catagory, but the same argument. always hear "support you local mom & pop store" (ie video trader instead of places like gamestop, etc). well if the mom & pop stores wouldnt jack up the prices, Id be more inclined to shop there. now saying that, the next bike Im goin to get wont be from a walmart or target. reason being is cause I want to get a lighter weight bike from someone that actually knows what they're talkn about instead of some heavy weight on a rack near the ceiling by some young dip &#%# that skateboards when he's not poppn pimples.
"jacking up the prices" is what it takes to pay the rent at a mom & pop store. If their prices were the
same as the big box store, then they wouldnt make enough money to stay in business.
If they were the cheapest, we wouldnt have to say "support your LBS". You would go there anyway.
While your more likely to have adjustment issues, loose parts (hopefully not missing parts) from your xmart bike they have come a long way making them easy to assemble these days.
Now order a bike from your LBS and most times you'll get a great deal.. Sometimes like me you'll be riding fine until you switch to the big ring/small cog down a huge hill then try and shift and jam the drivetrain.. $@#() wrench put a 1" screw to hold the included rack to the bike which jammed the chain. This was after finding the quill stem was just tight enough to work fine till I needed to countersteer in a couple miles.
So big box store or LBS.. Check and recheck everything yourself and test ride it through all gears before actually going anywhere. Just because you get it from a LBS doesnt' mean it is assembled right.
I too support both my LBS and Target, and Dicks Sporting Goods. I tend to avoid Wallmart as most of their stuff in the cycling department is even a bit below the Target quality. At the LBS I am paying more (sometimes a lot more), but the products are at worst all good quality and it goes up from there. Dicks tends to have mostly descent and up quality of goods, and very little of their stuff is junk, but little of it is great. Target has at times some excellent value. The Schwinn helmet I bought there a few years ago was excellent, it is well made and fits me well. Sadly the new version appears is not as well madet so my next one will come from the LBS. A $2.50 bell works fine, and didn't feel that spending $7.00 was worth the extra $$. My bike came from my LBS as did my wife's. For me a solid bike was important as I use it to commute to work. My wife needed a somewhat small frame a she is just over 5'2". For my Mom the $180 Schwinn from Target was an excellent value with very descent components (no worse than the Schwinn my wife bought at the LBS). For my Mom this bike will be fine as she fit the bike properly, and it will meet her needs well. A major problem for the big box stores is the lack of sizes in a given bike. For those that don't know what they are doing, it is easy to end up with an ill fitting bike when they buy at a big box store. As mentioned in my previous post, if you buy from a big box store you better know how to go over the bike and check everything and do your own adjustments. I enjoy that sort of thing so that is not a problem for me. As for the $100 and under bikes... avoid those at all cost. Everything on those cheap bikes is made to be as cheap as possible and I know far to many people for whom the bike starts to fall appart after about 100 miles of driving.
So here is my synposis:
Big box store - can be OK, but know what you are buying. There are some good deals, but a lot of the stuff is not well made or not well put together.
Dicks Sporting Goods - Some descent bike parts. They don't sell the realy cheap garbage bikes. So everything is at least descent. Much better for things like helmets than Target or Wallmart as they have a far greater selection. The bike department staff are clearly much better than what the average Target or Wallmart can provide when you have questions. The clothing is where this chain is really in its sweet spot. Very nice Canari bike shorts for around $38. Whereas the LBS started around $70 for bike shorts. Good prices on breathable riding shirts as well. I haven't paid over for a shirt $20 yet. I don't need special cycling jerseys, but they have those available.
LBS - Best selection in bikes. Most knowledgable staff. Definitely no garbage bikes. Their lower end bikes may be very similar is not near identical to the "high end" Target bikes, but they are guaranteed to be setup by an experienced tech and will be adjusted for free after a bit of riding. Clothing is where my LBS prices are just too high for my budget. I just can't justify $70+ riding shorts or $70+ jerseys. I am sure these products are a little nicer than what I get elsewhere, but I am not a pro and don't intend to ride a Centry anytime soon.
Happy riding,
André
I bought a new bike from the Sears catalog many years ago. Indestructable 20" BMX with spring suspension fork and heavy duty EVERYTHING. I forget the actual brand but it was one stout bike! It was stolen twice, recovered only once. Whoever ended up with it may still be riding it today.
Since then I have only owned used bikes from dumpsters, secondhand sellers and creations from mismatched parts out of junk heaps. Never have I ever had a major breakdown beyond a flat tire or snapped cable. The first bike I built was used to commute 24 miles every day, rain or shine, before I owned a car. I see no reason to overpay if you can satisfy your needs on the cheap.
I'm sure that many folks must have their designer labels and the precise engineering of the high end parts that the LBS has for sale. Serious cyclists who rely on their equipment for extreme use or long distance touring are quite justified in their decision to spend big for the reliability of the equipment they buy. There are those who don't feel safe riding a bike with a bent rim or a crunchy bearing or two. Nevermind that it will go another 100 miles if you need it to, that small defect just won't do. It must be perfect for some to even THINK about riding it around the block.
I avoid Walmart simply on principal. The bicycle I ride now probably came from there at one time but I got it at Goodwill for half of what it sold for new last year.
Now I would probably be impressed by the comfort of a $500.00 cycle, especially if it had been custom fit for me and tuned by a pro with all the right tools and parts. Nonetheless I wouldn't own such a bike because I don't have time to wash it after every ride, space to store it indoors when not riding, or funds to have it serviced and tuned regularly to keep it like new. My bikes always live outdoors year 'round and they work fine when I ride. Low tires get aired up, loose bolts get tightened and bearings get lubed when I remember. My bikes don't get stolen - they get given away after I get the next good deal or build another frankenbike.
Spend what you want, buy whatever level of quality you feel you need but when all is said and done remember this is supposed to be fun!
say what you like but I ride a NEXT comfort bike I got from walmart for $120 to school every day, i wasn;t gonna buy an expensive bike just to have it stolen.
As long as you know what you're looking at and can do a little tune-up work, I don't see any reason (other than supporting your LBS, which is worth considering) not to buy from a big box. My main worry would be quality of assembly. When I was in high school, I got a job moving refrigerators and crap in a Montgomery Ward warehouse (the big box of that time, along with Sears). When things were slow, I was supposed to assemble bicycles, and sometimes around Christmas we'd have dozens of them backed up. Another 15-year-old and I slapped them together with Crescent wrenches and a screwdriver, with no idea what we were doing or how do do it. There are probably 40-year-olds all over Central California today with scars from those bikes falling apart under them.
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