Bicycle Mechanics - New bike suggestions

Mods, feel free to move this if it should be in another forum.

I'm looking to buy a new bike and I've got it pretty much narrowed down to what I want. I don't commute on a bike, I'm mainly looking to get around town a couple times a week and do some distance riding. My area has lots of rail trails that I'm just itching to get out on. So I'm looking for a hybrid bike in the $300-350 (Canadian) range. That works out to something in the neighbourhood of $220-250 US. The one I've been considering is a Raleigh Sport Hybrid. I can get one at Canadian Tire (a department store that specializes in sporting goods, car parts, home improvement, etc) for $329 with free adjustments for a month. Or I can get basically the same bike for $350 at an independent bike store, and it comes with a year of free adjustments. The only difference between them is the department store one has a nicer saddle and a couple minor things like the paint job and how the reflectors are mounted.

Any advice on which I should go for? Obviously I'll bet better service and advice at the bike store. But, keeping in mind that this bike won't be for daily use, and it will be stored inside, will free adjustments for a year be worth the extra $20? I'm thinking about getting the bike at the independent store, except with a saddle more to my liking. Thanks for the advice!

Mods, feel free to move this if it should be in another forum.
Any advice on which I should go for? Obviously I'll bet better service and advice at the bike store. But, keeping in mind that this bike won't be for daily use, and it will be stored inside, will free adjustments for a year be worth the extra $20? I'm thinking about getting the bike at the independent store, except with a saddle more to my liking. Thanks for the advice!

There is NO doubt in my mind that its better to buy from an LBS. I can pretty much guarantee that a Canadian Tire store's mechanic/assembly guy is nowhere near the level of the worst mechanic at the bike shop. The extra adjustments are worth probably $40-50... there is very little that needs to be done in the first month except to retension the cables after they stretch. After a year though you usually need more adjustments. Not to mention bike shops go out of the way to help the people that buy bikes from them typically, for instance, if someone has a bike that was purchased from us and just needs a tube replaced or some minor adjustment/work we typically don't charge them labor or give them a good break on labor. This seems to be the policy at most shops. Just remember, you are buying the store with the bike, and you are supporting a local retailer as well, which is well worth the $20.

Also, if you are concerned about the seat, you can get the shop to swap it out for one you like better at no cost or little cost to you.

There is NO doubt in my mind that its better to buy from an LBS. I can pretty much guarantee that a Canadian Tire store's mechanic/assembly guy is nowhere near the level of the worst mechanic at the bike shop. The extra adjustments are worth probably $40-50... there is very little that needs to be done in the first month except to retension the cables after they stretch. After a year though you usually need more adjustments. Not to mention bike shops go out of the way to help the people that buy bikes from them typically, for instance, if someone has a bike that was purchased from us and just needs a tube replaced or some minor adjustment/work we typically don't charge them labor or give them a good break on labor. This seems to be the policy at most shops. Just remember, you are buying the store with the bike, and you are supporting a local retailer as well, which is well worth the $20.

Also, if you are concerned about the seat, you can get the shop to swap it out for one you like better at no cost or little cost to you.

i totally agree with all of this. I would go to your lbs and tell them how much you are wanting to spend. see what they suggest for you. maybe they have something that you didnt think of. but even if you are set on the bike you mentioned then id still go to your lbs.