Northeast - Beginner-friendly shops in DC

Hello all,

I'm new to riding and owning bikes. Lately, I've been considering getting a bicycle. I've been reading the forum for a while but have never posted until now, since I think I might be ready to shop around for a purchase. I'd like to know of any bike stores in the DC metropolitan area that are "beginner-friendly". I've never owned a bike before and have a pretty limited amount of experience riding them as well, so it'd be nice to have a store to go to with staff who'll be open to taking their time out to offer help and advice without pressuring or intimidating me into buying something.

Are there any stores in the area that would have a lot large enough for me to test ride their selections? Since I'm still new to biking, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing a test ride on busy DC streets. I also find it hard to make tight turns, so I'd need a good amount of space to turn around in (like the parking lot of the REI at College Park). Otherwise, I can always hop off the bike and turn it around.

Also, are there bike shops around that sell used bikes? I'm on the short side (5'2 with about a 28" inseam), so I doubt there would anything used that'll suit me, but it's worth a shot.
And I'm planning on getting a hybrid bike, if that helps any. I've heard that Proteus Bicycles in College Park and Spokes, etc. are good shops. I plan on checking them out soon.

Thanks for any help and advice you can offer. :)

Hi.

I just moved to the area in March. I have visited many shops in the area, and would recommend this one:

Proteus Bicycles (http://proteusbicycles.com/)

I think it may work well considering what you are looking for.

Check College Park bicycles for their used selections. just a ways down south from Proteus. I cannot recommend Arrow Bicycles enough though (a couple of miles south of Proteus and College Park Bicycles). They are all-levels friendly. I would definitely give them a look. They're selling Kuota, Giant, Specialized (they may have added some more brands). And their Sunday group rides are great albeit with a little late start time.

Not very close but Bike Club VA at falls church also has a good selection of used bikes.

Depends where you live. If you're in the city, Revolution, Citybikes, and the Bike Rack are all pretty beginner friendly. They've all got plenty of beginner bikes and accessories in stock. The newly reincarnated Capitol Hill bikes looks like a drug front -- no hardly any stock in the store. Very bizarre. Haven't been to Rollins but here good things. You mention a couple of shops in the MD suburbs, but I've found that if possible, it's great to have a shop close to you in order to drop by for adjustments, accessories, advice, etc (I'm assuming you're in the District from your member ID). It sounds like you're very new to riding. The size of the parking lot should be the least of your considerations.

Frankly, I'd borrow a bike and get a little more comfortable riding in general first. If you're uncomfortable making a turn on a bike, chances are you may not make the correct choice in bikes. It's like shopping for a manual transmission car without knowing how to drive stick, or knowing how to drive at all for that matter. You'll be too worried about trying to stay upright then whether the geo, handling, and other ride characteristics are ideal for you.

Thanks for the responses, everyone.

dbh, of the two shops I listed, one is in College Park, MD and the other is in Alexandria, VA. I was thinking about stores a little farther from the city, in case I needed to test ride a bike on the street and because there might be more lot space. I live in the NW quadrant of DC and I've heard of those shops you've listed. As for City Bikes, it seems like they get mixed reviews. Some people say they're great with everyone, and some say they're bike snobs.

As for the borrowing a bike idea, I've considered it. I have a friend who has several bikes but they're all too large. She doesn't mind riding on bikes that are too big, but after reading the forums, I know how important it is to have a bike that is somewhat fitted. I also wouldn't feel comfortable if I wasn't able to place both feet on the ground while straddling the top tube. Am I just thinking illogically here?

The size of the bike shop's parking lot should be the least of your concerns. Since you're new to riding, it's important to use a shop nearby. You're going to have a lot of questions and may need adjustments, tuneups etc. You're probably not going to want to schlep out to the suburbs every time you need a deraileur adjusted. If you buy locally, your shop will take care of all of those things for you for free. As for Citybikes, most of what they sell are intro hybrid style bikes. Yes, they have a few high end bikes, but it's a small part of their inventory. If you live in DC and are afraid to ride on the street, there's not really much opportunity to ride. Yes there are trails, but you've got to ride to get to them. You may want to invest in a cheapo craigslist special just to get the hang of riding. Once you feel more comfortable, I'd sell it and take a stroll to one of the bike shops in the city.

A lot of people involved in the cycling world use the late and honorable Sheldon Brown's compilation of bicycle knowledge to help them with anything from bike fit to mechanical nitty-gritty, to touring the world by bicycle. I would recommend you spend some time reading information on his website:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/home.html

There is a lot of great information on his site that can help you!

nothing really beats goin into the shops and dealing with them straight up. we all have different experiences

Road Rage, I've got Sheldon Brown's website bookmarked a while ago, but haven't been on it much to read anything. I'll spend some time on there this weekend.

dbh, I've ridden on the street once, but that was in Van Nuys, a suburb of Los Angeles. That was pretty enjoyable, maybe because I was following someone who had more experience with biking. I don't think it would be so bad if I had someone's lead to follow. I also don't know what the rules/etiquette are for riding in the streets, as in how to switch lanes or turn onto a street on the far side of the rider. I suppose all these things are secondary to being competent in riding a bike. Also, even if I get a cheap bike from Craigslist, I'd still have to practice in the streets of DC to get comfortable with riding. Compared to other places, I'm not sure how safe it'll be for a semi-newbie to get used to riding. The main thing that deters me is the high-traffic streets. I'm sure there are quieter neighborhoods I can go to, or I'll just have to drive out to a trail somewhere. Come to think about it, if I get a bike, I can always join the numerous bicycling groups that do rides around the city. Would that be a good idea? Or are most of the rides geared towards people who have a good amount of riding experience already?

HFTB, I'll definitely have to make an effort to visit some shops.

The newly reincarnated Capitol Hill bikes looks like a drug front -- no hardly any stock in the store. Very bizarre.

They're legit, though. It's just that they had bad financial management and couldn't continue in the bigger space that they were using. It got bad enough that Jamis was the only bike brand that would gamble on their reopening; they've started carrying Bianchi in the last few weeks, though. The address they're in now, if you remember from a few years ago, is the same spot that they used to occupy for their repair shop.

No used bikes there, because (at least the explanation I've gotten) they'd need to apply for a pawn license, and don't want to deal with those headaches.


Compared to other places, I'm not sure how safe it'll be for a semi-newbie to get used to riding. The main thing that deters me is the high-traffic streets. I'm sure there are quieter neighborhoods I can go to, or I'll just have to drive out to a trail somewhere.

Driving in DC sucks -- which means that biking is the way to go. Some neighborhoods are quiet enough that riding in the street isn't a big deal (not every street is Pennsylvania Avenue, after all), and there are so many cyclists in some areas that you wouldn't be any less noobish than many of the other riders I see every day.


Come to think about it, if I get a bike, I can always join the numerous bicycling groups that do rides around the city. Would that be a good idea? Or are most of the rides geared towards people who have a good amount of riding experience already?

Depends on the ride, of course. But, I think that a lot of the organized rides assume that everyone has had plenty of experience. Some are simple hammerfests, too. Ask around at the shops to find newbie-friendly rides.

Road Rage, I've got Sheldon Brown's website bookmarked a while ago, but haven't been on it much to read anything. I'll spend some time on there this weekend.

dbh, I've ridden on the street once, but that was in Van Nuys, a suburb of Los Angeles. That was pretty enjoyable, maybe because I was following someone who had more experience with biking. I don't think it would be so bad if I had someone's lead to follow. I also don't know what the rules/etiquette are for riding in the streets, as in how to switch lanes or turn onto a street on the far side of the rider. I suppose all these things are secondary to being competent in riding a bike. Also, even if I get a cheap bike from Craigslist, I'd still have to practice in the streets of DC to get comfortable with riding. Compared to other places, I'm not sure how safe it'll be for a semi-newbie to get used to riding. The main thing that deters me is the high-traffic streets. I'm sure there are quieter neighborhoods I can go to, or I'll just have to drive out to a trail somewhere. Come to think about it, if I get a bike, I can always join the numerous bicycling groups that do rides around the city. Would that be a good idea? Or are most of the rides geared towards people who have a good amount of riding experience already?

HFTB, I'll definitely have to make an effort to visit some shops.

If you have a bike to practice on consider taking one of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association's (WABA) Confident City Cycling classes. They work on everything you are concerned about. http://www.waba.org/events/education.php

There are also a couple of groups on Meetup.com that target novice riders.

They're legit, though. It's just that they had bad financial management and couldn't continue in the bigger space that they were using. It got bad enough that Jamis was the only bike brand that would gamble on their reopening; they've started carrying Bianchi in the last few weeks, though. The address they're in now, if you remember from a few years ago, is the same spot that they used to occupy for their repair shop.

No used bikes there, because (at least the explanation I've gotten) they'd need to apply for a pawn license, and don't want to deal with those headaches.



Driving in DC sucks -- which means that biking is the way to go. Some neighborhoods are quiet enough that riding in the street isn't a big deal (not every street is Pennsylvania Avenue, after all), and there are so many cyclists in some areas that you wouldn't be any less noobish than many of the other riders I see every day.



Depends on the ride, of course. But, I think that a lot of the organized rides assume that everyone has had plenty of experience. Some are simple hammerfests, too. Ask around at the shops to find newbie-friendly rides.

Thanks for your input! I drive in DC all the time, but it's usually to get to the highway. I'm also usually scared out of my mind when I see a cyclist in the bike lane. Sometimes, it feels like the driving lanes are so narrow, that my SUV might nip a cyclist as I'm passing.

And you're right, I see cyclists everywhere! And many of them do seem like your average, just-brushed-the-old-bike-off type of riders. Thanks for the perspective. =)



If you have a bike to practice on consider taking one of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association's (WABA) Confident City Cycling classes. They work on everything you are concerned about. http://www.waba.org/events/education.php

There are also a couple of groups on Meetup.com that target novice riders.

Great! Thanks for telling me about the WABA class. That'll come in handy if/when I get that bike. I know about the meetup groups, I plan on joining some whenever I make my purchase.
That Learn to Ride class they offer for adults sounds very tempting as well.

Now the question is whether I should pull the trigger on a new bike from shop, try to rent one for a few days, buy from Craigslist, borrow from a friend...it doesn't help that I'm so indecisive either.

I've always thought the sales folks at Spoke, Etc. on Quaker Ln, in Alexandria were not pushy and were well informed. I prefer going to them than the other reputible shops that are located w/in a mile of where I live. All too often I've come across staff members who are aloof or who are pushing a sale too hard. Of course, not all staff act this way, but the ones who do make me reluctant to return.

deskjockey, thanks for the Spokes, etc. recommendation. What you've said reinforces the reviews I've already read about them. They're on the top of my list of bike shops to visit. They're close to where I work as well, so it'll be convenient.

Thanks for your input! I drive in DC all the time, but it's usually to get to the highway. I'm also usually scared out of my mind when I see a cyclist in the bike lane. Sometimes, it feels like the driving lanes are so narrow, that my SUV might nip a cyclist as I'm passing...

Please do not drive in the district during working hours. Please. Thank you. Ride a bike, you'll be fine.

An incompetent biker only endangers himself. An incompetent driver is a potential killer. Driving makes you uncomfortable. Don't do it. If you must drive, get a smaller car.

Please do not drive in the district during working hours. Please. Thank you. Ride a bike, you'll be fine.

An incompetent biker only endangers himself. An incompetent driver is a potential killer. Driving makes you uncomfortable. Don't do it. If you must drive, get a smaller car.

I wouldn't consider myself an incompetent driver, per se. But I do feel that a driver definitely needs to be more cautious when there are cyclists around. You've got to keep checking those blind spots, since it's harder to spot a cyclist than a car and so forth...

And you don't need to worry about me driving during working hours. I metro. ;)

Hey, sorry, I misunderstood your post and I overreacted. I hope instead "scared out of my mind" you really meant "extra careful".

I was intentionally nudged along by an SUV yesterday which maybe why your post scared and angered me.

She wanted to turn right on red, but the vehicle ahead of her (mine) was going straight. So she drives into my trailer and pushes me forward. I got off the bike and shoved it backwards into her bumper. The trailer goes under her bumper and is a little hard to extract, but the act made a terrible noise without damaging anything except bending my SMV (slow moving vehicle) sign. I'm glad I didn't damage her car because I might get in trouble for that, but I hope she thought it was damaged and was worried about it and got out to check. I don't know, I got back on my bike, went straight and didn't look back. Maybe she gave chase, but traffic was all backed and I slipped between the lanes.

She wanted to turn right on red, but the vehicle ahead of her (mine) was going straight.

I'm wondering if you had room ahead and to your left to position yourself so she could make her turn. I'm not exonerating her, mind you, but looking at it both from a driver's perspective and how I treat right-turn situations whether I'm on my bike or in my car. I try to leave space to my right to allow right turns on red (the fact that my car's a Civic makes a difference, too ;)), at least as long as it's legal at the intersection and at that time of day (lots of no turns allowed between 7AM-7PM around here).

Of course, maybe actions of people like me are making it worse for you, since drivers can come to expect to have room to make their turns. I just don't feel that it's necessary to occupy a whole lane when I'm not even three feet wide myself and standing there waiting for the light to change.

Of course, maybe actions of people like me are making it worse for you, since drivers can come to expect to have room to make their turns. I just don't feel that it's necessary to occupy a whole lane when I'm not even three feet wide myself and standing there waiting for the light to change.

Sorry, Si, but I have to agree with qmsdc15 here: at an intersection it is safe, legal and proper for a cyclist to take up the entirety of a lane. A bicycle is a vehicle, per Federal and District traffic codes, and it is entitled (and expected) to take up a full lane (e.g. by taking up the middle) at intersections.

Rod: sorry you got nudged. I had one of Mayor Fenty's major donors (i.e. one of the low-number-plate corps) give me a nudge about a year ago on my way to work. He yelled at me, I called in his plate to DCPD and reported the incident to my local Councilman, and received a written letter of apology from him within a week (he also received points on his license, I believe).

It happens regularly with the trailer but it's nowhere as dangerous as getting your rear wheel hit. :twitchy: I'm glad you reported that to the police. I really need to replace the orange flag I lost. :o I have a big orange triangle, but it's low. Most of the times my trailer was hit were accidents. I really need to replace that flag...

Barracks, even if I was inclined to scooch out of the way (which I am not) it's not so easy with a 13 foot long vehicle. Where am I to put it? Completely blocking crosswalk or halfway out into the path of vehicles proceeding on the green light? I can't lift it while astride and move sideways like you can on your two-wheeler. My bike
http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/Rod_Smith/bike/DSC00545_2-1.jpg

What a terrible thread drift though, in this thread started by a new rider who wants to become a confident rider. Don't worry pcoobed, these incidents are really very few and far between, I'm on the street a lot, with a trailer that is hard to see by short people in tall vehicles, so I've been gently pushed forward a few times...

I just gotta chime in here. I ride my bike like it is the vehicle that it is. If I'm driving a car, and I'm going straight, and somebody behind me wants to turn right, they wait until I'm out of the way, right? Same for a bike.

I take the lane, yes. It's mine when I'm in it.

and Pcoobed--do think about getting a smaller car if you are going to stay in DC. In fact, think about getting rid of your car altogether and using Zipcar when you need to drive. Really. (in addition to being the Right Thing To Do, Zipcar also has very fun cars--BMWs and pickups and Minis and the like)

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