General Cycling Discussion - Buy now or after the move?

1. Introduction: First post... my name is Rudi. Trombonist starting Masters degree in NYC in a month and a half. Just starting to get into cycling via my roommate's free SS bike (old conversion)... and can't wait to buy my own! So, wat up bike snobs. :love:

2. The actual topic: As stated, I'm moving to NYC for at least 2 years. I leave in about 5 weeks. My buddy recommends I buy a pre-assembled SS / fixie (since that's what I am interested in) at a LBS in NYC so that I can begin developing a relationship with said bike shop.

However, there are a number of LBS here in Sacramento that carry a few bikes that are really teasing me. The two that I've been particularly interested in are a '09 Raleigh Rush Hour and an '09 Schwinn Madison (great price on this one and I like the ride). Obviously, buying in Cali shows no real benefits other than I will get to have my bike NOW and start getting used to it...

I have the money and really want to buy a bike now. Transportation to NYC not an issue, I'm taking the train and they have bike lockers on it. But is my buddy right? Should I really wait to buy in NYC so that I can establish some sort of "connection" and have the limited service period or whatever with a LBS there in the Big Apple?

That might be a good reason to buy locally instead of via mail order, but I can't see that as a motivation to wait, either.

Do you know for sure what kind of bicycling you'll be doing after the move? Unless you have some background in the new area I'd want to wait to be sure I bought the "right" bike for what I'll be doing.

Well, I'll be living in Manhattan. And commuting to... Manhattan. :)

It's pretty flat.

Buy your bike now. The prices in NYC will be higher and there isn't much to tune up on a single speed.

Establish a connection: just buy accessories and stuff from them. The markup on nutrition, clothing, is big. Six pack of beer for the mechanic works too. So do music downloads.

I'd say you can still build up a relationship by getting any accesories and repairs there. I have great relationship with my own LBS (albeit not in New York) and have never bought a bike from them. I do however, get repairs,most parts, and a lot of equippment there.

for anyone else, i would say wait til you get to NYC and buy the bike there, less to deal with moving, you meet local bike people and establish a relationship with the local bike shop, and you might find a cool bike you can't get in where you are now. but since you are a Trombonist starting Masters degree in NYC, which is a vital piece of information in a decision about buying a bicycle, i would say buy it NOW!!!!! since money is no object and transportation isn't a problem, and there are bikes you like now, get them. it is, after all, about instant gratification. as a Trombonist starting Masters degree in NYC, you should have no problem making friends in a local bike shop with a bike you didn't buy at that shop. while your friend gave you good solid advice, i bet he isn't a Trombonist starting Masters degree in NYC, so really, what the heck does he know? good luck with the move and enjoy playing Trombone in NYC.

Well, I'll be living in Manhattan. And commuting to... Manhattan. :)

It's pretty flat.

Wait till you get to NYC, rent a bike and ride around a bit. Then decide if you really want a single speed.
I've seen a lot of riders walking their bike up the approach for the George Washington Bridge from the
bike path(skinny guys w/ SS). Plus, you don't want to be like this guy at 2:44 minutes. Getting passed by
an overweight, 40 year old, slow guy(me) :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXsWfHKmrTo&feature=channel

for anyone else, i would say wait til you get to NYC and buy the bike there, less to deal with moving, you meet local bike people and establish a relationship with the local bike shop, and you might find a cool bike you can't get in where you are now. but since you are a Trombonist starting Masters degree in NYC, which is a vital piece of information in a decision about buying a bicycle, i would say buy it NOW!!!!! since money is no object and transportation isn't a problem, and there are bikes you like now, get them. it is, after all, about instant gratification. as a Trombonist starting Masters degree in NYC, you should have no problem making friends in a local bike shop with a bike you didn't buy at that shop. while your friend gave you good solid advice, i bet he isn't a Trombonist starting Masters degree in NYC, so really, what the heck does he know? good luck with the move and enjoy NYC.

No, it obviously isn't vital information, it was just an introduction (being my first post on the forum) and, thus, was clearly separate from my actual question. But really, you got your point across, and no, you didn't at all come off as a complete toolbag. Honest.

To the rest... thanks for the opinions. I'll just wait until I move. And to c_m_shooter; are prices really uniformly higher in NYC? Seems like MSRP is MSRP, but correct me if I'm wrong.

Why don't you browse the NYC Craigslist ads for a bike to see if the price for fairly new is comparable to what you can bring over. You would be surprised at how many SS bikes are being sold here. Build your relationship with the shop through accessories that you can't order on line due to time constraints.