Fifty Plus (50+) - Dick's Sporting Goods

I stopped into Dick's Sporting Goods today and made a stop at the bike section. I'm still looking for a bike for my wife - something that doesn't look too large and intimidating (she's short and very non-athletic). I really liked the Nishiki Montour for women. Solidly built, 21 speeds, nice handle bar grips, shifter and saddle. My wife tried it out in the store and liked it too. I wouldn't dream of getting her something from Walmart or Target but Dick's is a high quality store - perhaps not in the class of REI but not that far from it.

Does anyone have any experience with Nishiki bikes and/or Dick's Sporting Goods?

I just built up a 1994 Nishiki Bravo A into a comfort style bike for our adult daughter, totally low end but it's a solid unit and with the higher bars she liked it a LOT better than the hybrid fitness bike she tried first. Personally, I'd still take it to a LBS and have them do a tune up on it, jmho and you and the Mrs. will have piece of mind. Nishiki in one form or anohter has been around for a LONG time, I'm sure it will be a fine "1st. bike" for your wife.

Nishiki has always been a quality bike IMHO. Haven't paid paid much attention to them recently bit historically a strong, well built bike.

Schwinn used to have a good name too!

I have no idea about recent Nishiki quality though.
Edit-
I just looked up the bike.
Pretty much next to the bottom of the line Shimano running gear.
Bottom line is so cheap they don't sell it to humans.
It appears the best part of the bike is the chain.

My only concern would be after use repairs, if you need for whatever reason to take it in. Dicks (at least the few I've been in) don't have a "shop", they have a guy that assembles. I've had occasional conversations with these folks and never got the impression they were particularly experienced but possibly had been moved up recently from hunting.

REI, even though a big'ish store, does certify it's bike shop folks and they do actually know what they are doing. It's also a shop. Plus if you're an REI Co-Op member, you get a 10% dividend at years end. I'm not, mind you, all that thrilled at REI's prices sometimes, but they do typically have good gear at a reasonable price.

IMHO, Dick's is just another dept store and the bikes they carry are just dept store bikes. Sure, they're a step above the garbage that Wally World sells, but what they're selling is former brand names that folded and were bought out by conglomerates simply for their names: Schwinn, Diamondback, Mongoose, and now Nishiki? Do not mistake them for current quality brands. They're less expensive than the bike shops because they're less bike. But if your wife likes it and she's probably not going to ride a lot, that might be all she needs.

The Nishikis of today are just a brand; the company that owned the name (Raleigh) retired it around 2001. The stuff carrying the Nishiki name today may be made by Raleigh or maybe Raleigh sold the name off. Perhaps Dick's themselves bought the name to use as their house brand; they don't seem to be sold by any other retailer in the U.S. currently. The bike has entry level Shimano Tourney components. You get what you pay for, and for a beginner not wanting to spend too much, it might not be a bad first bike.

Do you buy your groceries at 7-11?
Then don't buy a bike at Dicks; that's what a real bike shop is for.

I don't think I'd be happy buying a bike for my wife that was half the value of my own.

I've not been impressed with the chain. They really haven't made an investment in a quality line of bikes IMHO. I encourage you to look for a good local bike shop.

I don't know the brand but there are some cheaper brands that make something just above a "Bike Shaped Object" that are good for the price and rideable. I would always recommend the LBS as most will carry a cheap range for casual riders.

Saying that- the wife likes it- you don't know if she will actually like riding and hopefully it is cheap. BUT- can she get a test ride and compare it to a "Good" bike?

Does Dick's sporting goods have a bicycle service department
to repair what they sold?.

you may find yourself out on your own, if none of the proper bike shops
will take care of problems..

Love big box stores, ? REI usually has a bike repair section.

The Dick's Sporting Goods where I am, Newport News, Va, has service dept., but I'd rather get the bike serviced at the LBS. The Diamondback Edgewood LX was purchased by my wife at Dicks--they wouldn't refund me when I took it back because the chain would lock up even with their adjustments. The manager did take the defective bike and gave me another in exchange. I really wanted the bike at the LBS, but the wife was trying to surprise me and got me that one because she had heard me talk about that bike. I have never, ever let her know that I would've rather had another bike--I always kept a smile on my face about it and I did ride it hard and for nearly a year before getting the roadie I'm on now.

Dick's has a history of buying defunked brands or companies that are failing and using the names. Just look in their golf department. Sometimes the stuff is good, sometimes not. But from what I've seen the Diamondback bikes are reasonable. The Diamondback high end stuff is pretty good looking. If you can get a good deal on something at Dick's go for it.

Mark Shuman

A Dick's bike would only be a good deal if the price were really low, your expectations were realistic, and you were ok with doing your own work and being your own support.
I have bought cycling accessories at Dick's. And other stuff, including clothing. Not a bad store but not a bike shop.

If your wife likes and will enjoy riding it BUY IT! It may be a pos, but it's good enough for a start. If she enjoys riding, she'll want a better bike soon enough.

If your wife likes and will enjoy riding it BUY IT! It may be a pos, but it's good enough for a start. If she enjoys riding, she'll want a better bike soon enough.

Or she will hate it and give up riding altogether. IMO, the new rider especially needs the support of a LBS that can tweak the ride, or fix minor problems that will crop up in the first weeks or months of riding.

Or she will hate it and give up riding altogether. IMO, the new rider especially needs the support of a LBS that can tweak the ride, or fix minor problems that will crop up in the first weeks or months of riding.

I have to agree, Got my wife a "garbage" bike cause she is so cheap, and threw a fit when I wanted to get her a good bike. So the bike she got did not stop good, didn't shift good and she soon tired of it, gave it to a grand child and never wanted to ride a bike again. Just saying.

I have to agree, Got my wife a "garbage" bike cause she is so cheap, and threw a fit when I wanted to get her a good bike. So the bike she got did not stop good, didn't shift good and she soon tired of it, gave it to a grand child and never wanted to ride a bike again. Just saying.

Remember my Mom going out and buying a Huffy during the 70s bike boom and riding it, maybe once or twice. Things have changed a lot, but I do remember that Huffys were crappy bikes even for that era. And it isn't like my Mom was super old back then. She was only in her early 30s; a good 12 to 14 years younger than I am now.

Dick's is a chain store. A LBS is an LBS.

I think the bikes at Dicks are disposable, like any chain store. They suit the purposes of someone starting out or someone who will give up riding after a few times out. I wouldn't go there now for bicycle stuff but I also don't buy from the LBS. I can't afford a $70 jersey or shorts. I take my chances online and so far so good.

The best way to turn someone against biking is to start them out on a cheap bike.

Dicks carries Nishiki and Diamondback near me , but I always saw these as frames made by contract for West Coast Cycle back in the day . They appear to be well made bikes , but appearances can be decieving, or Huffy wouldn't still be making bikes . Dicks has enlarged their accessories department near me, but a lot of the stuff isn't that special, as accessories go .

The best way to turn someone against biking is to start them out on a cheap bike.
Or one that doesn't fit.

Check the return policy... Wally World has a very liberal return policy. Not that I would ever think of buying a cheap bike for my summer on the island (I'm never more than 2 miles from home) and return it just before going to winter quarters.

The Nishikis of today are just a brand; the company that owned the name (Raleigh) retired it around 2001. The stuff carrying the Nishiki name today may be made by Raleigh or maybe Raleigh sold the name off. Perhaps Dick's themselves bought the name to use as their house brand; they don't seem to be sold by any other retailer in the U.S. currently. The bike has entry level Shimano Tourney components. You get what you pay for, and for a beginner not wanting to spend too much, it might not be a bad first bike.

Yeah, like Schwinn, and Masi (what I ride) they are just names bought and sold on an open market. I heard that some of the Schwinn line is built by Giant. The Masi name was picked up by Haro which wanted to get into road bikes, but their own name was too heavily associated with BMX and MTB. Schwinn represents the "high end" of what Target sells, and using the Schwinn name seems to be a very clever marketing tool.

The modern Schwinn's and Nishiki's I have seen are decent quality. The components are low end, but good entry level stuff.

My first ten speed was a Japanese Nishiki.

I did get a good deal on 2 long sleeve Jerseys, Canari, last year at Dick's.

They sell a Cyclepro Swiss Army 26" mtb tire that is the bomb. Very low rolling resistance and good grab on the trails. I've never been disappointed with anything I've bought fron Dick's, but I've never bought a bike from them, either.

Check the return policy... Wally World has a very liberal return policy. Not that I would ever think of buying a cheap bike for my summer on the island (I'm never more than 2 miles from home) and return it just before going to winter quarters.

:roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2:

Andy,
If you're anywhere near Columbia Pike in Arlington, please stop in to Papillon Cycles. Those fellows sell several step-through and ladies cruiser bikes that would be comfortable and safe for your wife. But more importantly, they are bike guys, and by that I mean that they know and love bicycles and have for years. They know what's crap and what works. They restore vintage bikes, repair bikes, take time with their customers, and will be there for your and your honey for the long haul.

Tell them what you've seen so far, how you liked it, and let them show you somthing just a small step up from there.

Good luck.

Phil G.

Or she will hate it and give up riding altogether. IMO, the new rider especially needs the support of a LBS that can tweak the ride, or fix minor problems that will crop up in the first weeks or months of riding.

That might have been my attitude when we got back into riding several years ago. A bad experience many years ago left me anxious about shifting. I bought a good hybrid (Giant Cypress) with Shimano 105 and the shifting was smooth. I tried another bike (won't mention the name), lower-end, and the shifting was clunky. Just one mess-up and I might have thrown in the towel... or thrown the bike... and given up altogether. But I quickly overcame the anxiety and moved to a road bike a year later.

She may love that Nishiki, but hearing that a similar bike of higher quality will improve her riding experience may be all she needs to hear to look further at the LBS.

I have not bought a bicycle at Dick's, nor will I probably ever buy anything there. Every time I have been there, I have been completely ignored. When trying to find shoes, they were jerks about having wide sizes. Then I was going to look at socks despite that. The salesperson stood right in front the socks talking to someone else. It may be because I'm an Clydesdale/Athena and they thought I wasn't really interested in be athletic. I don't really know. I also don't know if all of the stores are like that or just the one that is nearest me. They would have to have something magical for me to go back. We bought our bikes at a bike shop that was liquidating the inventory of another bike shop. Brand new several years out of date bikes - awesome deals.

I don't think I'd be happy buying a bike for my wife that was half the value of my own.

Don't say that...now I will have to update my wife's TRek Madone 5.2

Hi, im currently looking for a new bike. I live in south FL, so no mountains, hills, etc. Lotsa paved trails. So I am looking for a hybrid. No matter where you go, the shop has a prejudiced so to speak, towards certain bike brand names...basically the ones they sell. The small family owned bike shop I have been using for years now sells Raleigh & Diamond Back, so they tell you they are the best to make the sale. He showed me a Diamond Back Edgewood Hybrid today.
In your own opinion/experience what is supposedly the best brand(s) bike on the market today...mountain, road & hybrid?
I currently have a Schwinn Mesa. It is 12 years old. I bought it right before they sold out & went retail (Kmart, Target, Walmart, etc).
Thats why it has lasted me 12 years. The newer models are more flimsy/cheap...more for fashion than functionality.

Any advice from you will help immensley

I can tell you that at the Dick's at Dulles Town Center they don't know anything about bikes. Doesn't mean that they don't sell a bunch, though.

I bought a spoke wrench there recently, with a $5.00 credit we received for something...

For Phishhead and the OP, go to the websites of the shops in your area and see what brands they carry. Go online for those brands and read up on the bikes. Decide which ones you want to test ride. The OP should allow his wife to test ride the bikes and get the one that SHE wants. REI carries good brands, and they have good sales on them.

I haven't really seen much attitude at Dicks , it's always been rather friendly . Sometimes a lot of store attitiude comes from management , for good or ill . Overall , I've had good experiences there , and buy accessories and things my wife and kinfolk need for swimming and running.

I wouldn't judge a chain based on the experience with one store or one/two employees. But, managers shouldn't allow that type of behavior/attitude. If I were the employee's manager, that employee better shape up fast or he/she would be out the door.

Does Dick's sporting goods have a bicycle service department
to repair what they sold?..
I was just browsing in one of their stores yesterday and noticed a nicely equipped bike repair station. I was surprised since the bike department looked like a Dept store setup and no one was anywhere to be found. But the repair station definitely showed signs of use (maybe just bike assembly).

Ours looks like it gets a lot of use, too ,
but Normal has a lot of bikes around .
And the city has tools out at a couple
of places on the trails.
All the LBS and Dicks seem
to have busy repair departments .

No matter where you go, the shop has a prejudiced so to speak, towards certain bike brand names...basically the ones they sell. The small family owned bike shop I have been using for years now sells Raleigh & Diamond Back, so they tell you they are the best to make the sale.

I'd take that as a 'given' no matter where you go. Every brand has its strong and weak points, and shops carry something they can sell. They sell by playing up the strengths and minimizing the weaknesses, just like any sales person does. You listen to the sales pitch, compare to the other shops' sales pitches, then buy based on your favorite color. :)

I was just browsing in one of their stores yesterday and noticed a nicely equipped bike repair station. I was surprised since the bike department looked like a Dept store setup and no one was anywhere to be found. But the repair station definitely showed signs of use (maybe just bike assembly).

My neighbor's kid is a heck of a mt bike rider and motocross racer. He started in a LBS when he was 14 years old and when that shop closed, he started working at Dick's repairing bikes. Our local one has an active repair shop.

I used him to true my rear wheel once (more intended to give him a little spending money) and he did an excellent job.