besserheimerpha

Well, sort of. I'm having the LAST 07 "Fire Distressed" Medium Hardrock held for me at Scheel's until I can get down to Des Moines this weekend and officially put it on layaway.

I still won't have it to ride until mid-September when I can cash in on my employer's wellness program, but I've got my bike waiting for me. This is going to be worse than waiting for my daughter to be born.

paednoch

I cannot fathom why anyone would drive past several real bike shops to a department sporting goods store to buy a bike. It says you live in NE central Iowa.......which is also home to one of the best and most experienced bikeshop owners in the country. Buy from Scheels and expect a very rinky dink service dept from their highschool mechanics. Its like taking a brand new car to jiffy lube for warraty work.

JoeMetal

It doesn't matter where you buy your bike. You are excited about getting a new bike and excited about cycling. Both of them are pluses, in my book.

I remember when I got my first bike once I got in the cycling mindset. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning.

besserheimerpha

FWIW, I do my own oil changes and intend to do as much service as I can in my garage. If I need any complicated service done, it will certainly go to a bike shop. Some of us have to buy only what we can afford. Hardrock goes on sale at Scheel's, but not the Specialized dealer, so I can only afford it from Scheel's. Yep, for me that $60 makes a big difference.

There is a Specialized dealer in Cedar Falls, but they aren't on our list of companies to get gift cards from - too far away (although I did visit and was very impressed - Bike Tech was the name). I thought about getting a Trek, but the 820/3700 was the only thing in my price range at the LBS. Then Scheel's put the Hardrock on sale, I test rode both bikes, and decided to get the Hardrock.

What bike shop are you speaking of when you say the most experienced in the country? I've heard good things about Mike's Bikes in Marshalltown (the Trek dealer), which is where I test rode the 820.

Also, Go Cyclones.

bdinger

The scheel's in Lincoln has great wrenches. In fact, I've had better and more attentive service from them, than I've had from other shops. I wouldn't be so quick to diss Scheel's.

paednoch

I know the owner at bike tech in C.F. good guy. I don't know any of the H.S. kids that work at scheels in D.M. but I do know a few in Coralville. The important thing is you are getting a new bike.

besserheimerpha

From the 20 or so minutes I was in the Bike Tech store, I was very impressed with the shop and the employees. I'm not sure who I talked to, but he was pretty skinny and TAAAAAALLLLLLLL. If it were a more realistic possibility, I certainly would have prefered to buy from them as opposed to Scheel's if for no other reason than just to support the small/local business.

v1k1ng1001

Scheels started as a hardware store in my hometown. Bought my first Schwinn world sport there over 20 years ago, between the paint aisle and lawnmower display.

I think this strange trend in middle america toward chain specialty retail isn't going anywhere. I've lived in a lot of places where I would have killed for a store like Scheels. For those towns, Scheels is great.

That said, there are a lot of idiots working at Scheels that know nothing about bikes. They try to focus on customer service, but you can only do so well if you are not educated. As Bdinger pointed out, the wrenches are your best source of information. If you're going to buy from them, it helps to be a well-educated consumer.

I believe that Scheels as a chain is the largest Trek Dealer in the U.S. now so you can expect to find some good closeouts in the next 4-5 months.