Originally Posted by
fietsbob
A proper bike shop will take care of you After the Sale. Wally World will not.
mail order means you are the only mechanic to help yourself out,
with no background .. that will not be so good..
Shop the dealer first, then the brand and model of bike, with their help.
+1
The most valuable accessory that you can get as a new cyclist is advice and help picking out a bike, along with keeping it running. You won't get those from a department store, or from an internet retailer. You may pay a bit more at your local bike shop, but it will be well worth it. You will get a better quality bike (poor quality bikes are too much trouble for a shop which knows that they will be servicing the bike), and you will get help and advice.
Go to several local bike shops until you find one where they treat you like they care, then take their advice and let them get you going.