I'm just looking to pick up a cheap flasher and helmet, does Target or any other type of chain discount store like Walmart carry items like this? Thanks!

Yes. But those in the stores are usually of cheaper quality. But they work just fine.

Target, Walmart, and most sporting goods stores will have both.

I buy most of my accessories from department stores. IMO most of the accessories aren't bad at all.

I have yet to find a department store light that I'd bother with. The helmets have to comply with the same crash standards as the one's sold at the LBS, however the LBS helmets tend to have better venting.

The Bell light I picked up at Wal-Mart, I'd say, is better than the old low-end Cateye I used to have; it was only $20 too. I'm not sure which one it is, though.

^^^^not true all the time. My Schwinn helmet from wally world has more vents than my Ironman Fusion. But the fusion is more aero and the build for the straps and the plastic skin is more professionally done. The Schwinn's skin is loose and the paddings are a bit rough.

Depending on how long you had the Cat-eye that's not all that surprising. However, that Bell pales in comparison with $20 Cateye and $22 Cateye

More holes don't always mean more ventilation.

In the case of the Schwinn, it does.

Dicks Sporting Goods has a good selection of helmets if you have one near you.

Yeah, I'm going to have to jump in and prop up for Costco

The best, most comfortable-fitting helmet I've ever worn was a Bell helmet from Costco. Unfortunately, age took it away from me, and then I went and bought an LBS-level Bell Slant helmet Not as comfortable feeling.

Nobody said you had to stick with the same brand. I recently switched from Specialized to Giro. It used to be that the Giro's wouldn't fit and the Specialized's would, now the opposite is true. Apparently everyone traded molds or something.

I've had poor luck with Performance brand tubes and tires, I sure as hell am not going to try out whatever brand Walmart carries. I doubt they carry any 700x23 anyway. Besides, what does a tube cost? $5? I've used a few during the past year. I've gone through probably 2 tires during that time but I know for a fact that Walmart isn't stocking Continental GP4000 tires.

BTW-Giro Atmos helmets don't fit me well but the Bell Sweep, which is what I'm currently wearing, fits me perfectly. On a side note, I tried on one of the latest Giro Atmos helmets and it actually felt more comfortable than some of the ones I tried on last year.

How did you know?

Anyways, I'm really happy with my Ironman. So happy that after I bought a white one for commuting I bought a blue one to match my blue road bike. I still have my Schwinn helmet. But I use that mainly for mountain biking.

Most dept. store blinkies I've used have been terrible. They'd start out nice and bright, but a few potholes will disconnect the contacts, and the blinky would basically cease working. (This happened to many LBS blinkies too, even not-so-cheap ones.)

Helmets, as others said, comply with the same crash standards. The main issue, imho, is fit - they're pretty cheap with a limited amount of adjustment. Ventilation is usually poorer as well. But if they fit you well and you don't care about the vents (e.g. you're picking a helmet for winter riding ) - they're just fine.

Gloves and things are probably okay. Cheap polyester sports shirts are about as good as jerseys for moisture-wicking and about five to fifty times less expensive.

I totally agree. As a clyde I don't find cycling jerseys flattering to wear, so I picked up some Champion running shirts at Target for $15 each. 100% polyester, and they've even got a couple of reflective stripes on the back where your shoulder blades are. They wick sweat great, come in a variety of colors, and I'd highly recommend them.

Scott

Rear light - yes
Front light - no unless you're riding in really light traffic and need it for visability more than sight.
Tubes - I bought a bunch from Walmart recently when the LBS was closed on a Sunday in my suburban town. Work great, two dollars less. Also picked up a big ol' 32oz bottle of sealant for 6 bucks in the auto parts section. 700's too, don't know about thinner than 38c.
Shirts - I wear the 14 dollar Target running shirts, Duo Dry or something. I can't think of any complaint you'd have with them.
Gloves - come on...the 6 dollar weightlifting, aerobic, paintball gunning on and on and on gloves don't work as well as a 20+ pair of "bike" gloves?
Helmet - I agree with earlier posts: it's not so much the safety as comfort and temp.

Gloves: Walmart carries the "Sugg" brand which come in full finger or half finger gloves. The half finger style cost 5 dollars and work as well as any "bike" glove and come with different bands of color across the knuckles.

I bought a set of tires at Target for my bike trailer. 20" mostly slicks, Kenda, Kevlar bead, $13 or something. Not a bad deal. I guess it's easier to display folded tires for sale; they had a MTB tire that was Kevlar beaded as well, but no wire-bead tires. Wild, huh?

Yes, BUT you can usually get a really nice quality blinkie from a bike shop for $10-15. Don't mess with the cheap ones. IMO IME.


Are you being sarcastic? Real bike gloves are better and only about $10 if you get what's on sale at Nashbar.

alright, i did my homework, you can get 4.99 gloves at nashbar, with $7 dollar freight only $11.99. Better though? I remain highly skeptical, especially 40% cost difference better, (w/o freight according to your quoted price). I think I'll save my money for a take em out sandwich at a local eaterie.

As far as blinkies go, I wish i could find them that cheap here, so I guess check out the shops in your area. Once again quality, I kind of feel an led is an led. I guess it depends on how many are in there.

I dunno about the gloves--I don't crash often, but I'm sure that instinct will make me put my hand down first. Actually, last time I laid my bike down I did that, and didn't have gloves (rode off edge of MUP, and didn't merge back on properly). Luckily, the pavement was wet, I was going maybe 10mph, and no damage. Anyhow, shouldn't a biking glove be designed for 1) to prevent road rash if you wipe out, and 2) shock and vibration from holding onto the handlebars? I'd suspect that gloves for weightlifting are designed for grip and to prevent callouses, for that super long 30minute workout... Not for a medium grip for a few hours at a time.

[Ironically, just got into this discussion with my wife. She used to throw shotput. So I'm looking for more ammo. ]

It's def. worth going to Target and seeing what they have. I get all my 16" innertubes there, and am using a cyclocomputer from there too. As for helmets and lights... they have them; it's just a matter of deciding if that's what you want.

I've seen some Blackburn Mars blinkies and that spaceship looking headlight at Sports Authority and Dicks Sporting Goods.

I bought my cyclecomputer from walmart $10.00 (works as well as the LBS ones for what it does...)
I bought my seatbag from walmart - $10.00 (my lbs wanted anywhere from 15-25) and the walmart works great.

I bought a helment from target (schwinn), for about 20.00 and it fits fine... haven't had to try out the safety part but I think that all bicycle helmets have to meet a standard...