Looking for advice on some basic necessities...
 

Getting back to riding after a number of years, and looking to get some advice on some basic necessities before buying them. So many of these things are out there, and it's hard to know which ones are decent. I realize "you get what you pay for" but obviously looking for the most bang for the buck. ;)

(1) Carrier for a hitch
(2) Bike pump (floor and hand)
(3) iPhone 5 handlebar mount
(4) Multi tool
(5) Chain lube
(6) Bike lock

I supposed some of these things seem trivial, but when you're not in the know, you're not in the know. :o

All of these items can be bought at Wal-Mart.

But should they be bought there?

Of course. Those items are not actual bicycles or lights for the bicycles. Those are the only two items I would not buy at the Wal-Mart. Perhaps the frame pump. But the floor pump, carrier, Phone mount, multi tool, chain lube, and lock...All less expensive than can be found at the LBS...you might even get a better deal online through eBay.

It's been over a year since I have stepped foot into a Wal-Mart, and I plan to keep it that way.

Well, I can only tell you what I like from having used them
1. Thule 4 bike carrier (Thule Vertex XT 4 Bike Hitch Rack - REI.com) - this will be your biggest expense on your list.
2. Topeak makes a great pump (Topeak® Cycling Accessories ? Products - JoeBlow? Turbo) - fits any valve with no problem and holds up quite well. For on the bike, I have a Lyzene handpump. I haven't had to use it yet (knock on wood). I also carry CO2, so a pump is my last resort
3. You are on your own there. Phone stays in my jersey pocket.
4. I have used my Topeak Ratchet Rocket more than any other tool (Topeak® Cycling Accessories ? Products - Ratchet Rocket Lite DX). Easy to fit into tight spaces, being able to ratchet is nice and is very compact
5. I use a dry lube. You will be fine with just about anything other than WD40.
6. Where are you locking up? How much of a risk is there of theft? I use a single U Lock from OnGuard. Other people use a U Lock and a cable lock. If you Stick with brands like OnGuard or Kryptonite you likely won't go wrong. The locks at Wal Mart are very easy to break.

2 spare tubes with valve length long enough for your rims (too long is better than too short)
, tire levers and a saddle bag to put them in.

You can also buy your clothes at Walmart, but who wants to do that?!? :)

While I appreciate your input, Walmart is not a viable option. I'm not looking to buy cheaply made products, although I am looking for the best quality at a good price. All the things I asked about, you can research on Amazon and there will be many different ones with a varying degree of reviews. Apparently my question does seem a bit trivial to you, but to a beginner it's quite valid. You don't want to waste money on buying something inferior, only to turn around and have to buy a different brand or model.

Amen, brother!

Thanks for all the info! You guy's expertise through trial & error is much appreciated.

In regards to the iPhone 5 handlebar mount... I have a top post bag with see-thru top for the iPhone. But in the heat of the summer here in the South, with the bike app running, the phone overheats in the bag. I need one mounted on the handlebars, not enclosed, to get some cooling to it.

I purchased a BELL floor pump at Wal-Mart. Nothing cheap about it. Cost 20 bucks compared to 40-50 bucks for stuff at the LBS.

Sounds like you might have a case of snob-ite iss...

Look at the FINN.

LOL, not snobby at all. Just want to get these things once, without trying several before I'm pleased with them. I'd give the same courtesy to anyone looking for advice with the things I'm experienced with.

A friend of mine purchased a pump at one of the mass retailers (maybe Walmart) for about $20 bucks, and he can't stand it. Hard to get on and off the valve stem, hose too short, doesn't fit a presta valve, no release, etc...

Well, not fitting the presta valve is not the fault of Wally World...

Buy once, cry once. That is what I try to do now. I bought a halfway decent pump a few years ago from Performance or wherever, it's a Serfas. It is alright. Pumps air. Then I used a Joe Blow pump down at the LBS. I will be buying that for sure. Not only is the pump nice, I like supporting my LBS for purchases that are bike related. Get a good relationship going with your LBS. It will pay off in the end.

I've heard that someone, somewhere was displeased with something he bought at an LBS! Can you believe it?:eek:

I've also heard that some of the bicycling accessories sold at an LBS may be the exact same generic items sold at big box stores for a fraction of the price, only with a pricey name brand label attached. Who wudda thunk it? :rolleyes:

My friendly LBS can supply all those , maybe you should make a trip to your favorite Bike Shop.


The race to the bottom is in progress ..

The pumps at your LBS are far better than anything sold at Wal Mart. I got a $20 Bell one...it works. Getting up to 100 PSI took some doing. I eventually got a good pump and brought the Bell into work as an emergency pump for myself and coworkers to use. Often times, the pumps at the LBS can be rebuilt if the seals go bad, costing only a few dollars instead of the price of a brand new pump. I'm fairly certain my wal mart special cannot be rebuilt.

Some people just can't see past the price tag to see often times there is more value in buying something that costs more but will last a lot longer, or they can't afford to make the initial purchase of something of decent quality.

Surprisingly, I find the Park Tool pumps to be inferior to Topeak and Giant.

You can shop at Walmart if you enjoy supporting a corporation that treats its employees like crap and does absolutely no good for the community or you can support a small business that puts money directly into the local economy, most likely has shop rides, supports other local businesses, and supports larger community fundraising rides, etc...but hey, save $5 on your pump if thats your bag.

A nice iPhone mount

Quad Lock ? iPhone and Galaxy Bike Mounts

Hmm. I have a mix of things purchased from LBS, Amazon, and Nashbar.

Spare tubes are a mix of Kenda, Bontrager, Giant and Specialized, all purchased at LBS.
Frame pump is a Topeak Road Morph G. Highly recommended as it has never let me down and pumps up to 100 psi with moderate effort
Floor pump is Bontrager, purchased by my wife about 4 or 5 years ago at a LBS after the cheapie we bought at Target failed. It works well enough though I did have to replace a $1 part last year. Not a big deal though.
Tire levers are cheap. I bought mine at the LBS but you can get those anywhere.
I have several multi tools. The one I like best is a Nashbar brand.
Rack. I believe it is a Saris, purchased locally.
Water bottles. A mix of locally purchased and purchased over the Internet.
Glasses. I bought a set of photo-chromatic glasses from Nashbar for $20 on sale.
Helmets. Look for sales. My current favorite helmet, a Cannondale road helmet was purchased locally. My wife's was an Amazon purchase.
Clothing is mostly purchased locally. I have purchased a few jerseys, shorts, and shoes online and have regretted it.

FYI, PLENTY of reason's not to like Wal Mart. Would like to be able to avoid them more myself. But in fairness they do allot in this area. Art's Center's, Museum's (look up Chrystal Bridges), LOTS of MUP they are largely paying for in the area, and much more. Hardly the case everywhere, but they (Wal Mart, Walton Family< and some high ranking people) do deserve credit for these things here. Why I have almost a dozen bike shops to visit.

QT

We do business with a vendor based out of Bentonville, and they say that Walmart is completely different in Arkansas. Last time we had meetings and they were in town (Phoenix), the guy had forgotten deodorant or something and he went to the Walmart near his hotel...his response to us, "whoa, now I know why people hate Walmart!" - he said it was night and day difference. Still though, Walmart doesn't do much for the community, especially in small towns. My hometown in po-dunk Michigan basically shuttered every local business after Walmart came into town. Several people lost their jobs and instead had the opportunity to work at for minimum wage with no benefits...needless to say, I do not support Walmart. I honestly can't remember the last time I was in one.

Getting off-topic again but Walmart does the same thing to their supplier. Business owner thrilled to get his new widget accepted into Walmart, expands his business to meet the demand. The following year Walmart comes back and orders more and more but tells the business owner they will pay 15% less than previously. The business owner now has a bigger factory and more mouths to feed so he cuts his profit margin. This process keeps repeating until the guy (who by now is sorry he ever met Walmart) either moves the business off-shore or goes bankrupt.
Read "The Wal-mart Effect" by Charles Fishman if you are interested in the topic.

Not to continue bashing on Walmart, but this is a very good documentary as well...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXmnBbUjsPs