hotshotennis

Whats the consensus on buying accessories for your bike from a department store? I'm a newbie who recently spent $600 on a used 2007 Javelin Narni. I'm a bit short on money now, but still need trivial things like a helmet, cyclecomputer, waterbottle, seatpost bag, ect.
I bought a helmet and cyclecomputer from Target (sorry couldn't help myself they were cheap) They are both Bell company. The helmet seemed to fit me really well and was only $25 as compared to the minimum 45 dollar helmet at my bike shop, and the cyclecomputer was only 22 bucks.

I did get a 10 multiple tool (with screws and such) from my local bike shop. Saw practically the same one for half the price at target....was a bit disappointed. Hope the one from the bike shop is better quality.

Anyway, I probably also need a spare tire and tube, which I'm guessing I should get at a local bike shop.

But for stuff like a little bag to attach to my bike or waterbottle, or anything else I need, can I just get them from a department store?

sdgrannygear

The consensus is that there is no consensus. My advice, buy what you can afford. If someone starts jive talkin you, drop them.

Lexi01

www.wiggle.co.uk (or a multitude of others)

antmeeks

Do it, and don't let anyone tell you there's anything wrong with it.

Just make sure that whatever you buy is a good quality and not junk, especially that helmet... This can easily be accomplished by a few Google searches for reviews.

BTW, Amazon is also an excellent source for equipment - You can often find things for less than retail + no sales tax (depending on where you live) and if you are a Prime member, free 2 day shipping.

I've bought about 40% of my gear through Amazon.

10 Wheels

Stay away from INTERNET shopping for now.
Shipping Charges can add $$$ very fast.

I have found many bags at thrift stores. They can be tie wrapped to your seat or handle bars.

Got my 1st helmet (Bell) for $00.99 at a Goodwill.

You are doing good....Keep it up.

Chrome Molly

Yes, you can get stuff from department stores. Most of the stuff is essentially the same. Accessories are accessories, and if you're not depending on the item as an essential part of what's between you and the pavement, then why not save some dough. I'd draw the line at tires, you get what you pay for with tires. Some of the dept store tires look almost unrideable, and certainly not for fast descents.

antmeeks

I disagree... A savvy shopper can find good deals with very cheap or free shipping, for a total amount that's less than local retail - you just have to be willing to wait 5 to 8 days to get your stuff.

DGoeder

That's something I wish I had known. I started riding last summer and have re-purchased (or would like to) several things already because I didn't know better the first time. Check reviews and look online it it's not something you need to have today.
I did get a small pack to mount behing my seat, helmet, water bottles, etc at a department store. Aside from wanting a bit more stylish helmet, that I now know I could get for the same price online, I haven't been too disappointed with any of it.
No one that I care about cares where I got my stuff, they just like to have someone to ride with.

RaleighSport

I just picked up a decent multi, with a patch kit, (and garbage levers), with a saddle bag for about 12 bucks after shipping on amazon.. deals are there to be had.

DGoeder

I agree with antmeeks. If you have what you need now, figure out what you want to get when you have some extra cash and start saving some shopping carts online.

hotshotennis

Thanks guys! I feel better about my shopping decision now
One thing that I'm not too sure about though: bicycle lock. Essentially, I want to ride my bike locally (grocery shopping, gym, etc) and maybe leave it outside for a couple of hours. So I would want a lock thats reliable. And I don't know how to choose one. Any suggestions?

antmeeks

I always take my bike inside with me - Grocery store, restaurants, coffee shop, convenience store, public bathrooms, etc. Here's my thread about it.

fishymamba

I get my stuff online usually. Giro helmet for $20, a crappy but usable light for $25. Why go to the LBS and drop double the money?

on the path

I got all these at a dept store. You can always upgrade as needed/desired. Go out and ride your bike.

Lexi01

Me too...I get just about everything from online stores... Most have free shipping for orders over approx. $80AUD...that's not a lot to spend.

Having said that I'd never buy super expensive items online (think bikes and wheels) cos it makes the warranty claim situation too complicated and time consuming.

hotshotennis

While I could bring my bike inside when I go to lets say Safeway for example, I would not know what to do with it there. It doesnt have a kickstand, so I can place it anywhere. And besides, the supermarket is so big that it would be out of my sight most of the time and it would be weird to tag it a long with me throughout the store.

As for the gym, I can't really take it inside... I'm working out and using other equipment. haha

Reeses

I bought a chain cleaner and water bottle from Walmart ... not everything that has to do with the bike has to be a expensive.

abstractform20

i bought a bell computer from wal mart when i first started out. it flew off after i went over a paint line: it was crap.

the longevity and quality of big box bike products are subpar.

rmr1923

i got some of my first gear from Wal Mart and Academy. i was just getting into the sport and wasn't sure i'd stick with it, so i was fine knowing that the quality on certain items might be sub-par. the only thing i was disappointed in was the Bell computer, it stopped working after about 2 months, so i ended up getting a wireless Cateye from my LBS on a clearance sale for about the same price that the Bell computer was going for at Wal Mart.

keep an eye on www.bonktown.com, you can find some pretty sweet deals on there from time to time, in addition to amazon and even ebay. just take the time to research the product you're buying, and don't put much stock into those reviews that start out with "i just pulled it out of the box and it looks AWESOME!!!!11!" try to find reviews from people who've used the product for a while, should give you a decent idea of how well it'll hold up. buying stuff at bargain prices is great, but if stuff starts breaking you might end up spending more in the long run than you would've on better quality gear. just get what you can afford for now, and as you put some miles on the bike you'll get a good idea of what you do/don't like, as well as other gear that you might want.

digibud

+1 to the comment about bringing your bike inside, especially if you don't have money to replace it. I carry a very small, lightweight wire lock that could be snipped easily by a thief but I -always- bring my bike inside a store and say Hi to an employee with a smile and let them know I'm the ONLY person who should touch that bike. I ride a relatively expensive bike and know that virtually ANY bike lock can be defeated. If you're willing to carry a heavy "kryptonite" type lock I guess that may be some security but that's a huge weight to add and I prefer locking it inside a store. If I can't take it inside I don't go but that is a very very rare thing in my experience.

hotshotennis

Hmm ok thank you for the input. Any type of lock that you would recommend? I don't think my $600 tri bike would be considered super expensive, but it is to me. Also, I need a small, portable air pump for my bike to take with me on rides just in case. Any suggestions? Could I get one from a department store and feel good about the purchase?

milkbaby

Re: Locks... As mentioned, ANY lock can be defeated and in a very short time with the right tools. Don't lock and leave it unattended in sketchy areas. In safer highly trafficked areas, I use a U-lock through the rear wheel and seat tube in combination with a cable looping through the front wheel. Lock it to something solid like those thick metal bike parking stands that are cemented into concrete/pavement. Beware that any accessories not bolted down like lights and saddle bag might be stolen by a jerk. Even stuff that is bolted down may be stolen like your saddle or pedals.

I do not leave my nicer bikes unattended except at home where they are under lock and key and home security system! For shopping trips, I use a less expensive bike with an OnGuard Bulldog Mini u-lock and Kryptonite KryptoFlex cable. If it's going to be out there for a couple hours, I use a beefier Kryptonite NYC Fuggedaboudit u-lock with the cable. For work the bike comes indoors and is locked next to my desk.

The specific locks are less important than knowing where is a safer place to lock your bike up and when/where is not a good place. For example, I would not lock a nice bike for hours on end in the same place everyday on a college campus. It would make too much of a tempting target for bike thieves. Having said that most stolen bikes were probably targets of opportunity, so use a good looking beefy locking system to deter these jerks.

rmr1923

assuming you have a saddle bag under your seat, you might want to carry a spare tube or 2 and some tire levers (all of which are fairly cheap, you can find decent tire levers at Wal Mart, never had a problem with mine). as for an air pump, i know some people use a small pump attached to the frame, but check out CO2 inflators as well. one thing to consider when looking at department store pumps, are they compatible with presta valves? if not, you can get adapters (also cheap) that screw onto your valve to use regular pumps made for Schrader valves.

RB1-luvr

I would recommend riding with both a mini pump and a CO2 inflator. The redundancy can come in handy. but ya, get the deals where ever you can.

Seattle Forrest

You need a spare tube, tire levers, and a couple CO2 cartridges (plus the thing you screw them into, and put over your valve). I think department stores mostly deal with 26" wheel bikes, so their tubes aren't likely to fit your bike.

You can probably get by without a spare tire, though.