stilz

Hello everyone,

I'd like to request a recommendation of a bicycle shop in the Dallas area.

I'm completely new to cycling, and in the process of researching and getting my first bike, so any suggestions in the regard are welcome.

Thanks.

pathdoc

Richardson Bike Mart is about the nicest full service bike store on the planet.

JMallez

What type of bike are you looking at, road, tri, mountain, etc.

My opinions for road biking:

Richardson BikeMart (Coit/Campbell location): Great selection of bikes gear and clothes, competitive prices, good group training rides, inconsistent quality of staff, sometimes they try to sell people things they don't need or try to upsell them on more expensive bikes/etc...i honestly don't really trust the staff here so i do my research beforehand and go there to make certain purchases. I try not to spend money at this store, my last trip there they rudely told me to hurry up so they could close the store and go home (i had 10 minutes still!), i ended up buying a new helmet and sun sleeves that trip.

Performance Bike: Limited selection of bikes, gear, clothes, a lot of sells and coupons, sign up for their mailing list, website sometimes has cheaper prices than in store but the store will match store website pricing, i only go here for their sells

Plano Cycling and Fitness: Good but not great selection of bikes gear and clothes, competitive prices, i've always received great service from staff and trust them, they have good sells and coupons in their mailing list so sign up, if they had a larger selection i would do all my shopping here, i wish i could give them more of my business

so i would buy my bike, shoes, pedals, sun glasses from Plano Cycling, maybe my bike from RBM but i don't trust them for fitting and knowledge...helmet, clothes, misc. bike stuff (bag, computer, repair kits...) from RBM....sale items from Performance...join all their mailing lists and go to their free clinics for coupons..also go to the bike store when they are slow, off peak hours, RBM is a mad house sometimes

https://bikemart.com/
https://planocycling.com/
https://www.performancebike.com/

of course YMMV

lotek 

RBM. depends on the store, I find Frisco shop much friendlier and less likely to push stuff you don't need.
In any of the stores look for the older salespeople, they have much less of an agenda so they seem to listen
better than say a younger sales type looking to make a name for themselves.
I was recently in Mad Duck in Irving and while a small shop was impressed by what I heard while I
was just browsing, very low BS factor.
I got put off by Plano cycling a few years back when I asked about tubulars (i.e. where were they) and got
a "why would you use tubulars" lecture from the sales person. I don't need a sales person to tell me what
I do or don't need.

lotek 

RBM. depends on the store, I find Frisco shop much friendlier and less likely to push stuff you don't need.
In any of the stores look for the older salespeople, they have much less of an agenda so they seem to listen
better than say a younger sales type looking to make a name for themselves.
I was recently in Mad Duck in Irving and while a small shop was impressed by what I heard while I
was just browsing, very low BS factor.
I got put off by Plano cycling a few years back when I asked about tubulars (i.e. where were they) and got
a "why would you use tubulars" lecture from the sales person. I don't need a sales person to tell me what
I do or don't need.

alpha_bravo

I've had great experiences buying from Plano cycling. I bought my CAAD9 there as well as a set of Easton wheels. I've had plenty of service done in their shop and have never had an issue. They've always given me great deals and been very helpful.

Another store no one has mentioned is Bicycles Plus in Coppell. The guys there are very knowledgeable. They don't have the in-store stock of RBM or Plano, but have brands like Scott and Felt the others don't. They're well worth a trip to check out.

StephenH

Another option to consider is REI. I prefer the store on 635, west of the tollway.

hrt4me

+1 for Bicycles Plus in Coppell; Matt, JT, Gabe, Tim et al will take care of you!

On the other hand, IMHO, Clarence, the owner/operator of Mad Duck in Grapevine, is a lying POS, and so I would recommend everyone stay away.

MMACH 5

If it is a cruiser you want, check out Fleetwood's Kit Kat at Mockingbird and 75. We got a beauty for my daughter from them. It's a great little shop.

https://fleetwoodskitkat.com/

stilz

Wow...thanks for all the replies guys; never expected to get this many within a day.

Since I'm a newbie, I'm more concerned about finding a store with people that I could trust. Richardson is very convenient for me, but I guess I shouldn't be visiting there first (I can't deal with slick/pushy salespeople)

I'm trying to decide between a comfort or a road bike at this point, and my budget is going to be under $400, including accessories. I really want to get a Giant, but none of the Dallas shops I found showed their prices.

BTW, is there a good website that explains all the different parts of a bicycle? I found several that give detailed textual explanation, but it's hard to understand without pictures.

Once again, thanks for the help!

shelleyspins

Google this.

For a road bike under $400 your best bet is craigslist - with luck you can find a vengeful bike-widow bent on emptying out the garage before the husband gets home from his next ride.

I've always found the staff at RBM on Garland Rd to be helpful, friendly and pressure-free. Their selection is somewhat limited but they can quickly get just about anything. I've taken up all kinds of their time asking questions or looking at stuff I can't afford and they're always happy to oblige, no pressure. Every now and then I go out to the Richardson store and have no complaints but usually I'm just tagging along with a friend and not shopping for anything myself.

Bicycles Plus in Snieder Plaza has a decent selection of bikes and accessories. I don't know about all the crew but I make a point of stopping by when Craig is there. I like him. I think their very first time I was there I told him I was a real person with a real budget (they are in HP after all, I imagine - they get a lot of people who aren't and don't have) and he's straight with me every time.

carmonkie

Also look at Dallas Bike Works, for other brands as Orbea and Jamis that RBM does not carry. The owner does seems to stand behind the stuff he sell in terms of warranties and things like that. I do give him credit for that. Their mechanics though are very sloppy and not very good. I bring my bikes to RBM in Garland road when they need service.

hrt4me

With that criteria, as I posted yesterday, IMHO stay away from Mad Duck in Grapevine.