Where to buy:

A guide to help you find the right bicycle seller that suits you.

Welcome friends to the "Where to Buy" section of Get-Into-Cycling.com. So you've decided to "get into cycling" and are ready to buy your first bike. But there are sooooo many different places you can go to buy your first ride? Where to buy? Well, we here at Get-Into-Cycling.com are here to help. So in this section we will be talking about the different places you can buy your new bicycle and the pros and cons of each.

Now be advised: We won't tell you that you "must" buy your bike at this place or else. You must make that decision on your own. Do your research and be patient. Don't jump at the first bike you see (unless it's an absolute deal of the century, of course). If you do your homework and shop around, you'll be much more happier in the end with your purchase (and so will your pocketbook).

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Local Bicycle Shop

Pros: Bicycle shops are some of the best places to buy a new or even used bicycle. Why you ask? Because it's a bicycle shop.......all they sell are bicycles and their related accessories. They don't sell diapers, motor oil or cereal. Just bicycles. And since all they sell are bicycles, they are experts in the products they sell. You'll also find a wider variety of styles, sizes and brands at most of these fine shops....from the "mom and pop" shops to the "pro" shops.

You can usually "test ride" your prospective bike at a bicycle shop prior to purchasing and get a "feel" for the bike you are interested in. Plus, they can outfit you with all the appropriate accessories to make your riding more enjoyable.

Additionally, the bicycles sold at bike shops are of the best quality and you can rest assured that your bicycle is assembled properly when you buy from your local bike shop. You'll also get expert advise and better customer service at a bike shop compared to other places. And that friendly service usually last long after you've bought your bike from them in the form of free tune-ups, inspections and great warranties. Some bike shops even offer the option of financing to help you get your bike if you can't afford a large payment, but can afford monthly payments.

Cons: Of course with good quality and service, there comes a price.....literally. Bicycles bought at your local shops are a tad bit more expensive, depending on what type of bike you are looking at. This is because the shops must pay for their expenses too, like utilities, rent, etc. etc. (usually called "overhead"). Bicycle shop prices are also affected by current world market trends and demands (example: The recent gas price hikes). Also not all bike shops cater to everyone: Some are specialty shops for certain segments of cycling (example: road only or adult sized bikes only), so they may not carry what you need.

Overall: But, like the saying goes, "You get what you paid for." And when you buy from a bike shop, you are getting the best service and product for your money, so the pros definitely outweigh the cons.

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Retail Department Store*

*This segment covers retail department, chain, bulk and toy stores.

Pros: So where to buy if you're on a tight budget but still want a new bike? How about a department store? They carry a wide variety of popular styles, sizes and brands of bicycles for a lot less than a similar model available elsewhere. Everything from kids BMX bikes to adult mountain bikes. Plus department stores carry a decent amount of accessories for the beginner to equip their ride: From tubes to helmets, pumps to water bottles, department stores have them. Plus you're going to be there anyways to pick up some milk, ant spray and cough syrup, so why not?

And thanks to "trickle down" technology, the modern department store bicycle has received some of the benefits from their more expensive counterparts, like mechanical disc brakes, full suspension, quick release levers and index shifting.

Cons: Remember the saying we quoted earlier? Well that applies here too, but in reverse. With the inexpensive price comes, low quality. Up until around the mid 1980's, a good portion of department store bikes were on par if not better in quality to some bikes bought at, say, a local bike shop. This was particularly true during the 50's and 60's. But with the advent of cheaply made bikes coming from various third world countries and populating our retailers, quality took a nose dive. However, around the mid to late 90's, many popular name brands and styles started appearing at department stores, raising the quality level up slightly, but not enough to compete with the quality of bikes sold elsewhere. For the most part, they still use inferior materials compared to other bikes.....heavier grades of steel and aluminum, cheaper components, poor fit and finish.

When purchasing a bike at a department store, you're pretty much on your own. Unless you've done you're homework and know what you're looking for, you won't find much "knowledgeable" assistance at these types of retailers. Not that the sales personnel at these shops are ignorant or lack the willingness to help. Far from that. But a majority of them have little to no "real" experience dealing with bicycles. So whatever advise or expertise you receive at a department store, take it with a grain of salt and consult a professional at a bicycle shop or check online, before you make a decision to purchase. You'll save yourself the headache and expense.

Additionally, if you purchase a bicycle from a department store, make sure that your bike is THOROUGHLY inspected mechanically by either you or a professional bike mechanic prior to riding. Make sure that all bolts are tightened properly, all cables are capped and that handlebars, seats, brakes and wheels are all properly aligned and attached. Bicycles sold at department stores are usually NOT assembled by the store....that job is usually outsourced to an outside mechanic who gets paid by how many bikes he can assemble on a given day. The more bikes he assembles, the more money he makes. But unfortunately, assembly quality goes right out the door for the most part.....so check the bike before you ride it.

Overall: So in your quest of where to buy your bike, a department store offers another alternative that is inexpensive and convenient. But buyer beware. Do your homework before you commit.

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Online Retailers**

**This segment covers online stores and auction style sites.

Pros: In choosing where to buy your bike, another option available is the online retailer. Online retailers provide the largest selection of bikes when compared to other options, because the "world is your store." Whether buying new or used, online retailers offer a wide variety of bikes: From the most inexpensive to the ultra exotic for sometimes hundreds less than what's offered elsewhere. How do they do this? For some retailers, they can charge less for a bicycle because their business is exclusively online......no retail stores, no overhead. All they charge is sales tax and shipping. Some retailers even take care of that by offering free shipping or paying for your sales tax. How great is that?

If purchasing thru an online auction site, you can save hundreds by bidding on new or used bikes, than if you were to buy directly form any other source. All you need is patience and an eagle's eye on the item you're bidding on, because "if you snooze you lose."

Also, some online retailers offer bike brands that are normally not available at your local shops. These brands are usually "resurrected" names of older brands of bikes with similar or better frames and components compared to current "popular" brands of bikes at a fraction of a cost.

Cons: When buying online, you can "see" the bike that you are purchasing, however, you better do your homework and know exactly what you're buying. If you are not aware what size bike you ride, it would be wise to go to a local shop and have them measure you so you know what to order. Additionally, if you know that a local shop is carrying the same exact bike you are purchasing, take a look at the bike at the shop before buying and ask for a test ride to see if you'll really like the bike. You may find that it may look cool on the internet, but doesn't really suit your riding needs in reality. One tip that you can do is ask the local shop if they "price match" online prices. You may be able to get the bike you saw online at the local shop for the same price, without the waiting.

If you are considering one of the "online" brands of bikes, make sure that it is a bike you want to keep. If you decide to sell it, you may find it harder to sell or you'll find that you won't get as much for it compared to a more "well known" brand.

If you decide where to buy online, be advised that when the bike arrives at your house, 99.9 percent of the time it will be DISASSEMBLED. If you are a home mechanic, this should be no problem as only certain parts of the bike are disassembled (i.e. seat, seatpost, front and/or rear wheel, handlebars and stem, etc.). But if you are not a mechanical wizard, then this would be a problem. One way to solve this problem is to bring the bike to a local shop and have them assemble it (they usually charge a small fee for this service).

Another thing you must consider when buying online is shipping. Some retailers will provide "free" shipping. Others won't. When choosing where to buy online, take the shipping cost into consideration: Will the bike come out to the same price as if you were to buy it locally? Is insurance included? Additionally, when buying online there is the added risk of potential damage to your bike during shipping. Theft is another issue. Does the retailer allow the option of a signature prior to delivery? If so, ask for this option, that way the shipping company won't just leave your new bike on your front porch, putting it at risk for possible theft.

If purchasing from an auction site, be aware that most sellers sell the bikes "as is" and with little, if any, warranties. This is particularly true if the seller is a private party and not a shop selling through the site. E-mail the seller and ask what their sales terms are before you bid. Once you place a bid, if you should win, the transaction becomes a legally binding contract. So before you commit, asks questions.

Overall: For those wanting a new or used bicycle, online retailers and auction sites provide substantial savings by providing you with more bike for the price, meaning, better quality parts and warranties for what you pay. But don't forget to factor assembly, shipping risks and expense, plus resale value if you decide to sell your bike later.

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Local classified ads, yard sales (private party transactions), thrift shops and pawn shops

Pros: On deciding where to buy, don't forget to check out this option for finding your bicycle. Classified ads, yard sales, thrift shops and pawn shops are a great place to pick up a decent bike at a cheap price (sometimes practically give away prices). This is especially good for those of you who are on a tight budget or just want a "beater" bicycle for commuting or training.

Cons: When considering this route to buy your bike, you have to be quick on your toes. Bikes sold in classified ads, yard sales, thrift shops and pawn shops tend to be bought very quickly, so if you see something that may interest you, you better buy it fast. Also, you must be careful when purchasing from this source thought. Some of these bikes are not always in the best shape, so you really do "get what you paid for." Just like we mentioned before, if you are mechanically inclined, you should be okay. But even the mechanically inclined can't fix everything: If a bike was left out in the elements, chances are the damage to the bike maybe more significant that just a flat tire......possible frame damage from rust, damaged components, etc. You may end up paying more to fix the bike, then to buy a new one.

Another thing to consider is that the bike may not even belong to the person who is selling it. Unless the owner has paperwork or a receipt of some sort, you may have a "hot" bike in your hands. Of course, just because they don't have the paperwork doesn't automatically mean the bike is stolen. This is particularly true for older bikes. But buyer beware.....use your better judgement.

Overall: When deciding where to buy, classified ads, yard sales, thrift shops and pawn shops offer another option to find a great bike at a great price. But use caution before you commit and use good sense.

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Public/police auctions

Pros: Speaking of "stolen" bikes, public/police autions are a great place to get a bicycle. The bicycles here are usually recovered stolen, but the original owner can't be found. So it is auctioned off to the highest bidder. Some bikes are inexpensive, but others are high quality bikes. Check with your local police agency or other public entity if they have auctions and when they are held.

Cons: If you obtain your bike thru an auction, you do so with the understanding that "all sales are final." No returns, trades or anything else. Plus if the bike has any issues, you just bought those issues as well. Some auctions allow you to "inspect" the merchandise prior to bidding, so check the bikes out first before you bid.

Also, set a budget for yourself when attending an auction. Don't get caught up in bidding that you spend more than you can afford to buy. You may find that it would be much more wiser to purchase a new bike for a little more than to spend less for a used one, especially if it has any issues.

Overall: In deciding where to buy, the auction provides another great place to find a great bike. But do your homework and set a budget before bidding. _________________________________________________________________

When you're ready to buy your bike, where to buy is just as important as what to buy. So whatever place or person you decide where to buy your bike from, do your homework and take your time. You'll be happier in the long run and so will your pocket book.

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