Recent Comments

Best place to buy a bike

bike-200x148.jpgQ. Where is the best place to get a bike?

— Jack B., Bowling Green, Ky.

A. In my opinion, J.B., the only place to buy a new bicycle is at a local bike shop. These are places that specialize in bikes and have knowledgeable sales people, great quality stuff and generally excellent support. If you go to an LBS — as local bike shops are known in the cycling world — you know you’ll get the best bike for your size, riding style and budget. It might not be the cheapest bike, but in the long run it will be a better value. Sure, you could go to the local superstore and pick up a cheap bike off the rack. But it won’t last nearly as long or be nearly as enjoyable as a custom fit from your LBS.


Ask the Gear Guy

Not sure which gear to buy? Need tips for maintaining your equipment? Click here to send in your questions for the Gear Guy. Selected questions will be answered here and in the printed magazine.

28 Comments on Best place to buy a bike

  1. I want to buy a good bike for my 10 year old grand son. I’m talking about a street bike. I purchased a Schwinn bike at a Schwinn store about 30 years ago and still works great and now my grand son is using it. So where should I go for a good bike and what brand should I look for. Also this old Schwinn has coster brakes and no grears, do they stil make this type of bike or shouldI stay away from this type of bike. Thanks for any help Tom

  2. one of my dad’s friends gave me a way nice bike it’s a red North Woods bike and it can fold up it is way Gnarly

    P.S. Gnarly is skateboarder slang for awesome

  3. wow thanks! I was wondering because i might get a new bike this summer and i wanted to know where i get one that is cheap in price but good in value. P.S my sister says that when i rid my old bike I look like this : mrgreen: :p

  4. biggest baseball fan_23 // August 5, 2009 at 7:59 am // Reply

    It depends on what you want to use your bike for. If you want a bike to use on the street and to do tricks with, then i strongly recommend a haro bmx. Just go to harobikes.com and click on bmx. Yes, I know they are expensive. But it’s worth the money because it will last for a while. If you want a bike to ride off-road then I’d look at getting a haro, mongoose, or a gary fisher mountain bike. If you compete in biking then i would recommend a litespeed or a salsa mountain bike. Also the best place to buy a bike is your local bike shop, although it’s a little more expensive.

  5. biggest baseball fan_23 // August 5, 2009 at 7:57 am // Reply

    It depends on what you want to use your bike for. If you want a bike to use on the street and to do tricks with, then i strongly recommend a haro bmx. Just go to harobikes.com and click on bmx. Yes, I know they are expensive. But it’s worth the money because it will last for a while. If you want a bike to ride off-road then I’d look at getting a haro, mongoose, or a gary fisher. If you compete in biking then i would recommend a litespeed or a salsa. Also the best place to buy a bike is your local bike shop, although it’s a little more expensive.

  6. Destructo Kid's Mom // March 2, 2009 at 10:19 am // Reply

    I buy bikes at pawn shops because my 12 year old son tears them up so fast and they are cheap. Since Hurricane Ike hit our town, he collects bikes from the neighborhood trash piles and tries to put them back together. He calls them “Ike Bikes”.

  7. good job

  8. Skinned-Knees // October 5, 2008 at 6:55 pm // Reply

    I find it easiest to collect parts of old bikes and build my own. It’s easy and cheap.

  9. they sell miracos by a bike at just riding along

  10. buy a miraco bike

  11. In Sewanee, TN we have Woody’s Bike shop. It is located near the U Of the South. They have been in business for about 10 year I think?!?! They just moved to this old house and have great bikes and service them there too. Plus they rent for day-trippers without bike to enjoy the near by trails. They are honest, have great bikes and can fix them for your on site. Best part is they have the best cafe next door, Mountain Breeze Cafe. Were have really good food and the best home-made ice cream. Hey, if I’m going to ride my bike up a mountain, to get to Woody’s I feel it’s okay to indulge.

  12. ghost rider // August 31, 2008 at 8:46 pm // Reply

    Where can I find a bike that is built for speed, comfort, and rough trails?

  13. I like lever shift gear systems over twist systems. only place to get them? a LBS.

  14. at my local bike store the cheapest bike they have is 300!!!

  15. From personal experience, in addition to vouching for the LBS approach, I would highly recommend buying a used model…great values can be found, and so what if it isn’t the shiniest bike on your block? Pocket the difference, insist on a tuneup/cleanup as a condition of sale, and from then on, do your own maintenance.

  16. harobikes kid // July 4, 2008 at 9:44 am // Reply

    if you want a nice bike go with a gt/dyno , eastern or a haro the best haro bmx bike for a beginner is a haro backtrail x1

  17. I love my dart its fast ive hade it for seven years my brake cords are missing but its good

  18. drummerboy16 // June 25, 2008 at 7:34 am // Reply

    Rhino bikes RULE!!!!!!!

  19. If you want a small bmx bike that you’ll use for sidewalks, check out your local walmart or target. If you want a real bike, for transportation, go to a Bike Shop and ask for a “hybrid” style of bicycle. They are made for speed and comfort, but aren’t made to be used on the trail.

  20. nick-nack-nick // May 11, 2008 at 11:19 pm // Reply

    Mylocal bicycle dealer , *whos name i cannot express* , sells $700 bikes for twice the price it’s worth, plus the bikes only function like I just bought it at walmart and when he does tune-ups he charges $50 bucks for doing nothing .So i’m saying in some cases that information is misinformation.

  21. BikesnobYW // April 30, 2008 at 5:50 pm // Reply

    The best place to get a bicycle depends on how you ride. Most kids use bikes like skateboards, which are strictly for sidewalk use. If that is you, go ahead and buy a cheap $200 bike at a supermarket. But if you realize that true bicycles are actually vehicles, like cars or ATV’s, then you should not be cheap. A true bicycle is an investment, not a toy. I like to compare road bicycles to cars. A $400 bike is like an inexpensive Honda, while a $2000 bike is a Porche and a $5000 bike is a Ferrari. Most people only need an inexpensive Honda to get around. Therefore, learn the rules of the road and pick up a $350-500 bicycle at a Bike Shop. Don’t need a driver’s license to travel on the road!

  22. Tallest guy on the block!!! // April 30, 2008 at 4:21 pm // Reply

    I got my ironhorse quantum 2 at sport authority and i’ve had it for almost a year and its totally the best except for price i got and christmas sales event for $330.00 sorry for you guys out there you’ll have to buy it for $600.00

  23. locals rock but more money they usually give a free tuneup

  24. IRONHORSE IS THE BEST

  25. Yeah definately go to an LBS. I am a bike fanatic and the only to pursue this sport is with a real bike. Sure the cheapest bike at the shop is $200, but it is worth it.

  26. local bike shops are the way to go!! athough u may pay extra money but u get a better bike 🙂

  27. Eagletrail // April 4, 2008 at 3:25 pm // Reply

    I got my bike at a target, and I still love the brake disk.

    Just choose what bike you want AND like, and you’ll love it in no time.

Leave a Reply to Tallest guy on the block!!! Cancel reply

Please don't use your real name.