places like ems and rei sell good bikes?

[Gibson486]

do they? every bike shop seems to just sell certain brands. For example, you would never see Trek and Marin in the same store. Is it best to buy it from a hardcore bike shop? It seems to me that if you spend under $500, you are gonna get some bike that is mass produced by the hundreds.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
do they? every bike shop seems to just sell certain brands. For example, you would never see Trek and Marin in the same store. Is it best to buy it from a hardcore bike shop? It seems to me that if you spend under $500, you are gonna get some bike that is mass produced by the hundreds.

What's wrong with that?

 

[Capt Caveman]

REI and EMS carry brands that you will find in a hardcore bike shop, along with their own branded bikes which are great bang for your buck.

Any bike under $1,000 will be a mass produced by the thousands.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

I bought my bike from bikesdirect.com and should arrive on Monday. There's nothing wrong with buying a mass produced bike. What the hell do you think a Trek, Bianchi, Cannondale, Giant is? A bike that's only built 20 of?

 

[Gibson486]

I never said anything was wrong with it ( i own a $350 trek bike and liked it). I meant it as mass produced and rebadged by 40 different companies.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Which is generally why I don't buy brands, I buy specs.

 

[Dirigible]

REI carries some pretty decent bikes.

Seems like their employees usually have at least some knowledge of whatever outdoor activity area they're working in. Probably better than some bike shops and worse than others. I doubt you'll find a real experienced and expert wrench in there, but I'd expect them to be a step above department store/Walmart bike assemblers. (Caveat: I have no firsthand knowledge of how skilled and knowledgeable their employees are. The preceding is guesswork.)

I'd say shop around and look in bike shops too, but I don't know of anything that would scare me away from REI.

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
I bought my bike from bikesdirect.com and should arrive on Monday. There's nothing wrong with buying a mass produced bike. What the hell do you think a Trek, Bianchi, Cannondale, Giant is? A bike that's only built 20 of?

Wha'd you end up getting? Did you give up on your build the bike yourself plan?

 

[KillerCharlie]

In my experience, REI doesn't sell junky anything. You can always make use of their lifetime return policy.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Dirigible
REI carries some pretty decent bikes.

Seems like their employees usually have at least some knowledge of whatever outdoor activity area they're working in. Probably better than some bike shops and worse than others. I doubt you'll find a real experienced and expert wrench in there, but I'd expect them to be a step above department store/Walmart bike assemblers. (Caveat: I have no firsthand knowledge of how skilled and knowledgeable their employees are. The preceding is guesswork.)

I'd say shop around and look in bike shops too, but I don't know of anything that would scare me away from REI.

I used to work in the bike department of a REI. They actually have very experienced bike mechanics. REI pays much higher than any independent bike shop with awesome benefits. REI also requires their bike mechanics to specific training.

 

[LS21]

a secret from someone involved in bikes for a long time:

95% of bikes, for 95% of the population, are more or less the same. whether you go to a store that has marin, jamis, specialized, khs, trek, surly, bianchi, or etc.... theyre all the same aluminum made-in-taiwan bikes with comparable equipments

until you know *exactly* what you are looking for, and are ready to spend major dough, then you can decide between lightweight vs aero wheels, Ti vs CF material, campag record vs shimano dura-ace, etc... for everyone looking at an entry-level bike, it doesnt matter much

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: LS21
a secret from someone involved in bikes for a long time:

95% of bikes, for 95% of the population, are more or less the same. whether you go to a store that has marin, jamis, specialized, khs, trek, surly, bianchi, or etc.... theyre all the same aluminum made-in-taiwan bikes with comparable equipments

until you know *exactly* what you are looking for, and are ready to spend major dough, then you can decide between lightweight vs aero wheels, Ti vs CF material, campag record vs shimano dura-ace, etc... for everyone looking at an entry-level bike, it doesnt matter much

Yes and no. First, they're not all just aluminum. You'll find also find steel, carbon fiber, etc bike frames. Also, different brands will have bike frames with different geometries, components, etc. making fit and ride different. So, yes it does matter.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: Dirigible

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
I bought my bike from bikesdirect.com and should arrive on Monday. There's nothing wrong with buying a mass produced bike. What the hell do you think a Trek, Bianchi, Cannondale, Giant is? A bike that's only built 20 of?

Wha'd you end up getting? Did you give up on your build the bike yourself plan?

Wow, surprised you remembered. Actually, I had bought a frame from a fellow in Wisconsin, KHS. He ended up sending me a frame that was 2cm too big. I checked the measurements and the standover and reach would have been too much for me to work with so I sent it back. I'd rather work with the bike then fight it. So ended up buying a Windsor Wellington 3.0. The specs seemed fairly decent for the price and actually compared to a Trek 1000, so I pulled the trigger. I'm going to wait until it arrives on Monday, put it together, then bring it into the shop for some minor adjustments before I decide if it's a decent bike. There's a couple of things that I'm planning on changing within the first month of ownership: Stem: Looks like by the pictures it's a quill stem which I'm not a big fan of. Saddle: Need something comfy for my butt. And possibly change out the crank, BB, cassette, chain, and deraiullers. But we'll see. I already have the cassette, BB, and some Dura-Ace BE shifters that I could put on there but I would have to get everything else. Hell, I just might be happy with the bike for everyday commuting and might not change a thing.

 

[LS21]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Yes and no. First, they're not all just aluminum. You'll find also find steel, carbon fiber, etc bike frames. Also, different brands will have bike frames with different geometries, components, etc. making fit and ride different. So, yes it does matter.

anyone looking at an entry bike will be looking at aluminum with sora/tiagra components. each manufacturer will have some sort of road, a road-comfort/long-distance geometry bike. even up to mid-level, many many bikes are the same, but now you might get a carbon fork and/or carbon stays. (even then, one can make an argument that they make no difference in feel... but this is a whole other discussion).

practically speaking, for a beginner getting into the sport, there is 0 difference

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: LS21

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Yes and no. First, they're not all just aluminum. You'll find also find steel, carbon fiber, etc bike frames. Also, different brands will have bike frames with different geometries, components, etc. making fit and ride different. So, yes it does matter.

anyone looking at an entry bike will be looking at aluminum with sora/tiagra components. each manufacturer will have some sort of road, a road-comfort/long-distance geometry bike. even up to mid-level, many many bikes are the same, but now you might get a carbon fork and/or carbon stays. (even then, one can make an argument that they make no difference in feel... but this is a whole other discussion).

practically speaking, for a beginner getting into the sport, there is 0 difference

Yes and no for road bikes, different story for mountain bikes.

But for all types of bikes, all brands use different geometries/sizing on their bikes which will make the fit different.

 

[LS21]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

But for all types of bikes, all brands use different geometries/sizing on their bikes which will make the fit different.

well, obviously, differences in geometry lead to differences in fit, and ultimately, performance, BUT:

1) within the different "classes" of bike that different manufacturers offer, there is not a large perceivable difference in geometry
2) from a buyers perspective, they wouldnt know how to pick between the difference above, anyway

ive had 6 different road bikes in the last 4 years, 3 currently in the "stable", 1 additional on its way from Delaware right now (as well as 2 mountain bikes, of course)....
... all im saying is, if a dear friend, or family member were to ask me, "what bike should i spend my 800$ on?" -- i would respond "go to a local store that gives you the best service and spend it on their starter bike"

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal

Originally posted by: Dirigible

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
I bought my bike from bikesdirect.com and should arrive on Monday. There's nothing wrong with buying a mass produced bike. What the hell do you think a Trek, Bianchi, Cannondale, Giant is? A bike that's only built 20 of?

Wha'd you end up getting? Did you give up on your build the bike yourself plan?

Wow, surprised you remembered. Actually, I had bought a frame from a fellow in Wisconsin, KHS. He ended up sending me a frame that was 2cm too big. I checked the measurements and the standover and reach would have been too much for me to work with so I sent it back. I'd rather work with the bike then fight it. So ended up buying a Windsor Wellington 3.0. The specs seemed fairly decent for the price and actually compared to a Trek 1000, so I pulled the trigger. I'm going to wait until it arrives on Monday, put it together, then bring it into the shop for some minor adjustments before I decide if it's a decent bike. There's a couple of things that I'm planning on changing within the first month of ownership: Stem: Looks like by the pictures it's a quill stem which I'm not a big fan of. Saddle: Need something comfy for my butt. And possibly change out the crank, BB, cassette, chain, and deraiullers. But we'll see. I already have the cassette, BB, and some Dura-Ace BE shifters that I could put on there but I would have to get everything else. Hell, I just might be happy with the bike for everyday commuting and might not change a thing.

Cool. :thumbsup:

Yeah, decent chance you'll be happy with it as-is. It looks about on par with the Bianchi Volpe I got ten years ago and have happily ridden ever since (although it was demoted from my main ride when I got a fancy road bike and has recently gone through a transformation that turned it into a my pavement/dirt mixed media machine with front disc brake, during which it lost its quill stem).

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
I used to work in the bike department of a REI. They actually have very experienced bike mechanics. REI pays much higher than any independent bike shop with awesome benefits. REI also requires their bike mechanics to specific training.

Good info to know. Thanks.

 

[Throwmeabone]

Originally posted by: LS21

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Yes and no. First, they're not all just aluminum. You'll find also find steel, carbon fiber, etc bike frames. Also, different brands will have bike frames with different geometries, components, etc. making fit and ride different. So, yes it does matter.

anyone looking at an entry bike will be looking at aluminum with sora/tiagra components. each manufacturer will have some sort of road, a road-comfort/long-distance geometry bike. even up to mid-level, many many bikes are the same, but now you might get a carbon fork and/or carbon stays. (even then, one can make an argument that they make no difference in feel... but this is a whole other discussion).

practically speaking, for a beginner getting into the sport, there is 0 difference

The Jamis Coda has a steel frame and it starts at $475. I'm just getting into cycling too and that's what I'm planning to get.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Dirigible
REI carries some pretty decent bikes.

Seems like their employees usually have at least some knowledge of whatever outdoor activity area they're working in. Probably better than some bike shops and worse than others. I doubt you'll find a real experienced and expert wrench in there, but I'd expect them to be a step above department store/Walmart bike assemblers. (Caveat: I have no firsthand knowledge of how skilled and knowledgeable their employees are. The preceding is guesswork.)

I'd say shop around and look in bike shops too, but I don't know of anything that would scare me away from REI.

I used to work in the bike department of a REI. They actually have very experienced bike mechanics. REI pays much higher than any independent bike shop with awesome benefits. REI also requires their bike mechanics to specific training.

I'll have to agree with that statement as well. I went to REI yesterday to pickup some eggbeaters and some shimano shoes and the younger guy working there seemed very knowledgeable and was extremely helpful even though they were busy. He proceeded to let me know what he rode and why I would benefit from the eggbeaters and the shoes I was looking at.

 

[LS21]

Originally posted by: Throwmeabone


The Jamis Coda has a steel frame and it starts at $475. I'm just getting into cycling too and that's what I'm planning to get.

jamis is one of my favorite brands, and im a big fan of steel (thats what all 3 of my current bikes are); a while back, i actually convinced 2 friends into getting jamis dakotas - nice hardtails with reynolds air-hardening 631 steel -- very rare.

jamis doesnt have a very good distribution network. good thing you got one. if you plan to get serious into it, consider a dedicated road bike

 

[Gibson486]

I ask because i saw this bike by Scott at Ski Market and REI....I loved it. Its the P3 model, i think. It is between that bike and a bike by Jamis I saw at Cambridge bicycle.

I sold my Trek mountain bike 2 weeks ago. I realized that moutain bikes suck in the city.....so I am leaing towrds a hybrid road/off road bike. I also tried the Trek 7200. My gf loved it, but I cannot stand the riding position.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: LS21
a secret from someone involved in bikes for a long time:

95% of bikes, for 95% of the population, are more or less the same. whether you go to a store that has marin, jamis, specialized, khs, trek, surly, bianchi, or etc.... theyre all the same aluminum made-in-taiwan bikes with comparable equipments

this is why you buy Ellsworth

 

[MiniDoom]

Don't buy now, wait until the winter. They need to move the last year bikes for the newer models. I got an $800 Trek last winter for $475.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: rdubbz420
Don't buy now, wait until the winter. They need to move the last year bikes for the newer models. I got an $800 Trek last winter for $475.

not an option...I need a bike now.

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: LS21
a secret from someone involved in bikes for a long time:

95% of bikes, for 95% of the population, are more or less the same. whether you go to a store that has marin, jamis, specialized, khs, trek, surly, bianchi, or etc.... theyre all the same aluminum made-in-taiwan bikes with comparable equipments

this is why you buy Ellsworth

As a Turner owner I must object! Ellsworth FTL! Boo to Tony!