What's the difference in buying a bike at a LBS and a chain store?

Question

I'm moving to Houston for school in August, and with rising gas prices I want to get a cruiser bike. What benifits/disadvantages are there in buying a bike at a local bike shop verses buying one at Walmart or Academy? Which one am I better off with?

Answer 1

Well, I hate to disagree with Mtbikr, but there are some sporting goods stores that have professional techs employed, and the quality of the bikes easily equal the quality of bike shop bikes.

Just as the quality of work at a bike shop varies, so it does at a sporting goods store. I worked for 5 years at a d**k's Sporting Goods and had very close relationships with the 7 LBS's in the area.

In that time 5 of the LBS's closed their doors and I hired people from them paying MORE than they were making at the independent shops. The 28 stores that I was working with had premium bikes and premium service and I would accept nothing less.

However, since you brought up Walmart and Academy, these are NOT to be considered as Mtbikr said. They are poorly built and poorly specced.

Answer 2

The main issue is quality,

First is the quality of what you are buying, box store bikes normally use lower end components and are assembled at the store by who ever they hire at the cheapest pay rate.

At a bike shop this is there only business, you get a bike with better components and assembled by a person who does this for a living. An other factor is if you develop problems or need a tune up on your bike with a box store bike your not going to get any meaningful type of help.

EDIT:

I don't put d**k's, REI, etc in the same category as Walmart,  Target  and Academy. The d**k's sporting goods store nearby has some very good people working there in the bike, golf and hunting/fishing sections.

Answer 3

If you are moving to Houston I would wait and buy one from a LBS when you get there.  That way you establish a relationship with a store that can help you should you have a problem with your bike.  That is the real reason to buy from a LBS, customer service.  If you want your bike to be safe and reliable you should have it assembled by a professional mechanic.  I have seen bicycles in dept stores that were assembled in a way that would make them dangerous to ride.  Most bicycles will need some sort of maintenance that you may not be comfortable performing.  A LBS will more than likely give you free tune-ups.  If your bike has a warranty issue a LBS will act as your advocate with the manufacturer.

Answer 4

Your best off buying from a specialized store because you get all the advise, support and they can advise you on whats the best bike for you.

At the end of the day you get what you pay for.

Answer 5

Wal-Mart bikes are junk.  They might last one season before stuff starts to break.  They aren't meant to  be ridden for real. I think they're  meant to be cheap disposable toys.

A bike shop can fit a bike to your size, rather than stick  you with a one size fits all.  A bike shop will  ensure your bike is in tip top condition.  A bike shop can answer your questions, intelligently.

If price is a concern, buy used.  Check  out craiglist where there's always a bargain.  But you'll have to do a little homework to know if a bike is really worth it or not.  Google can turn up a lot of information if you know the brand, model & year of the bike.