Bikes from Target, Toys R US or Costco? archived
You get what you pay for.
Why not go to Victory Cycles in Union? They are going out of business - not sure if they are still open. You might find something there.
If you buy a cheap big-box store bicycle you will only have problems with it that will discourage you from riding it. It will quickly gather dust. Money lost.
Why not buy a quality bike that you will enjoy for a long time? Go to High Gear in Millburn and talk to them. Do not think that all bikes are the same.
Why not go to Victory Cycles in Union? They are going out of business - not sure if they are still open. You might find something there.
If you buy a cheap big-box store bicycle you will only have problems with it that will discourage you from riding it. It will quickly gather dust. Money lost.
Why not buy a quality bike that you will enjoy for a long time? Go to High Gear in Millburn and talk to them. Do not think that all bikes are the same.
Those crappy bicycles never really work right and are ineptly assembled. They'll discourage you from riding because they are uncomfortable. Then you'll have paid for a bike and won't get the use out of it.
Well Victory Cycle now seems to be closed....
Costco has (had, at least last summer) some very good bikes on their site, I'd recommend you bring it to a full-service bike shop for a fitting if you get one there.
I bought my son's last bike at Dicks (a "name brand" not a store brand)-- they seemed to do a pretty good job with assembly and adjusting. But I would imagine this is highly dependent on who's their "bike mechanic" at the moment. At his age, he's outgrowing them just about every year or so.
High Gear has generally very high end bikes - I bought a road bike last summer, and there was little to choose from less than $1000. The *first* bike they put me on was over $2k! And I gotta say, my experience with their service, does not leave me with a good feeling.
I rather lke Cyclecraft (on 46, toward Parsippany) -- but its a bit of a haul from here.
/p
Costco has (had, at least last summer) some very good bikes on their site, I'd recommend you bring it to a full-service bike shop for a fitting if you get one there.
I bought my son's last bike at Dicks (a "name brand" not a store brand)-- they seemed to do a pretty good job with assembly and adjusting. But I would imagine this is highly dependent on who's their "bike mechanic" at the moment. At his age, he's outgrowing them just about every year or so.
High Gear has generally very high end bikes - I bought a road bike last summer, and there was little to choose from less than $1000. The *first* bike they put me on was over $2k! And I gotta say, my experience with their service, does not leave me with a good feeling.
I rather lke Cyclecraft (on 46, toward Parsippany) -- but its a bit of a haul from here.
/p
Go to Walmart and get the bike (about $70) but switch out the seat which comes standard with the bike for a more comfortable seat.
I have had one for 5 years with no trouble. For a basic bike this will work - if you want something fancier - Walmart, wouldn't be my first choice.
I have had one for 5 years with no trouble. For a basic bike this will work - if you want something fancier - Walmart, wouldn't be my first choice.
Stay away from those toy store bikes. They have name brands but the components, like shifters, rims, breaks etc.. are the cheapest most poorly made items they can find. Thats how they keep the price down. The parts will break and cannot be replaced. You'll spend $90 and feel ripped off shortly after.
We have always been happy with Millburn Bicycle Shop. Yes a bit more money but they set it up properly and stand behind what they sell.
Jun 19, 2008 at 10:29am Edited
OK, so it seems as though you guys, except newstead 77 think I shouldn't buy a bike for under one hundred dollars. Unfortunately, I can't do to Walmart. I can do Target, though...
Does that mean I have to go to NYC and buy a "used" (stolen probably) bike?
Where is Dicks?
What ever happened to that police auction that someone posted about?
Feeling grumpy about this...
Does that mean I have to go to NYC and buy a "used" (stolen probably) bike?
Where is Dicks?
What ever happened to that police auction that someone posted about?
Feeling grumpy about this...
Ooh, and I have to piggyback onto this. We want to buy my almost 5yo son a bike for his birthday. Do we want to get a cheap bike from a big-box store, since he will probably grow out of it soon, or spend the money for a good bike-store bike? We have two other kids that we could hand the bike down to, but I suspect that a first bike is something that should be new, not passed down from an older sibling.
shanabana,
I feel your pain. You're not looking for the end all and be all of bicycles. You just want a basic, sturdy cruiser for around town jaunts. Here are some suggestions:
1. Post a help wanted note here on MOL. Maybe in "Please Help" looking for anyone who has a bike for sale.
2. Check out ebay. I bought a brand new folding mountain bike there and love it.
3. Call the Maplewood and South Orange police departments to find out if they'll be holding bike auctions this year.
4. Dicks is on Route 10 just west of Livingston. Also a Sports Authority out there too.
Good luck and don't be a grumpy Gus!
I feel your pain. You're not looking for the end all and be all of bicycles. You just want a basic, sturdy cruiser for around town jaunts. Here are some suggestions:
1. Post a help wanted note here on MOL. Maybe in "Please Help" looking for anyone who has a bike for sale.
2. Check out ebay. I bought a brand new folding mountain bike there and love it.
3. Call the Maplewood and South Orange police departments to find out if they'll be holding bike auctions this year.
4. Dicks is on Route 10 just west of Livingston. Also a Sports Authority out there too.
Good luck and don't be a grumpy Gus!
Jun 19, 2008 at 10:49am Edited
Thanks for sympathy and ideas, Rufus.
amie, I got both my kids last bikes from Milk Money, on S Ridgewood Rd. They're terrific bikes (probably knock offs) and cost only 25 bucks. If they don't have one, you could perhaps see if you could give them your number and have them call you when one comes in. I'd try Other Mothers too, on Irvington in S. Orange.
(Edited to add that the 25 bucks was for each bike, and that was under a different owner, so I have no idea what they'd charge for one now.)
amie, I got both my kids last bikes from Milk Money, on S Ridgewood Rd. They're terrific bikes (probably knock offs) and cost only 25 bucks. If they don't have one, you could perhaps see if you could give them your number and have them call you when one comes in. I'd try Other Mothers too, on Irvington in S. Orange.
(Edited to add that the 25 bucks was for each bike, and that was under a different owner, so I have no idea what they'd charge for one now.)
My co-worker got a $90 mountain bike at Target. He likes it enough so far. The bikes weren't priced, so he had to get price checks for everything. I've heard him complain about the seat thus far. But I'll tell you, the bike sure looks nicer than $90.
Wal-Mart sued for improperly assembling bicycle http://www.madisonrecord.com/news/213237-wal-mart-sued-for-improperly-assembled-bicycle
Parents Sue Wal-Mart Over Children's Bike
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1428032
CPSC, Rand/Ross Bicycle Co. Announce Recall to Repair Mountain Bikes
http://www.recall-warnings.com/cpsc-content-98-98099.html
Yup, you can buy from a big box (I consider Dick's a big box too) and upgrade, but all you are going to be doing is constantly upgrading an inferior product.
Or you can pay a little more and get a bike like this: http://cyclecraft.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=4719 from a reputable dealer and not put any more money into it until you wear out the tires!
Parents Sue Wal-Mart Over Children's Bike
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1428032
CPSC, Rand/Ross Bicycle Co. Announce Recall to Repair Mountain Bikes
http://www.recall-warnings.com/cpsc-content-98-98099.html
Yup, you can buy from a big box (I consider Dick's a big box too) and upgrade, but all you are going to be doing is constantly upgrading an inferior product.
Or you can pay a little more and get a bike like this: http://cyclecraft.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=4719 from a reputable dealer and not put any more money into it until you wear out the tires!
Shabana, I am a 59 year old female new rider. Started with a garage sale bike for my 2.5 mile trip each way to S.O. from Millburn. Did it once and didn't want to do it again. A friend who works in a bike shop in CT recommended the brand "Specialized" and the model Globe for women. Went to High Gear Cycle in Millburn and they spent quite a while fitting me from foot to knee to seat. (many places charge extra for this) I now own this bike ($525.00) and am comfortably able to ride with no problem. Actually am enjoying it. The hills are tough but it is a 21 gear so I can adjust the gears to compensate for the hills with only a bit of struggle which I hope will get better as I improve. If you are really going to use the bike, then this is the way to go. I can show you the bike and let you ride it so you can see how nice it is.
I agree with the recomendations for Dick's Sporting Goods on Route 10. I think they have the best "cheap" bikes. Last year my son got an Ironhorse for about $150 and it seems like a great value. Also, if you open a Dick's credit card account they give you some money off.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2712461&sr=1&origkw=bikes
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2712461&sr=1&origkw=bikes
OH MAN, now I want THAT bike, pasadena!
honeydo, that's really cool. I guess you're right, only I can't spend that much now.
I'll check out dicks, and Craigslist too.
honeydo, that's really cool. I guess you're right, only I can't spend that much now.
I'll check out dicks, and Craigslist too.
Shanabana, it like the dress you get for a wedding. You might spend $100 and wear it once. But you would not think of spending that on something you wear all the time. "Cost per wearing" vs "cost per item". Ergo, a cheap bike might get ridden infrequently but a slightly costlier bike will be ridden more often. You really need to be careful with second hand bikes to make absolutely sure it fits you correctly, o/w it will sit in the garage.
Jun 21, 2008 at 2:03pm Edited
Peugot = BEST BIKES IN THE WORLLLLLDDD
I love my peugot... especially since they are import only now
I love my peugot... especially since they are import only now
These posts make me laugh. You can barely buy reliable pedals for $90. If you want to brave the NJ roads with a bike built up by the smart, experienced crew of Dicks Sporting, take your chances.
Most of the bikes you are mentioning are cheap Chinese made bikes...you get what you pay for.
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shanabana