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Bike Shops
Linds
Posts: 124
in General Chat
I don't know how to put this politely, but they can be right pillocks.
Went to a couple bike shops over the weekend to look at some budget/starter bikes. I clearly stated that I only wanted to spend £250 - £300 max (actually I only want to spend £200 - £250 but all their bikes started at £300) as quite frankly I don't know if I’m going to enjoy Tri and may not use the bike ever again.
I was told in no uncertain terms not to even bother with such a cheap/basic/rubbish bike and that I needed to spend at least £400, but £500 would be better.
Fair enough, but they then totally ignored the "cheap" bike and would only talk about the £400+ bikes.
I walked out of both shops when they wouldn't talk about their budget bikes, despite me asking loads of questions about them.
Don't these people listen/understand that we don't all want/afford a £400 bike and that perhaps a £250 bike would be more suitable.
I was so excited at going bike shopping that they could probably have quite easily taken £350 off me for a bike, helmet, spares etc. but they were only interested in bragging about their £2000+ carbon fibre bikes and sneering at me. You'd have thought any sale at the end of the financial year would have been imprtant, no matter how "small".
Are there any bike shops in the Bristol area that are "understanding" to people (pikeys) who don't have much money to spend on a bike, but would still like to be taken reasonably seriously.
Sorry - just needed to get that off my chest !
Went to a couple bike shops over the weekend to look at some budget/starter bikes. I clearly stated that I only wanted to spend £250 - £300 max (actually I only want to spend £200 - £250 but all their bikes started at £300) as quite frankly I don't know if I’m going to enjoy Tri and may not use the bike ever again.
I was told in no uncertain terms not to even bother with such a cheap/basic/rubbish bike and that I needed to spend at least £400, but £500 would be better.
Fair enough, but they then totally ignored the "cheap" bike and would only talk about the £400+ bikes.
I walked out of both shops when they wouldn't talk about their budget bikes, despite me asking loads of questions about them.
Don't these people listen/understand that we don't all want/afford a £400 bike and that perhaps a £250 bike would be more suitable.
I was so excited at going bike shopping that they could probably have quite easily taken £350 off me for a bike, helmet, spares etc. but they were only interested in bragging about their £2000+ carbon fibre bikes and sneering at me. You'd have thought any sale at the end of the financial year would have been imprtant, no matter how "small".
Are there any bike shops in the Bristol area that are "understanding" to people (pikeys) who don't have much money to spend on a bike, but would still like to be taken reasonably seriously.
Sorry - just needed to get that off my chest !
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Comments
i know where your coming from! i hate getting ripped off too!!
i dont know if you are interested in using mail order, but i use www.ashcycles.com, (tel;0208 5240063)
i bought my giant scr3 (ladies) road bike last year- and got it £100 cheaper than my own giant shop could get it for! (i am away to order a giant mountain bike from them today too!), the service i received was fab-i received my bike within 2 days, and they come fully assembled, and postage is included in the price!
i found these on their page that might interest you-
Dawes giro 200 (2008)
entry model road racer, 14 speed shimano gears- rrp 199.99 and they are selling it for 167.00,
Saracen Zenith (2007)- RRP 349.99 NOW 245.99
DAWES GIRO 300 (08)- RRP 299.99, NOW 251.99
[:)]Hope this helps you in your quest...... my hubby and i took up tris last year, i bought a £150 road bike (has tube shifter gears....not very handy, but i didnt know much about bikes, and it did me for the first couple of tris!), hubby bought a geriatric peugeot road bike (huge!) for £40- after we decided to buy better bikes, we got measured at bike shop, and were shocked to see that we were riding bikes far too big for us!!!( get measured somewhere if poss before parting with your cash!!)
i was also told-a cheap bike is just as good as an expensive one-it is only as good as the person pedalling!!...dont feel pressurised into blowing a fortune!!!
good luck![:D]
I agree there are alot of idiots in cycle shops but there are a number of very good ones.All the best.
I'm hooked and looking to upgrade and wish I'd spent a bit more first time round. If you're really unsure why not get measured and look at a second hand bike from ebay or similar. That way you won't have wasted too much money if you find it's not for you.
It can get a bit disheartening when you're flogging yourself on your basic alloy framed number and someone flies past barely breaking sweat and pedalling at half the cadience.
The internet is fine but i think It also pays to build up a rapore with a local bike shop for local business and also to get service etc you can trust. I have been in numerous times at last minute and got stuff done super fast cause they know me in there.
They also quite often match or better the likes of Wiggle to get the business.
I got myself a cheap SCR 4 for a winter hack, am on my second set of wheels, second rear cartridge bearing and 100th gear adjustment. But it was only £300 at the time, buy cheap and you'll buy twice.
Advising you to spend a bit more is just a polite way of saying the bike your looking up will break up above 30 or seize up when wet.
As mentioned find a tri club, someone is bound to be upgrading & flogging a bike 1 or 2 or more years old, raced, but cared for..service history & probably a local bike store link thrown in.
I have been looking at second hand bikes, but as sad as this may sound I would love to buy a new bike as I think there is something special about taking a brand new bike/car/skateboard out for the first time - and it certainly doesn’t happen very often for me.
I am going to persevere with the local bike shops, as I would much rather support a local shop than an internet company or high street chain - if they can get somewhere near the internet prices.
Cheers for the thoughts/comments
How tall are you? Your welcome to borrow my specilized allez sport for a couple of months until you establish whether you enjoy tri enough to justify investing in a bike.
All for the price of a beer in my belly!!!
Lee
Blimey that's one hell of a generous offer thank you. I'm 6' tall and have a 33" (ish) inside leg.
I'll drop you a PM with my e-mail/contact details
Thanks again
Linds
My email is lsd1979@hotmail.co.uk send me your mobile number and I'll give you a call regarding the bike.
Cheers,
Lee