Any recomendations for bike shops in the UES, UWS, midtown, or LI that don't charge over the roof NYC premiums on accesories, parts, etc...? Your recomendations greatly appreciated.
-just discovered cycling and addicted...
Bike Shops
Sun, 08/27/2006 - 9:44am
Sun, 08/27/2006 - 10:07am
#1
best way to get stuff cheap and fast...mailorder
Sun, 08/27/2006 - 2:34pm
#2
Good call w/ the sites. but what about local shops I can actually visit and see the products?
Sun, 08/27/2006 - 3:45pm
#3
immoral
Bike shops typically have higher price than mailorder because they have higher costs, such as the cost of maintaining a showroom.
It is immoral to take the benefit of that, by checking out the products in the shop, but buying what you decide upon mailorder instead. Shop mailorder if you want, but don't leech off a shop to do so.
Sun, 08/27/2006 - 3:49pm
#4
you're absolutely right...
...it's not fair to shop but not buy. however, if you know what you want, you can call in an order before noon and it'll be at your front door the next day). slometimes 30% or so below nyc retail price.
don
Sun, 08/27/2006 - 6:31pm
#5
? huh ?
All I was asking for was a recomended bike shop. A fellow rider was kind enough to suggest mail order, next thing I know I'm getting educated on morals and the dynamics of a bike shop??? Call me old fashioned but I'd like to see and speak to a human being so I can learn about the product and if I am satisfied will hapilly purchase right there and then in order to support these shops.
I'm new at cycling, and still learning...
That being said, any suggestions?
Sun, 08/27/2006 - 6:36pm
#6
review old threads on the subject
"Earnst,
Welcome to a wonderful sport. The easiest way to review this popular subject is to do a search of recent threads on this board. Hit the ""search"" button and type in bike shop in the content box. Search the past 30 days, and you will find plenty of recommendations as you read through the messages. Good luck"
Sun, 08/27/2006 - 10:15pm
#7
toga is on west 60's
"toga is my favorite shop on the west side (good bike and accessories stock). pretty well stocked. r&a cycles in brooklyn is also worth a visit (good stock on bikes and accessories...not too good for clothes). if you're up for a 45 mile ride, piermont bike has the best inventory in the area.
don"
Mon, 08/28/2006 - 8:18am
#8
Reality check
"I think that the people who responded to your question were a tad bit presumptuous about your intentions, but while we're on the subject, dare I just say for the rest (majority?) of us that even if you went to a bike shop to see a product and then ordered it online, that is absolutely NOT ""immoral""? It's a competitive marketplace, not a cooperative. There is no sales commitment attached to the fact that a store owner openly displays its wares to the public."
Mon, 08/28/2006 - 8:29am
#9
I was the guy who made the immoral post and made no presumptions about what Ernest is doing: I didn't say he planned to do that and I don't know what he is planning.
I wanted to simply state for everyone that it is immoral to leach off of bike shops by using them as showrooms for products you will buy mailorder and I hope that anyone considering doing it decides not to.
Just because we live in a competitive commerical world doesn't mean that ethics are governed by the rules of commerce. There is no law or commercial rule against doing what I objected to, but that doesn't make it right. It's not right.
Mon, 08/28/2006 - 8:59am
#10
I agree that the rules of ethics are not governed by the rules of commerce, but I disagree with you about the conclusion. I see this as no more unethical than shopping for a DVD at Best Buy and, after deciding it's what you want, comparing its price with Circuit City's. Anyone who wants to support small bike shops from the dictates of your own conscience should feel free to do so. On the other hand, I don't feel anyone is obliged to walk past a shop that has the product they want with eyes averted, just because they know they many not buy it. The fact that that happens is totally understood by everyone, and all sellers have to accept that a certain percentage of customers (genuine or not) will walk away without buying for any reason. Or maybe the customer will buy a water bottle instead. In the final analysis, it's OK.
Thu, 08/31/2006 - 6:20am
#11
Immoral?
The shop on my corner charges $15 to fix a flat. That's $5 for an inner tube that probably cost the shop $2.50 (at most). And $10 for about five minutes of labor.
So that is a 100% mark-up and $120 per hour labor rate. Is that moral and ethical?
Thu, 08/31/2006 - 7:46am
#12
that's business...
...if someone calls me for help and i fix their problem in 10min, they get charged for an hour. not fair to use the $120/hr scenario...it's not like 12 people are standing in line with flats.
don
Mon, 08/28/2006 - 12:23pm
#13
I have one for ya
i have a suggestion, dont pay too much attention to the snobs on this board. oh and welcome to cycling. The NYCC is a great place to start
Mon, 08/28/2006 - 1:53pm
#14
Thanks =)
Thanks for all the warm welcomes. I'm so excited about the sport and the good times ahead. This club seems to be such a great resource --> msg board, info, and all the coordinated rides.
I look forward to riding w/ you ALL !!! =)
(-if this rain ever stops and I get the bike out...heh heh)
Tue, 08/29/2006 - 7:44pm
#15
Oh yeah!
Is this a great club or what!!!
Wed, 08/30/2006 - 4:10pm
#16
yeah! if you're old and slow!
;-)
Mon, 08/28/2006 - 2:27am
#17
thanks =)
Thanks for your insight... =)
Mon, 08/28/2006 - 9:09am
#18
Earnst,
You might also want to try the cycling sections of general sports shops. Since you mentioned UES/Midtown, I'd suggest CitySports on 53rd between Lexington and 3rd. They have a full selection of cycling clothes and many accessories. Prices are reasonable.
Paragon sports (18th & Brdwy) is good, but on the expensive side, I think. And also outside your geographic preference.
Mon, 08/28/2006 - 5:01am
#19
Sids
SId's,on34th Street, between 2nd and 3rd, is one of the better bike shops in town. They are friendly and have a decent inventory (though not at large as Piermont or Toga). Like many of the local bike stores, they will give you a discount if you are a member of one of the local clubs -- NYCC or Five Borough Bike Club.
Welcome to the sport.
Thu, 08/31/2006 - 9:09am
#20
OP asked about Upper East Side
...and 21 messages later no one's still mentioned Larry & Jeff's? Folks hate 'em that bad?
Wed, 08/30/2006 - 2:10pm
#21
if only i could get such a lively debate on my request for a route from queens through Nassau County to Orient (just need to get to Sound Avenue and I'm home free from there).
