New purchase

[Dave S]

I need help. I am wanting to buy a new comfort bike. I have looked
at Giant, Specialized, and Trek. I rode the Trek 200 and 300. I have
yet to test the other two. Most of my rides will be around 30 minutes
on a paved bike trail. I have never bought a bike shop bike before.
Any advise would really be appreciated. Thanks.

[B. Sanders]

Rick has it exactly right. I agree completely with his assertions. I would
add that you should be flexible on price to get the bike you really want.
Think of how cheap *any* bike is compared to most of what life hands you:
Car payments, mortgage, medical bills, taxes, etc. When you weigh the
health benefits of riding a bike, it's very easy to justify the purchase of
*any* bike, no matter how exotic. You're directly investing in your health
and happiness, which is priceless.

-Barry

"Rick Onanian" > wrote in message
...
> On 13 Aug 2003 05:22:20 -0700, Dave S > wrote:
> > I need help. I am wanting to buy a new comfort bike. I have looked
> > at Giant, Specialized, and Trek. I rode the Trek 200 and 300. I have
> > yet to test the other two. Most of my rides will be around 30 minutes
> > on a paved bike trail. I have never bought a bike shop bike before. Any
> > advise would really be appreciated. Thanks.
>
> You have chosen good brands to try. It's good, also,
> that you are buying from an LBS (local bike shop).
>
> General advice:
> - Fit and comfort is the most important issue.
> If it's not properly fit and comfortable, you
> won't ride it. Not riding it is, of course, no
> good. Make sure the shop fits it to you properly
> before you purchase it; this may require them to
> change out some components to reposition the
> handlebar or saddle; it may require different
> gearing if you will be on extremely flat or very
> hilly land.
>
> - Second, is attractiveness -- for any given bike, look
> at it and see if it makes you want to ride. If it
> doesn't, you probably won't ride it.
>
> - You must also consider service. A shop where you can
> never get an employee's attention is very bad. One
> that can help you soon after you walk in, and is
> patient and educational with you, is good. If the
> technicians are not the salespeople, make sure that
> the technicians are easily accessible.
>
> I'm sure other people will have more to say.
>
> Most of all, enjoy!
>
> --
> Rick Onanian

[Pat]

x-no-archive:yes


This is a good time of year to buy. Local Bike Shops are marking down the
2003 bikes like crazy! You ought to find a whopper of a deal.

Pat in TX