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Old May 9th 04, 06:16 PM
Mike Jacoubowsky
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Default Bike Stores Endangerd Because of Super Chain Stores?

The frustration people will find with these walmart/discount parts
will lead them to buying decent parts at their LBS.


Maybe. Or perhaps people will think that's normal for bike stuff and decide
cycling's not worth the hassle. That, to me, is the biggest danger. A
whole lot of people think that bikes are toys because... well, because at
*Marts, they are!

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com


"Dale S." wrote in message
m...
I think some of the latest bike products offered by big box stores
will actually push more customers into their LBS. Why? Because
manufacturers are getting so cheap now that they are attempting to
make every part universal. Tires, tubes, etc are sold as "Universal"
now at stores like walmart.

A buddy of mine bought a "universal" mountain bike tire at walmart and
we spent almost an hour trying to get it onto his rim. The damn tire
was made as a universal fit for tires from 1.75 to 2.25. Ever try
squeezing a cheaply made tire onto a much smaller rim than it was
designed for?

The frustration people will find with these walmart/discount parts
will lead them to buying decent parts at their LBS.

(James Lynx) wrote in message

. com...
I am going to start riding again and haven't seriously ridden any
bikes in 20 years when I used to ride my BMX every where. I have been
reading on this newsgroup that people say not to buy from Costco and
other mega stores because the quality of the bikes aren't good, there
is no bike maintence done at these places, and also these stores sell
bikes so low they are a threat to bike store survival.

Are these mega stores really a threat to bike stores? I ask because
so many people here at this newsgroup stay away from chain store
bikes. It seems as if people are still buying from bike shops. Sure
Costco and Toys R Us attracks the casual biker but the bike stores
still appeal to the more serious biker and even to some casual bikers.
Do you really think Costco threatens bike stores survivals? Maybe
the mega stores cut into some of their profits but do they really that
much? I might buy a bike and if I get one I would like to buy it
possibly at Tony's Bike Shop in East LA. I bought my BMX Team
Mongoose there in 1980 when I was 12 and this guy is still open for
business and has good bikes.

Also for the causal biker who doesn't bike that often or that
intensely are the Costco bikes really that bad? I myself want to buy
a bike from a real bike store and also there is a special place in my
heart for Tony's Schwinn (he no longer carries Schwinn but carries the
name) since as noted above my BMX was purchased there in 1980. The
old man was a nice guy and he's even older but still there. I'd like
to give him my business if there is a bike there that fits my needs.



James



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