Looking for advice on Bicycle purchase

[Freefaller]

My wife and I are looking to purchase new bicycles for ourselves. we'd like to take advantage of all the great places to ride and get some exercise at the same time. We're not looking for anything to elaborate but are willing to spend a little more money to get a reliable piece of equipment. Where is a good place to shop for these? What kind of money should I figure on spending? Any advice is welcome!

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

Walmart and Target have nice collection of bikes, so does Dicks. Walmart proably has the most. If you go to Bike Doctor in Waldorf plan to spend some money.

I was in the Walmart in California over the weekend and there was a very nice looking bike, and it was only $99, had several speeds and thats all I could tell you about it, but it looked nice, wish maybe they had it a couple years back when the Mrs and I got our bikes. I didnt want anything fancy just something to ride on the bike trail and light weight. So we just got a couple old plane Jane's, ($89) old persons bike and they have given us lots of pedeling miles so far.

 

[kom526]

Mike's Bikes on GMR
or
Bike Doctor in Waldorf

Either place will "fit" you for your bike and make recommendations based on what type of surface you'll be riding on, ride frequency, and ergonomics. Plan on spending at least $200 per bike.

 

[Catman2]

Mike's Bikes on GMR
or
Bike Doctor in Waldorf

Either place will "fit" you for your bike and make recommendations based on what type of surface you'll be riding on, ride frequency, and ergonomics. Plan on spending at least $200 per bike.

TRY to avoid Walmart.....Dick's will have sales.....I doubt if Bike Dr even has a $200 bike.

 

[bulldog]

My wife and I are looking to purchase new bicycles for ourselves. we'd like to take advantage of all the great places to ride and get some exercise at the same time. We're not looking for anything to elaborate but are willing to spend a little more money to get a reliable piece of equipment. Where is a good place to shop for these? What kind of money should I figure on spending? Any advice is welcome!

Define the bold statement a little better and you'll get more specific help.

Mikes on GMR has already been mentioned and I bought a 21 speed road bike (Fuji) from him about 8 years ago. I still ride it and it has held up well. If I remember correctly, it was about $400.00, but again, that was 8 years ago.

I have never been to the Bike Doctor, but several friends really like their selection and service.

There is also Patuxent Adventure Center (PAC) over in Solomon's. They have a good selection, but most are higer end stuff.

To be sure, get a bike that fits you well and then have someone who knows what they are doing fine tune / adjust it so that it fits you perfectly. Makes all the difference.

Good Luck.

 

[aps45819]

If you want to exercise, buy a cheap, heavy, single speed bike with coaster brakes and don't wear any drag reducing clothing when you ride. Spending more on a bike will make it easier to get from point "A" to point "B", but it does that by requiring less effort on your part.

 

[bcp]

Look at wal-mart, then go look at actual bike stores, you will find that places like the big box stores have bikes that are once size fits all, but at the bike stores you will find that the sales people are more interested in getting a good fit for you.
I properly sized bike can make the difference between hurting after a modest ride and feeling like you could keep going.

Full suspension is pretty nice, but you do have to get used to the way it feels when you push the pedal and some of the force goes to the spring/shock instead of the wheel.

 

[LPMEDIC]

Mikes

Definitely recommend Mikes on Great Mills Rd, he gave me a great package deal on 2 bikes and helmets last summer. Have made several purchases and he gives lifetime adjustments.

 

[GopherM]

Definitely recommend Mikes on Great Mills Rd, he gave me a great package deal on 2 bikes and helmets last summer. Have made several purchases and he gives lifetime adjustments.

I got my wife a Fuji Sunfire from Mike a couple of years ago. She has put over 1000 miles on it so far and still loves it. Mike is a character and a good guy and really takes care of what he sells and the people that do business with him.

 

[Gilligan]

Definitely recommend Mikes on Great Mills Rd, he gave me a great package deal on 2 bikes and helmets last summer. Have made several purchases and he gives lifetime adjustments.

I was going to post that same comment... Been trusting Mike for 'good' bikes for a long time.

 

[StadEMS3]

It's definatelty worth it to spend a little extra money on a bike that fits you. I've bought my last few bikes from the Bike Doctor in Waldorf. Before that I bought at Mikes in Waldorf, then they closed up shop. (I didn't know they moved to GMR, will have to check them out)

If your going to stay mostly on paved or smooth trails then I wouldn't go for a full suspension bike. I have rigid rear with front shocks ($800) and it suites me well at St. Mary's River trails and the paved rail trails. Full suspension bikes get expensive fast.

 

[Freefaller]

Thanks everyone

Please keep your ideas coming. I love reading your thoughts. A little more clarification, we plan on riding mostly on paved trails and roads. We're not really looking for the "off road" or mountain biking thing.
Does anyone have experience with a bike called the "landrider"? It has some type of Auto Transmission that shifts by itself. They also make a model for guys my size. Please chime in if you have any knowledge about this bike.

I guess I'll be checking out the Bike Doctor in Waldorf and Mikes on GM Road.

 

[onel0126]

Please keep your ideas coming. I love reading your thoughts. A little more clarification, we plan on riding mostly on paved trails and roads. We're not really looking for the "off road" or mountain biking thing.
Does anyone have experience with a bike called the "landrider"? It has some type of Auto Transmission that shifts by itself. They also make a model for guys my size. Please chime in if you have any knowledge about this bike.

I guess I'll be checking out the Bike Doctor in Waldorf and Mikes on GM Road.

Do yourself a huge favor. Go to the Bike Doctor in Waldorf. Talk to Chris or Theresa and tell them what you are looking for. They WILL NOT sell you something you don't need. They will also do a fitting. Yes a fitting. They will tell you based on your height, weight, and a whole host of other measurements which brand/model/geometry fits YOU specifically. This is very important in order for you to get the full enjoyment out of your bike by avoiding pain and injury. Good luck.

 

[NTNG]

Bought 2 Fuji bikes from Mike's on GMR. I have been very happy with the bikes, as well as the service after the sale. FYI, Mike also does a turkey drive and food stuff give away each Thanksgiving. He's a good guy, gives back to the community.

 

[Terrid76]

I strongly recommend Mike's on Great Mills Road. He's been there for years and really cares about his customers. He pretty much won't sell you a bike if it's not right for you. He will service it forever and generally is interested in more than just a sale.

On a side note: Mike not only does a Christmas drive and spearheads an effort to get low income families all over St Mary's county a Christmas dinner, he sponsors a group of kids from low income families/single parent families for BMX racing. He takes them racing every week at Chaptico park and takes them to several national level races each year. He does not get paid for this, he just wants to give these kids something positive in their lives. He also will hire some of these kids to work in his store.

 

[bcp]

Bought 2 Fuji bikes from Mike's on GMR. I have been very happy with the bikes, as well as the service after the sale. FYI, Mike also does a turkey drive and food stuff give away each Thanksgiving. He's a good guy, gives back to the community.

My road bike is a Fuji, love it. Long distance is no problem at all on that bike. have even rode in the mountains with it.

 

[LordStanley]

Please keep your ideas coming. I love reading your thoughts. A little more clarification, we plan on riding mostly on paved trails and roads. We're not really looking for the "off road" or mountain biking thing.
Does anyone have experience with a bike called the "landrider"? It has some type of Auto Transmission that shifts by itself. They also make a model for guys my size. Please chime in if you have any knowledge about this bike.

I guess I'll be checking out the Bike Doctor in Waldorf and Mikes on GM Road.

If you're not looking to do the Lance Armstrong thing, and dont want a mountain bike, then I would go with a hybrid.

 

[goughrmak]

No one has mentioned Patuxent Adventure Center in Solomon's. Like Bike Dr, you won't find a "cheap" bike there, but they will find out what you want/need, and fit a bike to you. Just like Bike Dr, they also have free lifetime tune-ups. They have quality bikes. STAY AWAY from Wal-Mart/Target. They are cheap in every way.

 

[Gilligan]

STAY AWAY from Wal-Mart/Target. They are cheap in every way.

And, as I've discovered, they are usually a good bit heavier than the higher quality bikes.

 

[kom526]

It's definatelty worth it to spend a little extra money on a bike that fits you. I've bought my last few bikes from the Bike Doctor in Waldorf. Before that I bought at Mikes in Waldorf, then they closed up shop. (I didn't know they moved to GMR, will have to check them out)

If your going to stay mostly on paved or smooth trails then I wouldn't go for a full suspension bike. I have rigid rear with front shocks ($800) and it suites me well at St. Mary's River trails and the paved rail trails. Full suspension bikes get expensive fast.

Different Mike