You heart your bike. We heart you. Send us pics of your favorite rides and we’ll put ‘em up for all the Internet to see. Just keep ‘em under 800×600 pixels and make ‘em jpegs so us bike types don’t have to work too hard getting your photos up on the site.
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Alan - That British Bloke
The other day I was idly surfing the online catalog of a well-known BigBoxMart* store and decided to look at what was on offer in the way of bicycles. I was rather taken aback to find even adult bicycles in the TOY section of the store, although on reflection I suppose I had no reason to be surprised at all.
So – you’re going to buy a car. Where do you go? The toy-store obviously …
One of the most frequent questions we get asked in the bike store is, “Why does this child’s bike you’re offering cost $210, when I can get one in BigBoxMart for $60?”
Remember, BigBoxMart sells “bicycles” in its toy department! And I’m not just talking children’s bikes … I’m talking adult cycles too.
Halter’s is a bicycle shop. We sell bicycles. We do not sell toys!
BigBoxMart … it kind of looks like a bike … what are your expectations? PS: That’s our red arrow …
A bike shop quality child’s bicycle is designed and built from the same components full size bicycles are constructed from with no compromise for quality or safety.
A bike shop does not regard a bicycle as a toy. It’s a transportation device designed and built up to meet a specification which can be ridden safely and without failure on the nation’s roads and by-ways.
The bicycle will be built of quality components which will remain serviceable for many years. And even then replacement parts will continue to be available.
A toy is built down to a price point. After all, it only has to look like a bike … sort of …
So here’s another top ten question, “The wheel on my child’s PinkFairy/BlueSuperHero bike is bent. Can you fix it?”
Okay, now it’s turn for one of our questions. “Why don’t you go back to BigBoxMart and ask them to fix it?”
I guess we know the answer to that one, right?
“Well, this wheel has no serviceable parts on it. I mean, it only looks like a wheel. It’s a toy wheel after all. A replacement wheel will be around $40 plus labor.”
“But the bike only cost $50!!!”
“It’s not a bike. It’s a toy. Our replacement wheel is a quality bicycle component which will not bend or fail.”
We love our customers to come back and see us, but not if it’s because they’re going to complain about some shoddy part we sold them which was bound to fail.
But let’s assume you’ve brought in your adult bicycle purchased from a toy store, erm … I meant BigBoxMart. It needs tuning and a couple of replacement parts. Okay, I’ve dealt with the cost of them, but it also requires adjustment to enable it to ride efficiently and safely.
Here’s a bike shop trade secret; it takes much longer to service and adjust a cheap, nasty, BigBoxMart toy bike than the most expensive and sophisticated bike store bought bicycle. The bike store bought bicycle will be built by skilled and experienced mechanics, have bike industry quality parts which are well-designed, durable and quickly and accurately adjustable which will stay in tune and last.
The toy bike will be assembled by some kid after school, from non-standard parts, frequently leave the BigBoxMart with stripped threads, bent and broken components before you’ve even ridden it, plus major assembly issues like having the fork on back-to-front, which makes for a dangerously unstable bike and similar safety issues. There is little scope for accurate adjustment and even then the work may only last half-way though your next ride. And you still want us to fix this?
If you’re in the market for a bicycle, for yourself or a family member get on down to your local bike shop and get some advice about purchasing a safe, quality bike which is unlikely to have issues, but if it does, the bike shop will address for you. Shop around for sure, but if you want a safe, quality bicycle, then buy from a local bike shop.
Feel free to buy a toy bike from the toy shop, but don’t be surprised when your local bike shop quotes an economic price for a safe, quality repair or service.
In reality, if you’re a conscientious parent who maintains your child’s bicycle a cheap toy will cost you as much in the long run as a quality child’s bicycle, except it’s going to spend a lot of time in the workshop.
Support your local bike shop!!!
Toy? Or real bicycles from Giant and Cannondale
*BigBoxMart is a figment of English Al’s imagination and bears no similarity to any large, discount warehouse type shops you might be thinking of … no really …
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Alan - That British Bloke
It’s just like riding a bike … you never forget. Well that’s not always true …
It’s not just children who want to learn to ride a bike …
Whether you just want your child to learn to ride in a structured setting or you’re an adult who never learned to ride a bike or just need a confidence boost, this could be for you:
http://wwbpa.org/2013/04/learn-to-bike-at-the-farmers-market-may-18/
… adults need a boost too
The WWBPA funds Share the Road signs and bicycle racks, holds an annual community bike ride, and develops educational programs.
The WWBPA was established in January 2006 and is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization. All memberships and contributions are tax-deductible.
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Alan - That British Bloke
Time to try a Giant …
Ride Life Ride Giant Demo @ Six Mile Run State Park
Six Mile Run State Park – 2298 Lincoln Hwy, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
9:00am-2:00pm
Road and mountain bikes will be available at this Demo
The Demo will take place at Six Mile Run State Park, NOT at the bike shop.
Halter’s Cycles 4095 US 1 #38, South Brunswick, NJ, 08852
732-329-9022
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Buying a road bicycle is a commitment by you, but also from us. Most road rides will be 2-3 hours and even more so fit is critical. A professional bike fit makes sure that your purchase provides the most appropriate, efficient and comfortable cycling experience within your budget and requirements.
Leisure cyclist or performance rider – everyone will benefit from a well fitted bike
Every drop-bar, road-based bicycle – including touring, triathlon and cyclo-cross bikes – purchased from Halter’s is finalized by a fitting session with one of our expert bike fitters, Jason or Don.
So, what’s involved?
Bring your usual cycling clothes and shoes. If you need cycling apparel you can choose at the store and if you’ve never considered a clipless pedaling system, now might be the time.
The bike is held on a training stand while it is tailored to your needs
A good fit starts from the feet and clipless pedals enable you to locate your feet consistently in the most comfortable and efficient position. If you’re nervous about that clipped in feeling, or you’re just wondering if it’s right for you, try them out while the bike is safely locked in the stand and you have a little time to practice.
After establishing the correct seat height and fore-and-aft position we’ll start work on working out the correct reach to the handle-bars for you. This is dependent on your general flexibility and style of riding.
This may involve swapping the stem to get the correct reach and the handle-bars to ensure your chest isn’t either constricted or uncomfortably wide.
Generally, at each stage components will be swapped out for ones of equal value, but if you have particular requirements, such as a more comfortable saddle or carbon-fiber handle-bars, there will be an extra charge.
As well as feeling more comfortable you will also gain poise and control
After a few tweaks the bike will be in a condition for a short ride around the neighborhood of the shop. You will be accompanied by your bike fitter who will note your stance and make sure it matches your riding style.
If you’ve never ridden a road bike before they will also coach you on technique, such as gear selection and operation and getting your feet out of clipless pedals – not as intimidating as you might think.
During this process you will learn a lot about your new bike, but also about yourself.
Thanks to Mandi for helping us with this article
There’ll be no right or wrong. It will be whatever you think is best for you.
Halter’s philosophy is that it essential to get the right size bike that is adapted completely to you and one upon which you feel completely comfortable and confident. We’re not the sort of bike shop where you look in and walk out of the store ten minutes later with an ill-fitting road bike. It’s not good for you, and it’s not good for us.
Whether you’re new to road bikes, or an old hand, you’ll need to reserve a couple of hours and make an appointment. Call 732 329 9022 to arrange a time.
Bike fits are also available for your current bike. Call Halter’s for details.
If you’re seeking information on other topics click on any item in Halter’s Tag Cloud in the right hand column of this blog …
Alan - That British Bloke
… Or “showrooming” sucks … Support your Local Bike Shop.
Shop Local …
“The other day I was at my neighborhood bike shop when I saw this schmucky looking dude trying on some cycling shoes. I too was checking out shoes, but only ones that were on sale because, well, I’m a cheapskate. After trying on three pairs of spendy carbon sole shoes, Schmuck seemed to find a pair he liked. So instead of putting the shoes in the box and walking to the register, he pulled out his smartphone and took a picture of the shoebox …”
Read on with The Angry Singlespeeder
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Alan - That British Bloke
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