Hello World!

    My name is Isaiah and I'm here to introduce to you to our NEW Chico Bike & Board Blog and hopefully coming soon a Vlog! Here we're going to talk all things bikes, skating and scootering. So come join us for the adventure and join the conversation.

Ever wonder what a day to day in your LBS (Local Bike Shop) is like? Ever wonder things we come across? Ever wonder how to curtain things on your bicycle, skateboard or scooter work? Well look no further your in at a shop is here! Let's roll and start with the basics.

How to Shop for a New Bicycle

By: Brian Daellenbach, Owner of CB&B

   

First of all, when shopping for a bike it is not so much the bike brand that counts as much as the bike shop that sells it. The rule of thumb is if it’s in a bike shop that services the bikes they sell, a shop that has a reputable repair department, and that’s been around more than 5 years, it’s going to be a good quality bike.

In short, the quality of the bike mirrors the quality of the bike shop.

With the above in mind the only real variables to look for are in the bike shop itself. How well trained, helpful and knowledgeable are the staff? How long have they been in business? This is an indicator of their integrity and how high their ethics level is. Shops that don’t give their customers good advice and service don’t generally withstand the test of time.

You should feel comfortable with the atmosphere of the bike shop. Is it clean? Are the displays thoughtfully laid out and easy to navigate? Is there a good selection? How are the prices? Can you ask questions without feeling uneasy or self conscious? 

Also, look for a bike shop that will take care of you rather than a bike brand. Typically bike shops that sell those major brands are beholden to those corporations. Specialized and Trek can demand a bike shop devote up to 80% of their floor space to their brand as a requirement to carry the line, especially in highly competitive markets. They'll tell the shop what to sell and give them quotas. They'll even tell them which brands they're not allowed to sell as they don't want to share floor space with a smaller less recognizable brand that may offer a better value. Therefore one should be wary of the advice given by these establishments to some degree as it may be influenced by the pressure to meet those quotas instead of what's really in the customer's best interests. 

You should also stay away from sporting goods stores that claim to have bike shops in them. They're not bike shops. They're sporting goods stores that sell bikes. BIG difference. Just my two cents.

Things You Can Look For When You’re Ready to Choose a Bike.

The Rattle Test

Pick the bike up about an inch or two above the ground with one hand holding the saddle and the other holding the handlebars. Let it drop to the ground. The sound should be a thud with no rattles or clanging/Tapping sounds Sometimes a chain hitting a chain guard is acceptable but any other sound you hear should be traced to its cause, most likely a loose part or accessory.

The Brake Test

Squeeze both brake levers and gently rock the bike forward and backwards. Do the brakes feel mushy or do they engage firmly and smoothly? Do you feel a “clunk when you hit the front brake? Mushy and clunky are not good signs.

Visual Inspection

Have a look at the bike. Is it clean or dusty and greasy? Are the tires discolored? (That’s a sign it’s been sitting for a while and the sales person may be motivated to negotiate on the price.) Are the tires properly inflated? Give them a good hard pinch. If they seem a bit low, have the shop person check them prior to a test ride.

Bike Fit

Does the sales person take the time to do a few adjustments to make sure the bike ride will be a comfortable one for you? Trying to ride an incorrectly fitted or sized bike can be unsafe. If anything feels off, be sure to mention it.

Shifting/Test Ride

Shifting should be smooth and crisp with no hesitation or clanking noises. Braking should be crisp and responsive. The bike should feel rigid, sturdy and comfortable underneath you with all handlebar controls within easy reach. The saddle should be comfortable and support even weight distribution as much as possible.

Keeping the above basics in mind will go far to ensure you are happy with your bike shopping experience and that you will continue to love and ride your bicycle as often as possible