Where to buy a bike?
The Troy Bike Rescue
@MindyKB asked via Twitter:
Know any good places for a beginner to buy a bike, preferably a relatively simple, cheap one?
One option might be to start at the Troy Bike Rescue. They often have bikes for "adoption" -- and they can help you learn how to maintain it.
We're betting you have good suggestions for Mindy. Please share!
Bonus Troy Bike Rescue item: TBR has Bike! Bike! Northeast, "a meeting of the minds on all things bicycle culture in the Northeast US," coming up this weekend.
photo: Troy Bike Rescue
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Comments
I want to second the Troy Bike Rescue.
... said Jay Walker on Apr 22, 2010 at 1:20 PM | link
What kind of bikes does Troy Bike Rescue typically have? That's a long way to drive to find out all they've got is a Dora the Explorer special.
... said StanfordSteph on Apr 22, 2010 at 1:23 PM | link
Thanks so much for the tip about Troy Bike Rescue. Now my husband has no excuse not to get one and go pedaling with me!
... said Carey Burden on Apr 22, 2010 at 1:32 PM | link
My wife and I have recently begun searching for bikes as our 6 1/2 year old now knows how to ride and we'd like to be able to go for bike rides with him. We've looked at Target and Toys R Us so far, but would be willing to go to just about any store (except maybe Walmart) to get a bike.
... said JL on Apr 22, 2010 at 1:38 PM | link
I'm all for supporting TBR, but if you're in the market for something a little more upscale (or a nicely refurbed used bike) check out Mad Dog Bicycles on Delaware Ave. in Delmar.
... said Eric on Apr 22, 2010 at 2:44 PM | link
Remember you can also donate your no longer used bikes to Troy Bike Rescue. They will take bikes in good shape or bikes that are kind of beat to use for parts. I have rescued some bikes when kids are my street outgrow their bikes and I drop them off at Troy Bike Rescue.
... said chrisck on Apr 22, 2010 at 2:46 PM | link
TBR is a great effort. But if you want to get a bike that you're going to ride, don't make simple and cheap your only priorities. Make it a bike that fits and that fits your needs. Best way to do that is to visit your local independent bike shop (DownTube, Steiner's, Freeman's Bridge, Blue Sky, as examples). Worst way to do that is to go to a chain store. Even the cheap bikes are going to be better buys at a professional bike store. Tell them how you intend to ride, let them help you find the right bike. And remember that bike shops don't make money on the bikes -- it's almost entirely on the repairs and accessories.
... said CJ on Apr 22, 2010 at 3:17 PM | link
TBR is a good tip. Where else can you get a good used bike and also the knowledge to maintain it?
If new is more your style, check out the following shops - Mad Dog Bikes in Delmar, CK Cycles on Central up by the Northway Mall, Steiners in Glenmont and the Downtube in downtown Albany (full disclosure, I work there Friday late afternoon, usually).
There is also word of two new shops in the area:
*Tomhannock Bicycles. 3149 State Rte 7, Pittstown, NY Ph: 663-0084 1st shop in Renss Co in a while, not including Steiners in Castelton).
*BIke Barn Cycling & Fitness, 299 Ontario st .Cohoes, NY
... said James at 43 on Apr 22, 2010 at 3:31 PM | link
Troy Bike Rescue is in Albany as well! Albany Bike Rescue meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 15 Trinity Pl., just off of Madison.
... said Rohan on Apr 22, 2010 at 6:27 PM | link
I feel like a horrible person for saying this, but I've *never* bought a bike rescue bike... :) I had a friend that worked at Klarsfeld Cycles (a.k.a. CK Cycles) on Central Ave (near Fuller Rd) and also bought a bike at Plaines in/near Schenectady. Apparently Plaines has a low price matching guarantee, which is nifty, though I've not tried to use it... I would just also emphatically state: avoid the big box stores, i.e. Dick's, Walmart, et. al... Unless you want an extra heavy, not so great bike... =D
... said Andy on Apr 23, 2010 at 9:52 AM | link
I second the Bike Barn in Cohoes. I just stopped in there. He's been open for about a week. Nice guy. Check it out!
... said Ryan on Apr 23, 2010 at 2:34 PM | link
Hi!
Thank you so much for covering our shop! We work really hard to make sure that the bikes people adopt from us are going to match their needs. New bikes are awesome too! We just know everyone who wants or needs a bicycle may not be able to afford a lovely new bicycle, but a rebuilt older bicycle is better than one from some big box chain.
... said Carolyn on Apr 26, 2010 at 10:26 AM | link
Carolyn -- or anyone from TBR, do you have an arc welder? I have a great old bike, and the frame broke. Would love to find somewhere to fix it. Any suggestions out there?
... said jess on Apr 30, 2010 at 9:16 AM | link
I've found really great products (bikes and accessories) and had top notch customer service at Plaine and Son in Schenectady, Downtube in Albany, and Tomhannock Bicycles in Pittstown. That pretty much covers the greater part of the Capital Region. And I have to say although I've been to many of them, I haven't been to all of the other shops listed so far on this page.
... said Crystal on May 1, 2010 at 10:26 PM | link
@ jess - it may be a bit of a distance, but Frank Wadelton (aka, Frank The Welder) is a top notch welder/metal worker/bike frame maker, was inducted into the MTB Hall of Fame a few years back and lives about 2 hrs from Albany, outside of Brattleboro, VT. He is friendly & super knowledgeable.
http://www.frankthewelder.com
... said James at 43 on May 3, 2010 at 10:29 AM | link