Recommend an online retailer for commuter bikes?
I don’t feel like going in person to a shop.. does anyone have any recommendations for shopping online? I’m looking for a commuter bike to get to and from work and do groceries.
- Last Updated:
- Jun 8th, 2020 12:32 am
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- SCORE0
- Mugen123 [OP]
- Deal Addict
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- Jan 4, 2009
- 2609 posts
- 206 upvotes
- Toronto
13 replies
- Kiraly
- Deal Guru
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- Jan 9, 2011
- 13825 posts
- 17947 upvotes
- Vancouver
I know you don't want to go in person, but seriously you should. Fit is super important if you're going to enjoy your bike, and that's really hard to get right without being able to try the bike out before you buy it.
- smartie
- Deal Guru
- Dec 5, 2006
- 11823 posts
- 6885 upvotes
- Markham
- mollytp
- Newbie
- Jan 3, 2009
- 96 posts
- 35 upvotes
- London
- Mr. Robo
- Deal Addict
- Sep 29, 2004
- 4970 posts
- 1504 upvotes
- Toronto
Usually, the quality of bikes are better at bike shop and it's been put together by more experience mechanics. If you buy the GT bike from Sportchek, after riding around for a couple months and you like, then it's all good. But if you're asking for a more experience advice, most of us here would tell you to go to a bike shop.
- maple1
- Deal Addict
- Jun 27, 2006
- 1880 posts
- 2116 upvotes
Nothing wrong with the bikes themselves, GT makes good ones but more about the assembly of them. It is a general sporting goods store so depending upon the person serving you, their knowledge may not be that great. The people putting the bikes together are generally part-time workers who also may not have as much knowledge or experience as someone in a bike store.
- mollytp
- Newbie
- Jan 3, 2009
- 96 posts
- 35 upvotes
- London
Only downside with the bike stores is you have no clue what stock each store carries as there online catalogues are usually very bare or null.maple1 wrote: ↑ Nothing wrong with the bikes themselves, GT makes good ones but more about the assembly of them. It is a general sporting goods store so depending upon the person serving you, their knowledge may not be that great. The people putting the bikes together are generally part-time workers who also may not have as much knowledge or experience as someone in a bike store.
- Mr. Robo
- Deal Addict
- Sep 29, 2004
- 4970 posts
- 1504 upvotes
- Toronto
Yes, that's true. Most stores are sold out of their mid range to low end bikes. They won't be stocked again till August. Cycling is a boom business this year.
- maple1
- Deal Addict
- Jun 27, 2006
- 1880 posts
- 2116 upvotes
That is true although you can always call them. A friend of mine who has a lot of riding experience and does his own bike repairs as looking at getting a GT a little while back. He wanted to do the assembly himself as he didn't really trust the people there to take the same care that he would but apparently the warranty is void if Sportcheck doesn't do the assembly. An alternative, is to take the bike to a bike store to reassembly the bike or at least look at it. Additional cost and step but just putting it out there.
- Mugen123 [OP]
- Deal Addict
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- Jan 4, 2009
- 2609 posts
- 206 upvotes
- Toronto
What kind of things are there to consider with fit if you don't mind me asking? I thought it was just a matter of how tall you are, but I guess not?
- Kiraly
- Deal Guru
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- Jan 9, 2011
- 13825 posts
- 17947 upvotes
- Vancouver
There are so many variables with frame geometry. Even if each bike you try has standard 2" of stand-over clearance between your crotch and the top tube, different bikes will have different wheelbases (distance between front and rear hubs), chainstay lengths, head and seat tube angles, handlebar positioning limits, and other factors I'm sure I'm forgetting. One bike will feel completely different than another, even if they're built for the same height of rider. And then also consider that different riders of the same height will have different measurements. Long-legs-short-torso, short-legs-long-torso, etc. And then there's riding style. Do you like to go fast and prefer a more aerodynamic, hunched over riding position? Or are you more of a cruiser and like to sit upright? The only sure way to find the right fit is to try different bikes out and see what works for you. A good bike shop will understand all of this and work with you to get it right.
- smartie
- Deal Guru
- Dec 5, 2006
- 11823 posts
- 6885 upvotes
- Markham
Could someone recommend a good used bikes store in Markham, Richmond hill?
When I worked in office before pandemic, I visited ride away bike in dundas and it's pretty good, but now, certainly I don't just drive there for a bike purchase
Thanks
When I worked in office before pandemic, I visited ride away bike in dundas and it's pretty good, but now, certainly I don't just drive there for a bike purchase
Thanks
- willyxjai
- Deal Addict
- Mar 14, 2007
- 3078 posts
- 396 upvotes
- Toronto
I was at their newest location looking for a bike because I wanted something better than your average big box stores, they also had quite a selection of bikes / accessories ( no used bikes ) for sale with their entry level bike starting at $500. If i can recall the bike was a Brodie hybrid which I am not familiar with so if anyone can chime on the brand it would be greatly appreciated. TIA
- antigua1999
- Deal Fanatic
- Jun 11, 2005
- 8575 posts
- 2347 upvotes
- Mississauga
Great advice ty.Kiraly wrote: ↑ There are so many variables with frame geometry. Even if each bike you try has standard 2" of stand-over clearance between your crotch and the top tube, different bikes will have different wheelbases (distance between front and rear hubs), chainstay lengths, head and seat tube angles, handlebar positioning limits, and other factors I'm sure I'm forgetting. One bike will feel completely different than another, even if they're built for the same height of rider. And then also consider that different riders of the same height will have different measurements. Long-legs-short-torso, short-legs-long-torso, etc. And then there's riding style. Do you like to go fast and prefer a more aerodynamic, hunched over riding position? Or are you more of a cruiser and like to sit upright? The only sure way to find the right fit is to try different bikes out and see what works for you. A good bike shop will understand all of this and work with you to get it right.