welcome...today is bike chick tip wednesday! okay lets do this....
tip #2 bike hunting!!!
there are tons of places to look for a new or used bike and each caters to a different need.
the bike store is the readily available source and an all in one store. they mostly sell new bikes and new bike parts, have a workroom in the back and sales people on the floor helping with customers. if you want a new bike i would recommend this type of source although i have never bought a new bike... just not my thing...t
he bike shop is a bit different. they have a mix of new and old bikes.. and same goes with parts. this type of shop also has a work room for bike maintenance but to me this is the type of shop that is a local mom and pop type not a chain like a
bike store and i feel you get a more honest answer and help from this type of shop. ..it is also nice to support your local bike shop! stone's located in alaemda is one we have frequented...
another source for bike hunting are non-profit and co-op's. the ones that we have used over and over again in san francisco is
the bike hut which is a non-profit organization located on the embarcadero. this place is awesome and they just got a great new makeover too! you can rent bikes, get extremely great deals on some good bikes as well as parts and they even do repair and will show you how to fix something yourself! the second is called
the bike kitchen. this place is also a non-profit but it is a do it yourself workshop. pay a fee or yearly membership and you can use the work spaces and tools to build your own bike from their spare frames and parts! monitors roam around the work space to help with any questions...a really great tool for those of you looking for a really really awesome challenge!
the bike hut in sf
the bike kitchen in sf
i think one of the best ways to look for a bike is
craigslist. it is easy and you don't even have to leave the comfort of your home. you can spend hours searching for bikes and bike parts on craigslist. it also helps to find out what you are most attracted to in a bike. you are able to email sellers with any questions you have and then make appointments to view the bike in person, where you can test out the bike and ask any additional questions. the only trick to this is sometimes the person selling the bike has no clue what they are selling...this is where this blog will come in handy :D
tomorrow i am in a local craft fair after work...a very long day....wish me luck!!!!!
xo,
cb
