Best place to buy a bike for a not-too-skilled rider

OK, I've had it. Today I spent a total of about two hours either looking for parking or walking from a far-away parking spot to run errands that didn't need a car but were too far from my house to do on foot. I haven't ridden a bike since mine was stolen in 2002, but obviously I need one.

I'm looking for a place where I can buy a simple bike for a not-too-confident rider. I want a place that won't talk down to me because I'm not in great shape and don't want to do anything other than get from place to place. A place that will answer my stupid questions without making me feel stupid. I don't want to spend more than a few hundred dollars.

Is there such a place? The closer to Clinton Hill/Fort Green/Bed-Stuy, the better.

Thanks!

I don't know where to buy one in those neighborhoods, but I highly recommend getting a good folding bike. It greatly expands your car parking radius and saves a lot of time trying to find somewhere to lock it up. You can even take the damn thing on the subway without annoying the whole train.

Thanks, but I wouldn't be taking it on the subway. It's just for around my neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods. I wouldn't be leaving the borough with it.

Bought a used mountain bike at Bicycle Station on Vanderbilt (and Dean-ish) in Prospect Heights for $150. Nice people and didn't try to upsell me into something I obviously had no use for. The place gets very busy, though.

Thanks! I pass there all the time, but since I'm in a car I never noticed it. :-) They open at noon and I'm going to walk over so that hopefully I can ride my new bike home!

I ended up going to Frank's Bike shop for my bike a few months back. It's at 553 Grand St. in Manhattan near the Williamsburg Bridge. They seemed to have a pretty good amount of used bikes and they seem to have good prices. I bought a brand new road bike for $250 and love it. They know what they are talking about, but didn't talk down to me when it became obvious I wasn't a big biker. Only thing is it isn't in Brooklyn, so that's one part missing.

I've read a lot of great things online about Frank's and if my three top picks in Brooklyn don't work out I will be heading there. But then I would have to drive in order to get the bike back and I'm trying to avoid that. (I'm in no shape - mentally or physically - to ride home from the city.)

The best bike store is Sheepshead Bay Roy's Cycles. On Coney Island ave and Ave X. They are well worth the trip there. You will be glad you went there. Bought a bike there and they gave me a great deal and great service.

Daniel

OK, so I never made it to the bike store today. This is the same kind of laziness that kept me from buying a bike for six years. I will get there tomorrow.

do you want it new or used?
how bout craigslist ?
i just bought mine from craigslist for 200, it's used and foldable. thanks to brooklynians

I really wanted to get it from a bike shop so that they could adjust it, etc. and I would know what I was getting. I just got back a minute ago from Bicycle Station on Vanderbilt near Dean (thanks Danny-O!) with my new bike! They didn't have any used ones in my size but I got a new one for $250 that they put together and tuned up on the spot, and then I rode it around and they adjusted it more. They put on a lock for me and I'm going back tomorrow for a kickstand (they were out).

I can't say enough nice things about this place. I'll be posting more about it later, I have to run!

TARGET!
THEY HAVE GREAT BIKES
For great prices

If you haven't bought your bike yet, try Dixons on Union Street...family owned, they've been there forever, and they're really nice.

Subject: Re: Best place to buy a bike for a not-too-skilled rider

Filming In Brooklyn wrote: OK, I've had it. Today I spent a total of about two hours either looking for parking or walking from a far-away parking spot to run errands that didn't need a car but were too far from my house to do on foot. I haven't ridden a bike since mine was stolen in 2002, but obviously I need one.

I'm looking for a place where I can buy a simple bike for a not-too-confident rider. I want a place that won't talk down to me because I'm not in great shape and don't want to do anything other than get from place to place. A place that will answer my stupid questions without making me feel stupid. I don't want to spend more than a few hundred dollars.

Is there such a place? The closer to Clinton Hill/Fort Green/Bed-Stuy, the better.

Thanks!

You're probably long gone from the nabe but I highly, highly recommend The Bicycle Station. They've moved to the corner of Adelphi and Park Avenue.