How Do You Tell if a bike is from retail or actual bike shop

[SpeedBikeNut32]

I know some bikes come from retails like Walmart, and some others from quality shops. But my question is how do you tell one bike is from retail? And how do you tell if the other is from a bike shop? I also read a few months ago these two different buying choices have slight differences in its quality. Is that true?

[elmore leonard]

I would say on the cheaper bikes, under $200, there may not be much difference between them. But you do get good service included at most bike shops.. If you know what good quaklty bike parts look like you will notice they are seldom on the cheap bike store or big box store bikes from my observations.

[SpeedBikeNut32]

(01-20-2015, 08:10 PM)elmore leonard Wrote:  I would say on the cheaper bikes, under $200, there may not be much difference between them. But you do get good service included at most bike shops.. If you know what good quaklty bike parts look like you will notice they are seldom on the cheap bike store or big box store bikes from my observations.

The ones under $200 are retail bought? And $1,000 and over are bike shop bought? Is that what you're trying to say?

[elmore leonard]

(01-20-2015, 08:12 PM)SpeedBikeNut32 Wrote:  

(01-20-2015, 08:10 PM)elmore leonard Wrote:  I would say on the cheaper bikes, under $200, there may not be much difference between them. But you do get good service included at most bike shops.. If you know what good quaklty bike parts look like you will notice they are seldom on the cheap bike store or big box store bikes from my observations.

The ones under $200 are retail bought? And $1,000 and over are bike shop bought? Is that what you're trying to say?

no i wasn't saying that. there are lots of real good bikes in many bike stores around $450.

[nfmisso]

do your homework; get to know what kinds of components, such as rear derailleurs, come on different kinds of bikes. Look at how the frame is made, the assembly method used (welding, brazing, lugs, bonding, etc), the frame material (which specific aluminum or steel alloy, carbon, titanium, etc).

[DaveM]

Big box retail generally sells lower end bikes (<$400?) while bike shops sell pretty much everything. There is some crossover and I've seen certain brands available in both. So there's no way to know for sure.

There is no difference in quality of the bikes themselves (assuming you're talking comparable bikes). But there is often a difference in how well the bike is assembled and how well it will be taken care of after the sale. Buying from a bike shop is no absolute guarantee that they know what they're doing. But I wouldn't take anything bought at a big box retail store out on the road without a careful inspection first.