Buying a 'Bike-in-a-box' from a shop vs a built bike from a bike shop?

Question

Hi I am going to buy a bike and I am interested in 3 bikes one from

-argos
-Toys R Us
-Local Bike shop

what is the main differene from buying a 'Bike in a box' vs from a bike shop ? please explain in detail.

What should I consider when buying a bike ?

I was thinking this bike out of argos -because of full suspension price £89.99

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3321085.htm

this one from Toys R Us because of-price full suspension and disc brakes price £99.99

http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Product.aspx/TruHome/TruBikesWheeledGoods/TruBikesWheeledGoodsMens/TruBikesWheeledGoodsMens26InchWheel/73002

and this one because I imagine it'd be better quality and the bike shop said thet would put 'Hybrid' tyres which would be better for road/pavement use (is this a good idea?)
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bikes/mountain/223/15040/
is there anything else I shop consider ?
which one of these bikes would be best ? or does anyone know anything better?

Sorry for such a long and rambling post but Thanks for an advice :)

Answer 1

It depends on what you are after.
Assembling a regular city or hybrid bike is something a person with some technical insight can handle without too much hassle. If you are talking about a sporting mountain bike or a race bike I'd advise you stick to a specialised bike shop (specialised in sports bikes) a sports bike requires first of all that you have a frame that fits your measurements. second of all the brakes and gears require a lot of fine tuning something even a regular bike mechanic is not into. Third of all it needs to be fitted with the proper components (e.g. tyres and chain etc.) Believe me when I say that even a regular bike shop can often not help you with this (they prefer to sell you the bike in stock not suited to you instead of ordering another t suit you.) if it's a good bike you want get it from a good shop don't buy a box.

Answer 2

Dont buy a bike from argos or toys r us, especially full suspension ones for that price, you'l get better quality if you spend that much money on a bike which isn't laden with gimmicks in order t try and sell the bike ie crap suspension and cheap components. The suspension will be terrible you mentioned a disc brake, on a bike of this price its simply not worth it, again a gimmick. Goto a proper bike shop or even halfords you can pick up good bikes for around £100 that can be assembled by professionals. If your adament you want a bike with full suspension and disc brakes that is any good spend at the very least £300. Hybrids can be picked up for around £100 also and if you'l be doing a lot of road riding this will be perfect, lower rolling resistance and faster rolling speeds, also suspension can dissipate energy through the shocks so you find yourself bouncing rather than going forward, and the added weight of a full sus will make hills a struggle.

Answer 3

From your choices I would go for the Giant. The other bikes with theire suspension and all are not the best for pavement riding, plus the low price is a sign of poor quality.
Go to a good bike shop and ask. Let them know what type or riding you have in mind and hear what the have to say and offer.

Here is a web page that could help you out:
www.ctc.org.uk
(Check out the "What I need" and "Bikes and bits sections")

Answer 4

Hello!...I´m 50 years old and had more than 30 bikes.
Some of them where self assembled.My family uses them.
It may be a good or a bad experience to put hands on the box one but it will always give you a strong background for a further shop´s labor and service supervision.
After such an attempt you may become a master or not but you will surely be a better customer. Be a valiant...
Let the shop eventually know about the matter!... Remember the Chinese essay ..."If I ask , I play the stupid for five minutes...If I do not, I play the stupid all my life" . After all, you will get many friends and ride long enough for get closer to any answer you need. I wish you all the best! Gabriel

Answer 5

I would definitely go with the Giant from a shop that can build up your bike right. Some will offer free adjustments 30 days after purchase. Bike shop will also take time to find the right size for you and adjust the bike so it fits you better.

Full-suspension on bikes this inexpensive are pretty worthless and just make your bike heavier to ride.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Stick with the bike shop. I'm not familiar with argos, but most Toys R Us bikes are junk. If you plan on doing any amount of riding, you'll be replacing it within a year. The bike shop bike may be more expensive, but you get what you pay for. Plus with a bike shop, they are trained professionals and will stand behind their product. And most bike shops offer a free 30-day tune ups.

Answer 7

I would forget about full suspension bikes for that price range. While they sound nice on paper, they won't perform that way. Full suspension is a great stuff when it is properly designed with the right shocks. But at that price, it won't perform well, it will likely bob a lot (not be efficient) and weight a lot.

The Giant seems better bike, will perform better on pavement, and will likely be noticeable lighter than the full suspension ones.

Answer 8

Cheap bike = heavy, weak, poorly built, crappy components, no warranty and no service contract. Built by some weed-smoking stockboy with vice grips and a bottle opener at a store that couldn't give a crap about you and only offers bikes in one size.

Bike shop = friendly, helpful people that will get you the CORRECT bike in the correct size. One that's built by professionals that love bikes. People that know how to adjust derailleurs, headsets, and wheels. A bike that comes with at least one year if not a lifetime warranty, and most shops now offer free adjustments & tune-ups for at least a year.

In the time it takes for you to buy four of your cheap specials, you will have spent twice as much as if you would have just bought the GOOD bike at a REAL shop.

Answer 9

Motorbike In A Box

Answer 10

i would stick to a bike shop built bike. people in bikeshops know what they are doing and woun't lie to you. when ever i have trouble building bicycles i go to a bike shop for advice, but when your constructing a bike out of a box, let the pro's do it. one little mistake could be your last. it may cost more, but it will save your time and some frusturization
good luck