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Q. Why should I buy my bike at The Bicycle Wheel?
A. Value. Our philosophy at The Bicycle Wheel is to offer you the best brands at the best price. While it's never smart to pay too much for a bike or product, it's equally unwise to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money once; when you pay too little, you lose a lot of money over time.
We cater to beginning cyclists as well as experienced riders and are experts at matching up the type of riding you will be doing with the best bike for your particular needs and budget. Our staff will help you choose the bike that is right for you and assist you in sizing it up to your particular riding style. What's more, our bikes are all professionally assembled so you can be sure your new bike is ready to ride when you leave with it.
Friendly Service. At our shop, you won't get the attitude you sometimes find at other bike shops. Our goal is to effectively answer your questions and to educate you on what it is you are considering purchasing. Along those lines, we pride ourselves on being women-friendly, family-friendly and beginner friendly. Haven't ridden a bike in years? No problem. We'll test ride with you if you'd like us to. We've even taught some adult customers how to ride a bike for the first time.
The point is, you know you can feel comfortable asking questions and learning about cycling without the annoyance of someone talking down to you.
Follow-up after the Sale . We stand behind every product we carry. In addition to the manufacturer's warranty, every new bike we sell comes with lifetime free adjustments on cables and bearing surfaces. What's more, we do our very best to take care of you while you wait. Just stopping in to have a minor adjustment? No need to leave it with us for three weeks like at some other shops. If we can't do it for you on the spot, we'll usually have it ready later that same day.
Q.
Why should I take my bike to The Bicycle Wheel for repairs? Expertise
. Scott Jones, owner of The Bicycle Wheel, brings a wealth of experience to the job. Scott has over 15 years of bicycle industry experience having worked as a mechanic, service manager and store manager over the years. Scott and his staff work on all makes and models of bikes. Value.
With so many levels of service, we have structured our repairs so you pay for only what you need. Our shop is completely visible to you, our customer, so you will know exactly what parts and components are being used on your bike. We strive to offer the best service at the best price.
Q.
Does The Bicycle Wheel sell used bikes or do trade ins?
Unlike cars, used bikes are rarely a value and more times than not wind up costing their new owner more money in the long run than a comparable new bike. Mass market bikes are not really a good value when new, so beware of them if they are used. From a store's perspective used bikes tend to be a safety liability and a huge headache if a bike turns out to be stolen. Typically, the best outlet for finding and selling used bikes is online. A fair price for a bike that is in excellent riding condition is half of what that bike sold for new.
Q.
I have an old bike that's been sitting in my garage for a few years. What do I need to do to get it up and running again? Is it even worth fixing?
Typically, if a bike has been sitting for several years we look for wear and dry rot on anything that is rubber - tires, tubes, rim strips and brake pads. We also check your chain for wear, since chains wear out over time and can cause expensive damage to the drive train if they are not changed out regularly. Our policy is to be as thorough as possible and to give you a complete estimate when you leave. We never go over the estimate without calling you first. The typical turnaround time for a tune-up is 1 to 5 days depending on our repair volume.
Q.
How often should I get a tune-up?
Q.
Are there some basic maintenance procedures that I can do myself?
We are always willing to share what we know, so feel free to ask us if there is something you are unsure of or something you would like to learn to do yourself. We also sell bicycle maintenance books that teach simple mechanic skills in an easy-to-follow format and we periodically teach bike maintenance clinics based on The Park Tool SchoolŪ format. Like most things, once you master the basics, it is easier to learn the hard stuff.
Q.
I bought a bike on-line and it came delivered partially assembled. Do you guys assemble bikes that are not purchased from your store?
When you drop your bike off for assembly, we will take it out of the box and be sure that there are no missing parts and that there is no damage to the bike. If you need additional parts, we let you know up front what they are and the cost. Please allow 10 minutes or so for us to check the bike in and fill out a ticket. The typical turnaround time for an assembly of this nature is 1 to 3 days depending on our repair volume.
Q.
Is The Bicycle Wheel a franchise?
We have a well thought out look, logo, website, and nice looking display materials. We're also detail oriented and pay close attention to every aspect of our image. That shows in the way our shop looks and in the way we treat our customers. One problem with many chain stores, concept stores and franchises is poor inventory and product representation. When you shop at The Bicycle Wheel, you don't have to drive all over town to get what you need. It's all under one roof. Another problem with many chains is that as their business organization gets larger, the focus becomes geared toward opening more stores and squeezing out as much profit as possible. You pay a penalty in the way of higher prices and inconsistent service. At The Bicycle Wheel, you'll get consistently great service and no pressure to buy. Sure, we'd love to sell you a bike, but we'll gladly spend time with you and answer your questions even if you are just looking. That's what we're here for. You see, our "concept" is to create loyal customers through consistently great service and a fun atmosphere. So, sorry, franchises are not available. And never will be.
Q.
Why don't you open on Sunday?
Q.
What's the difference between bikes that you sell and those at the big box discounters? They look the same. Mass market bikes are cheaper because they come in only one size (yes, bikes are supposed to fit you - it makes them more comfortable to ride), use cheap parts that are heavy and don't hold an adjustment very long. Most importantly, they are not assembled using the proper tools nor or they assembled by trained mechanics. What many folks don't realize is that bicycles come to retailers unassembled and need to be put together properly. Assembling bikes is not rocket science, but like any profession it requires a core level of knowledge to be competent. The point is you get what you pay for when it comes to most products. With bikes that is magnified. Cheap bikes are not bargains - they're unsafe money pits. We routinely see $80 bikes that need $100 or more of service. What most folks don't realize until it's too late is that cheap bikes require more time to work on than a bike shop quality bike due to sloppy tolerances and poor quality control and many times will cost more to repair than what the bike sold for new. Usually, they still don't run great after being repaired because the components used have poor machining and are inferior to begin with. Trust us - that full suspension mountain bike is really not the sweet deal you're being led to believe. There's a reason it's only 80 bucks. So go to the super cheap mega mart for cases of toilet paper and 10-lb tubs of mayonnaise, but leave the bicycle stuff to the pros. You'll save a lot more money in the long run.
Q.
How do I get my child to ride a bike without training wheels?
1. Choose a safe relatively flat area that is free of obstacles. Of course, pick a spot where street traffic isn't a concern.
2. Lower your child's bike seat so that they can comfortably put their feet flat on the ground. 3. With a properly fitted bicycle helmet, have your child sit on the bike with their hands on the handlebar.
4. Have your child "walk" with the bike while still sitting on the seat. They can either go one leg at a time or use a "frog type" of push, where both feet push together (at the same time).
5. As the bike goes forward, encourage your child to coast a little bit by picking their feet up from the ground. If they feel like they are going to fall, they can quickly put their feet down and avoid injuring themselves. Once they feel comfortable doing this, try repeating on a slight downgrade.
We've taught many children and even a few adults how to ride using this method. Since the rider can quickly put their foot down if they feel that they are going to fall, they are firmly in control of the learning process, unlike the "old school" method of mom or dad running alongside the new rider with their hand on the seat and then letting go.
Q.
Do you ever run any specials or have sales?
Occasionally, we'll order something that sits on our floor too long and we'll mark it down a few bucks, but mainly we stick with bikes and accessories that our customers want at a price that allows us to pay our employees a good wage and keep our doors open. Shop around; you'll find that our prices are reasonable. Every now and then we'll get beat on price. But we'll never get beat on service.
Q.
I used to love riding my bike when I was a kid, but when I ride my bike now it's very uncomfortable. Why are bikes so uncomfortable to ride?
If your bike is uncomfortable for any reason, we can solve your problem. We help by properly fitting you to your bike and making recommendations on how to get the most comfort from it. Whether you are competing or just riding with the kids around the neighborhood, your bike needs to be comfortable. Q.
I see bikes that come with 24 speeds or more- why do I need all those gears?
Now, let's look at a bike. Single-speed bikes that have only one gear are much more difficult to ride than bikes with multiple speeds. They may be fine if you are riding at a constant speed along a road that is flat. But in reality, that's not what happens. Terrain changes, your speed changes and the wind changes direction.
The more gears you have to choose from, the easier and more enjoyable it is to ride and, more importantly, the less wear and tear on the "engine"...your legs. By learning to use all of the gears on your bike and by keeping up the "RPM's" (revolutions per minute), your legs will be fresher and you'll feel more comfortable on your bike.
Q.
How do I use the gears? What's the best way to shift my gears when I am riding?
Secondly, bikes do not shift like cars do. Bikes don't have a "first" gear or a "second" gear. The gears are there so that you have a variety to choose from as you ride over various terrains and through various conditions.
So, when do you shift? When your legs feel tired and when you are pedaling too slowly. A lot of times you see folks riding a bike in the highest gear they have. They are slowly pedaling...and gradually wearing down their legs. The key is to keep your pace steady and to choose a gear that allows you to comfortably maintain that pace. Q.
I'm just riding around the neighborhood and not racing or anything. Do I need a helmet when I ride?
And you don't have to have an expensive helmet to protect your head. We carry affordable helmets that protect your head just as well as expensive ones. The expensive ones usually have the added features of more ventilation, lighter weight and snazzier looks, but they are usually made of the same basic materials.
We are experts at helmets and helmet fit and would be glad to help you select a model that is right for the way your ride. Once you select your helmet, we can also help fit it properly to you so that it offers you maximum protection in the event of an accident.
Q.
Where are there places to ride around Atlanta?
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