First time buyers entering Gran Fondo to look at bikes for the first time are almost always lucky enough to have received some pointers and bits of advice from cycling friends who want to make sure that their buddy gets a great deal and benefits from the experience of their cycling friend. We always appreciate that someone who knows this potential customer has started the education process and has given them some direction based on the friend's knowledge of the bike buyer's fitness, budget, and likes. Let's walk through some of the most common pieces of advice and help the new buyer get a little better grasp on why they consistently receive these bits of wisdom:

 

"Don't buy a bike that you will outgrow in a year's time"

 

- At Gran Fondo we wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment. A person considering their first bike in some time is very likely to experience some sticker shock. It's very common for someone to expect to be able to get a pretty good road bike for as little as $600. We know that there are some road bikes out there retailing at this price point, but our general advice on this is, "Run Away, Run Away!" If you feel that you have a decent chance of falling in love with this sport and consistently riding your bike, a low-end road bike of this type will let you down straight away. The components on a road bike in this range will not work as they should for very long, frustrate the user with poor performance, and leave the owner with nothing worth upgrading to salvage the original cash outlay. We generally find that a reasonably fit person who will ride two to three times a week won't be satisified with buying "too little bike" in their first purchase. To put this in terms you can possibly relate to, if you are running in excess of 15 miles a week or attending 2-3 spinning classes a week, you have already outgrown a $600 bike.

 

At Gran Fondo, we shop the offerings of all of our manufacturers constantly to keep certain bikes on the floor that would be a perfect starter bike under $1,599. By capitalizing on our buying power, we generally like to stock bikes that can be offered at a special price, providing a higher level of components than the standard full retail price bike in this range. In other words, we choose our inventory to give a beginner as much quality for their dollar as possible.

Two prime examples of bikes we inventory in a full range of sizes to offer a great deal of value to a first time buyer are the Bianchi Imola and the Orbea Aqua. At $1,250 retail, the Bianchi Imola, sports a great riding Reynolds 631 steel frame, carbon fiber fork, and Shimano Tiagra components. The Aqua TTG features a racey hydro-formed aluminium frame, carbon fiber fork, and a Shimano Tiagra drive train for $1250 retail. Both bikes ride, work, and look great. We feel that one will suit your needs or personality.

At $1250 The Orbea Aqua TTG with a unique hydroformed top tube, 7000-series aluminum frame and full carbon fork the Aqua delivers a ride that matches the dramatic looks of its shape and top-notch paint.  To top it off, the Aqua comes complete with Shimano Tiagra and Shimano wheels.  This is a great opportunity to get A LOT of bike for your money.

These two bikes also provide a buyer a great chance to ride aluminum vs. steel in just two test rides!  Feel the difference yourself and see which you prefer...

To keep a buyer in a budget closer to $1,500, we generally watch our bike lines to take advantage of prior year model closeouts or specials, always offering at least a couple of "specials" from Bianchi and Orbea. We generally find that a new buyer is very happy to have a brand new 2009 bike, a couple of hundred dollars below the 2010 model.  The Imola and Aqua above are prime examples.  We also currently some Bianchi and Orbea full carbon bikes between $1650 and $2000.

"My buddy said I should buy a bike with at least 105 components"

 

The comment above may be the number one thing we hear from the first time buyer. As a matter of fact, the term 105 Bike has almost become a generic name for an entry level or midlevel bike. Many first time buyers can't tell you the name of the bike model or the frame material, all they know is "that it has 105 on it."

 

105 is the name for Shimano's workhorse component group. Like Campagnolo's Veloce group, it is reasonably light, durable and accurate. In other words, 105 is a great value for the masses. The problem with choosing your bike based solely on the parts is that your frame and wheels could be substandard. A complete bike consists of a frame set, drive train, brakes, wheels and positioning kit (stem, handlebar, seat post, and a saddle). Bike manufacturers know customers are looking for a "105 Bike", so they may spec a 105 rear derailleur on a $700 bike and then finish everything else off with lower end and generic parts. Needless to say, we don't stock these bikes at Gran Fondo.

 

To get a bike equipped with Shimano 105 or Campagnolo Veloce and still get a good quality frameset, wheels and positioning kit, you need to look in the $1,200 to $1,600 range. Remember, the soul of your bike is the frame set. It will determine your comfort, efficiency, and safety. The frame is what the bike manufacturer builds - they buy all the parts to put on it. Unless it is on sale, a bike with "105" or Veloce parts selling below $1,200 may have a $50.00 frame or worse. Make sure that you have a complete package. You would never want $500 shoes with a cheap suit from K Mart.

 

These concepts are a lot to learn for the first time buyer. At Gran Fondo, we know that and we actually enjoy helping a potential enthusiast appreciate the differences out there. Don't be shy about asking us too many questions. When you are educated about these differences, then you can fully appreciate the difference in what we offer.

"My buddy said it doesn't matter what bike I get as long as it fits me right"

 

Of course, we always feel that the bike matters, but we absolutely will not sell it to you if it does not fit. At Gran Fondo, we take great pride in our abilities to insure that our customers are absolutely as comfortable on their new bike as possible. We use the bikefitting.com fit system and its corresponding size cycle to measure each new customer and determine the most appropriate frame size and geometry based on their specific measurements, flexibility, and health. We factor in the age, fitness level and goals of the customer to determine the most appropriate bike for the user. 

 

Bikefitting.com is a proprietary system, created by a Dutch company, which incorporates a measuring wall, bike simulator and special software to provide the perfect platform to calculate and test the proper fit for your bike. Concepts can be explored, new geometries evaluated, and the perfect frame and tube set can be determined. Every aspect of your riding choices are factored into the proper fit examination. Everything from crank arm length, to bar width and stem length, to saddle height, and even as far as to brand of shoes, pedals, etc; are added to the fit equation. The outcome is the perfect match of your new bike to accomplish the perfect and complete fit.

 

We will never push you toward a bike on our floor because it is "close" to your size. If we measure you up and do not have the size you need in our extensive inventory, then we will order your bike. We have enough comparable styles on the floor for you to be assured that you are getting the best bike for your fit.

 

We have years of practical experience in refining a person's position on the bike. We will adjust your new bike to you at the time of your purchase, as well as refine your fit after you have been riding for several months and possibly developed a greater range of flexibility. We always have time to put your bike up on the trainer and make sure that you continue to be in the right place when you happen to be in for your first year free derailleur adjustments.

 

"My buddy says you guys are the best and I shouldn't shop anywhere else"

 

Yeah, yeah, yeah - we don't always hear this one, but we often do. We thought we might close with this to get your attention and say that we are committed to putting the first time buyer, and any buyer, on the best bike available to them. We take the time to share our passion for the sport, find the best match for each customer, and provide a superior level of service. Please don't buy that first bike without looking at what we offer.

At Gran Fondo we realize that you have many choices available for purchasing your bicycle and cycling accessories. We recognize that there are definitely some "deals" on the internet for the savvy shopper and we know that if you shop on price alone, the giant discount stores can generally offer lower prices. So…Why shop at Gran Fondo?

• Personalized, Individualized Service. We are committed to making sure you have the right bike, custom fitted to you. We have experienced personnel, all cyclists, who can assure your comfort, safety and satisfaction. Our sales guys collectively have 40 years of experience in putting cyclists in the perfect position on the perfect bike.
• We Support your Cycling Community. Did a mail order house sponsor your favorite metric century this summer? Did a national chain sponsor the Leukemia Society's Team in Training? Did any internet retailer sponsor a cycling club or two race teams in the state of Tennessee? Is Colorado Cyclist a drop off point for Bikes for Tikes, a program to refurbish children's bikes for the under privileged at Christmas? Gran Fondo was there to support the cycling community in the above ways. We are proud to be involved in your community. We love this role and would not have it any other way.
• Convenient Service, Exchanges, and Warranty Support. All bikes we sell receive free brake and derailleur adjustments for the first year, a free 30 day new bike check up, and complete support for all manufacturer warranties. Touching, feeling, and riding before purchase insures few exchanges and will not require packing tape and a trip to the post office.
• Extensive Inventory. We have one of the largest selections of hand made frame sets available in the Southeast. We pride ourselves on maintaining frame sizes and style runs by a number of manufacturers. This will allow you the ability to test ride, make comparisons, and have plenty of choices. Made in the U.S. or the finest European craftsmanship - we have the best of both and love to contrast them…

We could go on for a while, but the above briefly captures our thoughts…For more on the concept of "The Bike Shop Advantage" see the article written by The Independent Bike Dealers Association below.

The bicycle you buy, and particularly where you buy it, have a potentially huge impact on your safety, your comfort, and whether you actually get what you pay for.

Our advice is that you don't waste your money on cheap or badly-made bicycle equipment! We urge you to shop carefully, and be extremely careful about buying from retailers who don't know anything about cycling, or who stock only cheap products. There's more to buying a bike than meets the eye, and it's easy to be misled into making a poor choice.

Bicycles are vehicles that can travel at high speeds under demanding conditions. To do their best for YOU, they need to be constructed of high-quality materials, assembled by a competent and trained bicycle mechanic, and adjusted to fit your body.

Our advice: seek out a good specialty bicycle store in your area. Look for a store that is clean, has helpful personnel, offers a good selection of product, and has an on-site service and repair department. This will pay off for you in many ways.

We don't dislike mass merchants or department stores. However, their expertise is in selling commodity goods, not in custom products or specialty items such as bicycles. They can be great places to buy a toaster, but generally NOT a great place to buy a bike.

Why is a good bike store important to you?

1. They have the right bike for you. Professional bicycle retailers offer a wide selection of bicycles for different people and different issues. Look for a bicycle retailer to provide able assistance in selecting the proper bicycle type and model. You do not want a road bike if you are going to be riding mostly in the dirt. You don't want a racing bike for cruising. You need the right type of bike for you, and you need a bicycle expert to help you make that choice. Department store or mass merchant clerks usually have limited knowledge of cycling, and a selection of models is often not available, so it's easy to end up buying the wrong bike! It's not that they're misleading you on purpose; it's just that they do not know nay better. It is never a good deal if it is the wrong bike!
2. Comfort and Safety. Bicycles come in different sizes. They have available adjustments that can improve how they fit your body, and assure your comfort, as well as good positions for reaching controls such as brake levers and shifters. Professional bicycle retailers will work closely with you to find and adjust a bicycle just for you. If you want a softer saddle, they'll have it. IF you want to sit more upright, they can make adjustments. If you want to pedal efficiently and safely, they can assure you buy the right size of bike, and that the saddle height is adjusted properly! Discount department stores offer few different frame sizes, and custom fitting is non-existent because the staff members are not cycling experts. Proper sizing is important for your comfort and safety! There's enough pain in the world, you do not need any from your bicycle!
3. Accessories. Professional bicycle retailers offer top-quality accessory equipment and advice to make your riding more enjoyable and safer. To get started, you'll need some basics such as a helmet, pump, lock, and water bottle. A good professional retailer can advise you properly on these and other important accessory items. A mass merchant offers a limited selection of lower-quality accessories, and has limited, if any, advice on proper use.
4. Experienced Advice. Professional bicycle retailers employ knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff people who are cyclists. Their only job is satisfying your cycling needs. Bikes are complex vehicles, and professional bicycle retailers offer complete explanation of use of gears, brakes, and quick-release mechanisms, as well as reference to sources for further instruction and advice on places to ride. Most department store clerks don't have this knowledge because their jobs cover a variety of areas - not just bikes.
5. Try Before Buying. Professional bicycle retailers will normally allow test rides on bicycles. This is important in helping you select a bicycle that will fit you, feel good to you, and meet your expectations. Many people believe a good bicycle has a soul. We have no official position on this, but bikes definitely have personalities. The only way to see if you and a bike can become good friends is to spend a little time developing a relationship. Department stores normally do not allow test rides, and this is a real disadvantage for you. All bikes are not created equal, even if they cost the same! Some bikes have attitudes, often due to bad parenting. It is better to know that before buying, rather than after!
6. Top quality assembly. Many people do not realize that bicycles are not completely assembled at the factory. Bikes come from the factory in a partially-assembled state, and the final steps and safety checks are done by the retailer. Many of the better bike companies actually prohibit bikes from being sold in a partially-assembled condition by retailers, and require retailers to have on-site service departments. Professional bicycle retailers offer fully-assembled and tuned bicycles which are built and inspected by expert mechanics. This is a $30-$90 value which department stores do not normally offer. Buying unassembled bikes in a box can be risky and frustrating undertaking. And even if a mass merchant offers "assembled" bikes, be very wary of the quality level if there is not an on-site service department.
7. A tune-up/safety check. Professional bicycle retailers normally offer a free tune-up after an initial break-in period, a $30-$60 value. This is important for double checking the adjustments, wheel tension, and to make sure something has not come loose during the initial riding period. Department stores normally lack service departments, so tune-ups and safety checks must be done by a bike shop, and paid for.
8. Warranty. Professional bicycle retailers stand behind the products they sell. If problems arise, product can be brought back to a professional bicycle retailer, who can honor warranties on the spot. Department stores generally have little knowledge of bicycles, and cannot resolve many issues quickly or well.
9. Longer life. Professional bicycle retailers sell higher quality products which need minimum maintenance, and last a long time. Department stores often sell cheaper products which wear our more quickly and can break easily. Frequent repairs add to the cost of the bike, and replacement parts often are not available. All hub bearings are not created equal! There is much more involved in a bicycle than the paint job!
10. Better Resale. Professional bicycle retailers sell bicycles that retain value for possible trade-in or private resale. Many department store bikes have little residual value, if any, because they are poorly made, difficult to adjust properly, and cumbersome to ride.
11. Overall better value. Professional bicycle retailers offer a package of goods and services that add up to being great for cyclists. Look for a retailer that is truly a professional is committed to your cycling experience, and who will make you get the maximum value for your investment.

Make sure you get the most value for your money by taking advantage of the quality service and selection offered by your local professional bicycle retailer!

There are more and more companies making flashy machine-built wheels these days, each with their proprietary spokes and spoke patterns but hand-built wheels are not a thing of the past. What better way to put a personal touch on your bike, or make a custom bike complete, than with a set of custom wheels?

With custom wheels you can achieve all the benefits of todays machine built wheels with reduced costs and added benefits. They provide a more hassle-free wheel without rider weight limits and all the proprietary parts that can lead to long repair times. We can pay closer attention to detail than a machine building your wheels. This allows us to put more appropriate and even tension on the spokes, while specifying each of the wheels components to complement your needs. This creates a stronger and more personalized wheel.

Aren’t lighter sets of wheels available? Not necesarily. If you would like a wheel strictly to climb or race on, we can use carbon rims, ultra-light spokes and the lightest hubs available with a fancy spoke pattern to help you get the lightest wheels possible. That said, a traditionally spoked wheelset can be just as light or lighter as many factory brand wheelsets. We can build a pair of 32 spoke Mavic Open Pro’s with Campy Record hubs as light as a pair of Mavic Ksyrium ES’ for a fraction of the cost. Also, on the rare occasion a spoke breaks it can easily replaced, often on the spot. This can put an end to those frustrating five week waiting periods while your expensive wheel is sent away and rebuilt because there are too many proprietary parts for shops to stock. What about ride quality - i.e. stiffness? If a super stiff and strong set of wheels is what you want, we can build up a set with a number of different spoke patterns: 3 or 4 crossed and/or a wheel that is tied and soldered (see pic). This process essentially fools the wheel into believing it was built with a high flange hub (shorter spokes create a stiffer wheel). You can truly personalize your wheelset by picking the hub, rim and spoke combination that best suits you. So, whether you seek a more durable/reliable wheel, a set of lightweights for climbing, or an aero pair for racing, we'll work with you to build your perfect wheel. Just stop in or give us a call and speak to one of our mechanics.

You can truly personalize your wheelset by picking the hub, rim and spoke combination that best suits you.  Compare the weights and you'll be surprised at how competitive a handbuilt set can be.  (1 pound =~454 grams)

Pick a front and rear hub, two rims and spokes to figure out how much your hand-built set can be.

Here is one comparison: Mavic Ksyrium SL = 1500 g vs. Campy Record front and rear hubs, Velocity Escape rims and DT competition spokes = 1659 g  ( A difference of a third of a pound!)