Shopping for a new bike

As a begginer I would buy a good used one. But if you want new and can wait a bit, the fall bike show and sale is coming to toronto. I have been told by some cycling friends that it is a great place to get good deals.

The bike show in Toronto is the best place to go.  Great deals.

http://www.bicycleshowtoronto.com/index.html   Its coming up in October.  The poster above is right about going there for great deals!

If that doesn't work schedule wise, I can only recommend looking in Toronto region for good pricing.  I see your from New Hamburg.  I'm from Elmira!    I went through what you are doing a couple years ago.  If you travel outside of Region of Waterloo and Guelph towards Toronto your going to find better deals.  In our area, I find bikes and accessories way overpriced compared to what you can get in T.O.  I bought my Tri bike a couple years back and saved almost $600 bucks by going into T.O. vs. buying locally.

A couple notable places in T.O. were Wheels on Bloor, and the Bike Zone.  But there are several others.  These two have websites that will list there sales too.  so you can see whats a bargain before making the trek.  If your going used, perhaps kijiji, or some other site would help.  But for new...just take your time..and watch, and don't make any impulsive buys!   I spent about two months just waiting to see what was out there, and looking for deals...got a Felt B12 in the end and LOVE IT!

The Toronto bike show is a great way to get a deal, but you have to know what you're looking at to know if it's a good one or not. Some of the shops around here (GTA) will have a Bike Show Without Having To Go To The Bike Show type sale (saves them having to cart the stuff down there).

Kijiji and Craigslist are great resources to save money, but you have to know what size you're looking for, what the bike is worth (some asking prices are nucking futz), AND how to judge the condition, which is hard for a novice.

My humble suggestion is unless you're very confident in what size you need, buying from a website is a risky idea.

Do you have a bike-knowledgeable friend that could go with you to see a used one? You can always post here for a second opinion on what a used bike is worth.

Your best bet is likely a local bike store, or as close to local as you can manage. Kitchener/Waterloo should have some outstanding bike shops. Buying in the fall is a great time to get a bike because they're likely looking at having to hang onto it until spring, unless they can unload it at Christmas, paying interest on it all winter, so are very motivated. You can likely get a fitting there as part of the purchase to ensure you have the right size. And if you buy a bike they're more likely to give you a good deal on all the other little things you'll need in your cycling adventures, and there are a ton of 'em which will definitely add up. You'll also likely get free tune ups for a year or so, which is also very helpful and saves $.

Just so I'm not giving the wrong impression but feel that if you want the best bang for your buck:

I purchase stuff regularly locally from the least expensive bike shops.  Tubes, gadgets, etc.  The local shops all have great and knowledgeable staff.  Brauns, the ski and Cycle Hut, McpHails, Ziggy's...if I've missed one sorry!   It's all about cost benefit.  you don't drive to T.O. for a tube.  But you can call the LBS's and find out which one is the least expensive for minor items and go there.  But if your gonna save several hundred on a particular item....is it worth a drive...

If you are buying a new bike..shop around.  The amount of $$$ involved, your money...get the best deal you can.  There is nothing wrong with buying local. But, when I started looking (again 2 years ago..maybe something has changed) the LBS's were all out of whack pricewise. It was worth the drive to T.O. to purchase a bike.  And the bike shops in T.O. offer the free FIT, etc. just like the local ones.  I have gone to a local bike shop for a fit after several months after riding to make minor adjustments.  Yes, it cost me some money..but still saved significant $$$ overall when buying in T.O..   Its all about cost benefit.  The above posters are right, don't discount local shops, but definitely look look around.  Maybe someone locally is having a super deal..I dunno...  The whole "making a relationship with your LBS" I don't get....maybe it's just me, but the best pricing wins.  I've dealt with Brauns, Ski and Cycle, McPhails and all have offered great service locally and understand my concerns and requirements when I go in.  They are eager for my business, and if the price is right I'm happy to give them my money.  So I can only recommend you take your time and shop around and be fiscally prudent.   Don't make any snap decisions, and ask a lot of questions wherever you go!  And when you finally make your decision..enjoy the ride!

To your original query, here are some quick links to start shopping around. Good luck!

Local Shops:

http://ziggyscycle.ca/

http://www.brauns.com/

http://skiandcyclehut.com/

http://www.mcphailscycle.com/

http://www.kingstreetcycles.com/

http://grandrivercycle.com/

Some Toronto and Area Shops (There are many others...google! ):

http://www.wheelsofbloor.com/

http://www.thebikezone.com/

http://dukescycle.ca/

http://gearsbikeshop.com/

http://bikedepot.com/

Liberty Bicycles is having a big sale this Saturday and they have a few tri bike in that sale also.  A couple a Cannondale Slices and a couple Specialized Shiv Experts.

Here's the list: http://www.libertybicycles.com/4-Hour-Sale-2012.html

the hub in hespeler (cambridge) offers free lifetime service on their bikes - you pay for parts, but that's pretty much it if you buy from them. the owner, cliff, is also an awesome guy who even went into the shop on a sunday morning (they're closed sundays) just to sort out an issue with my cx bike for me.

http://www.hubbicycleshop.com/

i've bought bikes for my husband from grand river cycle (website already posted by TheCrownsOwn) as well, and they include 3 free tune-ups with bike purchase.

cheers!

-mistress k

try here,

http://www.bencycle.ca/en_index.htm

Dave

multisport zone in London is a great store as well.  There is also Reynolds in London.  The guys at multisport zone are FIT certified and the bike it is free if you buy a bike.  They are at the local MSC races (lakeside and woodstock) and could probably tweak your fit at the race if something weren't feeling great.

They usually have some older bikes around that they are trying to offload and you could get a good deal.

I remember looking at that store's website over the summer. Unfortunately, I never made it out to see their selection but I'll keep it on my radar for next summer.