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Getting Started

Before shopping for a bicycle, you should answer the following questions.

  1. Where do you plan on riding?
  2. What kind of distance and intensity do you want to ride?
  3. If you ride with other people, what kind of bikes are they riding?
  4. Do you have neck, back or shoulder problems?
  5. How much money are you willing to spend?

With these questions in mind, take a look at the types of bikes we carry. Once you’ve got an idea about the type of bike that will best suit your needs, come in for a test ride. Fit and ride characteristics vary from bike to bike and from one manufacturer to another, so it’s important to test ride a number of bikes in order to find the one that’s right for you. A Wersell’s sales person will be happy to help you through this process.

When you come in to choose a bike:

  1. Allow about an hour to come in and test ride a variety of bikes, as ride characteristics will differ between models and manufacturers.
  2. Wear proper shoes to ride a bike. No flip flops, high heels, or combat boots please.
  3. Dress for a test ride. Casual or athletic pants and shorts are ideal riding clothes. Skirts and dresses are often difficult to ride in, and business apparel can get dirty.
  4. If needed, bring a helmet, test ride helmets are not provided.

Why spend more?

People often ask “Why should I spend $350 on a bike here when I can get the same thing for under $100 at a big-box store?”

In reality, though, you’re not getting the same thing. Sure the cheaper bike may look similar. It’s got two wheels and a frame, after all. It might even have fancy shocks. But the quality and build of such a bike is much lower than what you will find at any bike shop.

Additionally, department and toy store bikes have “one-size-fits-all” sizing. This means that if you do not fall into a certain narrow height range, you are guaranteed an ill-fitting bike that will be a chore to ride.

While it may be a bigger initial investment, that $350 bicycle from a bike shop is going to fit better, last longer, and provide a much more enjoyable ride than a cheap imitation. A $75 bike from Wal-Mart that is too heavy or uncomfortable to enjoy is $75 wasted.

If a quality new bike is outside your budget, a reconditioned used bike from a reputable bicycle dealer is still a much better alternative to a department store bicycle.