The Bike Shop Advantage (NBDA)

The bicycle you buy, and especially where you buy it, has a huge impact on your safety, comfort, and how much fun you have riding!

Read the editor of Bicycling! magazine views about bike shops HERE

Bicycles are fun vehicles that can travel at high speeds and withstand even demanding conditions. To do their best, they need to be constructed of high-quality materials, assembled by competent and trained bicycle mechanics, and properly adjusted to fit you right.

By purchasing your new bike from a professional bicycle store like cycles de ORO instead of from a big box mass merchant, a "discount" department store or mail order chain store, you receive numerous important advantages....

COMPARISON:
Advantages	cycles de ORO and other top professional bike shops	versus	Mass-Merchants, "discount" department stores or mail order chain stores.
Quality, longevity.	Bikes are made by many different manufacturers, all with purposeful eye appeal to the newcomer. But underneath the shiny finish lies a fundamental difference between cheaper bikes that have only a superficial appeal and those cycles which are top quality and therefore pass cycles de ORO's tough scrutiny before being sold in our shop. There IS a difference!		Bikes might look good, seem like "a great deal"... but weeks, months & years later, the lesser quality will become apparent to the hapless buyer. It's tough when you discover you have spent hard earned $ on a throwaway product.
Bike comfort and fit	People come in all sizes, ride bikes differently and need the expert fit bike shops can provide. We ensure that your bike is the right size and adjusted properly just for you. Test rides and follow-up fitting fine-tuning, including our 3 Fit Kit certified staff members, is available, too. The result is easy, efficient and safe cycling and more fun!		Mass-sales bicycles come in fewer sizes forcing you to compromise on the fit. These stores also do not have experienced staff who have the skills or experience to measure you and then fit the bike to you. Plus, they don’t offer test rides and don’t do competent follow-up adjustments. The result is an uncomfortable, inefficient ride.
Selection	Cycles de ORO has a famously wide selection of bicycle models, sizes, styles and colors, from genuine top-tier brands. Our expert staff coaches you through the process of finding the best bike for you.		Selection is usually limited to "sale" models from off brands or once-respected but "fallen" brands. Staff expertise is also limited or non-existent.
Safety	Bicycles are delivered in pieces or only partly put together and need to be "built" carefully and expertly to be safe, work right and hold up. cycles de ORO bikes are built in-store by experienced mechanics, and each is test ridden to ensure proper function and safety. They are then carefully fit to you at the time of purchase. Test rides, tune-ups and instructions assure safe and great rides.		These "discount" sellers have either unassembled bikes (meaning you have to do it yourself. Yes, it's "only" a bicycle, but it actually requires significant know-how to build it right) or, the bikes are poorly assembled by unqualified quick-hires. Test rides, tune-ups or safety tests are usually not made available. Many unfortunate buyers later bring these bikes to cycles de ORO to be correctly adjusted at additional cost to them..
Value After The Sale	Cycles de ORO has an award winning experienced staff who welcome post-sale service and adjustments, for free or at low cost. They want to satisfy your needs and help you fully enjoy cycling!		After buying a bike from a discount merchant, there is a high risk of needing post sales service, and little or no competent help is available after the sale, either if problems occur or if you just want help to enjoy your bicycle more.
Accessories	Cycles de ORO offers a huge selection of quality cycling accessories, helmets and clothing in many models, colors and sizes. The staff consults with you to find the right accessories and gear for your bike and how and where you ride.		Either a limited or poor selection of accessories is available, or cheesy house brands by lower quality manufacturers, with no expertise to choose the right ones. Cheap knockoff products can create safety and reliability issues, too.
Warranty	Bicycles sold at cycles de ORO comes with a full and unique Warranty. And, most problems are resolved in-house. Plus, Cycles de ORO stands behind their bikes and products with experienced mechanics and riding experts.		Products sold here have manufacturer warranties only, making it impossible or cumbersome to get a repair or adjustment. They may let you return the bike for exchange for yet another lower quality replacement...
Community	Cycles de ORO is more than the best source for great bicycles, accessories and apparel. We host, organize and sponsor many rides, clubs and big events to help you enjoy your cycling. We have the latest cycling info, and are also the Triad's principal advocates for better bike paths and facilities in your area!		They just sell stuff and lock the door and go home.
Expertise	Cycles de ORO's enthusiastic staff has over 100 years of cumulative expertise and knowledge in bicycling and are cyclists with detailed knowledge in the field. Their only job is satisfying your cycling needs, and they love doing it!		They mainly just sell stuff.