Wichita Bike Shop Review ~ Bicycle X-Change

I’ve got the bug to get a new bike. Yes, already. I know I can’t really run out and get a new bike right this minute, but I’d like to get an idea of what I’m looking at when the time comes. I decided to stop by a couple bike shops in Wichita today to see what I could see. Thought I’d give you a little review of the shops as I stop in.

Bicycle X-Change
908 W Douglas ~ 316-262-9878 and
1516 E Central ~ 316-264-6427

I stopped by the west side location. When I walked in there are a lot of bikes in the store. (duh) I looked around for a bit and then a sales person (Joe) asked me if he could help.

Here’s what I told him:

New to biking. Looking to upgrade. Have 1/2 mile of gravel to drive over to get the road. Planning on doing longer rides and eventually in 2011 I’d like to do Bike Across Kansas. I then asked him what he would recommend for someone in my situation. (All the while my three year old is squirming around and getting excited about all the bikes)

He immediately offered up a hybrid.

Which I’ve already decided I don’t want. I mentioned the fact they don’t seem to be that great at either thing they are built for and asked what else he might suggest. He mentioned a fitness bike of which he showed me a few in stock. He said he’d seen people do BAK on a fitness bike.

I then asked about cyclocross bikes because someone had recommended them to me for my situation. He had 2 in stock, and the price range ($1400 or so) is a little higher  than I’m wanting to spend.  At this point I asked if I could pull a bike trailer with the cyclocross bike and he said yes, probably, and started looking like he was about done with me.

He said my best bet would then be a fitness bike, if I wanted something a little lower priced than the cyclocross and recommended I take a look at a Trek, Fuji, Felt or Gary Fisher ~ all of which the store carries.

When I asked about used bikes he mentioned the east side store carries used bikes.

He was overall fairly friendly and answered my questions without making me feel stupid. He gave me a couple catalogs to look at, and his card. The fitness bikes are definitely in my price range, starting at $450 and up, but I’m not sure a fitness bike is exactly what I’m going to want for the long haul.  I don’t think I’m going to be able to justify buying a new bike for a while after I get this one, so I want to make sure I get what I want.

How does Bicycle X-Change rank from my experience?

Friendliness: Good
Intimidation factor: a little
Impatience with beginner questions: Pretty good
Overall: Good