The REI store brand, for equivalent equipment, is about 2/3 of the retail price of a comparable "name brand" bike (e.g. Specialized). Used bikes, as you know, are not in ready supply and I think I really want the warranty/peace of mind/willingness to tinker that goes along with buying a new one.
When you figure that I either get 12% back as dividend or will be able to take 20% off the price of the REI store brand, I can get a lot more bike for my money by buying a Novara, and they have 3 models in my price range that meet my criteria.
I will gamely go to Sammamish Valley Cycle and Redmond Cycle and whatever that new place is in downtown Redmond and see if they can offer me something equivalent for the same price, but they couldn't last year by a long shot. (I can't buy a bike in downtown Seattle because if I do, I'll have to take it downtown every time I want to get it worked on by the seller.)
I do need to do more strength work. I try to do a fair bit of Pilates and yoga via Wii Fit, and it always helps, but I'm not consistent.
no subject
When you figure that I either get 12% back as dividend or will be able to take 20% off the price of the REI store brand, I can get a lot more bike for my money by buying a Novara, and they have 3 models in my price range that meet my criteria.
I will gamely go to Sammamish Valley Cycle and Redmond Cycle and whatever that new place is in downtown Redmond and see if they can offer me something equivalent for the same price, but they couldn't last year by a long shot. (I can't buy a bike in downtown Seattle because if I do, I'll have to take it downtown every time I want to get it worked on by the seller.)
I do need to do more strength work. I try to do a fair bit of Pilates and yoga via Wii Fit, and it always helps, but I'm not consistent.