Trying to find a bicycle for my 13 year old's birthday in a week. Need one with 26" wheels it seems, since he's about 4'10" and we're wanting it to last him a few years.

Not looking for anything crazy...at least a 10 speed, mountain style, not hot pink, less than $500. Otherwise pretty dang flexible.

Checked all around today...bupkis. Nada.

Are all bikes made in China? Even Amazon has a month lead time on everything I've looked at. WTF.

One word answer: COVID

Gyms are closed and people still want to exercise so bikes are in high demand.

Most are made in China. Not much getting through.

Good recent discussion of the issue with some potential sources:

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...0601935/m/4980001374

It's not just those entry level bikes. I've been looking for a $3500 road bike and it's nowhere to be found. Called all the way from El Paso to Tucson. Nope!

quote:

Originally posted by StarTraveler:
Good recent discussion of the issue with some potential sources:

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...0601935/m/4980001374

Thank you...I thought I remembered this being discussed but searched and didn't find it.

I just called 6 stores. Nada for another month and a half.

Check REI. My brother was in the same boat as you, and he was able to find a bike there.

The bike shortage, just like most exercise equipment, has been going on for months now.

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
One word answer: COVID

Gyms are closed and people still want to exercise so bikes are in high demand.

Yep. Try and buy a weight bench and some plates. Near impossible at this point.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:

quote:

Originally posted by h2oys:
One word answer: COVID

Gyms are closed and people still want to exercise so bikes are in high demand.

Yep. Try and buy a weight bench and some plates. Near impossible at this point.

Yep. I'm starting the process of remodeling the house and I'm going to put in a gym as the gym etiquette these days (even before rona) is so poor I'm going to land in jail for punching someone in the face. Nobody reracks, they don't clean up after themselves, use weight lifting machines for cardio (camping 20 minutes on it), I mean it's a cluster fuck. So mapping my remodel out I've done hours of research, selected my home gym, a solid spin bike, adjustable dumbbells, adjustable bench, and a hyper-extension bench, all sold out, and sold out for many months into the future. The home gym, which is industrial grade, February is the current date I could get one. Shit is crazy. I should sell my MTB right now. I could probably sell it for what I paid for it in 2005.

Hmm... I have a Giant XTC 29er that doesn't get much use any more. Might be a good time to sell.

Check out 27.5 inch tire bikes also.

Check your local bike shop and see what they have in their used department as people trade in their bikes to buy the newer models.

Stay away from Walmart or big box store bikes (REI being the exception).

I’ll keep my eyes peeled since I know you are local. Have you tried Sun & Ski at Concord Mills mall? Bike Source over by Flying Biscuit in Charlotte might have something as well.

I wanted to pick up a new Trek ‘hybrid’ bicycle for my wife about a month ago, and the two Trek dealer’s in Allentown and the one in Bethlehem were pretty much sold out of everything / all bicycle categories.

All of the shops said they were hoping to have some new inventory by Sept. or Oct., if they were lucky.

Keep your eye on Craigslist and Facebook market. I sold a couple of 25 year old Diamond Back Sorrentos my wife and I hardly ever used for top dollar at the beginning of June.

Bike shops are out of just about everything under $700.

Check Craigslist, Nextdoor, and Facebook marketplace. OfferUp and letgo too but you’re more likely to run into folks you meet at work on those. A week on Craigslist and a willingness to drive should yield an acceptable bike.

You need to be over here in England - our local auto-accessory/bike/auto-radio/car repair merchandise store has plenty of stock up to the $2000 level, and the bikes-only specialist store has models up to $8/9000...the back roads where we live are clogged up with herds of manic riders, frantically pedalling in all directions - they drive me bats as I weave my way around them on my way to the range.

In Cincinnati, it is crazy. At the oldest bike shop in Ohio, Bishops, their inventory is at an all time low.

Back in February, I started taking our bikes in for tune-ups. The first two went well. Now, you get a ticket and are placed in a queue. You bring your bike in 2-3 days before the due date and they begin working on it. In early July, I got tickets with August 15 due dates. You cannot leave a bike without a ticket.

Yes, they are slammed.

I have always supported our local Bike shop as they are fantastic people to deal with.

Sorry I cannot offer any help.

Good luck.

I bought a mountain bike for my son from this outfit. They seem to have bikes in stock and variety of prices and types of bikes. Bike was shipped promptly, required some assembly and adjustment.


http://www.bikesdirect.com/

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
Trying to find a bicycle for my 13 year old's birthday in a week. Need one with 26" wheels it seems, since he's about 4'10" and we're wanting it to last him a few years.

Not looking for anything crazy...at least a 10 speed, mountain style, not hot pink, less than $500. Otherwise pretty dang flexible.

Checked all around today...bupkis. Nada.

Are all bikes made in China? Even Amazon has a month lead time on everything I've looked at. WTF.

Do you live near an REI? Maybe a member can pick one up and ship it to you? (I live near the flagship store if you want me to ask)

https://www.rei.com/product/16...p-cycles-drt-10-bike