The coronavirus pandemic has led to shortages of all kinds all across America, many of which have made headlines countless times. There were the supermarkets and big box stores with shelves devoid of toilet paper. There was everyone from Amazon, to Walmart, to the pharmacy on the corner without a bottle of hand sanitizer to spare. And of course there was the dire shortage of PPE for healthcare professionals and ventilators for the ill.
One of the more unexpected shortages caused by COVID-19 in America comes as more of a surprise: a bike shortage. With everything from malls and museums to parks and playgrounds closed, millions of Americans looking for diversion from the isolation of home quarantine have rediscovered their love for bike riding. And that’s all well and good for those who had a bike in the garage, shed, or attic, but for people looking to buy a bike online, thus avoiding proximity to others at a bike shop, the process has been surprisingly hard, because so many retailers are completely sold out of bikes right now.
That’s why we tracked down a number of good, affordable bikes you can order online right now and that will ship within a few weeks, if not within the next few days.
Bought online or in person, a bike is still a major purchase, so it’s good to be in the know before you click the link to make that order. That’s why we also talked to several professionals in the industry to gather some insight that can inform your online bike purchase.
First, think about why you actually want a bike and how you will actually use it. Ryan Zagata, president of Brooklyn Bicycle, says: “The most important thing to think about is what is your use case. You don’t want to end up on a road bike to ride to the local market. Really take time to understand – are you looking for a commuter bike? For a bike just to get around the neighborhood? For something recreational you’ll ride around on with the kids?”
And depending on the use case, keep in mind that there is flexibility there. “A lot of people are now riding mountain bikes for regular riding,” says John Pappas, owner of Bicycle Playground in Port Washington, NY. “They have a front suspension and wider tire and smaller side wall, so they give a cushier ride.”
Connor Swegle, the co-founder of Priority Bicycles, based in Lower Manhattan (and shipping bikes around the country) reminds customers that: “More isn't more. More speeds, more features, more bells and whistles don't mean you get more. It mostly means more stuff to break. Just scale the features to what you need and keep things as simple as possible.
One thing stressed by all three experts? Get a bike that’s the right size for you, which you can determine (with equal importance) based on your height and your inseam.
Here are seven fine bikes you can buy online right now and actually expect to enjoy this summer.
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