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The Gus' Bike Shop Advantage over Big Box stores

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!

We make bike buying easy and fun!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.

The bikes available from the big box & discount stores are less for a reason.  They use cheap materials.  You'll find plastic ball bearings designed to wear out, axles to short for training wheels to be installed and even worse brakes made of stamped instead of forged metal.  Why compromise on safety?  Come to Gus'  and check out our selection of professionally built bicycles for your child.  

By purchasing your new kids bike from Gus' International Bicycles instead of from a mass merchant or "discount" department store you receive numerous important advantages, which we outline here.

 


COMPARISON: Bicycle Shops vs Mass-Merchants

Advantages Gus' International Bicycles Big Box / Discount
Department Stores
Bike Comfort and Fit People come in all sizes and need the expert fit Gus' bike shop 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 is available, too. The result is easy, efficient and safe cycling and more fun! Mass-merchant bicycles come in few sizes forcing you to compromise on the fit. These stores also do not have experienced staff who understand how to measure you or how to adjust the bike to fit you. Plus, they don’t offer test rides and don’t do follow-up adjustments. The result is an uncomfortable, inefficient ride.
Selection Gus' bike shop has a wide selection of bicycle models, sizes, styles and colors. Our expert staff coaches you through the process of finding the best bike for you. Selection is usually very limited and staff expertise is limited, too, or non-existent.
Safety
Bicycles come in boxes and need to be assembled carefully and properly to be safe, work right and hold up.  All of our bikes are assembled 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. Some mass-merchants sell unassembled bikes meaning you have to do it yourself (yes, it's "only" a bicycle, but it still requires significant know-how to build it right). Plus, no test rides, tune-ups or safety tests are available. Many buyers eventually bring these bikes to bike shops to be properly assembled or adjusted. Worse yet - many discount bikes brakes are made with stamped instead of forged brake arms.  This means that the brakes can not be correctly adjusted and will bend under pressure.  
Value After The Sale
Gus' has an experienced staff who welcome post-sale service and adjustments. These may be free if within your initial service period or at low cost. We want to satisfy your needs and help you fully enjoy cycling! After buying a bike from a mass-merchant, you have little or no help after the sale, either if problems occur or if you just want help to enjoy your bicycle more.
Accessories
Gus' offer a wide selection of quality cycling accessories, helmets and clothing in many models, colors and sizes. Our staff consults with you to find the right accessories and gear for your bike and how and where you ride. Usually a limited or poor selection of accessories is available, with little or no help to choose the right ones. Often, these are cheap, knockoff products, which can create safety and reliability issues, too.
Warranty Bicycles sold at Gus' come with warranties.  Most problems  if any are resolved in-house. Plus, we stand behind our 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 a refund.
Community  Gus' bike shop is the central source on the Seacoast for more than just great bicycles accessories and apparel. We'll help you find the great rides and latest cycling info. Just check out our rides and community sections here on our website for starters.  We serve as advocates for better bike paths and facilities here on the Seacoast through volunteer work with the Seacoast Greenway and Seacoast Area Bike Routes. How often do you hear about a big box retailer sponsoring local rides and Little League teams?
Expertise

Here at Gus' we employ knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff, most are cyclists with detailed knowledge in the field. Their only job is satisfying your cycling needs, and they love doing it!

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