View Full Version : Where do you buy/store bikes in SoWal
Paula
03-13-2006, 10:30 AM
We'd like to buy 4 basic, maybe good used bikes. And then we need to figure out where to store them at our place because we have no room inside and no covered storage outside. We could store them under our cottage because we have access to some storage space there -- this means they'd be laying on their sides on the sand. Or we could build a bike rack and store them there, but that means that we'd have to get a cover for them (no big deal) and guests would feel bad that they don't have access to them (I'd feel uncomfortable having everyone use them for safety and liability reasons/bike lock reaons, etc.). Do you have any suggestions for which is the best way to store our bikes when we're not there? Would they get damaged by weather by being stored under the cottage or just outside on a bike rack? If they were outside on a bike rack, would they be dangerous (e.g., would they fly away and hit someone's house or go through their windows during a hurricane?)
Any other bike advice? I am not a bike-rider at all, but hope to become one.
thanks.
For occasional use, I would rent from one of the local companies. They will pick up and deliver.
I agree, unless you completely cover the bikes top to bottom they will get corroded with the salt air. You will wind up getting maybe 1 years use out of them and then have to buy new ones. In my younger years I did a lot of biking. Ive seen a lot of bikes bite the dust in the salt air.
jt
Paula
03-13-2006, 10:53 AM
I thought of that and maybe we'll do it next time, but if we come down about 6 times a year and rent 1 - 4 bikes each time, sometimes for up to a week, would that get expensive? I figure the money we'd spending buying them would probably not too much more than we'd spend in a year renting them. Does this make sense?
What's the least expensive and complicated kind of bike you'd recommend given we'd be riding along the bike path mostly? Do we need to shift gears or would a plain old-fashioned bike do?
30A Skunkape
03-13-2006, 10:57 AM
It may be too late for this, but back in January a bunch of the bike places on 30A were selling their used bikes for $75 per bike. Renting the things is not cheap, and I agree, the cost of the bikes at full price just isn't worth it-the sea air reduces the things to rust pretty quickly. You could always go to Target'.
Paula
03-13-2006, 11:02 AM
I'd be happy with a Target or Walmart or used Bikes. (but then, again, I'm happy with our old van, too). I just care about ease of use and safety and ideally something that will hold up for a few years. I just want to ride up and down 30A on the bikes, especially when the roads get too busy for easy driving. But then the bike path must get pretty crowded, too.
Mermaid
03-13-2006, 11:46 AM
Paula, I have an idea. I'll PM you.
I'd be happy with a Target or Walmart or used Bikes. (but then, again, I'm happy with our old van, too). I just care about ease of use and safety and ideally something that will hold up for a few years. I just want to ride up and down 30A on the bikes, especially when the roads get too busy for easy driving. But then the bike path must get pretty crowded, too.
Another suggestion if you think it might be worth it to buy the bikes. You can get those large mattress bags and store them in it. Throw a towel in each bag to absorb the moisture and see how that works. Just a thought.
jt
Paula
03-13-2006, 12:38 PM
Clever. My hunch is our association for the community will want nice looking regular covers. But I like your idea!
Smiling JOe
03-13-2006, 02:05 PM
Well, you can buy $125 bikes at Wal-Mart, and with care, you should be able to get about 2 years out of them around the beach. The question is, where will you store them when you rent your homes? Don't expect your renters to take as much care for them as you would. ;-)
Paula
03-13-2006, 02:23 PM
Well, you can buy $125 bikes at Wal-Mart, and with care, you should be able to get about 2 years out of them around the beach. The question is, where will you store them when you rent your homes? Don't expect your renters to take as much care for them as you would. ;-)
I may even look for cheaper bikes at target or walmart. I've seen people at our community with bikes on bike racks and covers on the bikes. Another suggestion I got was to take the front wheel off when we're not using them. Or we may just leave them there in case we have 2nd or 3rd year renters that we've gotten to know a bit and feel comfortable loaning the bikes to them. And we'll get very good locks and a cover. We'll see if it's all worth it. Maybe I'll start with 2 bikes to see how it goes.
So far, our renters have really been fantastic in terms of taking care of our things and cottages. I'm sure we'll have a few bad experiences over the years, but so far, we've been very happy. It seems that the more we leave for our guests, the happier they are and the better care they take of our places.
Wastin Away
03-13-2006, 03:03 PM
I have had bikes for my renters for 3 years now and it has been great! I have only lost one bike and I think that happend when someone rented extra's and one of ours got mixed in with the rentals. I just bought 2 used ones for this season and I still have 2 from 3 years ago that are still going. They have made it through every hurricane so far. My renters have greatly appreciated it and we like it because they are there for us to use when we come down. We actually started out with 3, 2 Adult and one 24 inch, now we have 3 Adult and 1 24 inch. I bought them from a bike shop on 30-A. I just bought beach cruisers and the nice thing about buying them from a bike shop is the ones that they have tend to not rust as quick as those from Target or Wal-Mart. Nothing but positives from renters and one more thing to make your home stand apart from others.
Franny
03-13-2006, 03:25 PM
Paula,
At one time there was a guy who repaired old bikes and sold them for cheap. He was located on Mack Bayou. I will take a look next time I go by there.
Paula,
At one time there was a guy who repaired old bikes and sold them for cheap. He was located on Mack Bayou. I will take a look next time I go by there.
He was still there a few weeks ago.
i wonder why we don't have anyone from a rental company posting? :idea:
Paula
03-13-2006, 03:39 PM
Thanks WastinAway and Kurt. More information about bikes for me -- I'll probably buy one in May when I'm there and more in June if the May one works out well.
Smiling JOe
03-13-2006, 04:26 PM
Paula,
At one time there was a guy who repaired old bikes and sold them for cheap. He was located on Mack Bayou. I will take a look next time I go by there.He was still in business today when I drove by. He is located about 1 mile north of Hwy 98, on Mack Bayou Rd (next to hospital), right side of road if going north. Red building with cream colored trim and bicycles lining the driveway.
pk305
03-13-2006, 05:51 PM
He was still in business today when I drove by. He is located about 1 mile north of Hwy 98, on Mack Bayou Rd (next to hospital), right side of road if going north. Red building with cream colored trim and bicycles lining the driveway.
Great idea! Thanks again to so many of you on this board....this resource is just WONDERFUL! Counting the days till our Seagrove house will FINALLY be finished....about 33 more days HOPEFULLY! :clap_1: Can't wait to get a couple of bikes too....planning to check out this guy on Mack Bayou....sounds like a good way to go. (The last time I was on a bike was in 1988.....took a bad spill, took down a barbed-wire fence, and broke my arm in 2 places....HOWEVER 30-A has inspired me to get on the bike again!!!)
Paula
03-13-2006, 05:57 PM
Great idea! Thanks again to so many of you on this board....this resource is just WONDERFUL! Counting the days till our Seagrove house will FINALLY be finished....about 33 more days HOPEFULLY! :clap_1: Can't wait to get a couple of bikes too....planning to check out this guy on Mack Bayou....sounds like a good way to go. (The last time I was on a bike was in 1988.....took a bad spill, took down a barbed-wire fence, and broke my arm in 2 places....HOWEVER 30-A has inspired me to get on the bike again!!!)
Ok, pk305, I'll come clean, too. Last time I was on a bike I fell off the bike right INTO the next door neighbors trash can in the middle of the day. All the bottles that were in the recycling bin clammored down the street, neighbors opened the doors to see the commotion, I had to pick up the trash and then hobble home. I was going to start riding my bike to work and then changed my mind after than incident. But, I, too, am ready to get on the horse again and 30A is just the place to do it -- and maybe I'll get inspired to ride the bike to work as well.
Smiling JOe
03-13-2006, 06:43 PM
The last time I rode my bike (not long ago), I had a flat tire and had to push my bike home.
imasunbum
03-13-2006, 07:33 PM
I thought of that and maybe we'll do it next time, but if we come down about 6 times a year and rent 1 - 4 bikes each time, sometimes for up to a week, would that get expensive? I figure the money we'd spending buying them would probably not too much more than we'd spend in a year renting them. Does this make sense?
What's the least expensive and complicated kind of bike you'd recommend given we'd be riding along the bike path mostly? Do we need to shift gears or would a plain old-fashioned bike do?
What about seasonal rental (like beach chairs and unbrellas)? Do the bike places do that :idontno:
Mermaid
03-13-2006, 08:12 PM
Ok, pk305, I'll come clean, too. Last time I was on a bike I fell off the bike right INTO the next door neighbors trash can in the middle of the day. All the bottles that were in the recycling bin clammored down the street, neighbors opened the doors to see the commotion, I had to pick up the trash and then hobble home. I was going to start riding my bike to work and then changed my mind after than incident. But, I, too, am ready to get on the horse again and 30A is just the place to do it -- and maybe I'll get inspired to ride the bike to work as well.
Paula, next time we're in SoWal at the same time, I'll take you out on a bike ride. You'll wonder why you hadn't started riding again years ago!
BTW, my 17 year daughter had a very severe accident on her bicycle not long after she learned to ride--she was maybe only 8 years old or so. Several years went by before she'd even look at a bike, let alone ride. (I honestly don't blame her on that one. :( ) Well, the upshot was that she turned into a teenager with a figure and she wanted to stay in shape. She noticed how much her father and I cycle, and she gritted her teeth, overcame her fear, and got back on the bike. Never looked back! In fact, she wore my bike out. :roll: I have to buy a new one because the shop said it's not worth it to repair given the cost of all the parts and labor. :eek:
Seasider
03-13-2006, 08:14 PM
I recommend the Jamis bikes from Big Daddy's in Blue Mountain. They may cost a few bucks more than WalMart, but hold up great in this environment. They also carry the correct lubricants to properly maintain your bikes. You can't use WD-40 in the sand.
TooFarTampa
03-13-2006, 09:33 PM
That's 1,000 posts for Paula, by the way. :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:
Very informative thread. Thanks for starting it.
30A Skunkape
03-14-2006, 11:05 AM
One other tip that might help. You should always keep your chain and other vital components slick with WD40. If you really want to be aggresive you can get a tube of the old fashioned grease at the auto parts store and smear it on the chain which will keep the rust at bay. :razz:
Gypsea
03-14-2006, 05:07 PM
Paula, when we were at our house last week, we bought four bikes from Franks hardware store. They are new and sell for $99. The boys bikes are blue and the girls bikes are bright pink. They are basic and just what we needed for the beach and I know that our renters will appreciate them. The gentleman that was helping us with our bikes also made a lock for us that fits through all four bikes so that we can keep them locked while they are at the house. We now need a cover that will fit over all four bikes. Good luck.
We saw beach cruisers at Sams Club this last weekend, for $50! I'm sure you get what you pay for and these were not aluminum. But they did look pretty cool.
Lady D
03-14-2006, 10:34 PM
I do not know if many people around there have yard sales but yard sales are good places to find good used bicycles for sale and usually are reasonably priced, at least here anyway! Walmart has some bicycles around 60.00 that I have seen here. You couldn't leave any bicycle sitting out anywhere around here, it would be gone! Hopefully people are more honest and trusting down there.
Paula
03-15-2006, 10:16 AM
More thanks for all this good advice! (and the offer to bike with me) I can't wait to check out bike sales in May. I'll check the internet in the meantime for good looking bike covers. Is there a Franks near SoWal?
I didn't even realize I had over 1,000 posts. I need a vacation!
Gypsea
03-15-2006, 10:58 AM
Franks is off of 283. Coming from Seaside make a right onto 283. Turn at the second left (Logan Ln.). Franks will be on the left.
Gypsea
03-15-2006, 10:59 AM
Franks phone number is (850) 231-0500.
Paula
03-15-2006, 11:17 AM
Franks is off of 283. Coming from Seaside make a right onto 283. Turn at the second left (Logan Ln.). Franks will be on the left.
Thanks, Gypsea. Can't wait to go shopping!
Maybe we should have creatively painted bikes on 30A... just like they had the painted cows in Chicago. It could bring out the artist in all of us.
kathydwells
03-15-2006, 11:26 AM
Thanks, Gypsea. Can't wait to go shopping!
Maybe we should have creatively painted bikes on 30A... just like they had the painted cows in Chicago. It could bring out the artist in all of us.
You could "paint" them with SoWal.com stickers. :clap_1:
Mermaid
03-15-2006, 11:32 AM
You could "paint" them with SoWal.com stickers. :clap_1:
Excellent idea!! I'm definitely going to pick up stickers for our bikes. SoWal here we come!
kathydwells
03-15-2006, 11:33 AM
Excellent idea!! I'm definitely going to pick up stickers for our bikes. SoWal here we come!
:clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:
Paula
03-15-2006, 11:42 AM
absolutely! We all should have SoWal stickers (or logo -- is that OK with you Kurt?) on our bikes. (and helmets?)
jdarg
03-15-2006, 12:05 PM
absolutely! We all should have SoWal stickers (or logo -- is that OK with you Kurt?) on our bikes. (and helmets?)
Done! Great idea Paula!
Paula
03-15-2006, 12:10 PM
Ahhh -- it was kathydwell's idea to use SoWal stickers to decorate our bikes so kudos to kathydwells.
jdarg
03-15-2006, 12:12 PM
Ahhh -- it was kathydwell's idea to use SoWal stickers to decorate our bikes so kudos to kathydwells.
O-tay! Guess I need to slooowwww down and reeeaaaddddd....
aquaticbiology
03-16-2006, 08:33 AM
just FYI, you should print out your info (name, address, etc) and put it down the seat tube in a plastic bag (remove the seat where you adjust the height, drop it in the downtube, then put the seat back on), that way if there's a question about ownership (like the guy who stole it says it's his) its settled by pulling out the seat and then shaking out the plastic bag, then relishing the look on his ugly caught theiving face while the officer reads you name and address from INSIDE the bicycle - positively priceless!
Gypsea
03-16-2006, 12:12 PM
Great idea AB!!!
30A Skunkape
03-16-2006, 04:52 PM
just FYI, you should print out your info (name, address, etc) and put it down the seat tube in a plastic bag (remove the seat where you adjust the height, drop it in the downtube, then put the seat back on), that way if there's a question about ownership (like the guy who stole it says it's his) its settled by pulling out the seat and then shaking out the plastic bag, then relishing the look on his ugly caught theiving face while the officer reads you name and address from INSIDE the bicycle - positively priceless!
SWEET! :biggrin:
swantree
03-26-2006, 12:26 AM
Most of my clients use a rental co. like yellowfin or bigdaddy's if they are on some rental themselves,,,,,,ie...vrbo or such. if you are a homeowner who does not rent then I recommend a car cover, one that let's the bike breath but keeps the salt out! with good overall care and washing them down with water will keep them in good shape for a time. Even the cheap one's from Sam's 80 bucks or the wally world ones at 125 or so. biggest problem in my experience is gear's. if you get a geared bike....cables tend to suffer the most......so stick to your basic one spead, foot stopping, no foam handled bike.......(foam goes bad quick and you'll have black hands every time you ride)..........if you can store them inside.....even better!.........
I pull my clients out and make sure they are in good working order, before they arrive in SOWAl!
Paula
03-26-2006, 07:25 AM
Swantree: Great information for the novice bike-buyer! Thank you. Does Sams always have bike in stock? I drive right by there on my way from the airport to the cottage and could pick up a bike on the way. $80 is a great price. Thanks.
By the way, what's your business "getting it done so you don't have to"?
Donna
03-26-2006, 12:36 PM
We like Big Daddy's in Blue Mountain Beach. We rent there and also purchased our beach bikes there at good prices, end-of-the-year sales. They will deliver and pick up and rental prices are reasonable. You could also buy a bike when they have a sale and sell it to Frank at the end of the year. We like bikes that are in good working order, without rust on the chains. A good idea to keep a can of WD-40 handy, under any circumstances. Paula, see my PM for some more info on storage ideas and other thoughts about bikes. Good luck finding a solution. South Walton is a wonderful place to bicycle, those off-road paths are wonderful.
swantree
03-26-2006, 04:00 PM
thanks Paula.....check out my PM......to you!
Paula
03-26-2006, 04:21 PM
With all the help I'm getting with this bike purchase, you'll see me riding my bike up and down 30A all the time! And you'll all know it was thanks to all your good advice!
Seasider
03-26-2006, 09:36 PM
I have been told never to use WD40 on a bike, that although it displaces water and provides some lubricant, it attracts dirt, hence salt and sand in a coastal environment. It is better to use a wax based lubricant such as White Lightning. I would be interested to know if anyone has found anything better to help maintain bikes in SoWal.
A friend once worked at the company that makes WD-40. It is a good solvent but not so good for long-term lubrication. Its main ingredient is kerosene!
The wax-based lubricants are good, but you must start with a chain that has no oil on it (rare find).
Tri-Flow has always worked well for me.
Buy a bike with aluminum-alloy components instead of steel; they cost more but are lighter and less prone to rust and corrosion.
They all will eventually be reclaimed by Mother Nature, just as we all will be.
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