Costco Bikes

Trochu · #1 03-13-2020, 09:03 AM

My wife has wanted me to by a bicycle for a few years now. As the kids are getting older and can actually ride for more than half a block before getting tired/bored/hurt, this may be the year I commit. The problem being, I'm not a bike guy and basically know nothing about the specifics. Are the Northrock bikes at Costco any good, or decent value for the money?

They look decent, listed at $450.00. I just have no idea if a "KMC-Z50" chain for example, is any good.

Here is the link: https://www.costco.ca/northrock-xc27...100517769.html

I'm not getting a bike and headed straight to Canmore, this will probably be used on paths and the road almost entirely. Offroad would likely entail going off the curb.

mooseknuckle · #2 03-13-2020, 09:05 AM

I've ridden one, they are a great bike for the money!! And for casual riding like you have planned.... this bike will work great in my opinion.

owlhoot · #3 03-13-2020, 09:27 AM

Well it has disc brakes, aluminum frame and front shocks. I'm not familiar with the shifters but it looks like a good bike for the price. 32 lbs isn't light but fine for your needs

HalfBreed · #4 03-13-2020, 09:30 AM

If you go this route, ride it in the parking lot before leaving.

Nothing sucks worse than a minor wheel bend or some such that can't be detected in the store aisle.

These are assembled by their employees.

MK2750 · #5 03-13-2020, 09:36 AM

The drive train and components are a very slight upgrade over most bikes in that price range and a big upgrade over some of the big box junk.

The problems you might run into is a quality control things and a lack of customer service. Assembly and set up is fairly straight forward for me being a licensed mechanic and probably anyone else mechanically inclined with good reading skills. After setting up lots of them and meeting people on the trail, I realize that most should leave tune ups to bike techies.

So, after you change that seat (you will find out later) and pay someone to set it up (if you don't get frustrated and toss the whole thing), you might be better served buying from an actual bike stop. You will get exactly what you want, a better quality bike, professional set up and after purchase support. ( this of course if you choose the right shop)

If you are mechanically inclined I would look at used bikes. Spend some time reading the forums and call around. That community is very helpful and has forums like this one with every question you can think of already answered. People into bikes are upgrading constantly so if you educate yourself you can get in to twice or even three times the bike for the same money.

Lastly, a begiiner mountain bike is like a starter 4X4. If it is used as designed (mountain biking) it will break. Yes the bike you are looking at will work for what you want but there are much better options. In my mid 50s for example I ride a mid level Giant hybred/trainer. It allows me to sit more upright putting less strain on my back and is much faster than a mountain bike. It rides much smoother on the trails you describe and is 100 times more fun to drive on those trails. It is over 4 times your budget new but I picked mine up for just slightly over your budget in perfect condition.

riden · #6 03-13-2020, 09:59 AM

If I were buying a bike in that price range, I would take a really hard look at this before Costco. One huge advantage that was mentioned is, it will be tuned perfectly when you buy it and it will be properly sized for you.

https://unitedsport.ca/collections/b...020-trek-black

These bikes come sized. If you are tall or short, you can often get a great deal on last years model....... yes bike snobs will pay more for this year's model.

EDIT: From the Costco pic, I really don't like the look of the tires. I would prefer smooth rolling and little resistance over a bit of cushion.

I would take good caliper brakes over lower end disc brakes any day. Much easier to adjust, and I suspect cheap disc brakes are really hard to adjust, which you do annually.

riden · #7 03-13-2020, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MK2750

If you are mechanically inclined I would look at used bikes. Spend some time reading the forums and call around. That community is very helpful and has forums like this one with every question you can think of already answered. People into bikes are upgrading constantly so if you educate yourself you can get in to twice or even three times the bike for the same money.

Lastly, a begiiner mountain bike is like a starter 4X4. If it is used as designed (mountain biking) it will break. Yes the bike you are looking at will work for what you want but there are much better options. In my mid 50s for example I ride a mid level Giant hybred/trainer. It allows me to sit more upright putting less strain on my back and is much faster than a mountain bike. It rides much smoother on the trails you describe and is 100 times more fun to drive on those trails. It is over 4 times your budget new but I picked mine up for just slightly over your budget in perfect condition.

All good advice.

calgarychef · #8 03-13-2020, 10:19 AM

I bought a bike at Costco some 20 years ago. Took it in for a tune up last year and the bike shop owner offered me more for it than it cost in the first place.
I like Costco

Nikanit · #9 03-13-2020, 10:31 AM

I used to be a former bike messenger and bike mechanic and worked at SYNCROS, that made very high end racing parts. That bike is perfect for a beginner, little pricey, but good. Make sure it's the right size by measuring the down tube, average for men is a 19 inch frame (Mine was a 16.5). What I STRONGLY suggest is getting some anti theft for it from a company called PINHEAD. I had their equipment all over my $3500 Gary Fisher bike that I hand built from frame up. Put locking skewers on your tires as thieves love taking wheels off with those quick releases, and put one on the seat tube. Also, get a motorcycle U-lock. I could leave my bike locked in DT Red Deer and still have it there the next day. Front tires especially are very stealable because quite often it's the front tire that gets bent in screw ups on the road. EVERYONE I know here that has kids, has had bikes stolen, so PLEASE get anti theft deterrents, and make sure the kids treat their bikes with care. Sorry to be so agro with the theft thing, but a new mtn bike is worth quite a bit to a meth head looking for some quick coin.

elkhunter11 · #10 03-13-2020, 10:25 AM

For the use described, that bike would probably work fine, if you purchase the right size, and it is properly adjusted. The better quality bikes are well worth the money if a person rides hard, over rough terrain, the components on the lower priced bikes , won't stand up to hard usage. And I agree on used bikes, many people purchase good quality bikes, ride them a few times, and then they sit unused for years, so if you know what size you need, you can often find great deals.

Au revoir, Gopher · #11 03-13-2020, 10:26 AM

"this will probably be used on paths and the road almost entirely. Offroad would likely entail going off the curb. "

In that case, I would say not the right bike. If you aren't going to be riding down dirt trails (and I mean dirt, not nicely maintained gravel trails) don't get a bike with wide knobby tires. All it does is add rolling resistance and reduces traction on pavement. Also, I'm not a fan of front shocks unless you need them, just adds weight and future maintenance issues; problem is, you will have a hard time finding a mountain bike or hybrid without one.

Everything MK2750 said is spot on.

But if you want to go the costco route, maybe look at the Northrock CTM Crossover Bike. I don't know much about the low end Shimano components, but Tourney seems to be par for the course for that price range.

ARG

Nikanit · #12 03-13-2020, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Au revoir, Gopher

"this will probably be used on paths and the road almost entirely. Offroad would likely entail going off the curb. "

In that case, I would say not the right bike. If you aren't going to be riding down dirt trails (and I mean dirt, not nicely maintained gravel trails) don't get a bike with wide knobby tires. All it does is add rolling resistance and reduces traction on pavement. Also, I'm not a fan of front shocks unless you need them, just adds weight and future maintenance issues; problem is, you will have a hard time finding a mountain bike or hybrid without one.

Everything MK2750 said is spot on.

But if you want to go the costco route, maybe look at the Northrock CTM Crossover Bike. I don't know much about the low end Shimano components, but Tourney seems to be par for the course for that price range.

ARG

Yep...I deliberately didn't put a pair of rox shox on my front end...my buddies all had them because they were really hard core riders... but living in Vancouver, and working in the downtown eastside, it was a must that I kept my bike as neutral looking as possible. I took all stickers off my bike and the parts.

pdog15 · #13 03-13-2020, 11:59 AM

I have an older Giant with hybrid tires and have found it very nice for casual riding on the Calgary bike trails. Set the handle bars for more upright riding than the traditional race bike. I think the larger mountain type wheels might be harder to pedal, but have never tried one out.

^v^Tinda wolf^v^ · #14 03-19-2020, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trochu

My wife has wanted me to by a bicycle for a few years now. As the kids are getting older and can actually ride for more than half a block before getting tired/bored/hurt, this may be the year I commit. The problem being, I'm not a bike guy and basically know nothing about the specifics. Are the Northrock bikes at Costco any good, or decent value for the money?

They look decent, listed at $450.00. I just have no idea if a "KMC-Z50" chain for example, is any good.

Here is the link: https://www.costco.ca/northrock-xc27...100517769.html

I'm not getting a bike and headed straight to Canmore, this will probably be used on paths and the road almost entirely. Offroad would likely entail going off the curb.

My brother has the bike you are looking at and he is very happy with it. I would start with something in this price bracket and see how she goes. Having said that fat bikes aren’t for every rider but they get the job done in many aspects. The fat bike takes more leg power to spin the wheels, a bit slower in general and limited in gear settings. The positive of a fat bike is more winter riding and better handling in the rhubarb along with a plush ride. I would also look at a cross country designed platform before deciding what’s best.

The price of bicycles is ridiculous these days and really they are all built the same and with the same materials, the only difference being weight and rolling resistance.

^v^Tinda wolf^v^ · #15 03-19-2020, 05:24 PM

My bad! at a glance it appeared to be the fat bike version.

Colt45. · #16 03-19-2020, 10:07 PM

I also would recommend looking at the used market for something just a hair above the 450$ market bikes. I decided to up my budget from 500 to the 7-800 range and I feel I defiantly got more quality and a bike that will last me as long as I need it and take care of it. Just my 2 cents

lyallpeder · #17 03-19-2020, 11:19 PM

I had one for 2 years and the bolt that is basically the real axle broke. Costco exchanged it for a new one even though the seat had been stolen and replaced with a dollar store seat. If you get one peel off the barcode and put it on the receipt. The person at customer service was completely confused why it didn’t have a bar code, all the bikes they sell have a bar code! It took 20 minutes to explain that the sticker barcode didn’t last 2 summers of weather.