Do you have a store?
To keep the price of bikes as low as possible, there isn't a "brick and mortar" store you can visit. Each listing offers multiple images to view the bike virtually before seeing the bike in person. Questions are welcome and encouraged!
How can I view a bike?
You can schedule an appointment to view and test ride one or several bikes. If you are interested in one specific bike, a mutually convenient place to meet will be provided. If you are looking to try multiple bikes, an address where the bikes are located will be provided to you. Please note:
-The bikes are located in the Sheepshead Bay area in Brooklyn off the B, Q train line
-The hours to view multiple bikes is 9:30am-5pm ET M-F and 9:30am-4pm Sat- Sun
-You should budget at least 1 hour to test ride several bikes.
-Pedals will be installed for you to test ride
-You are encouraged to wear comfortable, sporty clothes to get the best idea of how the bike will fit.
How do I pay for a bike?
Venmo, Zelle, Pay-Pal, Credit Cards and cash are acceptable forms of payment. Checks of any kind or cryptocurrency are NOT accepted. Financing a bike is available through ShopPay, see website for pricing and terms.
What is your return policy?
All sales are final! You are encouraged to thoroughly inspect, test ride and ask any questions you might have.
What is your exchange policy?
We want you to have the bike you will love riding! Test riding several bikes will give you a good idea of what to expect, but a longer ride will be more indicative of the bike's true feel. Perhaps you are between 2 bikes and not sure which you should go with or maybe you fell in love with cycling and want to upgrade to a higher end machine. Maybe the bike is too aggressive, or not aggressive enough, too big or too small, etc... You may exchange a bike previously purchased from BCBC for another model and pay (or be refunded) the price difference. Exchanges are allowed up to 6 months from the date of purchase, however accommodations can be made to exchange/upgrade outside this time frame, if needed.
How does one road bike differ from another?
Domestic and foreign manufacturers engineer bikes to have specific attributes and often have similar offerings that compete with one another. Although frame designs and their geometries vary, identical groupsets and wheels can be found across various bike brands. Frame designs can have a "relaxed" geometry which are considered "endurance" bikes or conversely more "aggressive" geometry for racing. Modifications can be made to make a bike more or less aggressive and find an optimal fit.
What is a Groupset?
A groupset are the mechanical or electronic components that are the bike's drive train. A groupset usually consists of shifters, brakes, front/rear derailleurs and the crank-set. The most common brands usually seen on quality road bikes is Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo. They have similar offerings at different price points, with the top end stuff costing close to $5000. Components can be interchangeable and you can mix, match and modify your ride.
What is the difference between groupsets?
Higher end groups use expensive metals, which are lighter in weight, well engineered and offer a premium experience. Groupsets can also be mechanical or electronic (Di2, eTap or EPS), can have rim or disc brakes. See how they compare here: LINK
Why should I consider a bike with a carbon fiber frame?
Bikes with carbon fiber frames provide a ride quality that is superior to those with aluminum or steel frames. The main advantages are vibration dampening, stiffness and lighter weight. Other advantages include no corrosion, maneuverability, sleek appearance and repairability. Carbon fiber frames are the preferred choice of pros who need the best equipment to compete at the highest level.
Why are carbon fiber bikes so expensive?
Carbon fiber is an expensive material and the manufacturing process to assemble a frame is labor intensive. The grade of the carbon fiber, which can be more/less stiff and lighter/heavier will also correspond the price of the frame. The quality of carbon fiber used to build a frame varies. You can expect carbon fiber that is lighter in weight and stiffer to be more expensive. Specialized has the FACT carbon, which ranges from 8 to 11r, with the 11r often found on their S-Works models, some costing over $10,000. Trek has the OCLV Series which goes up to 800 and is comparable to other high end brands that compete in the space. Monocoque carbon fiber is another type, famously used by Pinarello and other premium brands.
Are wheels important?
Wheels are the first upgrade cyclists usually make. A good set of wheels can transform a ride and offer advantages in aerodynamics and weight savings. Carbon fiber hoops tend to be a must for racers. Wheels can be clincher or tubular, carbon or aluminum, be tubeless (not tubular). Some quality brands include Zipp, Mavic, HED, Bontrager, Reynolds. ENVE, Princeton Carbon Works, Easton, HUNT to name a few. See wheels available for purchase from BCBC here: https://brooklyncarbon.bike/collections/wheels-bikes
What size bike do I need?
Road bike sized are usually quoted in 2 centimeter increments from 50-60cm. You can check with a particular manufacturer or see the guide below for ranges. In my experience you can make small adjustments and go a size lower or even higher. Keep in mind that frame geometries vary from one to bike to another and riders' body types differ as well.
What are some items I need with me on a ride?
I compiled a list of items you should consider buying. These are popular choices, but does not encompass everything out there. Link is HERE
Do you only sell carbon fiber road bikes?
The offering of bikes at BCBC tends to focus on quality road bike models which have gained a reputation for winning races and provide a premium experience. Since higher quality road bikes tend to have a carbon fiber frames, so too does our inventory, that is not to say that there are not great Aluminum or Titanium frames out there.
I like several bikes that you have listed, which one should I go with?
We get that you will have your bike for a while and you want to make the right choice when spending a considerable amount of money. You are welcome to try out a bike and swap if for another model at a later date if you want to upgrade or switch. A consultation can be scheduled and we are happy to make a recommendation.
What is the condition of the bikes available?
The one thing the bikes have in common is, they are pre-owned. The bikes are mechanically sound and road ready, unless otherwise stated. The cosmetic condition can vary from bike to bike.
How often should I service my bike?
It really depends on how much and where you ride. You can do a lot of basic maintenance yourself or visit your local bike shop at least once a year. You can find a lot of videos or guides online about properly maintaining your bike. Take care of your bike and it will serve you for a long time. We are happy to recommend a local mechanic who does quality work for a great price.
What if my carbon fiber frame breaks?
Carbon fiber frames are very much repairable. There are certain sections of the frame where a repair should not be done (i.e. fork, bottom bracket) to ensure structural integrity. You can find carbon repair kits online and do it yourself or send your frame to a professional repair shop and let them take care of it. Most shops will do cosmetic work in addition to the repair. Here are some shops that have a great reputation:
Calfee Design - Cyclocarbon - Appleman - Broken Carbon - Ruckus Composites
Do I need special pedals for a road bike?
Since you want to utilize the bike's full potential, cleats are highly recommended. There are a variety of pedals available, here are some of the more popular styles: SPD-SL, SPD, Look, Speedplay.
Do you accept trade-ins?
Trade-ins are NOT accepted. You can trade in a bike previously purchased from BCBC for a different model and pay (or be refunded) the difference.
