I was just talking to a friend this afternoon about the experience I had a couple of weeks ago trying to find a new tire for my son's bike.

We went to Meijer and while they had bike tires, all the ones that were the size we needed were white. Wouldn't work on ds' bike.

So, next we went to MC Sports- a sporting goods store. I was sure that I would find bike tires at a sporting goods store. They sell bikes, helmets, gloves, and other biking accessories. They should have tires, too. But when we got there, we found that they are a sporting goods store that doesn't sell bike tires.

I went to the other Meijer store and found that their bike tires were also all white- except ONE. And we bought the last black 20-inch bike tire.

My friend said, "Oh, you have to go to Alger Schwinn."

Well, Alger Schwinn is clear on the other side of town. And she also said it is one of only 3 remaining bike shops in the whole city, that she knows of.

So, my question for you ladies is- why do sporting goods stores sell bikes but don't sell bike tires?

Sheesh!

By Cat on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 04:45 pm:

Hey! I know where that store is! On 28th street, right? I'm surprised Meijer didn't have any more black tires. Wal-Mart should have had them, too. I don't know why MC Sporting Goods didn't have them (my brother used to work there ). Did you ask? I'm glad you finally found one.

By Yjja123 on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 04:53 pm:

GOOD QUESTION! We cannot find a tire for my son's schwinn stingray bike. It is frustrating!

By Cocoabutter on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 05:10 pm:

Yes, Cat! It's WAYYYYYY down there on 28th street, and I don't like to drive in busy traffic, so I stay as far away from that end of town as I can, especially on a Saturday!

I didn't think of Wal-Mart. I asked at MC Sports and the girl at the counter said she didn't know why they didn't have them but they didn't.

By Kym on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 05:36 pm:

I would say its because a tire is usually a service item as well, people want the tire installed when they buy it, typically sporting goods stores don't offer service. Just the good ol boys at the bike shops OK I'm prejudiced since we own one.

As for the Schwinn tires, my hubby believes WalMart is selling the sting ray tires now that they sell Schwinn, but a bike shop can order them if they don't stock them.

By Cat on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 05:37 pm:

There must be another MC because the one my brother used to work at isn't too far from the Schwinn store. When I was home last summer I couldn't believe how much that city has grown. Cascade, Kentwood, Wyoming. They're all HUGE now! The city used to end at about the road the airport is on. Now it just keeps going, and going, and going...

By Cocoabutter on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 05:48 pm:

Yeah, I went to the one on Plainfield. I really didn't want to drive all over the city.

Cat, that's one reason why we tried to sell our house last year. The city is getting SOOooooo big! There is so much more action (and noise and vandalism and cars and people) since we moved here 13 years ago. Alpine Ave has really grown up alot too. There used to be a golf course behind Target, but now it's a theater, a hotel, restaurants, apartments/condos, strip malls....And north on Alpine the development continues almost to 6 mile rd. Wal-Mart is just north of 4 mile rd, and they are going to rebuild and make it a super-center. Rockford and Standale have their very own Meijer stores. There's the new expressway (M-6- the South Beltline) and that alone has spurred more growth out on the south end of the city (Cutlerville, Byron Center.) It's just so big!

By Dawnk777 on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 10:55 pm:

Nashbar Bike Supplies

We found some new tires for my bike and even with paying shipping, they were cheaper than tires we could have found, right where we live!

DH reminded me that the tires came FAST, too!

By Cat on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 11:33 pm:

Lisa, I havn't been to Plainfield for years. When I was in the delayed enlistment program with the Air Force my recruiter was in Plainfield and we had monthly meetings up there. My parents used to love to go to Swedenhouse up there and our youth group used to go to a roller skating rink up that way. My brother also worked at Plainfield Lumber for a while. Small world, huh? Oh, Lowell has it's own Meijer now, too. Wonder when Hastings will be getting one.

By Brandy on Saturday, July 22, 2006 - 11:12 am:

Have the team members at meijer call other meijer stores to see if they have any in stock = ) instead of making the trip first they should call to all the ones in the surrounding area depending on how far you want to drive they might be able to find you one... = ) good luck...actually they should be able to look this up on the computer first and then call the store just to make sure the computer is correct and then have them hold one for you = )

By Brandy on Saturday, July 22, 2006 - 11:20 am:

actually which Meijer is it and i will call them do you have the upc with you?

By Brandy on Saturday, July 22, 2006 - 11:27 am:

i meant to say i will call whichever one you are willing to travel to to see if they have it...

By Brandy on Saturday, July 22, 2006 - 11:32 pm:

well i was going to say sorry for not getting back to you sooner lol but noone posted so i guess i won't i was at baseball games and parties all day long = )

By Cocoabutter on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 12:13 am:

Sorry, Brandy! I have been busy today! I just checked in really quick before going to bed.

What happened was I was at the Alpine Ave Meijer (#20) and they didn't have the tire I needed, so I assumed (and you know what they say about that!) I could just go over to MC Sports on Plainfield Ave. which is only a hop, skip, and jump away, and SURELY they would have one. Well, since they didn't, and since I was already on Plainfield Ave., I decided to go on over to the Plainfield Ave. Meijer store (#12) and check them out. I lucked out and they had one. But ONLY one.

But thanks anyway for the offer!

By Brandy on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 08:16 am:

No problem Lisa i was just glad you hadn't responded in a way because then i would of felt really bad lol..because i offered to do something and then didn't follow through because of my busy day also = ) ...your welcome..= )