Online Buying

Huhwhat? said:

Pardon me if this is covered somewhere. I haven't found it, so far. I live in an area with limited local resources for biking. That means there are few shops, and the shops that exist are fairly small, with limited stock. In order to get exactly what I want, I will have to go to the web.

So, what websites are worth visiting? Where are the best deals on bicycles and gear on the internet?

I am living in a city with two proper LBS, i have to go online to buy as there are lot of products to choose from. Those based in UK are pretty good as I brought a few items from different web.
i think it's kinda depends on where u are and just go to the internet to search for the bargain within ur country!~

Huhwhat? said:

Pardon me if this is covered somewhere. I haven't found it, so far. I live in an area with limited local resources for biking. That means there are few shops, and the shops that exist are fairly small, with limited stock. In order to get exactly what I want, I will have to go to the web.

So, what websites are worth visiting? Where are the best deals on bicycles and gear on the internet?

performancebike.com
nashbar.com
supergo.com
jensonusa.com
coloradocyclist.com

www.bicyclebuys.com
www.universalcycles.com
www.sunrisecyclery.com

These are a little less main stream, but they can offer some great deals. Also check

mtbr.com to see what the latest 'hot deals' are..usually can lead to some good cycling sites..

I use www.bestbikebuys.com once in a while to find good prices on stuff (it lists prices at online retailers). Also www.aebike.com (this is a brick and mortar store in Kalamazoo, MI that does a very good online business). And also www.all3sports.com is a great place for some stuff, especially tri specific (aerobars and the like) that is here in Atlanta, GA. For cheap team clothes and tires and anything else, check out www.probikekit.com --they take a little extra time in shipping, but I've received most of my orders in 5-7 business days. And of course for videos, books, posters and such there is www.worldcycling.com and www.velogear.com. Hope this helps.

The nice thing about living out in the boonies is lots of low traffic/high hills roads to ride. The bad thing is the absence of well stocked bike shops. If you want a Campy equipped bike, you just about have to go online.

I built my latest and greatest bike completely out of components obtained online. My sources were:

www.ebay.com
www.aebike.com
www.cbike.com
www.branfordbike.com
www.supergo.com
www.srp-usa.com

usual caveats apply to anything bought on ebay.
cbike has the best Campy inventory I've come across, occasionally puts wheelsets on sale. (Campy Zondas - $350) aebike and branfordbike had some obscure parts: converted Shimano cassette, removeable link for Campy 10 chain. Specialty Racing Products has a neat selection of cycle related titanium bolts and nuts, including 28mm brake caliper nuts for those of us with screwy framesets that need them.

Always check with the online retailers before you buy a bike component on ebay. Quite often, you can buy it brand new from one of the reputable sellers at the same price as you'd pay for an unknown seller on ebay. Case in point - I bought a Cateye CDW300 computer from cbike for $119. Typical price on ebay - $100-110, with no return/no warranty.

Huhwhat? said:

Pardon me if this is covered somewhere. I haven't found it, so far. I live in an area with limited local resources for biking. That means there are few shops, and the shops that exist are fairly small, with limited stock. In order to get exactly what I want, I will have to go to the web.

So, what websites are worth visiting? Where are the best deals on bicycles and gear on the internet?

If you are in the UK try www.evanscycles.com - they're flogging off a whole batch of '03 and '04 bikes at the moment.

Thanks for all the info, folks. I have to go shopping.

Huhwhat? said:

Thanks for all the info, folks. I have to go shopping.

I find ebay fantastic but always have google open to research every component you consider bidding on. My rule of thumb is anything over 60-70% of an online advertised price isn't worth touching and only if it's new.

raymondf59 said:

I find ebay fantastic but always have google open to research every component you consider bidding on. My rule of thumb is anything over 60-70% of an online advertised price isn't worth touching and only if it's new.

Be careful on ebay. A friend of mine bought a very expensive set of race wheels from the USA. He paid for them and guess what, they never arrived. So check out the bona fides of the seller before you buy anything expensive.

This guy rides in the Australian national squad so he knew what he was looking for. Ebay have not been much help in getting his money back (we're talking thousands not hundreds of dollars).

Caveat emtor!

Spider1977 said:

Be careful on ebay. A friend of mine bought a very expensive set of race wheels from the USA. He paid for them and guess what, they never arrived. So check out the bona fides of the seller before you buy anything expensive.

This guy rides in the Australian national squad so he knew what he was looking for. Ebay have not been much help in getting his money back (we're talking thousands not hundreds of dollars).

Caveat emtor!

eBay is like the stock market .... never spend more than you are willing to lose.

Thousands on eBay? Sorry for your pal, but I'd be more cautious with that kind of cash. Couple hundred US is my max.