Buy a bike online or LBS

[Atyl1972]

Ok guys, i'm looking to buy a bike very very soon however, cannot decide on buying online with much greater discounts ( baring in mind all accessories to be pruchased also, helmet, pump etc. ) or the good ol LBS with much heavire pricing, what are the pros and cons of both in 1st hand opinions guys, i'm looking at maybe wiggle as they offer the 30 day return and then take it to my LBS for them to fit for me?

any ideas guys?

 

[Sapper]

Ok guys, i'm looking to buy a bike very very soon however, cannot decide on buying online with much greater discounts ( baring in mind all accessories to be pruchased also, helmet, pump etc. ) or the good ol LBS with much heavire pricing, what are the pros and cons of both in 1st hand opinions guys, i'm looking at maybe wiggle as they offer the 30 day return and then take it to my LBS for them to fit for me?

any ideas guys?

In my opinion I would buy from a LBS

Why:

• They will be able to advise you on all sorts if queries
• A good LBS should allow you to test ride their range of bikes
• more likely to be able to change/adapt the bike eg the cassette on the rear wheel.
• They will help with resolving any problems that may develop
• More likely to be on the C2W scheme
• The first basic service will be free as and when cables stretch etc
• Advice on accessories, helmets etc

Against:

• generally more expensive than a LBS
• Possibly a greater range
• Harder to have a test drive before buying
• hassle in waiting to be home to take delivery - day of work?
• Possibly having to assemble part of the bike

I am sure there are other reasons for and agaisnt a LBS. There was a thread recommending good LBS

Adrian

 

[funnymummy]

You could use your LBS to test ride a variety of bikes, then choose to buy online once you've found one you like.. BUT,
You won't get any aftercare service from an online shop, get a free service (or 3 in the first year in the case of my LBS) and everyhting I now buy from them I get a nice discount, they are super friendly, I have popped in countless times to ask dumb questions, which they never find dumb, i've turned up dragging a childs bike with a puncture/flat tyre, broken spokes, bent brake lever, 9 times of 10 they've fixed it on the spot & not even charged me labour
If you're lucky & you have a brillinat LBS local to you then i'd say stick with them - The long term savings outweigh the short term discount you may get from buying online

 

[coffeejo]

What Adrian said.

If it helps, when I bought my bike, I got it from my LBS and they gave me a really good deal on the "accessories".

 

[smokeysmoo]

Don't just assume the price tag on the handlebars in your LBS will be the price you have to pay. Any LBS worth their salt will negotiate if you ask, (I know this goes against all things British though). Whille you probably won't match online prices, don't forget your LBS has greater overheads and less buying power than the online guys, you shouldn't be too far away, plus then you've got all the associated LBS benefits that have already been mentioned, and when you've popped a spoke on a Saturday afternoon there's nothing quite like knowing your LBS will bail you out .

I don't see the obligatory 6 week free service as a deal breaker though as I'd rather do that stuff myself and minimise the time a bike is off the road.

 

[Red Light]

Don't just assume the price tag on the handlebars in your LBS will be the price you have to pay. Any LBS worth their salt will negotiate if you ask, (I know this goes against all things British though). Whille you probably won't match online prices, don't forget your LBS has greater overheads and less buying power than the online guys, you shouldn't be too far away, plus then you've got all the associated LBS benefits that have already been mentioned, and when you've popped a spoke on a Saturday afternoon there's nothing quite like knowing your LBS will bail you out .

I don't see the obligatory 6 week free service as a deal breaker though as I'd rather do that stuff myself and minimise the time a bike is off the road.

If you don't support your LBS it won't be there in future to fit it for you or to help with service, repairs, advice........ Use it or lose it.

 

[Alembicbassman]

I generally search bike shops in a 50 mile radius online to see what their prices are, you can save up to 50% this way.

50 miles is about 1 hour drive each way for me. I don't mind that.

I saved £500 over my nearest bike shop buying this way.

 

[Herzog]

You could use your LBS to test ride a variety of bikes, then choose to buy online once you've found one you like..

Please don't do this, for the LBS you go to it's a right pain in the arse.

 

[Sapper]

Please don't do this, for the LBS you go to it's a right pain in the arse.

Indeed I agree#


If you trouble your LBS then give them a reward for their troubles....

Adrian

 

[rossjevans]

In my opinion if you have a good LBS near by then use it. I am lucky enough to have a very good shop 5 minutes away and I used it when I was in the market for a new cyclocross bike - I ended up buying a Tricross Sport from them. I could have bought the equivalent Focus bike from Wiggle for 300 pounds cheaper but for me personally the I valued the following services from my LBS more than the cost saving:

- Bike Fit: When I picked the bike up they spent a good hour with me on the turbo trainer getting it properly adjusted for my size.

- Advice: I visited the shop a number of times before purchasing to look at the bikes and talk what would suit my requirements, they were also more than willing to build bikes up especially for me to try with no obligation to purchase.

- Accessories: I was given 10% of my bikes value in free accessories and been offered further discounts on other accessory purchases since they already know me as regular customer.

- Service: The first service is free and it's also reassuring that for a newbie like me if there are any issues with the bike I can take it to them to be fixed properly.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I bought a Ribble online. I knew what I was doing, and exactly what I wanted. I still made the 350 mile return trip up to Preston to check out the frame size and fit before ordering online. Best use your LBS if you are not sure. The Wiggle deal looks good though.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I will get bargains from on line retailers, but I try and get my stuff from my LBS.
They have been great on getting things fixed, warranty on an item, advice and I love just going around the store looking.

It would be a terrible shame if it went out of business. So I support my store and would/will purchase my next bike from them.

Wiggle are great, but on a Saturday morning they cannot re true my wheel ready for Monday........

 

[PK99]

Wiggle are great, but on a Saturday morning they cannot re true my wheel ready for Monday........

i wrecked a rear wheel just before a sportive. My lbs (i had not bought the bike from them but from another lbs) lent me a wheel for the weekend and fitted the proper replacement in the next week - all at no charge other than the cost of the new wheel less our club discount.

 

[Chris.IOW]

You could use your LBS to test ride a variety of bikes, then choose to buy online once you've found one you like..

That could be a very good way to lose any goodwill from the LBS, which means the next time you need their help with a quick repair could be awkward.

I have to say I got my bike online, I used the Bikefactory who are also a LBS in Cheshire and they were great, really good service. However since then I have had a couple of problems that have needed attention and have come to realise how good my LBS is, once I'd starting buying a few bits from them they helped me adjust the set up and gave me some maintenance tips.

I'm now looking for my next bike and will be buying it from my LBS, they have said they will try to price match the Internet or include some servicing to sweeten the deal, but to be honest, having come to appreciate the service they provide I would now be happy to pay (a little ) bit extra.