Buying a bike from abroad

[Simon_m]

Don't forget that a bike from Europe or the USA will be left hand drive.

yep, I hope the shop will change it for me. Also I don't need wheels, I rang Evans to see if they would sell it without and they said no, it comes as a package. I really don't need yet another set of wheels.

 

[bpsmith]

Yup @vickster is right, as usual, I bought my Bianchi from Germany @Simon_m.

www.bianchistore.de to be precise.

Euro rate wasn't as good last year as now, but was still a HUGE saving. My Ultegra equipped Sempre Pro was €2,350 at the time, when it was £2,399 here. When mulling it over, it got reduced to €2,150 iirc.

Even with €80 shipping, I ended up paying around £1,700 or so. I paid on my credit card, for the cover of it never arrived or was damaged and couldn't get return sorted.

The most important thing to me was sounding the guys out, via email, before ordering. I got lots of genuine, no pressure, advice when asking about ordering, shipping, sizing, model to choose, etc. It soon became apparent that I wasn't going to get any hassle.

Bike was ordered from Bianchi in Italy, shipped to Munich, then on to me. Got here faster than dealers in the UK could get me one too!

I didn't test ride anywhere and bike is exactly as described and fit is perfect. What's not to like?

Feel free to ask any questions fella.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Don't forget that a bike from Europe or the USA will be left hand drive.

Mine has the chain on the right hand side.

 

[Gravity Aided]

View attachment 104774

right.

 

[jefmcg]

So probably too late to add that if you buy from Europe/USA you will need a plug adapter if you want to recharge it here.

 

[bpsmith]

If you buy from the Southern Hemisphere, the wheels spin the other way too.

 

[jasonmccullum]

wither the bike is new or used doesn't matter. whenever you bring an item to the uk with a value of over £390 (from outside of Europe) you have to pay import taxes. that is usually 20% tax and possibly customs charge (dependant on the item and how it qualifies).

 

[Simon_m]

[QUOTE 3920263, member: 9609"]I borrowed a German bike, first junction I came to I nearly went over the handlebars - the brakes were on the wrong side, apparently for riding on the right they have the front brake on the left hand side (all to do with being able to brake and signal to turn left across the carriageway) So yes there is a difference.[/QUOTE]

Yes I did a bike tour in Salzburg the other week and noticed it was all back to front. I would ask the shop if they were willing to change it over for me. thanks

 

[Simon_m]

Cool guys, looks like it is a no brainer then. bpsmith , thanks for your experience too with how you got your bike. I feel I might fly out to one of these places cheaply and check it all out. the website of the company I am looking at looks and sounds good, it is close to a mates house abroad too, so I can ask him to sound them out too. Do I wait to the New Year sales now and maybe save a few more ££s at the risk of the pound dropping against the euro

 

[Dayvo]

If you buy from the Southern Hemisphere, the wheels spin the other way too.

Not only that but the bike is upside down, too.

 

[AndyJ14]

[QUOTE 3920263, member: 9609"]I borrowed a German bike, first junction I came to I nearly went over the handlebars - the brakes were on the wrong side, apparently for riding on the right they have the front brake on the left hand side (all to do with being able to brake and signal to turn left across the carriageway) So yes there is a difference.[/QUOTE]

For reference. When you order from Rose there is question as part of the order process to choose which side you would like the brakes fitting.

 

[Milkfloat]

Maybe it's possible to fly to USA, buy the bike, cycle on it for 5 minutes and make it dirty, then bring it back as a used bike, and not a new one. Don't know if it works with bikes, but people I know have done it when buying 'new' golf clubs.

Yes it does work - twice.

 

[Milkfloat]

wither the bike is new or used doesn't matter. whenever you bring an item to the uk with a value of over £390 (from outside of Europe) you have to pay import taxes. that is usually 20% tax and possibly customs charge (dependant on the item and how it qualifies).

In most cases yes, but not all. It is perfectly feasible to bring in goods worth over £390 without paying duty/tax/custom charges both legally and illegally. Checkout form C3 for example.

 

[Simon_m]

Just emailed 6 European online shops to see what they can do

 

[huwsparky]

Do I wait to the New Year sales now and maybe save a few more ££s at the risk of the pound dropping against the euro

No, strike whilst the irons hot!