Chain Reacton cycles

[potsy]

CRC has always been my supplier of choice for all things bike.

Recently they have had the credt card fiasco, and now they have stopped doing the 'Price Match' that I took advantage of a couple of times.
I also don't like how they show items at a certain 'bargain' price then when you clck on the link it is only that price for 1 particular size/model and the rest of them are normal price.

Is it time to start using somebody else?
If so who are your favourites?

 

[corshamjim]

I don't have a single favourite, as each supplier has strengths and weaknesses. Shops I often come back to are:

Cycology bicycles in Chippenham (my lbs, not an online shop though)

SJSC - tend to have the kind of niche components I need/want/like. Their "New Arrivals" page is always worth a look and I have loads of things saved up on my wishlist there for when I have the funds available.

Tredz - I guess I just like their vibe.

bikester.co.uk - some of their stuff is excellent value - if you're prepared to wait and put together a minimum £49 order. Some of their stuff is expensive though.

dotbike.com - good place to start looking for B+M and Schwalbe stuff. This outfit had Shwalbe Winter tyres when I needed them and nobody else had them.

rose - another place which stocks some of the niche items I need/want/like.

Halfords - yes occasionally they have some useful things. I particularly like the ding-dong bell I bought there recently.

 

[vickster]

I will confess that I generally buy on the basis of the cost of a specific item rather than the retailer - no loyalty here when it comes to online sellers

Evans are actually the only ones who have really messed me around in the past - worked out in my favour in the end. Ebay can be good as well. I have never bought anything from Halfords. Tesco even can be good, my 99p bell is spot on

If I need anything fitted, I will buy from my LBS - yes, it probably costs more for the item but if it is being fitted for free and without hassle, then all good

 

[funnymummy]

I will confess that I generally buy on the basis of the cost of a specific item rather than the retailer - no loyalty here when it comes to online sellers

Ditto

 

[Herzog]

Merlin cycles are usually pretty good. When I've contacted customer services via email, I've always got an answer reasonably quickly.

 

[slowmotion]

Like others, I'm a shameless tart. I Google the item description and pick the cheapest supplier, inc. postage. I've never been disappointed and am always awestruck by the returns policies. Less so by the High Street or the LBS. The latter makes me guilty and sad, but I don't like being given a large bill for not fixing a problem, and I'm not going to pay a premium for knick knacks while I wait.

 

[gavintc]

I am in the 'anyone except CRC camp' having had some very bad customer service from them - never again.

 

[martint235]

I tend to use Wiggle for most things (although obviously not armwarmers) as I get the 12% discount with them. I find that most sites are much of a muchness for the big purchases like tyres and cassettes so the discount makes Wiggle cheaper (while helping me keep the discount). If I'm after something more niche (battery holder for a Hope 1 for example) then it's off to Google to see who is cheaper.

 

[Cubist]

Google, and scouring some of the specialists like Ribble and Planet X who don't always show up in searches for some reason. Dave Hinde can have some bargains occasionally.

Ebay is my favourite though, and some of the powersellers like Woollyhatshop can have some serious discounts on RRP. I got three PC970 chains for 12 quid each last month.

I've never had a bad experience from CRC, and and their prices are often competitive. Evans still do a pricematch, as I discovered the other day.

Loyalty? LBS? No, it's my money thanks.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I do like the recovery drink CRC are adding as a little extra when you order from them Have always found them the fastest to deliver if not the cheapest.

 

[sdr gb]

I use Wiggle mainly but in the past have used Evans and Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op. Not yet had a bad experience using any of these companies.

 

[Alun]

I visited a German online bikeshop ( that had details in English as well) prices looked good but I've lost the link, does anybody know of it?

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

I visited a German online bikeshop ( that had details in English as well) prices looked good but I've lost the link, does anybody know of it?

Starbike or Rose?

 

[BSRU]

Starbike or Rose?

Or bike24, www.bike24.com

 

[MacB]

Rose has a .co.uk site version as well now, though you still pay shipping from Germany, Bike24, Starbike and Bikecomponents.De are all good as well. But I've not had any products that have needed returning, around which I hear some negatives.

Elsewhere I probably use CRC most of all but also Wiggle, Spa, SJS, Dotbike, Merlin, On-One and Bikefridge on E-bay....a few others as well, but I can't list them all