Online shopping Vs Local Bike Shop...

mazcp

I'm always torn between buying bike bits on-line (convenience of ordering, doorstep delivery, slightly cheaper?) or from the local bike shop (nice helpful fella, slightly higher prices?, supporting your local economy and all that good stuff).

Can bike shops source any item, even if they don't normally stock that brand? e.g. If I wanted some Specialized tyres, would I have to go to a Spesh stockist or any bike shop? To be honest, if the same item is slightly more expensive in the local shop, I think I'd buy it there.

Does anyone else do this, or am I a mentalist?!

redddraggon

Generally if I know what I want I'll get it online. If there's something I needed urgently I'd go to the LBS, say a tube or tyre (if they had them)

I did go to the LBS across the road from me for a few things, they are very helpful, but they don't stock anything useful. I went in for a pair of road shoes they said they'd order them for me, but I might aswell buy them off the internet.

Big Red S

Most bike shops will be able to get in most brands.

Though some importers have a minimum order to qualify for free shipping, below which it's generally not very worth ordering the part.

Best bet, really, is to ask them.

MentalRaver

redddraggon wrote:

Generally if I know what I want I'll get it online. If there's something I needed urgently I'd go to the LBS, say a tube or tyre (if they had them)

I did go to the LBS across the road from me for a few things, they are very helpful, but they don't stock anything useful. I went in for a pair of road shoes they said they'd order them for me, but I might aswell buy them off the internet.

what he says

graham_g

Depends on how easy it is to get to the shop - if I know they keep something as stock I'll get it. If it involves ordering in then I just mail order it (unless it's a bike).

ddraver

for a bike, i'd buy from a shop, but any componantry, clothes etc i tend to use the net!

unfortunatly if you need help fitting aforementioned componant then the shops make you pay out ur a**e for it, One shop charged me £40 to put on a new derailleur once, safe to say i never went back to them again,

w**kers

marchant

Personally, for buying bikes or anything that needs professional fitting or tools I'm likely only to use once, I prefer the LBS. Unfortunately, I found out half an hour ago that it's just closed which leaves me with just a Halfords in the area (nothing against them in general, just had some bad experiences with work done there).

passout

Things that are likely to break or need attention - LBS. Eg wheels, sus. forks.
Otherwise internet it's cheaper.

Hairy Jock

It is much easier to build a relationship with a good LBS, but there are time when internet deals are too good to miss...

baudman

I tend to favour the bargains, wherever they may be. So that means a lot of online/eBay, but also shop bargain bins, sales and newsletter/email discounts from LBSs.

I have an LBS pretty close to home, but about 5 within 10 mins walk from work, so I don't really have a lot of purchase loyalty, although there are some I favour over others of course.

As others have said, for actual bikes and things I need to touch and see, (as well as servicing or bike-fit of course), it's to my LBS(s).