buying cycling gear in the States vs UK

cberry
cberry Posts: 29
edited October 2007 in Workshop
I'm away in the states for the next few weeks. With a strong sterling, and with so many other items so cheap in the US, are bike parts and clothing significantly cheaper stateside? I'm in need of a whole lot of bits and bobs- tools, clothing, etc, and wondering if prices are considerably better stateside. Also, if anyone can recommend any good online shops in the US, or actual shops in the Boston area, it would be great.

Comments

  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,578
    It varies but I've found that European made (or brand) components tend to be about the same in dollars as they are in pounds. The real savings to be made are in US made components, especially the boutique high end stuff like Phil Wood or Zero Gravity and you can usually get these in dollars for the price you'd normally pay in pounds.
  • biking_mongoose
    biking_mongoose Posts: 50
    Not component specific but I bought a Garmin 305 in the States from Dickies for $299 (£150) when they cost nearer £220 here.
  • HarryB
    HarryB Posts: 197
    Alternatively, you could have bought a garmin Edge 305 off Amazon for £159.

    I was in Boston a short time ago and have to say that most of the stuff I was looking for (exception sokme Bose headphones) was about the same price as the UK. Some clothing was actually more expensive.
  • biking_mongoose
    biking_mongoose Posts: 50
    No wonder the stuff you looked at was expensive. You were in Boston. Get out into the stix and shop in the outlet malls. Those Nike outlets are top for cheapo gear
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    IME there's few bargains to be had unless you're buying US or Far Eastern products - decent clothing is just as expensive. Best to do your web research before you go to search out the best prices and deals. Depends where you are, but you may struggle if you're trying to buy anything but ubiquitous Trek / Specialized / Cannondale.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Cajun
    Cajun Posts: 1,048
    edited October 2007
    If you have a US address to receive parcels during your visit, the US is having some 'end-of-Summer' sales...
    Better Sites:
    http://www.coloradocyclist.com/ (High end components & clothing)
    http://excelsports.com/new.asp?page=1 (same as Colorado Cyclist)
    (these two sites have very good year-round prices)

    Here are a couple of 'best price' sites to see who has your search item for less money:
    http://www.bestwebbuys.com/bikes/
    http://comparisonpricing.com/

    Clothing like ASSOS are practically never on sale; I've found that Louis Garneau merchandise is very high quality, reaonably priced and designed by bikers; not Marketing grads. http://www.louisgarneau.com/


    Enjoy your visit Mate 8)
    Cajun
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    Try http://www.nashbar.com

    They almost always have the best prices going.

    Dennis Noward
  • rustychisel
    rustychisel Posts: 3,444
    Nashbar are a bunch of complete munts, especially when it comes to sending anywhere which isn't the lower 48 states. Avoid them as hopeless.

    On a US$200 order they wanted US105 postage to Australia, said they only use Fedex and DIDN'T BOTHER TELLING ME FOR AN ENTIRE MONTH until I queried where my order was.

    When faced with the facts (I use at least 3 other online sellers in the US whose shipments reach me WITHIN ONE WEEK FOR A FLAT FEE OF $25 THROUGH US POSTAL) they asked me what I wanted to do. I wanted them to shove their entire catalogue and warehouse sideways up their useless arse, but I didn't tell them that.
    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
    I\'m only escaping to here because the office is having a conniption
  • Eurostar
    Eurostar Posts: 1,806
    Yebbut cberry will be IN the States. So shipping should be easy peasy.

    But really you should go to Harris Cyclery, home base of the God who is Sheldon Brown http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/index.html About 10 miles from Boston I reckon.

    Some US-made exotic components are superb value when bought in the US. What kind of stuff do you want? Rolf Prima wheels and Zero Gravity brakes spring to mind. Or a Serotta frame. Or a Thomson seat post. I bought all of these in San Francisco and didn't pay California sales tax, or UK duty or VAT on them.
    <hr>
    <h6>What\'s the point of going out? We\'re just going to end up back here anyway</h6>
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    Pricepoint, jensonusa and cambria bike outfitters can be really cheap too. There is a certain frame at cbo that is really awesome! Rocky mountain columbus spirit, made in Canada....
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    You completely evaded tax then, Eurostar?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    aracer wrote:
    You completely evaded tax then, Eurostar?


    Avoided please. :wink:
    Isn't evasion naughty?
  • Eurostar
    Eurostar Posts: 1,806
    Allegedly you can get away with it thusly:

    - pretend to be an out of state customer when you pay for the bike. Use your credit card while standing in the shop. The staff put the payment through as if you're paying over the phone and press the 'Customer Not Present' button. Then they ship the bike to a friendly bike shop in the next state, who then ship it straight back to your hotel

    - post the manuals and receipts home

    - pack the bike in a bike box of a different brand

    - get the shop to fit part worn tyres

    - dull the polished surfaces with egg white

    - slather fake dirt on - it's made of coffee grounds

    - take a cheese grater to the bar tape for that 'I fell off' effect

    - pack some cycling clothes so it looks like you've been on a cycling holiday. Claim you bought the bike in the UK months ago

    Sounds like a lot of trouble - but well worth it for a $10,000 bike.
    <hr>
    <h6>What\'s the point of going out? We\'re just going to end up back here anyway</h6>
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    Given that description, I'm fairly sure my wording was correct!

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