internet v lbs

wiffachip

quite fancy a 2008 SCR1, double, 105 gear, but only available on the net.
for same price could get a 2009 defy 2.5 from lbs, triple, tiagra

much prefer the scr1, but worried about the practicalities of buying from a shop 200 mile away. What do you do when theres a problem ?

Any good/bad experiences of buying on the net compared to lbs

also, any experience of Ash Cycles ?

brownbosh

Better to try before you buy but tiagra is scrap iron crap!

wiffachip

i was really after comment on lbs v the net, but thanks any way

just out of interest what gear would you consider not to be crap ?

cumbriamike

Better to try before you buy but tiagra is scrap iron crap!

Never had a problem with Tiagra on my SCR2.

As for your question, I would say it depends on how competent you are at any adjustments that might be needed when the bike is delivered. If that's not a problem then the SCR1 seems like a good buy.

The SCR2 is now my winter bike & as I said despite a few thousand miles this year, the Tiagra groupset has been very reliable.

brownbosh

Err that was a comment on the internet v lbs quandry. The internet kit was higher spec but the lbs bike is something you could try before you buy.
105 or veloce up is the baseline for me personally. Both 10 speed very good gruppos now. Plus can be mixed with higher grade components as stuff expires.

cumbriamike

Also worth deciding if you need a triple, most opinions on here seem to think not but am glad of mine on some of the 'little' hills round here

jimilindley

brownbosh wrote:

Better to try before you buy but tiagra is scrap iron crap!

Never had any robs with my tiagra either, then when built my next bike with 105 realised that there is not much difference, some times its just finish, on the front mech it almost identical

croggy

LBS every time.
See the bike you're buying and have a test ride.If there's a problem it's easier to deal with it face to face than by phone or email.LBS may sometimes cost more than Internet shops but for me the convenience and personal touch win every time.

aracer

jimilindley wrote:

brownbosh wrote:

Better to try before you buy but tiagra is scrap iron crap!

Never had any robs with my tiagra either, then when built my next bike with 105 realised that there is not much difference, some times its just finish, on the front mech it almost identical

Agree it's not rubbish at all - mainly just a bit heavier due to use of more steel, but functionally pretty decent. My winter bike is actually a wonderful mix all the way from Sora (front mech) via Tiagra (rear mech) 105 (left DT shift lever) Ultegra (right DT lever, hubs, brand new triple 6500 chainset I got cheap) up to DA (8-spd cassette). Oh and non group brakes (105 standard calipers, Tiagra standard levers). All works just fine.

ademort

brownbosh wrote:

Better to try before you buy but tiagra is scrap iron crap!

I have tiagra on my Gazelle Vuelta workbike 8000Km per year for the last 4 years, wind,rain, snow and ice and it does the job for me. Greetings Ademort

flasher

wiffachip wrote:

quite fancy a 2008 SCR1, double, 105 gear, but only available on the net.
for same price could get a 2009 defy 2.5 from lbs, triple, tiagra

much prefer the scr1, but worried about the practicalities of buying from a shop 200 mile away. What do you do when theres a problem ?

Any good/bad experiences of buying on the net compared to lbs

I think you should support your lbs whenever possible, but the savings found through internet shopping can be very persuasive, but then again I'm fairly handy with an allen key, if you're not that can certainly be a consideration.

maddog 2

depends on how good you are in the workshop.

If you need the LBS to sort things out for you then go that route

If you can do it yourself then internet is the option

Big Red S

wiffachip wrote:

i was really after comment on lbs v the net,?

You will, in general, get better service from your LBS, but pay for it.

They're far more likely to go out of their way to help you if you're a known, regular customer (or just bought a bike from them) than if you've bought a bike online.
This is especially useful when you want them to tell you how to do something, rather than offer to do it for you for a price.

Also, returns are generally a lot easier - you can actually show the guy what it is you dislike about something, and they can suggest alternative replacements.

Stuck on a Giant

How about asking the lbs if they can get close to the internet price? Some will be prepared to negotiate, especially if you're a regular customer.
There's a lot to be said for having a good relationship with your LBS. I get 10% off most things, and they've replaced a few bits I don't have the tools for without charging for labour.

musto_skiff

I favour the LBS in principal but find when I go there they are a bit odd and perhaps look down at me as not a proper cyclist is some way ... quite how they know anything about my cycling ability is anyones guess... seems a bit cliqey (sp?)

So based on that I buy from the internet typically as they usually have load more choice & better prices.

6288

i buy the bigger expensive stuff online to save money and to get exactly what i want ... and the little things from my LBS ...

LBS i use is always more than helpful and know that we go in all the time for little odds and sods or anything that is teh sme price naywhere (eg. Assos kit) ... they accept that they don't sell what the gf and i ride so it's never a problem when we wheel our bikes in for a quick fix.

(should maybe also say that it helps if u have a close friend who spent £8k on a bike from the shop)

wiffachip

cumbriamike wrote:

Also worth deciding if you need a triple, most opinions on here seem to think not but am glad of mine on some of the 'little' hills round here[/quote

the lowest gear on the SCR1 double, 34/28 and the defy 2.5 30/25 are almost identical,
triples don't always make that much difference

as to persuading LBS to match net prices, they just don't have them in stock anymore, so it's not an option

thanks for the help

anyone dealt with Ash Cycles ?

synchronicity

The trouble is, you need buy build up a good rapport with your bike shop. If you discover that you don't like their attitude, find the next closest one.

meagain

Internet every time. Some risk maybe, but preferable to having to face the patronising (while ignorant) youths who masquerade as experts in most LBSs. Certainly wouldn't trust the majority of them to put a bike together safely.