Can I buy a bike in Europe for loads less

JJBlade
JJBlade Posts: 12
edited April 2013 in Road general
A pretty self explanatory title but is it an option or a dead fish

I am currently holidaying in Marbella and I just wondered if I might as well pick up a road bike while here or do a detour to France/Italy etc

Has anyone bought abroad

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Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    It depends on what make / brand and the competition in the domestic market. You can probably find a good deal on Spanish brands like BH or Orbea but less so on others. Prices in UK are pretty competitive IME, particularly with big online sellers like Wiggle and Chain Reaction dominating the market.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • JJBlade
    JJBlade Posts: 12
    Very interesting that you should mention Orbea as that was another great looking bike I saw today.

    I feel like a 16 year old in ww1 about to jump out over a trench and become fodder.

    This can go 2 ways, either I get bored waiting and buy some overpriced european shite or I get the worlds greatest bargain,,,,,,,,,,,

    1/10. Shite. :wink:
    5/1. Bargain. :lol:
  • GBR1
    GBR1 Posts: 97
    In the past (when the $ was 2:1) it was cheaper for me and GF to fly to New York spend 3 nights in a 4 star hotel pick up my new bike and it cost in total the same as the bike in UK!

    not sure about Europe but if you look at something like a 2013 Cannondale CAAD10 3 Ultegra its £2000 here in the UK or £1500 in the US!
  • JJBlade
    JJBlade Posts: 12
    Very interesting regards US as I am off to NY in January.

    How did you get the bike back through customs without getting taxed to the hilt?
  • lakesluddite
    lakesluddite Posts: 1,337
    Yes...but you'll have to convert it to drive on the left.

    :D
  • JJBlade wrote:
    Very interesting regards US as I am off to NY in January.

    How did you get the bike back through customs without getting taxed to the hilt?
    I think (don't quote me) that if it's used - and looks it - you don't need to worry. Take it for a ride on some wet roads, put your own bottle cage on it and pack it in a box with a load of sweaty bib shorts.
  • Yes...but you'll have to convert it to drive on the left.

    :D
    Brake levers will be the other way around...
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    I think (don't quote me) that if it's used - and looks it - you don't need to worry. Take it for a ride on some wet roads, put your own bottle cage on it and pack it in a box with a load of sweaty bib shorts.
    Used..... needs to been owned by you for more than 3 months. and if asked you need to prove it or they with Tax you at 15% and then add the VAT 20% and if you can not pay there and then the bike stays with them.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • rodgers73
    rodgers73 Posts: 2,626
    Freemotion in Gran Canaria were offering one year old used CAAD10 with full 105 for 800 Euros a while ago. Sounded like a good deal to me...
  • JJBlade
    JJBlade Posts: 12
    That sounds like a cracking deal
  • ademort
    ademort Posts: 1,924
    If you were planning on buying something expensive then a trip to http://www.vosfietsen.nl in Amsterdam will be your best bet. They have an amazing collection of bikes in all price categories. Well worth a visit.If you know what you are looking for then call them and ask for a quote, they will be hard to beat. Be warned, the shop itself has a very basic interior but is crammed full with hundreds of bikes, frames and the like.The biggest problem for most people that i,ve been told about is that you go there with a particular bike/model in mind but see something that catches your eye and buy something totally different than what you had planned.
    Ademort
    ademort
    Chinarello, record and Mavic Cosmic Sl
    Gazelle Vuelta , veloce
    Giant Defy 4
    Mirage Columbus SL
    Batavus Ventura
  • rodgers73
    rodgers73 Posts: 2,626
    JJBlade wrote:
    That sounds like a cracking deal

    http://www.free-motion.net/en/shop/roadbike-used-sale

    They increased it to 900 but still on offer! Plenty of other deals too.
  • matt.it
    matt.it Posts: 1
    Hey can anyone tell me if FREE-MOTION is just a mirage or if the sell in very good condition bike three months old at 40% off?
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,763
    In general (very very general) I find I can get better prices on brands made by companies that work in Euros from European shops.

    Things like Hope or SRAM for example are similar to the UK (near as dammit) but Mavic Clothes, Time pedals or whatever are usually a bit cheaper. Note however that most of this is undone if a UK shop has a Sale on...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver

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