What to buy in America?

wellbeloved747

Going to the states in July, during the tour
Have decided to get a Helmet, shoes and some pedals.
but apart from that i am undecided on what is worth wile buying as somethings are cheaper in the uk.
are American produced products cheaper?

I am flying Ba First class so can bring back 3 pieces of luggage, so within reason i could bring back 2 bikes!

LittlePlums

A Castelli Gabba Convertible - not available in the UK. It'd be my choice.

nawty

When I was in America I had a look for some pedals and came to the conclusion I was better getting them in the UK, no joke they were almost twice the price there!

neeb

Set of wheels from wheelbuilder. They have access to rims from zipp, enve, reynolds etc so can build you a set of custom wheels with (for example) zipp firecrest rims on whatever hubs you want. Prices are usually cheaper than for an off-the-shelf set in the U.K. To avoid customs though you probably need to bring them back attached to a bike...

rodgers73

A couple of years ago I picked up a Go Pro HD camera for £200 instead of the £300 they were charging for them over here at the time

bernithebiker

See here for more details;

viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12913653

This thread is but a few days old....

VTech

As above. Latest edition gopro for around £180. Almost all things are cheaper, being In first class your not limited to luggage as in cases, they will let you carry a bike to the plane and hand it over through the lounge.

Monty Dog

I used to regularly travel to the US and buy stuff there - it really came to where you where and where the best deals where. You're unlikely to find any bargains downtown at places like Performance Bike where you'll often pay a premium. Best to search online before you go and arrange for stuff to be shipped to your hotel/office rather than going on fruitless searches. Best deals are on US / Far East products not Euro brands IME. You'll also pay sales tax in certain states.

simonhead

Almond m&ms and chocolate covered cherries from peets coffee

peat

Buy strange and exotic sweeties.

rolf_f

All seemed much the same prices when I went. Certainly nothing worth having to lug around. I'd try to get stuff from online sites sent to a planned hotel stop - the only way to get really decent bargains. IME, it's really only worth it for the stuff you can't get here as others have said.

mallorcajeff

Thanks for the replies guys.l will have a look round when over there.
Thanks

wellbeloved747

Rolf F wrote:

All seemed much the same prices when I went. Certainly nothing worth having to lug around. I'd try to get stuff from online sites sent to a planned hotel stop - the only way to get really decent bargains. IME, it's really only worth it for the stuff you can't get here as others have said.

What websites did you use??

Monty Dog

Bike Nashbar, Alfred E Bike, Colorado Cyclist, Competitive Cyclist - but best to keep an eye on closeouts

VTech

There are a lot of cyclist stuff in the outlets and I was in the USA a few weeks ago and although I hate to say it, Walmart have huge bike kit in stock and at prices that are ridiculously low.
They may not have exactly what your after but it's worth a look around.

fevmeister

I was looking at first class tickets for me and the other half to New york - £4500 each made me think again!

VTech

Fevmeister wrote:

I was looking at first class tickets for me and the other half to New york - £4500 each made me think again!

As I don't pay the bills I've traveled upper all over the world but when paying myself I go upper or premium but through agents. Never pay list prices, there are many resources out there for better prices and as long as you don't need a limo to the airport you can get the lower band fair as well.