Buy local or online

giggles57

So I keep reading about all these great bikes out there , the sensa ,boardman , etc . Back home cannondale , trek ,felt giant are my choices from the local shops , but I keep thinking about those others . Is it good idea or not to buy online . There seems to be so many more choice out in your neck of the woods. Or does it come down to service. I like giant because they're rated quite high but the boardm an comp looks really good besides the components which they come with then there's the cannondale Caad 10 , sensa special wow . Just so many choices . Thanks

unixnerd

I bought a very expensive bike last year. I bought it from my LBS because they gave me a very good price on it and I get a good discount on everything I buy from them. When it comes to things like helmets, shoes or bike frames I know I'm getting the right size.

BigGeordie

I do sometimes buy small things online for convenience but I prefer to use the LBS (fortunately I have a good one!) for anything bigger than an energy bar. It's not about the price, it's about the service and if it costs me 10% (or even 20%) more I think it's worth it. Plus, you won't half miss them when they're gone.

zardoz

I bought a Trek Damone from my LBS and after 4 months the rear wheel rim is failing. Took it back to the shop who were excellent and agreed that it definitely looked like a manufacturing issue, they had never seen this before were very apologetic and even offered to loan me a wheel while they sorted it out. Within 24 hours they had got the go ahead from Trek to replace the wheel under warranty. I dread to think how complicated this would have been had I bought online. So a good LBS I think is worth any extra that you might pay its always worth asking for a price match you may be surprised.

kajjal

zardoz wrote:

I bought a Trek Damone from my LBS and after 4 months the rear wheel rim is failing. Took it back to the shop who were excellent and agreed that it definitely looked like a manufacturing issue, they had never seen this before were very apologetic and even offered to loan me a wheel while they sorted it out. Within 24 hours they had got the go ahead from Trek to replace the wheel under warranty. I dread to think how complicated this would have been had I bought online. So a good LBS I think is worth any extra that you might pay its always worth asking for a price match you may be surprised.

The advice and support is the advantage of a good LBS.

iPete

If I have to try on something, to the shops.

crankycrank

giggles57 wrote:

So I keep reading about all these great bikes out there , the sensa ,boardman , etc . Back home cannondale , trek ,felt giant are my choices from the local shops , but I keep thinking about those others . then there's the cannondale Caad 10 , sensa special wow . Just so many choices . Thanks

All bikes mentioned from your LBS are great bikes. GO FOR A TEST RIDE to find what you like. What comes out great in a magazine test or works for your mates isn't always the best for you. Whatever you buy there will always be something that looks better, that's what the business want you to think. I go online when I know exactly what I want and can get a better price and don't have to travel anywhere to get it. I also do all my own mech work so service isn't usually needed. Broken cables, loose spokes, loose fasteners, adjustments etc. are all something I would rather do myself even if I have a free service option from a shop. If I were buying a complete bike I would want a test ride and would buy from the shops that provide them. As mentioned warranty repairs are usually far easier to deal with when going through your LBS and if you don't do your own maintenance most shops offer free tuneups for a year or more. Also a LBS can help with getting a proper fit (of course some do this better than others ) and will exchange saddles, stems etc. at a minimal or no charge.

diamonddog

If you have a good LBS definitely use it over Internet.:)