Help a Yank Whose Moved to France But Likes Buying from the UK!

ayank

Hi,

I've moved to France 3 months ago and will be here for another 8 months. I didn't bring my bikes because of the transportation cost (and import duty) and because I thought I could abstain from riding for a year. Hah! After 3 months I can't resist and I need to buy a bike.

So I have a few questions.

a) It seems the bike stores in France are somewhat limited (seems many people buy from Decathalon) so I want to buy a bike from the UK sellers like Merlins, CRC, Wiggle, Ribble etc. I've bought components from them many times from the US. But is one preferable for buying a complete bike from?

b) I clearly want a bike now, but if there are boxing day or news years sales it can wait. Are there such sales or is it just better of buying now?

c) What in-house brand would you recommend for a bike that: i) Cost under $500, ii) Can fit 28mm tires and iii) Is a proper road bike. I've identified the Vitus Razor. Reviews show its not flexy and well put together. Any other items?

Thanks

AYank

Beatmaker

I have a Vitus, albeit a high end Vitesse Evo and I like it. You aren't really talking a huge budget there, especially if shipping is included. Would you not be better buying something locally used, then selling it when you move back? That way you won't lose too much money on it and will have a better bike.

supermurph09

Ironically with your budget, Decathlon would be a great place to go.

Matthewfalle

Decathlon will do that perfectly - can't really understand why you are so against them.

Shouldn't be any import charges to have one of your bikes sent over - worth looking at courier costs: if it's €100 or so just get one sent across.

ayank

Shipping from Ribble, Wiggle, CRC, Planetx is free to France. Merlins charges $50 so not exorbitant.

I've been looking at LeBonCoin (French craig's list for the last few weeks, nothing but used Decathlon stuff).

The BTWin stuff is okay, but not exactly great. The Vitus Razor weights a good 2-3 pounds less than the equivalent BTWin and reviews are much better.

I could go upto $1000 but I prefer not to as I'll just give the bike away when I leave.

ayank

Matthewfalle wrote:

Decathlon will do that perfectly - can't really understand why you are so against them.

Shouldn't be any import charges to have one of your bikes sent over - worth looking at courier costs: if it's €100 or so just get one sent across.

When I looked it would cost $250 each way to send the bike as luggage on my plane trip. Besides the point is moot not as I'm here and not going back any time soon. France charges import duty on bikes if your staying more than 3 months.

fenix

I'd go decathlon for what you want as well. Great quality and usually win best buy in the price range you're interested in.
No point in going UK as if you have problems it's going to be a pain to sort.

pblakeney

Beatmaker wrote:

Would you not be better buying something locally used, then selling it when you move back? That way you won't lose too much money on it and will have a better bike.

This.

ayank

PBlakeney wrote:

Beatmaker wrote:

Would you not be better buying something locally used, then selling it when you move back? That way you won't lose too much money on it and will have a better bike.

This.

Yeah. But I tried that for the last few weeks. Nada. Not a decent bike in Lyon, France (where I live). Lots of beaters and 30 year old Lapierre, Gigante etc with downtube shifters for $100 though!

svetty

I'd have thought Decathlon or an LBS would be a better bet TBH

pblakeney

AYank wrote:

PBlakeney wrote:

Beatmaker wrote:

Would you not be better buying something locally used, then selling it when you move back? That way you won't lose too much money on it and will have a better bike.

This.

Yeah. But I tried that for the last few weeks. Nada. Not a decent bike in Lyon, France (where I live). Lots of beaters and 30 year old Lapierre, Gigante etc with downtube shifters for $100 though!

In that case find one you like in the UK and haggle with a LBS.

ayank

AYank wrote:

b) I clearly want a bike now, but if there are boxing day or news years sales it can wait. Are there such sales or is it just better of buying now?

Any help on this. Does Ribble, Wiggle, CRC etc have boxing day sales.

I've built up bikes from framesets many times so I don't need the support of an LBS.

For some odd reason my wife packed quite a few of my tools which will help.

timothyw

Yeah, there are sales after Christmas - although it can be a dilemma as they are usually trying to shift last years stock which means limited numbers, these are often already well reduced and waiting til then might mean they've sold out your size.

Back to your original point, until brexit kicks in, it should be very very easy buying from pretty much any UK retailer if that is what you want to do.

ayank

TimothyW wrote:

it should be very very easy buying from pretty much any UK retailer if that is what you want to do.

Maybe I'm mis interpreting what some of you are saying, but it seems you think buying a bike from the UK is a bad idea? Can you please explain why? I've bought plenty of bike parts from the UK sellers with no problem. Am I missing something I should be aware of?

dabber

I don't know wheareabouts in France you are but you might be interested in this outfit... Monvelo in Livernon in the Lot (46). http://www.monvelo.com/catalog.html

I've only used them for spare parts, accessories etc but a French friend I ride with uses them regularly and bought his latest BMC from them. He seems happy with them and my experiences have been poitive. I gather they ship all over France and often have offers on.

timothyw

AYank wrote:

TimothyW wrote:

it should be very very easy buying from pretty much any UK retailer if that is what you want to do.

Maybe I'm mis interpreting what some of you are saying, but it seems you think buying a bike from the UK is a bad idea? Can you please explain why? I've bought plenty of bike parts from the UK sellers with no problem. Am I missing something I should be aware of?

Nope, you're misinterpreting - you might be reading my frustration about brexit... right now it's very quick and easy to order bikes and bits from anywhere in europe but sooner or later it might not be - right now we just don't know what will happen with brexit.

ayank

Thanks all.

I went into Decathlon. Looked at a range of Tribans.

Since I wanted to ride some gravel roads I chose the bottom of the line Triban 100 as it comes with 32mm tires and has clearnce for a mudguard so could even fit on 35mm.

Will write a detailed review once I get a few hundred miles on it.