good idea to buy a bike online?

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2004-08-12 9:27 AM

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Regular
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Mississippi
Subject: good idea to buy a bike online?
I am looking at purchasing a nice bike really soon! I know they have some at my local bike shop. i seem to be able to find a better deal if i were to buy one online. my problem is, how do i know what size to buy? Do you think i could go to the local bike shop and get fitted properly to determine the size i need and then buy the proper size online? or is that just morally wrong? haha

any help?

2004-08-12 9:35 AM
in reply to: #46777

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Elite
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Austin, TX
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Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?

That's definitely an issue with buying online.  As for the morality of getting fitted at your LBS and then buying online, I can't really agree with it.  That extra cost at the LBS is what pays for that.  They've got to have the expertise in their staff to get you the right bike.  The e-tailer just needs some minimum wage person to take a credit card and stick a shipping label on the box.

Also consider that most LBSs will give you tune-ups along with your purchase.  If you don't know how to do them yourself, that's important because your new cables will stretch with use and your wheels may even come slightly out of true as the spokes settle in.  They'll need to be adjusted.

With all that said, though.  If I could go back in time 2 weeks to before I bought my new Cannondale R600, I'd get a Leader.  You can get a full Ultegra set up (brakes, deraileurs, shifters, cranks), carbon fork and seat stays, and Bontrager wheels for $1100 on eBay.  I've read really good reviews of them on roadbikereview.com.  As for sizing, they custom fit you over the phone.  The reviews and their feedback on eBay are both extremely positive.  So you might check them out.  They make a tri specific frame, as well.

2004-08-12 9:43 AM
in reply to: #46777

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Expert
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Palm Coast, FL
Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?
If you're buying a new bike (I just did this) its better to buy from the LBS for a couple of reasons that arent just moral... pay less for shipping, someone local who might provide a monthly service for as long as you own the bike. LOCAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT! When it comes right down to it generally bike prices are essentially the same online and at the LBS. I just went through the same thing I thought I would just purchase online but when accounting for price hassle and benefits it came down to it was best to just buy local. Now I did buy the shoes and other assorted goodies online as the price differences werent even close.

If you're buying used you may call your LBS and tell them you plan to buy online and ask them to size you for a reasonable fee.
2004-08-12 9:51 AM
in reply to: #46781

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?
generally bike prices are essentially the same online and at the LBS.

Bull!

Last fall I bought Litespeed Tuscany online for $2499 plus $35 shipping. The MSRP was $3450 and no one within 300 miles was selling them for $1 less than that.


That said, I would not have spent that much money to buy a bike online if I did not have an independent bike mechanic/guru, who charged me like $50 to do a thourough fit beforehand and charged me another $25 to do a once-over/tuneup/ fit-dial-in once the bike came in. Still, I saved about $900.

BTW 8% sales tax on $2500 is a lot more than $35 in shipping.
2004-08-12 10:07 AM
in reply to: #46777

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Expert
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Palm Coast, FL
Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?
I suppose if you're spending $3000 there is a huge difference but anything in the $1000 range is not that much different. Trek-Cannondale-QR Although he did say NICE bike maybe hes going the Motivated route and buying one of the B2's in that case it probably is a good idea. Whats your price range?

Edit:
Also once he gets it what does he do if he doesnt like the fit etc even after hes been dialed in? More fun repackaging and shipping costs sending it back. I know this is just a personal thing as I tried every avenue to purchase online I always do that but I just wasnt comfortable with the unknown aspects of bike fitting and personal preference with that size purchase.
2004-08-12 10:13 AM
in reply to: #46794

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?
I know for a fact that you did a lot of research and shopping, but there are deals to be found. I've seen the Dual, for instance, with a $1599 MSRP, online for $1400.

2004-08-12 10:24 AM
in reply to: #46777

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Colorado Springs
Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?
Got a Felt S32 from LBS for $1250, best online price was $1180, if I remember correctly, tax ads more, but the shop is about a mile from my house and they gave me Speedplay pedals for less than I could find anywhere online or not. Guess it depends on where you live, check out the shops, you may be surprised. Also, tell them what the price online is and ask them if they will come closer to that. Tri bikes seem to be in high demand right now, so they may not, but it's worth trying.
2004-08-12 10:25 AM
in reply to: #46777

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Regular
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Mississippi
Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?
I plan on buying either the cannondale ironman 800, the cervelo dual, or the cervelo soloist.

i guess you are right about the cost difference comared with the on hands bike fit and LBS.

i guess i will only buy online if i find a steal.

speaking of, does anyone know of any online steals? haha
2004-08-12 10:25 AM
in reply to: #46777

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Expert
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Evergreen, Colorado
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Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?
I've been wondering this myself, and was seriously considering ordering a bike from www.bikesdirect.com since they seem cheap and I know I fit on a 52 cm fuji bike which is the same frame as most of theirs. However, I went to a Performance Bike shop this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised to find that I could get a Giant OCR-1 for $915 plus an additional 20% back through their rewards program - this pretty much matched the deals I'd found online. I didn't buy it cuz I'm in between sizes on Giant bikes, but I plan to check out the deals on 2004 bikes at other LBSs before I decide to order online....
2004-08-12 10:28 AM
in reply to: #46777

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Expert
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Palm Coast, FL
Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?
that is definitley a bear question
2004-08-12 10:32 AM
in reply to: #46806

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?
What would REALLY be cool is if Performance would give you the 20%-off from their online coupon code AND the 10% Team Performance points on the back end. Ask them.

2004-08-12 10:36 AM
in reply to: #46777

Veteran
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Colorado Springs
Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?
I don't think that they limit Team Performance points to only regular-price purchases like REI does. I love going over to the shop, sometimes they have some really great deals that I CAN'T refuse
2004-08-12 10:41 AM
in reply to: #46777

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Expert
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Evergreen, Colorado
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Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?
Hehe...I did ask them about the online coupon - they would only do the 20% online coupon code for their brand of bikes (Tirreno) because that's the only brand I could buy online.

For me, that's another possibility though - I've been looking at the Tirreno Razza 3.0 - 105 components for $849 with a 20% coupon => $679 plus 10% back as a team performance member. Pretty hard to beat, assuming the Tirreno bikes are decent quality. And I can go into a store and get fit properly...
2004-08-12 10:44 AM
in reply to: #46777

Veteran
289
100100252525
Colorado Springs
Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?
There is a store down here on the north side of Colorado Springs, so you should be able to try it out, also they will normally honor the online prices at the store if you ask... never tried it on a bike though.
2004-08-12 8:57 PM
in reply to: #46777

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Expert
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Jacksonville, FL
Subject: RE: good idea to buy a bike online?
If you have a good bike shop get it there. I bought my bike at the local shop. Due to a shipping error they had to take the components of one frame and put it on another. The tech said he was glad since the company had not built it to his standards. The time spent fitting me to the bike was well worth any additional costs. I also got a break on a new pair of pedals.
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