Mountain Biking - My XT package for only $120

Shifters for $58 (http://pricepoint.com/product1322.html)

Front Der for $20 (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.asp?number=13053)

Rear Der for $38 (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.asp?number=14053)

Comes to about $120 not including shipping. Whatdyall think?

I think its lovely.

where did you score that deal?

jenson usa and pricepoint. its in the links

Originally posted by slickmobster
where did you score that deal?


I think Phatman can answer that one for you :)

You order yet?


A cheaper XT kit:
My link won't work, so go to Performance and put the items in your cart to see the price.

XT shifters, rear der., and front derailleur for 116.94 plus shipping. And you are getting it from one place, meaning you pay less shipping-so you pay less for your order overall. Make sure you select the right size clamp for your seat tube. I've had very good luck with Performance in the past.

-Moab

Dang I hate that-that's all right at dealer cost. How can I compete?

Because you my friend, know how to install it properly the first time. So after someone like troie (no offence) comes in and asks you to install/adjust their bike, you charge them a labor fee. Think of it this way, you didn't have to tie up your cash to order and buy the parts, but you're making your money on the service.

I feel your pain, Waldo!

L8R

I take that chance. I am not a skilled mech but work on my bike often. I can do 90% of the work but the odd time I get screwed or mess something up. At that point I end up taking my bike to my trusty lbs and know I will have to pay more for labouras I didn't buy the part there.

Then again tack on another 15% - 25% on top of YOUR profit and thats what I hav to pay in Whistler. LBS's really try to gouge the tourists for every penny knowing that the mountain will wreck havok on bikes :) That and the rent is more expensive.

This is really becoming an industry wide problem. More and more companies are NOT selling parts to wholesale warehouses and being more critical on companies with OEM purchases. If all the companies did this, then small local bike shops would not be going out of business at a rate of 1,000 per year nationally. (Info from Bicycle Retailer I think, regardless, it was somewhere I read recently).

It's a double edged sword, people want to save money by buying online (I do sometimes, it's cheaper than wholesale), but also want a place to go for proper service. The problem becomes that a small sole proprietorship cannot afford to stock as many components and/or offer them at mail order prices. Since the shops aren't making huge profits. If lucky, a small shop is doing well if they're making $25-$30,000 in salaries. That's barely enough to scape by these days. Considering the poverty level in the USA for a family of four is about $18,000. (Just heard this statistic on the radio today, cannot prove it's validity!)

So, the small shops cannot afford to pay a full time mechanic what they should be paid, and as a result has to hire some young inexperienced part-timer to keep up with repairs. The quality goes down and yet they're making less money!

The successful shops are those that understand the importance of quality work and customer service. I think you, Waldo have a good understanding of both these points. Even so, it's not a business you go into to make money, it' something you do for the love of it!

i.e., support your LBS whenever you can, or they may not be there when you need them.

L8R

Originally posted by a2psyklnut
Because you my friend, know how to install it properly the first time. So after someone like troie (no offence) comes in and asks you to install/adjust their bike, you charge them a labor fee. Think of it this way, you didn't have to tie up your cash to order and buy the parts, but you're making your money on the service.

I feel your pain, Waldo!

L8R

Actually, Im prety confident that Ill be able to install ith all with no problem. I am extremely mechanically inclined and have been reading the online manuals on servicing bikes. Besides, I am an Electromechinal Systems Analyst. :)

Originally posted by moabrider47
You order yet?


A cheaper XT kit:
My link won't work, so go to Performance and put the items in your cart to see the price.

XT shifters, rear der., and front derailleur for 116.94 plus shipping. And you are getting it from one place, meaning you pay less shipping-so you pay less for your order overall. Make sure you select the right size clamp for your seat tube. I've had very good luck with Performance in the past.

-Moab

Performance of what website?

The website is performance...:)...its like pricepoint ;)

I cant use the shifters at that site, I have an 8 spd cassette and chain.

Yeah, A2. I hear ya. Service is all we have left. What stinks is that various companies within the industry are whoring things out to Performance/Supergo, Pricepoint, Cambria, et. al without regard to what it means to the little guys. Service will only get us so far...of course, I've sold 3 XT pod sets in the past few days. One of the guys was an old shop guy and was happy to pay more to support us.

I think its lovely.

LOL sorry cant stop laughing :D