General Cycling Discussion - Nashbar vs. PerformanceBike

Which is better online? I only have experience with Nashbar - FYI - they do not have any tracking system!!! Your order is a mystery - just have to go by their words that it's shipped. Is performance like this too? Won't buy anything again from Nashbar or anywhere without tracking system - this is 2008 not 1998.

They are the same company, and their customer service has gone way down hill after they were bought out about two years ago.

I didn't realize they were the same company. Attached is the article talking about the North Castle Partners, the equity firm that owns both.

http://multichannelmerchant.com/retailchannel/performance_bicycle_bought/

Sounds like its the same company as far as ownership, but they are still operated separately.

nashbar always seems to ship faster and get to my door earlier, despite them being under same ownership

Performance over Nashbar all the way. Nashbar does not display the correct price when you checkout. They always add a buck or 2 & told me that the "order confirmation" e-mails were really just "estimates" until they correctly figure out the taxes. Screw that, let me send them an estimated payment & see how they like that. I've had orders that were totally lost in whatever system they use despite having order numbers & e-mail confirmations.

Performance on the other hand gets my business almost weekly. Spend the extra cash & get the Team Performance Card if you plan on shopping a lot there, its worth it. My orders are correctly totaled, shipped fast & customer service is excellent. Basically the total opposite of Nashbar.

edit - Grrrrrrrr, sometimes I hate spell check. I should be grammatically correct now. :)

Performance over Nashbar all the way. Nashbar does not display the correct price when you checkout. They always add a buck or 2 & told me that the "order confirmation" e-mails were really just "estimates" until they correctly figure out the taxes.


This would be illegal in most states. I have never seen this happen.

Performance over Nashbar all the way. Nashbar does not display the correct price when you checkout. They always add a buck or 2 & told me that the "order confirmation" e-mails were really just "estimates" until they correctly figure out the taxes. Screw that, let me send them an estimated payment & see how they like that. I've had orders that were totally lost in whatever system they use despite having order numbers & e-mail confirmations.

Performance on the other hand get my business almost weekly. Spend they extra cash & get the Team Performance Card if you plan on shopping a lot there, its worth it. My orders are correctly totaled, shipped fast & customer service is excellent. Basically the total opposite of Nashbar.


This would be illegal in most states. I have never seen this happen.

It's happened to me several times with Nashbar, always for a small sum.

I like performance better... at least you can walk in and look at the stuff you want to buy.

Too bad Nashbar has a better selection on some things :(

Been buying stuff from Nashbar/Bike Warehouse since the late '70's and can't remember any real problems. Yes, no tracking is annoying. They often don't have what you need. But often they do. But where else can you find a quality tandem/recumbent-length chain for less than $20? (only when they have them, of course)

Performance: Today I just bought about $212 worth of stuff including the Park Tool PCS-10 stand and I chose to have it shipped to the store (supposedly "free" shipping). I was charged $8 shipping for the stand, and my order would be ready at the store at the END OF THE MONTH.

What?

Performance gives me tracking numbers. I've had 0 problems on any of the 5 or so orders i've done in the last 2 months.

I've been buying from both through Amazon. You get tracking info and don't have to hand out more info to strange websites.

Nashbar takes forever to ship unless you choose expedited shipping.
Performance usually ships out the same day if you order early enough.
Plus if you are a performance member you get free upgraded shipping.

I've used Performance and haven't had any problems.
I ordered something from Nashbar a few days ago, my first with them, so we'll see how it goes.
I check around with everybody crunching prices, discounts, and shipping. Whoever is cheapest, gets the deal.
I am using "We keep you cycling.com" for the first time this week, too. Kind of went on a shopping rampage. Shipping charges really eat into discounts, and sales tax in local shops, plus high retail pricing makes shopping interesting and kind of a pain sometimes, especially if you figure in gas price, now too.
Cambria.com seems to have some deals, and of course PBK, my favorite.
It all really depends on who has what you're looking for.

Slackerprince

Performance Bike in store customer service SUCKS! SUCKS! When I go in there I have to have already figured out what I want ....I am a newbie so certain products and quality are foreign to me. So usually I google..check in w/ you all and than shop their if I need something.

The only time I get help is when this one guy is there..and that is pretty much because I am cute.

I use both. But don't be in a hurry to get your stuff.

It's kind of like....

Walmart vs. Kmart.

I'm guessing it's more like Dollar Tree vs Ninety Nine Cents Only stores.

I use both. I prefer to use Performance Bike, partly because I can save the shipping costs by having it sent to my local store. I've found the customer service at the Dallas store to be great. The sales staff is a lot less pretentious than the crews at most bike shops in the area.
A few weeks ago, I ordered panniers from Nashbar because PB didn't have a set equivalent to what I wanted. If you call the customer service number, they can tell you when your order shipped and when it is expected to arrive. That being said, it is kind of ridiculous that they've disabled their online tracking system.

I shop a lot at Performance both on line and in the store. Be sure to always print out the sale prices on line so that they can match them at the store. They use diferent pricing strategies, but the store will always match their on line pricing. I agree the service varies greatly depending on who is helping you. I love the no questions asked return policy - only used it once, but am always glad to have it there.