General Cycling Discussion - Buying Bike from Internet Retailer

Back in November 2003 I bought a MTB over the Internet from Bikes Direct ( http://www.bikesdirect.com/ ), and my experience was a good one. I saved a bunch of money and got a much better bike than I could have afforded otherwise. One of my cycling buddies just did the same -- from Colorado Cyclist ( http://www.coloradocyclist.com/ ). There is also Super Go Bike Shops ( http://www.supergo.com/ ), which has awesome deals on full carbon fiber frame road bikes. I'm looking into get a new road bike in the Spring via the Internet. It will have better features than my current road bike and at cost less than the old bike. My questions to you all: What is your opinion of and/or experience been with Internet purchases of bikes? Were you satisfied? Would you do it again? Do you believe this is a trend for the future (at least for those that aren't newbies and know exactly what they want in a bike)? I'm happy to just use my LBS for tune-ups and shoe purchases (like to actually try those on), and Performance ( http://www.performancebike.com/ ) and Nashbar ( http://www.nashbar.com/index.cfm ) for all my gear and accessories.

My favorite is eBay. If you know for sure what size range you can ride then internet shopping is easy.

hmmm,

I was looking at a road bike(Motobecane) on bikesdirect lastyear ( i want an entry level road bike) but i was scared off when i found some customer reviews that gave it an overall thumbs down when it came to consistent service.
also,how much assembly did you have to do?.

i, like you, get my bike serviced at my l.b.s.

Bikes Direct was very responsive regarding customer service. I am only one person, so I suppose there might be some people that had a bad experience. That's probably tue of evey place -- whether Internet or local. As for assembly, I had to put on the wheels, pedals, seat post and handlebar. Then, as Bikes Direct recommended, I took it to the LBS for a $25 tune-up to make sure everything was adjusted properly. being as the bike was $400 under MSRP and there was no taxes or shipping cost, I'm totally satisfied.

Cool!

Thanks for the reply.

I've bought 2 bikes online now, both road bikes. One from Hi-tech bikes in San Diego and one from Colorado Cyclist. Had good experiences with both and would do it again if the price was right. I'd prefer to go with the LBS, but they sometimes can't even come close to the big places.

I would rather help keep the bike shop open. I can do all my own adjustments, so that isn't even an issue. It's hard enough for shops to stay in busness, let alone have to compete with mail order that doesn't even have to charge sales taxes!

Let me throw this one at you. If there is no bike shop within 75 miles of you anymore, and you can't make the adjustments yourself, what have you acheived by buying a bike online?

I feel fortunate to have a bike shop in the town where I live. If it isn't supported, I will have to drive 1 hour or more just to brouse a store. Most of the time I do just the opposite, I brouse the net and ad papers, then go to the bike shop and buy!

bikesdirect has some awesome deals going on right now. up to 1000-1400 in savings...plus free shipping.

I guess I support my bike shop since I work for it. But it definitley is hard to compete with online shops, so if you can afford it, buy from your LBS, youll establish a really good relationship with them and will help you in the long run. But if your on a budget, then mail order is really the only option.