Northern California - Odd Question: Where do you buy stuff online?

To preface, and before I start a flamewar: I blow a good chunk of money at more than one Peninsula LBS.

On occasion, when there's a doorbuster deal or something at BikeNashbar or Performance Bike (the website), I'll buy a couple of random things such as Bay-Area-Winter gloves (they're like $11/pr). I don't need $50 mtn gloves, I just don't want my fingertips to get cold when it dips to the low 40s (jeez, when was that). None of the LBSes around here have cheap gloves like that, and on top of that I'm carless, so if it's more than a few towns away I can't even get there after work before they close.

*However*, since moving to the area, I've noticed when I buy stuff from Performance Bike it takes almost twice as long to get here as it did in PA. At first, I blamed it on the high pop. density causing shipping lines to back up, but I just got a vacuum delivered that I bought two days after the gloves. The gloves for which I paid $8 shipping--about a quarter of the total price--so it's not like they should be completely cheaping out on the shipping. They also aren't including a tracking order, so I'm not _really_ even sure they shipped it yet. Where do you buy stuff online?

</rant>

I have bought a couple things from Pricepoint.com

They are in SoCal so stuff is generally here a day or so after they ship it, plus they have a price match policy.

Besides Performance, Nashbar, and Ebay I've used:

www.pricepoint.com
www.probikekit.com
www.amazon.com

I've also had good experiences with Nashbar and Amazon, but have a soft spot for PBK. Despite being in the UK, I've got orders through in ~4 days. I've ordered tires and cranks from them, and they were (perhaps still are) doing free shipping to the US.

Nashbar and Performance suck (thanks to ssssllllooooowwww shipping)

Jenson USA and pricepoint are at the top. It's tough to beat probikekit for roadie gear, especially tires and everything Shimano. Ebay is up there too, especially if you combine shipping with other items. I have about 15 shops bookmarked. Each have their own niche, IMO. And I feel no guilt being thrifty.

I use the usual Nashbar and Performance. If you're a ream member on Performance you get upgraded 2day shipping free (and 10% credit)

I use eBay and BikeTiresDirect as well.

I've purchased Bibs through Hammer.

I can't say enough good things about http://www.universalcycles.com. Great prices, fast service, and a west coast shipping hub (Oregon) which means I get my stuff quick. I've used them several times and haven't been disappointed.

I don't buy much online. Once I decide I want something, I want it now, so I usually buy from brick and mortars ;)

I have used Performance a lot, I am also a Member so shipping is not a problem. Some of their prices are just too good to pass on (discounted sale price - on-line coupon - 10% membership discount).
I have used Nashbar in the past, it's the same company as Performance but they don't have the membership discount.
Cambriabike.com has some great deals as well, service is great.

PBK has some great prices on items such as Michelin tires. Shipping is fast and sometimes free to the US.

Excel Sports of Boulder (CO) has a great selection of products and great service.

Besides Performance, Nashbar, and Ebay I've used:

www.pricepoint.com
www.probikekit.com
www.amazon.com


I can't say enough good things about http://www.universalcycles.com. Great prices, fast service, and a west coast shipping hub (Oregon) which means I get my stuff quick. I've used them several times and haven't been disappointed.

Pretty much these places for me.

I can't say enough good things about http://www.universalcycles.com. Great prices, fast service, and a west coast shipping hub (Oregon) which means I get my stuff quick. I've used them several times and haven't been disappointed.

I was looking at them recently. The have the biggest selection of handlebars I've seen on the Internet. :thumb:
Good to know they're a quality outlet.

I have purchased a number of things from Universal Cycles, all positive transactions. Good prices and prompt shipping.

I've also used these 2 with great customer service:

gottaridebikes.com (http://www.gottaridebikes.com/)and treefortbikes.com (http://www.treefortbikes.com/#hf_H08.asp)

They both often have high end components at very good prices.

I just bought a Rolf Prima Vigor wheelset for $599.96 from gottaridebikes

The best I could find locally was 15% off retail ($999-$150 = $849) from several shops.

treefortbikes.com (http://www.treefortbikes.com/#hf_H08.asp)

They both often have high end components at very good prices.

Thats good to know - I was planning on buying a new crank from them once my tax refund shows up ;)

OP: I've ordered from super duper slow Performance and done ship-to-store for REI (~3 miles from my place), but that's it. My local performance (7 miles) matches their online prices anyway.

Online: Nashbar, Performance, AEBike, and Harris.
In-Person: Campus Bike Shop, Walt's Cycle

Sometimes REI for both, but only when they're cheaper (which is rare) or I have a gift card or rebate to use up.

For me because I'm not always in a hurry but love a good deal. www.probikekit.com

I buy most of my stuff locally at real shops like the 520 shimano pedals I just put on my Langster. Only $48 with the 20% Mike's Bikes coupon, but typically you can't beat the Internet for deals on stuff you know you want. I just bought Tektro brake levers for the Langster for only $17.95 from JensonUSA and they showed up the next day which was awesome. I bought crankbrothers smarty pedals for $29 last month from CBO and they were here in 2 days with plain-old ground shipping. They're POS pedals and I'm selling them on craigslist but there's really no big loss at that price.

I also buy a lot of stuff off of ebay. I bought a new Tokyo Langster from a private seller and that transaction was wonderful at $600 shipped. I just received the gold bottle cage for it that I couldn't find ANYWHERE but ebay yesterday, a little pricey at $17 shipped but I just had to have it. I have purchased all of my tires from merchants on ebay. They're about 1/2 the price of retail typically.

Oh, and then my beloved craigslist. So many awesome deals have been had by me there.

Until I came to the use, I never ordered on-line. Now I use biketiresdirect and lickbike. On Roadbike reviews they have been talking up comobike for any Italian components.

I have had great luck with REI, not always the cheapest, but great selection & quality. Plus good return policy if required.

In addition to my LBS's, I use:
http://branfordbike.com/ - Robb is a Campagnolo guru and a great guy to work with. He also has every part available for Campagnolo.
http://www.westernbikeworks.com
http://www.probikekit.com/ - UK
http://www.wiggle.co.uk - UK
I can get a lot of stuff from the UK delivered to my door for really good prices.

I've bought from Total Cycling in Northern Ireland and GVH Bikes out of Coos Bay, Oregon lately. I drop a fair amount of coin at REI on a pretty regular basis, too. I think I've bought one thing from Performance (eternally on the mailing list now :rolleyes:) and never from Nashbar. *shrug*

Probikekit for tires, chains and other consumables. I bought my frame from a Kestrel dealer on-line. Performance sometimes has decent deals, but they have a brick and mortar store nearby now, so I just go in there.

JB

Performance, Hostel Shoppe, Calhoun Cycle, Nashbar, Mt Borah. When I order from Performance, I have it shipped to the Campbell store, then I pick it up after work. It's just a couple of extra miles and saves the shipping charge. When the Fremont store was open it was much closer, and I could ride my bike over to pick things up.

Biketiresdirect for consumables (tires, chamois lube, etc.). Colorado Cyclist for Mavic Open Pro wheelset and a trainer, ebay for some pedals. Very pleased with Biketiresdirect, plus the company is in Portland OR so no sales tax and fast turnaround times without paying a shipping premium.