DeadGrandpa

I bought my bike a month ago and naturally I've been customizing, accessorizing, preparing to ride a long tour. Panniers and front rack (bike came with rear rack) were sourced from specialty bike companies (Amazon didn't offer those specific items). Handlebar bag and rack trunk came from Amazon. Computer and U-lock were picked up at extreme markdown at Kmart. But now I'm shopping for disc brakes and a cassette with a few more teeth on the largest cog. The Avid BB-7's are available from Amazon for half what Jenson USA or REI charge. I believe in supporting a LBS but my favorite one closed 15 years ago. Should I just pick the closest one to my house or order from Amazon and install myself? Every buck I save is one I can use touring, but the LBS 15 miles from here needs a little help, too.

Atakuweh

I think supporting your LBS, if you have one, is important to cycling culture, keeps people employed who are fellow cycling fanatics, etc., and makes you feel good about supporting your local cycling community. Buy your bikes from them, because they will (or should) provide you with excellent after-the-sale service and advice. Whenever possible and when the price is not so different from online retailers, buy your components from them as well, especially higher-priced components that may require expert installation or the type of installation that you might not have the required tools or expertise to accomplish yourself. For attire, you're usually better off going online. The LBS usually cannot compete there. For small parts, accessories, incidentals, weigh the price difference and selection between your LBS and the online supplier, keeping in mind shipping costs and sales taxes, too. Usually the LBS cannot compete there either and they know it, which usually results in their less than comprehensive selection. I absolutely LOVE my LBS, but they cannot compete in a lot of areas. On the other hand, I have spent a LOT more money with them on my two recent complete bike purchases than I have online for most everything else. I think they understand that. They're always glad to see me. If I had enough money I would deal with the LBS for everything, but this is an expensive sport after all.

simplybao

I use a mix of online and LBS. Depends on what they have. I'm willing to spend a little more on something at an LBS but not 100% more. I'll buy small parts there though, just because I do try to support them when I can and it make sense. My new wheel build will be coming from an LBS. My frame came from an LBS even though I could have bought it direct.

cyclist2000

My personal preference is to shop where I can get the best price, based on how immediate the need is. So I I buy a lot of stuff online when its on sale.Small is better to be purchased at the LBS. But I don't believe in using the lbs to check out gear then buying online. If I going to get advice from a LBS, I buy it from them. If I can do the work myself and I know which brakes or other component will work then I buy it online and install it myself.

I noticed that on my old car that the plastic cowl was getting brittle, I could get the part online for a few dollars less than the dealer, I got it from the dealer because after shipping the online part cost twice as much. So I got the part and installed it myself since I wasn't about to spend 300-400 dollars having the part installed when I could do it myself.

If you have the knowledge on how to install the parts yourself then knowledge is power. but I you screw it up it may cost more to have the LBS fix everything thats screwed up and additional parts.

xuwol7

I have tried to support my lbs but they are ridiculous with their pricing, a Cygolite 300 for $135.00 when I can buy one online for $53.00.
I usually only buy ball bearings etc and do my own wrenching and I got tired of their attitude as they would ignore me when I went in because I kept telling them I don't want to buy a $4,000.00 bike, only grade 25 bearings.
On their "charity rides" the lbs boys would always make fun of my C&V bikes and tell me to upgrade (I had no problem keeping up or dropping them, I commute cycle everywhere and basically live on my bike).

I buy everything online,
Amazon. Nashbar, Jenson etc, whomever has the best price.
I can see the point of supporting the local brick and mortar bike shops but with crazy prices and attitude, no way, and eventually they will go out of business, as most of the cyclists I know shop online.

Machka 

We order our cycling stuff from all over the world.

headloss 

I feel that LBS markup is justified by the need to cover their own overhead costs, it's not cheap to stock all those parts. Then again, I find that 90% of the time they don't have what I want anyways... so never mind my argument on the basis of overhead in such a case. As with any retailer, not just bike specific, if it's not in stock... I'll just order it myself and save myself a trip back to their store to pick it up.

If it is in stock, I try to support the local shop unless the prices are obscene. I won't order online to save a few bucks, but markup can be rather absurd. It's case-by-case.

REI is a funny business model, if it's not on sale/clearance there, it's probably more expensive than anywhere else. I only tend to buy stuff at REI that is tightly cost-controlled by the manufacturer. In that case, the 10% dividend actually makes REI the cheapest store. For the most part, I only order REI stuff from their outlet.

jamescaxton

I buy it all online. Amazon and a lotta others. Even overseas too. Price and seller rating are the things that help me decide between them

ironwood

I find a lot in the dump. A damaged frame or wheel has a lot of good components.

krobinson103

Second hand online or from the LBS. I don't mind getting everyone's hand me downs when they are 9 speed deore or better.

Dave Horne

Local bike shop for me.

wahoonc

All over and everywhere. I ride mostly vintage and city bikes. I do order stuff from the LBS pretty regularly. They have helped me out a few times, and I have helped them out a few times on finding odd parts.

Quite often I have to buy from wherever I can find it in stock.

Aaron

BlazingPedals

Like a lot of others, I'll get stuff locally if it makes sense. Mostly small stuff, and only if it's in stock. The last time I had the shop order a part for me, it went horribly wrong. Rather than get it for $6.95 through the bike manufacturer, I had the shop order a similar product. Not only did I have to go pick it up, the final price was $39.95 - tax just about offset what the shipping would have been on the other one. On the 'plus' side, it worked almost as well as the purpose-designed part.

fietsbob

Retired but work at LBS just enough to get things at Cost + 10%.

They have an account with Peter White Cycles Distribution, because I wanted better Lights .

for example .. I fabricate solutions that do not exist, also.

Know other sources to get things made through friends & local businesses.. Sewing, Welding, Powder coating ..

mprelaw

Pretty simple. If I can do the work myself, I get the part online. If I can't, I buy it from the shop and pay them for the part and the labor.

Retro Grouch 

I don't really think that the local shop guys want my business. I know them well enough to know that they care about me and they always give me good deals but I don't think they care about my business.

All of my bikes are goofy - either recumbents or some kind of frankenbike. Whenever I buy parts, I'm real particular about exactly what I want and no shop carries it in stock. If I let the shop special order it, it always takes longer, it usually costs me more, and the shop usually doesn't make much, if anything, on the sale either.