Originally Posted by oddjob2

A picture is worth a 1000 words. Bulk is worthwhile under the following caveats:

• I try to turn 2 bikes or more a month on average.
• I use the same parts on the bikes I keep as the bikes I resell, except maybe tires.
• I try to minimize cost on a bike reconditioned for resale, but use good quality consumables. Some will argue that Kenda tires are cutting corners, no pun intended, but Kenda is a large OEM supplier on LBS bikes as well.
• I hate paying for postage and now Niagara wants $150 minimum order, so a box of cables and I am at $100 already.
• Stainless is worth the slight upcharge.
• I have used XLS, but recently switched to Jagwire. I can't "feel" the difference, but the price gap is reduced in the last 12 months.
• Bulk bearing buys can save a bundle. I bought 3000 1/4 balls and saved about 75% off bottled bearings.
• Bulk cable housing purchases savings are about 2/3 less than individual item purchases.

I stock several colors of brake cables, more than the better LBS, and most of the bikes are friction shifting, so I don't need much SIS cable. I only stock black SIS cable because I only need a short loop at the RD. I have yet to redo a brifter setup needing another cable color.