Originally Posted by
eepok
It's funny that you mention Starbike. Everywhere I've searched for the B&M Luxos U quotes $200+, but then I stumbled across Starbike. I couldn't believe the price and wrote it off as a scam site. But you say it's legit?
Yes, Starbike is legitimate. I bought my SON28/Edelux ii/B&M Line Plus/miscellaneous bits from them. bike-discount.de is too - I bought a B&M Ixon IQ Premium and charger from them.
$200+ is what you pay a US retailer, selling a niche product, after buying it from a distributor with their markup.
$100 and change is what you pay Starbike in Germany, selling a product which is legally required on all bikes weighing under 22 pounds, with a shorter distribution network. Also note that their website quotes prices including VAT which Americans and other non-EU residents don't pay.
The only down side is that it could one week or two to arrive, and that using the warranty would probably require mailing your parts to Germany. Instructions were included with my order for that.