Originally Posted by
Hachi
Well with this and the Jamis quote I figured I'd just reply that I could get a Jamis Ventura Sport for under $500 from a local LBS. I don't know if it could be located everywhere in the US, but it's available in my city. It's probably about equal to be honest bikewise, but more likely a little better (sora rear DR iirc)
Aside from that, the reason the shops sell them for more is arguably the free service you get with them, typically bike shops will give a year of free service, some even give better than that. The real question is (imo) is that worth $100 to you if that's an option.
I guess what I'm saying is they aren't charging for the sticker so much as they're charging for the service, which seems fair to me.
That doesn't make MB USA bikes bad bikes or bad deals, but it doesn't make lbs bikes bad deals either.
$500 for a Jamis Road bike at a shop is a good deal
Most dealers sell the entry Jamis for $700
And for 2009 models - prices will be way up from that [starting in Sept for 2009 models]
unfortunately; falling dollar; increasing Oil and metal prices will all add up to a 15 to 20 % increase in new bikes - so a $500 New Road Bike in a LBS is a really nice deal