Where do you buy your parts?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 2,712
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Where do you buy your parts?
I'm taking a class on bike maintenance and repair. So, far it has been a great class taught by a very knowledgable person. But, with this knowledge comes a question: Where do I buy parts?
I don't want to cut my LBS out completely. But, for many things there is a pleasure in doing it myself. So, for things like cable, cable housings, screws, wire, gears, etc. Where have you found to be the best?
(I've seen some ads and gotten some mailorder catalogs that are not only truely expensive but are questionable. Obviously geared to those with more money than sense, not me).
I don't want to cut my LBS out completely. But, for many things there is a pleasure in doing it myself. So, for things like cable, cable housings, screws, wire, gears, etc. Where have you found to be the best?
(I've seen some ads and gotten some mailorder catalogs that are not only truely expensive but are questionable. Obviously geared to those with more money than sense, not me).
#2
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,397
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,698 Times
in
2,518 Posts
I buy cables and housing from the LBS. I looked at the sets on line, and the bulk sets the lbs sells me were a few bucks cheaper. I'm sure you can do better online with sales. When I do buy online, I often go with Amazon
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 6,900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Internet, scambay, LBS where ever the part I need is available at a decent price. I find getting oddball stuff is best done through the LBS who usually orders from a distributor.
#4
Sore saddle cyclist
I built a HOT mountain bike last season and the LBS got 100% of the build except the frame. They deserve my business, I like them and they delivered on price, delivery and quality, what more could I ask?
#5
Council of the Elders
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 3,759
Bikes: 1990 Schwinn Crosscut, 5 Lemonds
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
75% of my parts come from various online bike shops/eBay/Amazon. I try to use the LBS for routine supplies, but there is such a diversity of stuff available online that it is hard to resist that.
#6
Plays in traffic
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,971
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
9 Posts
I buy some things from RibbleCycles.co.uk It takes a good-sized order to make up for the overseas shipping. But I tend to order in big batches so it works for me. Their currency calculations are always a bit higher than what my bank actually charges.
Stateside, eBikeStop.com carries a lot of parts that other places don't. They also carry dealer-sized packs of things like cables and housing. With four bikes, the 10 meter packs of housing are a real money-saver. It's also the only place I can find the gallon size of Bike Lust.
Stateside, eBikeStop.com carries a lot of parts that other places don't. They also carry dealer-sized packs of things like cables and housing. With four bikes, the 10 meter packs of housing are a real money-saver. It's also the only place I can find the gallon size of Bike Lust.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 785
Bikes: Too many to count
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I get my parts for the LBS, they in turn help me out from time to time.
I fix a few bikes for folks that need the bike for transportation and can't
afford any thing else and can't really afford to do much to their bikes.
The LBS helps me with parts for them, discounts, they do a few wheels
for me, NC.
I pay their price for parts for my bikes, I flip them to make money.
Their prices are about the same as online when you figure in the
shipping.
It is one hand washing the other.
I get advice and assistance when I need it, priceless!
I fix a few bikes for folks that need the bike for transportation and can't
afford any thing else and can't really afford to do much to their bikes.
The LBS helps me with parts for them, discounts, they do a few wheels
for me, NC.
I pay their price for parts for my bikes, I flip them to make money.
Their prices are about the same as online when you figure in the
shipping.
It is one hand washing the other.
I get advice and assistance when I need it, priceless!
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,868
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
4 Posts
If you use the internet, these are my favorites.
https://www.loosescrews.com/
https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg...main&m=top_ten
https://www.loosescrews.com/
https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg...main&m=top_ten
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,489
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
2 Posts
I tend to get most of my parts from my favorite LBS. The exception being tires. They don't carry what I like and if they ordered them it would, according to them, cost more than if I get them on-line on when one of the mega chains has a sale.
__________________
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
#12
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times
in
635 Posts
I buy from mainly 3 sources. I buy some parts from my bike builder, some parts from internet bent sellers like Hostel shop and some from my LBS. Things like trunk packs etc that you really need to put your hands on to see what you are getting is what I buy at my LBS.
#13
Third World Layabout
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Costa Rica
Posts: 3,136
Bikes: Cannondale F900 and Tandem
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 397 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 32 Times
in
22 Posts
Given where I live, I buy everything from the LBS - there really isn't much alternative. And even though I have a full set of tools, I tend to have them do all the work since they do a very good job.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MidWest USA
Posts: 451
Bikes: 2013 Stumpjumper HT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I get small things such as axles, brake cables/housing, nuts, bolts, grips, and other little things like this at my LBS.
But for things such as my derailleurs, cranks, and things that I plan on doing quite a bit of research on before buying if buy at https://www.niagaracycle.com/ they've done me good so far.
But for things such as my derailleurs, cranks, and things that I plan on doing quite a bit of research on before buying if buy at https://www.niagaracycle.com/ they've done me good so far.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Fair Oaks,CA
Posts: 736
Bikes: Kestrel RT1000 & Calfee Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
LBS plus internet. All my bikes are full Campi. If I need some obscure part, like replacement cogsets, brake lever rebuilds, Campi wheel rebuilds, I use Branford Bike in Seattle WA. Rodd and Doug really know Campi. Their workmanship is impeccable.
https://branfordbike.com/
https://branfordbike.com/
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,392
Bikes: Surly LHT, Specialized Rockhopper, Nashbar Touring (old), Specialized Stumpjumper (older), Nishiki Tourer (model unknown)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I use my LBS when I can. I use Ebay occasionally. I really like JensonUSA. They ship things really quickly - probably because we're both in California. I've also used Blue Sky, Price Point, Alfred E. Bike, and Harris Cyclery. I've even bought from Amazon occasionally, though I try not to because they get enough of my business already from booksales, etc.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DeadGrandpa
General Cycling Discussion
15
09-20-14 01:48 AM