Ordering a bike off the internet?
05-12-05, 04:36 PM
#1
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Ordering a bike off the internet?
I'm looking for a TT bike. There's a few shops around me but I can't seem to get what I want. Either they don't have the right bike, right size, poor selection, ugly color, etc.
Anyone ordered a bike off the internet?
Anyone ordered a bike off the internet?
05-12-05, 04:47 PM
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I ordered my road bike from Hi-Tech bikes in San Diego. Had a great experience with them and got a good price. I've also ordered one from Colorado Cyclist, but I knew exactly what I wanted for that one. Hi-Tech helped me with sizes, measurements etc. I'd do it again.
05-12-05, 05:41 PM
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I've ordered over the internet with good results. However, depending on the shop, or warehouse, you'd better be confident in doing a bit of your own wrenching. Most of the smaller, reputable shops pre-assemble and test your bike. But most volume warehouse web sites have a disclaimer about shipping the bikes in 'dealer ready' condition. This means you'll have to be prepared to do some minor assembly, check the brakes and derailleurs and adjust if necessary, and even true the wheels. I'm comfortable with everything but the wheels. If they needed attention I'd take them (just the wheels) to a local shop for tensioning and/or truing. Some people take the whole mail order box to the LBS for assembly and adjustment, but that's asking for a bit of attitude as well as a steep labour charge.
DanO
DanO
05-12-05, 05:45 PM
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I bought a complete bike off the internet. I wouldn't do it for a first bike. In my case I was almost exactly matching the fit of my prior bike, so it worked out.
05-12-05, 06:03 PM
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If you know exactly what you want, component/fit wise and you know what you're doing, why not.
That being said, i'd probably see if I could get an LBS to order it instead. Unless they want to charge some kind of... fee.
That being said, i'd probably see if I could get an LBS to order it instead. Unless they want to charge some kind of... fee.
05-12-05, 08:01 PM
#6
Cycle Year Round
If you know the size and geometries that you like. Go for it. I bought 4 bikes from the catalogs/internet. All have worked well. With Colorado Cyclist the wheels should be good to go out of the box. I had to rebuild a Performance wheel on one bike I ordered from them. It kept poping spokes every 100 miles. Good luck.
