Buying Online
 

I am getting my bike at a L.B.S., but the various accessories I need (rack, helmet, tools, etc.) are as expensive as hell. I am new to biking, so I only know of one website that sells many of the accessories I need for less, niagaracycle.com. How do I know I can trust this website as far as quality, legitimacy, etc.? I appreciate any other website recommendations as well.

I've done well with nearly all online vendors I've dealt with. Wallbike.com (maybe it's walbike.com) is exceptional if you're interested in brooks saddles. I can't recall all I've ordered from, but most are pretty good. Prices vary from site to site, but if you've got a large want list, an advantage in shipping costs may have you ordering from some where the actual prices may be somewhat higher, but the total cost is less than ordering from several vendors.

I'm in the happy situation of being able to get nearly everything at a lower price from the local shop, but delivery time is longer than if I had ordered online.

I avoid items that might be dependent of fit or feel. Shoes, for example.

Niagara Cycle is legit. They can be a bit slow on shipping sometimes, but they are a reputable company and I order from them fairly regularly. I try to buy from online stores that also have brick and mortar store fronts, with a few exceptions.

Aaron :)

Find a site, do a search on BF for the site name. I think you will get pretty accurate info as to the reliability of the site. Your bigger challenge will be figuring out which of what to buy. Good luck.

Why don't you just buy your bike online? http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ge_pro_xii.htm


In general bike shops are lucky if they make 30% on a bike after they warehouse, build, sell and make multiple adjustments on it for you after you buy it. So if your buying a $900 bike the shop will make about 300 from which they need to deduct the above plus lights, rent, insurance, and a host of other things. after expenses they will be lucky to have $50 profit.

accesories may seem expensive at the shop but again there all the over head for those items too.

After you buy your rack and all the other stuff are you going to install them or ask the shop to do it?

Check with your bank that you get the card thru,
see what they do for you in the worst case scenarios?

I have used nashbar.com a few times and never had any complaints. I also bought their house brand items and all have been good thus far.

Because I need to be able to see it in person before I buy it, and going to one or two bike shops is a lot simpler than going to dozens of websites. Also, I doubt I will spend more than five hundred on my bike, not including all the accessories I need. Even after accessories, it should not cost more than seven or eight hundred- and that's if I get my accessories at the expensive bike shop. I will most likely ask the shop to do what I cannot do.

Make sure that you check the return policy. Some have short return periods or restocking fees. I have had a good experience with all that I have dealt with. The most important thing is to know what you want when shopping online. And if purchasing clothing know your size in brand that you are buying. Sizing varies quite a bit between brands.

Read through the POSITIVE experiences with cyclingrelated businesses sticky at the top of the General Cycling forum.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ted-businesses

My favorite online vendor.. but I'm a very budget cyclist.

Try before you buy works best with the Bike, Shoes, Jersey and shorts. I have been known to use Nashbar, Performance Bikes, REI, Jensens, Universal and some others now and then. But I also then to give my LBS a chance to meet or beat the price I get online. If they can't at least I gave them a shot and sometimes they have access to the same places the online people get some of their stuff from. If the LBS gets within 10 percent I buy from them and avoid shipping costs. I give the LBS as much business as I can because I like to support local business. But if there is a big enough difference in price on something i have to have I'll order it. But in my case the reason I shop Performance is I can order it or get it at the store, same price except for the gas to pick it up.

I've found that you can buy a lot of cycling good on Amazon for a good price. Some of the stuff I've purchased at Amazon have been sold by Niagra. I don't have Amazon Prime but I manage to find everything I need with Free Shipping. The reviews are often pretty helpful. If you have REI or Performance Bike nearby you can often find good deals on the sale racks. Winter clothing is going on sale as spring arrives.

I use many, but frequently go through amazon.com. Simply google the item you're looking for, click on shopping, and check out the places with the best prices and reviews. Places I've bought from:

Alfred E Bike
Bikewagon
Bike Tires Direct
BikeIsland
Competitive cyclist (usually full list price but sometimes have excellent sales)
Performance/Nashbar
JensonUSA
Masherz
MountainsPlus
PricePoint
RealCyclist
REI (full list but sales and/or 15% off for members with REI CC)
TreeFortBikes
etc...

I bought a bike online from REI and they are fast, with a great sales policy, and if you have a store nearby they will service your bike just like the local bike shop.

I've bought from Performance & Nashbar since the 80's when it was just mail order. Never had a major problem. I've also bought parts from Niagara recently and once or twice from Pricepoint.

I do my shopping both online and locally. Depends on what the item is, if it is even in stock at any of the local shops, and how soon I need it.

Another good thing to know, if you have a Performance store near you, is that the sale prices online and in the store aren't always the same. However, they will price match the online offer with no hassle. I usually bring a printout with me to save them the time and trouble of having to look it up on the site.

If your buying the bike from a LBS, ask them for a 20% discount on all accessaries bought at the same time as the bike. Most LBS I know will do that deal.

I had a negative experience with niagaracycle.com through amazon and had to get pushy to get it resolved OK.

10% is most common.

This just isn't an issue. I've made dozens of online (and mail order before that) purchases over more than 30 years and never had a problem.
Having said that, though, it's a good idea to support your local bike shop when you can, for a number of reasons. At least remember to factor in the shipping cost. If you "save" $5 on a $30 item but pay $7 shipping, you don't come out ahead, and next time you need a tube on Saturday morning, your local shop is out of business.

The only problem I have had is delivery is slower than I would like it, but I always got the cheapest method of delivery. If I really need it right now I will just get it from the shop.

List of on-line shops that I use:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/TopCate...10053_10052_-1
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/
http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?page=1
http://www.bikewagon.com/
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/

I have used Niagra cycles. They are SLOW, and that is compared to a sloth.

Jensonusa.com, pricepoint.com are my most used. I used to use another back in the day that closed/merged with performance bike, then performance prices went up and I will no longer do business with them.

Jensonusa.com is, for me, has the best prices and quickest service, and any order over $50 (some large items excluded) ship free!

One would figure the opposite on the ship times, as both Jenson and Pricepoint are based on the West Coast and Niagra being located there in NY with you.

Smart move, my only two online bikes ended up with one being stripped of it's usable components, sent the scrapyard, and the other having to be upgraded, but still being delegated to family ride duties only.