Bike Forums - Online retailers?

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Yeah I found iron horse bikes that were able to ship.

Oh and anyone with the fork question?

Quote:

Originally Posted by willtsmith_nwi

Warranties ...

The LBS handles warranty issues with the local customer. In return they get exclusive distribution and a territory.

Very few people would want to buy a bike without ordering it. That means the product must be on a shelf near where someone lives. The LBS fullfills this job. In return, they get the territory and effectively a "warehousing" fee for making the inventory more accessible to the consumer.

If the bike shops didn't have dealership arrangements, they'd go out of business because Wal-Mart would then be able to sell their product. The end result would be crappy bikes for everyone. The bike makers realize this. Only startups will sell direct. Once they get dealerships, they'll no longer do this.

But why can't the warranty be handled by a different LBS than the one you buy the product from? What if the LBS I buy my bike from closes up during my warranty period? Won't another LBS honor it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by willtsmith_nwi

It's all in marketing. The local bike shop is staffed by people who can distinguish quality from garbage (Huffy). Without this distinction in the marketplace, the only selling point is PRICE. That is not what quality bike manufacturers want.

But I'd still be buying from a reputable and experienced bike shop, only 2000 miles away. My LBS will still get all my subsequent business for accessories, maintenance, repairs, upgrades, etc..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntsman

It's a bit short-sighted, IMHO.

Going online for immediate profit at the expense of the LBS is the short-sighted view.

Let's say all of the bike makers start selling online. Enthusiasts buy all of their bikes, gear, and shwag online. Trek, et al start see record sales. LBSs all over the nation fail because of their inability to compete except in some of the largest cities.

Ten years later, sales drop off dramatically. There are no new enthusiasts because there is not local bike shop for newcomers to get help at. Some people might watch an old TdF video and get pumped, buy something online and give up in disgust because the bike doesn't fit right or it's the wrong bike for the activity.

Music (and video): people know what they like, and "try before you buy" is very easy with all of the online radio stations and streaming audio providers. There's zero need for me to step into Fry's or Blockbuster to hear or watch a sample of a new album or video. The music and movie industry's failure to recognize this has only recently started turning around. Buying, downloading, and burning a CD is easy. You can't download a bike via the Internet and get expert help with it.

RFM