Prozakk

Do you order parts online? Where?

I live quite a far drive from a bike shop, thus have been ordering my parts online from Price Point. I've made 3 orders so far. Cheapest prices I could find & every order went just right.

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During the building of my current bike (the first I actually mostly assembled myself) I ordered from a number of online vendors. Here's my ranking from most well liked to least:

* PricePoint (3 orders): While their inventory could be better, most of their prices are excellent and they deliver quickly. Maybe I was unlucky, but the one time I called them I was transfered to no where after an unhelpful conversation. Still, I will excuse that since they've redeemed themselves.
* JensonUSA (1 order at the time, 1 later for a new helmet): Decent prices but with good shipping. The (two) "fall coupons" they gave me never worked, however. The oversized shipping on my frame was very reasonable.
* CambriaBike (1 order): Decent prices with decent shipping and their phone customer support was excellent.
* Universal Cycles (2 orders): Just about the only place to get a hand built wheelset like I wanted (my local bike shop is too expensive if you buy both parts and labor there; the labor was virtually free this way). It could have shipped faster, but the shipping was free after their 10% fall discount. We'll see how well my wheelset holds up, seems good so far .
* Specialized (1 order): MSRP only but the only place to get Specialized stuff online. Extremely cheap shipping considering the package size (Armadillo tires that can't really be folded) that was very, very fast.
* SpeedGoat (1 order later): Mediocre prices but shipped relatively quickly. They have some unique selection too.
* Harris Cyclery (1 order): They're a little QBP shop, so I should give them more slack than I am. They had what I wanted and the price was okay. They threw in some random little parts for free too. The shipping was all around average.
* Nashbar (1 order, 1 later): Horribly slow shipping, but the 10% off coupon made that part free. Very good prices on select items.

And then some more stuff from Ebay, which all went well. I haven't had to make any returns or warranty claims, so the potentially most telling aspect of a merchant never came up.

gwhunt23

I buy everything from my LBS... the prices are decent and it pays off in the long run of being a frequent customer. Today I ran in there right before a race with a headset issue, replaced the bad part immediately at no charge. Gotta love that first-name basis service that catalogs can't do.

Now, before my LBS opened in the more recent years, I did use mail-order a lot. Performance always has the best coupons out (usually there's always a 20% off out.) Performance generally has the best prices on forks and pre-built wheels, especially when a coupon is applied. They also probably have the largest selection for clothing, and the prices aren't too bad for their mid-range stuff.

Pricepoint and Jenson are usually the best for the essiential components, cranks, brakes, bars, you get the idea. They tend to have a better selection on the more "serious" parts.

And don't forget Qbike. www.qbike.com Price search/comparer.

Killer B

All my mailorder catalogs know me on a 1st & last name basis....
Hell, they even know where I live.

I only buy from the LBS in emergencies.

MattP.

Same here. I live in a pretty snobby town and our lbs is in a nice shopping center, so the prices are that great. But the guys that work there are awesome. I'll buy small stuff from them, but not big stuff. PLus they are a satelite store so they don't have a huige selection on parts like hubs, rims, that type of stuff.

metal_cowboy

Try Spicer cycles. Great customer service, good prices and quick shipping. The owner will answer your emails himself in a timely manner. I too try to support my LBS, but sometimes my pocket book needs to stretch a little farther than full retail will allow. I have also had good success with performance, but they are usually my last resort.

MadMan2k

I'm a big fan of https://unrealcycles.com/ - great web site, and although I've only placed one order it seems like a really nice place to buy from.

It's basically all freeride stuff though...

JustBikeNow

i thought performance and supergo were good places.. But I also have them all over the place like 5-30mins away from my place.. good deals

JustBikeNow

btw.. anyone interested in my 32 piece Parks Tool Set.. including tool box? I haven't used it yet.

chad

I ordered from supergo...was really happy with the prices (I ordered that fancy Cat Eye computer that is wireless + cadence...for my road bike...and one of those 2 bike upright stands).

However, one BIG problem. The computer they sent me was used! We are talking about a VERY expensive computer here...I still haven't gotten in on my bike (ordered it in the middle of the summer) because it's missing the zip ties (well they were in the box...cut...in order to get this off your bike you have to cut them) and I just haven't gotten around to going and buying new ones too me this is like getting sent used tires

But ... the prices were really good...and I have no complaints about my stand in the garage really, I got it at 50% off as well.

Oh...I guess if I had to complain about anything else it would be the 80$ customs bill I got a few weeks later...but that's my fault for living in Canada and ordering from the USA I guess (NAFTA = Not A Free Trade Agreement?)

inrharmony

If it's something that I know I'm gonna need help installing (like a BB or headset...don't have those tools yet), I'm heading to the LBS for purchase and install. I like supporting the local guys, and the shop I usually go to has a first rate service dept. They've really helped steer me correct on some things regarding my build project. Other than that, Nashbar has been my online shop of choice....not to mention Ebay.

Maelstrom 

Exactly. There are ways to getting things shipped here cheaper. Some really extensive threads a while back. For the most part I always use(d) bikeroom and am currently experimenting with them once again

Prozakk

Thanks guys for the input. I've been saving them all to my favorites list.

Groundhog1248

For hard to find parts this site is great.

https://www.biketoolsetc.com/