My wife and I are leaning toward buying a pair of EZ-3's, an SX for her and a USX for me. The conundrum is that while I want to support my LBS, their price for the pair is about $350 higher than a LBS that is about 100 miles less local. So what are some opinions from around here? Who would spend the extra cash at the closer local place? Who would go to the less expensive place? Reasons?

I would probably spend the extra because you will be going back and back for servicing, equipment, accessories etc. for years. And will you really be willing to travel 100 miles each direction to do all that? They are close, that makes them handy and if you make big purchases like that they should remember you for the future and look after you accordingly...

I don't see those models listed on the ez site, just a single EZ-3 model that reatails for$725. I'm sorry, but for that much, a $350 difference is too much. I would give the LBS a chance to match or come close to the other shop, otherwise take the money further away. That's just too much of a price difference on a relatively low retail price bike for me to stomach. Especially twice, that's almost a third bike.

I support my LBS when possible. Saving $350 for a pair is not all that much. If it were a higher amount like $1,000, I would say go with the further bike shop.

I'd say it's your call. They're both LBSs, right? I'm not clear if the closer one is charging over list price or the more distant one is discounting it. If one is charging more than list, I'd have no qualms about telling them they're charging too much. OTOH, bents in general don't have much markup for the shop owners, so don't expect anybody to make any money discounting them $175 each. If the one shop is discounting them that much, I'd try to find out why.

As to the distant shop figure your time to go make the purchase, your travel expenses and what not. That alone could eat into the $350 price difference. Check out both shops thoroughly.

Well as far as the distance goes, my parents live fairly close to the shop that is farther away, so I wouldn't be making a special trip just for the bikes. twahl, where did you find a list price at? I've been looking over the sun bicycles website and have yet to see a MSRP. For those who suggest that $350 is a not such a high price to pay, I wonder if perhaps a cost of living difference is coming up. Around here that's a pretty good chunk of money.

It also might be that the higher price is reflecting some upgrades. IMHO that'd be like putting leather seats on a Yugo.

Here

It would seem that is the SX based on the wheel base, and they show it at $725. I assume since they are the designers (but not the manufacturer or distributer) that is their suggested retail price. They also list the EZ-Sport at $925, and we paid about $100 more at our local dealer. I misread your original post and thought that you were saying $350 difference for each bike, not both. That's not nearly as bad as I thought it was. Teach me to post before coffee.

Actually, There is no MSRP on SUN bikes. The dealer charges what the area will bear. The EZ-3 with a standard margin, that which most other bikes are works out to $770 with this years rise in dealer cost. I sell them for $750 this year, $725 last year. I have seen them for $699 and as high as $800.

That explains it twahl, we're looking at different websites. The one I'm looking at is here... https://www.sunbicycles.com/03/html_0...s/ez3_usx.html

Interesting info Wheel Doctor. The local place wants $775 for the SX, $998 for the USX. The farther one wants $599 for the SX and $830 for the USX.

Are they of the same year? Maybe the cheaper ones are older, like from last year or something. Still new, but older.

Not sure about the SX, but the USX is definitely new. I think the USX just came out this year, and the less expensive place didn't have one in stock. They'll be ordering it if I want one from them. I'm certainly going to try again to get the local place to come down on their price.

In my dealer catalog, I see one in steel, and one in aluminum. Either way, if you're buying two bikes, go to the closer shop and ask if they're willing to deal. A good business person would realize they only have to meet you 1/2 way for everyone to go home happy.

The USX came out last year, so there could be a 2004 vs. 2005 issue.

I suspect there is some sort of a volume issue, either discount or shipping or just the short shelf life till sale. Per other threads, the OP lives 70+ miles from the largest recumbent trike dealer in the world, which probably equates to the about 100 miles shop.


As my father works a mile south of there and my brother lives a mile north of that shop and I still rent a garage for storage a mile from there (where two of my bikes are), I often stop by that shop. At any rate, the guys in my presumed further LBS really know their stuff and their customers give them some of the highest kudos out there. And they are in frequent contact with that particular manufacturer on design improvements.

Is the nearer shop accustomed to selling bent trikes? Do you frequent them on other bent and nonbent bikes? These are issues that might swing toward doing business with the nearer shop.

Sounds like either LBS is a reasonable selection.

Is the more expensive shop charging YOU for shipping the bent into his inventory? For some bikes it adds up to $300-$400 MORE than ordering one on the internet from Calhoun or Hostelshoppe! I think this is wrong..the business should be able to absorb some of that, unless it's really struggling. Of maybe the prices went up from last year.

Anyway, ask them WHY the higher charge and then see if they'll come down to meet the price of the other shop. Also, to add, I'd go with the shop where I felt more comfortable and had a good rapport with the shop owner and wrenches. That is something you'll need down the road as well.