pelotonofdeath

Morning All,

Day off and it's raining like a bastard- time to oogle bike porn and pose questions. Wife and I are going to Positano Italy in May to celebrate 10yrs of her tolerance . I'm due for a new road bike and thought it would be a great time to buy one while on vacation. I'm not looking at custom- only going to be there for 9 days and don't have the $. I'd prefer an Italian made bike- so Pinarellos, Bianchis, Opera, De Rosa are all on my list. $3k max budget-assuming I sell by Trek (I like the Bianchi 928 RC!!)

Has anyone ever bought a bike in Italy and brought it home (Canada or USA or anywhere for that matter). What things should I consider or experiences at shops have you had. Is there a different ethos to bike shops in Italy, different customs or expectations of buyers? I've been checking out MFG sites to see where the shops are and can't locate any too close (Sorrento only). So if you know of a good shop in the Amalfi Coast region please share!! Do most take Visa/MC for such a large purchase?

I'm going to borrow a flite box from the LBS-- bring it empty and load er up on the way back home.

thanks
mike

Ostuni

first thoughts:

all those beautiful coastal towns and villages between salerno and naples are relatively small and at the same time are world-famous tourist meccas, so would guess the lbs prices would be seriously locally inflated?

otoh, would guess there would be more competitive pricing happening in either salerno or naples....?

finally, if you have never been, rest assured: you are going to a WONDERFUL place....

edit: last time i was in italy (spring 2004?), my credit union visa debit card worked everywhere....

lotek 

geez, if I were going to Italy I'd make sure I dropped in
to see Dario Pegoretti about a bike but contact them
first https://www.pegoretticicli.com/#
I know a few folks who have bought directly from
De Rosa and found it to be a wonderful experience.

marty

pelotonofdeath

Good point about the up'ing in price due to tourist regions- depending on timing (fingers crossed) if the Giro dips down at the same time as our visit I'd like to hop a train to catch a stage.

I thought about going to a factory, but we're not planning on travelling too far from the Amalfi region- I here driving is like death race 2000 with serious cliffs! Just going to chill, drink wine and carb up. Rent a bike somewhere with the lady. Maybe catch a tossed water bottle or syringe as the peloton passes

I'd really like to narrow my choices down to a few shops and email them in advance to at least see what their stock is usually like- hate to show up and settle on something I don't really want b/c I have this romantic idea about buying a bike in Italy and it being the bike to end all bikes and having it forever- hanging it in the basement when I'm 70 and then my grandson pulling it down and riding it to victory in some little indy style whooping of local bouregois- wow sorry about the tanget- too much coffee.

not2fast

I have lived in Naples for 2 years, 2001-2003. Just 30 miles north of Amalfi.

As stated above, tourist trap. More likely to find pottery and clothes, and the infamous inlaid wood, thana bike shop.

And while you may stumble on to a bike shop, the exchange rate is:

1$ = .82 Euro, which sucks! You wont find anything "cheap" at that exchange rate. I lived in Italy when they switched from Lira to Euro. Seen it as high as 1.20, and now it is .82 .

I wish you happy hunting for a bike in Italy, but keep your expectations low. You might stumble on to a great deal, but unlikely.

DocRay

you will spend less in the US. Italian prices also have VAT included, and getting that back can be difficult.

pelotonofdeath

I've thought about the exchange issue too- it's hard to find a price for a bike in Italy and then compare it to n.american prices. Might I not end up saving some $ b/c of the freight and shipping charges that invariably have to be added to any imported bike when it hits the showrooms over here?

Baldanzi

Buy 2nd hand! I did it last year while living in Milan. In general new bikes are going to cost similar to the USA...if not more - but you won't have as cool of a story to tell will you? I have no idea of the bike shop situation down south near Amalfi (I could tell you of dozens in and around Milan though - don't hesitate to PM me if you are up that way). The one thing that will help on price is that most shops will help you fill out some paperwork that will let you get 12% of included VAT back since you are leaving the country with the bike. (I bought a camera and got the money back in cash at a "tax free" booth in the airport - couldn't have been easier)

I bought a 2004 Colnago Master x-light...nice bike (at least to me)

[IMG][/IMG]

That is the real deal on bikes in Italy - check shops for used bikes. Most shops have a small pre-owned department. I bought mine for about $1150 (at the time) - not bad considering that the frame was essentially new (less than 1000km) and I was getting the whole bike for less than many sites in the USA are selling the frame only ($1800).

Also, I have noticed that even with the crappy exchange rate, clothing and accessiories were usually a good deal - plus the selection was amazing. If you are driving around and see a "Decathlon" store, stop and go in - they are like the Italian "Dick's" or "Sports Authority" - but waaay better. They sell bikes (all house brand) but they have some pretty good clothes for super cheap. They have house brand bibs for $25 that are very nice, and lots of jerseys from the bike team they sponsor -all very reasonable. Plus you'll never see that jersey on somone else back in the USA. Good luck and try not to spend so much time shopping for bikes that you don't enjoy Italia!

rickkko

Sophia Loren's hometown! Very nice.

I've ridden the Amalphi coast on a Harley. Glad I had the horsepower to pull me up the grades.

What I remember is, the road is narrow, twisty, lots of steep climbs and decsents.

The way southern Italians drive would lead me to say, BE CAREFUL! It'll appear dangerous. They drive by one rule alone, "the faster vehicle has the right-of-way NO MATTER what the signs (road art) instruct them to do." The buses will be the scariest on the tightt curves along the Amalphi.

Driving a car in southern Italy is tough because the locals drive following "local rules" ignoring the law. It took me a month of watching their driving habits (i.e. driving the wrong way on a one-way street is OK) before I felt I could drive with the locals. After that it took months before I felt I understood their mentality where I felt comfortable driving.

Good luck and have fun!!!!
..rickko..

pelotonofdeath

Thanks for the advice! Beautiful Colnago you have! Someone mentioned Pegoretti above and I love the thought of steel, but I'm hooked on carbon or I would consider a Colnago like yours- their carbon bikes are just too rich for my blood. I'm emailing some shops in the Campania province based on dealer lists from Pinarello's site. Just asking questions about price, stock, location to Positano etc. I can live with spending a bit more b/c it is quite a significant trip and I will have this bike forever- I've always bought used road bikes so buying something new is also very attractive. It would be nice to have a rough plan in place before I show up - shop decided upon. I might consider emailing some of the restaurants and other shops in the area and see if they know of ever shops- neither Bianchi nor Pinarello list anything right in Positano. Naples & Sorrento are closest and I don't know the distance yet.

Baldanzi

A lesser known italian brand that makes STUNNING bikes in carbon, steel and alum is Casati. Their shop was literally down the street from my home. (I am kicking myself for not getting one) GREAT bikes, but not known too well in the USA. Check their site - maybe they have a dealer down that way.

https://www.ciclicasati.it/EN/referenze.htm

rollin

Enjoy the local lemon liquer (limoncello)....

My wife and I were there in 99ish, stayed in Rivello, One fine day I cycled to Positano (she hitched a Vespa) - I almost passed out!

"Pantaaa-ni Pataa-niii - scopata grassa!' was the last thing I heard before I stopped (actually - almost passed out) half way up the coastal climb to Positano....

I think that's something about a "mountain legend" or a "fat f@#K", either way I loved it.... I was riding a locally borrowed Bianchi

Enjoy......

Surferbruce

Casatis are so hot. Thats your answer right there.

hiromian

Check out Gios. In Torino.

not2fast

Yeah, only Americans abuse that stuff as if it were a DRINK. It is to be used as simply a small swallow, and supposed to help with food digestion, therefor always offered after a meal.

Americans drink it like it is candy. I cant stand the stuff, way too bitter!!

Baldanzi

I know you said you like carbon or alum (which they make too)...but you NEED this bike



Oh wait, no....uh I NEED this

pelotonofdeath

molto molto belle!

Yeah she's nice- I do like kraft dinner- would I be willing to exist on nothing but it for the next 4 years in order to afford such a bike- probably in my younger years, but now I like beer and sex too much to give it all up even for a pretty face like that..

oilman_15106

I want to hear if the OP is in divorce court when he gets back from taking his mate on their 10 year dream trip and he spends all their time chasing down a bike! I found almost everything in Italy at retail is more expensive than in the USA, including the stuff made in Italy. We found some great wines and everyone of them was available stateside for less.

pelotonofdeath

No doubt. So far she's cool with it, which I guess explains how me made it 10 years. No chasing- I'm going to pick before the trip and settle on something. She already loathes when I have to "just run in to the LBS". Maybe visit the Bianchi factory- they have a decent outlet store I hear. I guess the exchange is nasty right now, but it's the experience. If I do buy and pay a bit more- I'll still have the bike I bought while on vacation in Italy- Kind like those people who buy cars (volvo) while in Europe and tour arond with them only to have that car exported back home- think Volvo calls it the European Delivery program. You pay more for the same car, but there is something intangible you get in exchange.

goldfish

you can do that with Porsche and various other cars as well (its a dream of mine)