My vote is for slightly old-stock food products sold at huge markdowns.

I try to avoid Performance... but, I do go to them for the following:

-Nutrition products (gels in mass quantities, Cliff Blocks, whatever)
-Tubes (Michelin Ultra-Light with the extra long French-style Presta stem - can't beat the price)
-Tacx bottle cage(s) (used for gift-builds for friends)
-E3 Form Saddle (great saddle, great price, used for the 'beater bike')

I like their tights - they're a little stretchier than PI amfibs.

A return.

I don't use Performance, but I'd wager that the best product is the product you are looking for. It makes it even more best if the price is right.

Not enough sarcasm in previous posts...:shifty

I like the "on sale" wheels that cost more than they were 3 weeks prior to the sale.

this thread is really broad

Frankly, I'm a fan of Performance. True, their in-house brands are a bit lower-end, but they sell other brand name stuff - and at the best prices by far in my town. The other day I bought a new cycle-computer and decided to patronize one of the smaller, struggling shops . . . paid $49.99 for it. About a week later I found the same one in Performance for $35.00.

I love the sales! I noticed that a bike that was on sale the week before the "big 10% off everything in the store sale" was marked up by... (wait for it) 10% the day of the sale. That means it sold for the same price no matter when you bought it! Great marketing, although it really makes me want to shop somewhere else. I hate it when stupid people try to manipulate me.

They have good prices on tubes and chains and stuff, but god help me, the sales tactics are OTT. Overheard recently, "We have to get your email address for any service, it's required by the insurance company"... told to someone that just got a flat fixed.

My LBS is more expensive, but at least the people there are real and don't treat me like some sort of idiot cash cow.

Az

forte slx saddle?
scatantte cx frame?

How about a Forte all carbon seat post for $49, Look-style pedals for $69, all carbon bottle cage for $18(all on sale) that are lighter than products selling for two or three times as much.

Forte wheels are a great deal for a second bike, as are their house brand shoes and the Forte commuter slick tires.

I've used all of the above heavily and they seem like good stuff to me.

The Performance near me is fine. A lot of the staff has been there since the Supergo days.

The only complaint I have is that they sell more generic stuff than before.

Stuff I like:
10 pack of tubes for $25
Performance Ultra Bibshort (under $40 when on sale)
My GT Mountain Bike (but only during their 25% off sales)

tubes - co2
nutrition -gels, bars, drinks etc
clearance sales on name brand stuff -PI, Castelli,
basic training clothes
clearance - lights, helmets, shoes for MTB

I also got a great deal on a Fuji that was 30% less than other stores. No real service or fit but a good deal.

Their bottles are manufactured by Specialized (even have specialized "S" cast into the bottom) and if you buy them 3 at a time, they are cheaper then if you buy them straight for specialized, and they're great bottles. They don't leak, and are made of LDPE so they are very flexible.

I have there mid priced fluid trainer, and it works fine after lots of hours.

back in the day Performance socks were the best you could buy.

now....the best deal would be frames that are cheap but perform like
frames costing thousands more

I'll go with the Performance Ultra bibs so far.

I am surprised no one has mentioned the Forte 10speed chain, when they are on sale, they are a spectacular buy. Made by KMC, lighter than the Shimano Dura-Ace chain, last just as long. A real bargain.

I too like their Ultra Bibs.

second that..just got one over the x-mas sale with 20% discount.....came out to 17 bucks and change.

Only food/drink, and thats only when I'm out and need it ASAP. They will take anything back and resell it again.

It's the box with the marked down bike socks; you just reach in and feel around for the most comfy ones...worth the trip.

[you have to go into your local Performance store, of course]

I am sure there are better bibs out there but, for the money, these are a best buy.

the '05 Schwinn Fastback Pro that was slashed from $1899 to $969 that I bought my son last spring. It totally got him stoked on road cycling. He loves it. Not only that, but they give life-time tuneups. The guys at my local Perf. are pretty good. It used to be a Supergo also.

The occasional cheap wheels, though I've never had the occasion to buy them.

I really like the wind front jersey I got for about $40 with sales and discounts.
Tubes --> yech. Worst stems ever.