handz98

CompetitiveCyclist.com

BicycleOutfittersIndy.com

Kingpcgeek

Common misconception with credit card authorizations. First off credit card transactions are not instantaneous, they are done in batches, usually overnight. You charge something on Friday night at Nahsbar. They go to their credit card processor and request an authorization. When that authorization is granted a credit hold is placed against your account for the charge amount. How long that hold is placed against your account is totally up to your bank. Early the next day Nashbar transmits their credit card transactions in a batch to their credit card processor. Then that day or the next, the credit card processor transmits the transaction to your bank, at which point the credit hold is converted to a charge. Nashbar is not charging your card twice, you are only experiencing the normal authorization to charge process.

garyus

Walmart.

RJM

Rivbike.com is where I get steel bike framesets and touring stuff...bought enough components and wheels there too...bought a kickass hatchet there recently.

I've bought from Jensen and Nashbar when they have serious sales.

I frequently shop the local bike shop though. I've bought clothing, shoes, bikes, components, wheels all from the local shop. It is more expensive, but I get instant gratification and do like shopping locally.

surgeonstone

Nashbar sucks, especially any nashbar branded clothing-total crap.
Competitive cyclist, Colorado cyclist or Performance.

OldsCOOL

When the LBS has tires for twice the amount of Nashbar prices it makes me wonder if they arent buying there, too.

Elvo

Those half priced tires, such as the $28 PR4's or GP4000s's are below the US wholesale costs.

OldsCOOL

And the price on those PR4's got my attention.

bikemig 

Nashbar, Amazon, Velomine, and Modern Bike (they're local and I like the people there).

bleui

Has anyone ordered from Smart Bike Parts they have very good prices on certain parts

gpo1956

I'd have to say Nashbar.

MAK

I've had good luck with Chain Reaction, Wiggle, Nashbar and Performance. My LBS owner tells me that he has no problem with customers buying on line and they are happy to install whatever I ask them to. I'll also buy from the LBS too. I just bought a crankset from Wiggle and had the LBS install it and had them order and install a new front derailleur. I saved $100-$150 on the crank and they gave me a fair price on the derailleur and installation. (I was going from a 105 triple with a 52 big ring to a 44 big ring triple on a touring bike and I just wanted to be sure of the proper FD.) This is the best of both worlds I guess.

ButchA

A lot of people are just trying to be a little frugal when it comes to LBS's versus Nashbar, Amazon, etc...etc... Don't get me wrong, LBS's are fantastic and will do everything they can for you - BUT - it comes with a price. $$$$....

I know this will irk a few people on here, but from what I have seen, there is one LBS in town here that has a massive "snob appeal". If you come in there with a MTB (even if you bought it there!) and are browsing for a few parts/components, the looks, sneers, and eye rolling, from the lycra wearing roadies will drive you right out the door!

Performance Bike is a great LBS for being a chain. Nice friendly people and a great selection. I'd buy from there in a heartbeat. If I seriously wanted to save some $$$$, I'd look at Amazon, Nashbar, and yes, even BD for deals.

Mark Stone

I think every city has one or two snooty bike shops. I use a flat-bar city bike and wear street clothes when I ride, and I clearly do not get the same level of service that the boys in "Kit" get in these shops, even though my cash is just as green. I've found one good shop that is not like that however, so they get my business these days.

The difference in price is not an issue for me, because the bike shops here are willing to match internet prices. However, where we hurt is selection - a lot of the bike carp I want isn't available even to order from an LBS, so that's when the internet gets my business.

Chief Brody

As of late, Jenson. I love there willingness to price match. Always free shipping on orders over $50. When I do order from them, I'll tend to hold off until I need enough stuff to get the free shipping. I hate paying for shipping. With that said, anyone who is offering free shipping will ususally get me to their site, at least to have a peek.

MagicHour

In NYC I don't mind paying an LBS price if I want something for an upcoming ride, hey I get it rents are out of control here! Where they fall short and lose most of my business is selection for tools, parts and accessories; many times they won't even have certain types of items and if they do, they stock exactly ONE choice from either Bontrager or Specialized. Not that there's anything wrong with those companies, but there's a lot of other stuff out there, and if I'm to pay list price (often higher) for an item I'm less willing to compromise. After awhile you just give up calling around and just order exactly the thing you want online.

Leinster

My living room. I look at as many different options as I can and pick the best price for the item I'm looking for.

MikeM21

I've ordered from most of the sites mentioned in this thread and have had universally positive experiences.

Most recently I ordered a groupset from Velomine and it was delivered very quickly for a great price and their customer service is excellent. Called a couple of times with questions and they answered quickly and were very helpful.

Also ordered some small items from Excel Sports on Monday night and they were in my mailbox on Thursday afternoon.

Kingpcgeek

I buy from Amazon, eBay and Performance. In some cases Performance will match whatever online discount they are running at the B&M store. It all depends on who is working from what I have seen.

I had a set of SPD pedals that I messed up and loosened the clipping mechanism so much that the piece that connects to the adjustment screw and clip fell of during a ride. This rendered the pedal useless. I took them back to Performance last night. Showed them the problem, told them it was my fault. Salesman told me no problem and handed me a new box of pedals and sent me on my way.

Last month I ordered my wife a Trek Verve from my closest LBS. When we picked it up they didn't even want to adjust the seat for her. All they said was congratulations and sent us on our way. I took her to Performance to buy some gear for the bike. We picked out a few items and when the guys working found out that the bike was in our vehicle told us to bring it in. They then installed everything including a kick stand which they had to cut twice to get to the right height.

I don't know about other Performance locations, but the one in Mesa, AZ is a class operation.

Lazyass

Competitive Cyclist rules. Ordered some Giro Apecks shoes ($89, reg $149), Giro Supernatural footbeds and a Timbuk2 saddle bag at 8:23 this morning east coast time. Shipping confirmation at 10:38. Three weeks ago I bought some Castelli Endurance X2 bibs on sale for $119, and got a free Castelli Volata jersey ( reg $119) with it. It shipped a couple of hours later as well. That's always been my experience with them. I had to do an exchange once and 5 minutes after speaking with them I had a return UPS label emailed to me.

GuitarBob

Like @Lazyass, I've had consistently good experiences with Comp Cyclist. Placed an order yesterday and got an email that the order shipped (free) in about two hours. Plus, if you sign up at Activejunky.com | Backcountry, REI, Moosejaw Coupons and Cash Back, you get ~10% back on anything you order from them.

Same holds for Backcountry - Outdoor Gear & Clothing for Ski, Snowboard, Camp, & More | Backcountry.com, which owns Comp Cyclist.

itanic

westernbikeworks.com Good prices and super quick shipping.

Reality33

For US based stores, I like Competitive Cyclist and Ebay.
For places across the pond its Wiggle for pretty much everything and Merlin for groupsets

TimothyH

+1 for Jenson USA.

Their price match feature is excellent. Plus they always send 15% off your next order coupons with most orders.

Jaredn

UK - Merlin, Wiggle, Ribblecycles
USA - Nashbar, Competitive, Performance, REI, BikeTiresDirect
N/A - Amazon, EBAY
Local - Craigslist

I usually just shop for whoever has the best price after taxes (if any) and shipping. Typically for me the UK sites have the best price, and the shipping is pretty fast too.

If Amazon is close in price, I will get it there because of Prime and ease of returns if needed.