Phil_gretz

Pumps - it depends. If I know exactly the model I want, then the internet. Likely eBay or AliExpress. If I'm getting a generic floor pump to keep at work, or a frame top tube adapter for my MTB, then Facebook Marketplace.

Water bottles - these I've accumulated from events, Christmas stocking gifts, give-aways and the like. I haven't bought one in 10 years, although it was from my neighborhood Performance.

Helmets - these matter. A lot. It has to be light weight and have plenty of ventilation, and an excellent, adjustable harness and clip system. So, if I know exactly the model I want and its size, then the internet. I have also bought a MTB helmet sight unseen from AliExpress. It was a risk, but it looked like an exact copy of a popular MIPS helmet. Turned out terrific, and I wear it without reservation.

hillyman

LBS, online. Heck I'll even look at bike stuff at Wally or Target. Worse when my daughter drags me in a Goodwill or yard sale. Maybe in radioactive waste if there's a rare part in there I'm looking for.

Bill in VA

Parts, etc. usually online, although my shop will do an order and get it within 48 hours at a price competitive to many online places.
Cycling clothes always in person locally. The sizing of bicycle clothes is so non-standard that it is not worth the risk, except for gloves. Even then the gloves are cheaper locally.
Tires online, but now that there is a local dealer with Compass/Rene Herse in stock, local.
Helmet and shoes, always local to ensure perfect fit.

Retro Grouch 

DEFINITELY NOT FOR INNER TUBES. In the interest of full disclosure I ride a recumbent trike now so my experience isn't typical but buying inner tubes has become a pet peeve of mine. I've been disappointed to many times that I won't even drive to the shop to ask anymore. I want specifically 406 or 559 inner tubes, 2" or so wide with 32 to 40 mm Presta valve stems. If you are trying to sell me something that's "not exactly" you'd better back it up with a sweetener of some kind because I'm not going to pay full price for something that I don't want. Even the shop where we bought our trikes doesn't have them in stock.

At my house "special order" is spelled Amazon. It's faster, saves me a second trip to the shop and is usually cheaper.

MRT2

I sometimes buy locally, but more often buy online now. Once you know what size you where in what brand, there isn't a ton of guesswork anymore. The markup on clothes at local shops is very high, so I generally only buy stuff locally on sale.

Years ago, there was a local bike shop that got clothing at a reasonable discount. good enough that I went a couple of times a year to see what they had in stock. Then one year, I went in to find that the clothing racks were really picked over. I asked the owner when he was getting more stuff. "Never," he said. eople are buying clothing online and the stuff sits for months unsold. So we are not selling clothing anymore."

Oneder

I asked the same question just before you and no one answered lol I tried some of the sites mentioned but decided they all kind of crap for my purposes and just used amazon. Would use my local shop for this stuff but it is not open due to the virus.

HeyItsSara

Ben's is awesome! I got my first pair of bike shoes from them for $5! Bought 2 more pairs and haven't looked back!

Most of what I buy is used, discounted or free. I like Poshmark, ebay and discount stores.

Nyah

I buy from pretty much anywhere except Amazon and Walmart. If I find an item on Amazon that I like, I go out of my way to find an alternative source for it. I do a lot of my online shopping at Universal Cycles. Ben's Cycle recently had an item I was looking for that I couldn't find anywhere else, so they're also at the top of my list.

I don't buy bicycling-specific clothes, other than gloves (and even then, I only like classic crochet gloves, which are not what most brands now want me to buy).

delacrue96

Most recently modernbike.com. Great selection and pricing! I ordered 4 bike tubes at 1pm and they shipped at 3pm same day. Amazing service!

pbass

LBS as much as possible. Otherwise it's usually Jenson, REI, or Backcountry. I'll buy direct from some companies too, for example for clothes and bags I like Shower's Pass, Revelate Designs--I will often buy stuff like that direct from the manufacturer if the LBS doesn't have it. Hard to find clothing that fits at the LBS--they just can't carry enough sizes/options.

coffeesnob

Just curious as why you don't buy from amazon

50PlusCycling

If I am buying something I have to wear, I will go to a bike shop. Buying things like shorts, jerseys, or shoes online is risky, the size on the label is generally a rough guide, and you really need to try things on to make sure they fit. And just because something you tried on at a bike shop fit okay, that doesn't mean the same item bought from Amazon will. As for prices, bike shops often have sales of the previous years's merchandise, and more than once they have given me a discount when they see me scratching my head trying to make a decision.

When it comes to mechanical things like pedals, tires, tubes, or replacement parts, I will generally order them online from overseas. I live in Japan, where price fixing is rampant, and where the local Amazon is often no less expensive than a local shop. I like to tinker with computers, a Bluetooth 4.0 card with an adapter and wires costs about $80 on Amazon.com in America. But if I want to buy it from Amazon Japan, it will run me more than $300. Bike parts are the same, I can get a new high-end brake set from America or Europe for less than what a used kit would sell for in Japan.

ridinginjeans

Competitive Cyclist is great. LBS if you can find one with knowledgeable staff.