Order online or LBS for Steamroller?
 

This would be my first bike in ten years really so keep in mind I don't really have bike specific tools around or know anything about taking care of or fixing my own bike.

I can get a Steamroller shipped for $612 without pedals. Pedals will run me what, $25?

OR

I can buy it at a LBS for $780 including tax. I understand that they would help me with tuning up and tightening whatever needs to be tightened. I think they might throw in some bullhorns instead of the snitty drops that come with it if I buy at the LBS.

I was trying to keep my bike purchase to $500 or less so approaching $800 is freaking me out. Oh also I need to buy a lock, and MKS clips, damnit.

What you guys think, is a $168 difference worth it for someone new like me? I don't have any cycling friends to help me.

I think the $168 is a big enough difference to order online. You can get bullhorns online for around $25 shipped. That still leaves you with $143 extra over purchasing it at your LBS - assuming your LBS throws in bullhorns for the bike. This leaves you with more than enough money for nice pedals and a nice lock. Putting a bike together that you order offline is very simple. The steps can be found on many websites, and most of the time you will not have to buy any extra tools to make sure everything is good to go.

bike shops often come with a year (or a decent period) of free/reduced service when you purchase a complete. if you dont know what you're doing during this period in regards to mechanics (or if you're still without all the tools you'd need), that coverage would really help you out. I think it's worth it to purchase from the local shop.

i doubt he'll need 150+$ worth of service in 1 year.

Where online are you getting it from? Just curious. Does that online cost include shipping?

http://www.universalcycles.com/ with a coupon. $612 includes shipping.

I am little worried that not everything will be tight enough when I put it together. I read that if something is not tight enough you risk stripping some things and ruining parts. How important is it that the wheels are properly trued?

I would go with the LBS. The pedals will undoubtedly cost more than 25, whether you go with platforms, clips and straps or clipless. You'll also have people there to help you out if something goes wrong. Plus, you'll be keeping money in your local economy - instead of sending it to god-knows-where - and supporting your local bike community. If the money is just too much, see if your LBS can do something to close the gap in cost. They won't be as cheap as the internet, nor should they be. They will actually help you find the right size (there are very frequent threads around here of people ordering online, getting the wrong size and buying again) and help out with free tuneups and what-not.

If you don't trust yourself you could bring it in to the shop after you got it and they could check it out for you. I think online would be a better deal. But then again you said this is your first bike in ten years your lbs could make sure the fitting was all good and everything if your unsure.
Personally I would order online.

You know I was actually disappointed with the LBS because they had a 53cm that I test road and it seemed nice to me, but in theory a 56cm would fit me better. (about 5"11) I tried a 56 Crosscheck and the LBS said that DID fit me and I should go with a 56cm really.

but then the LBS was still very happy to turn around and sell me the steamroller as a 53cm. I feel like they really should have recommended for me to order a 56cm through them or something rather than sell me the wrong size....

I wonder if they would go down on the price if I paid with actual cash instead of a card? I tried to bargain them down and they wouldn't budge.

See if they price match. You could print up the other bike with the coupon, Some bike shops *here* do that.

Not to sound overly snarky, but that the question was put in this way indicates to me that you shou ld definitely get your bike from a decent LBS who will set it up for you.

jim

The cog and lock ring specifically because I would not want to strip the hub.

I know someone who just did this... With exact same coupon from the same online dealer, he went to a local shop who had the Steamroller in stock, they matched the price (he paid a bit more with taxes and a few lights) and they honored the 1 year full tune up... He paid about 125 less than he would have (800 dollar price after taxes), the shop he went to is fantastic though, they really came through on the deal.

true, but it will come in handy for him.

but come to think of it, the extra cost is worth it because he'll be able to get the correct size rather than guessing and ordering something ill-fitting.

I also think you should get it from your LBS. You need to try and haggle with them, though. Maybe they can come off that price like 50 bucks or something. OR, maybe they can also throw in some pedals/clips/straps.

The thing is that you may not anticipate anything happening, but it still could. Specifically, your lockring and cog needs to be nice and tight. Also, installing the stem can be tricky. You don't want your handlebars sliding downwards while you ride, but you also don't want to strip your bolts or rip your star nut out of the steering tube. Also, the chainring bolts need to be tight and you will need a special tool for that. And it wouldn't hurt to make sure your wheels are trued (12 bucks each). As you can see, there are many things that need to be checked.

If you are mechanically inclined, i would suggest that you just spend your extra money on some tools and learn to do this stuff yourself. You will need pedro's tool as well as the park tool 3 sided allen wrench. Those two tools should be good to get you started, but you will still need to have a LBS help w/ cog/lockring. My LBS charged me 4 bucks to install my cog/lockring and tighten it.

The choice is yours. See if your shop will come off the price at all, and if they will then buy it from them. If you think you can handle all of these things, then buy the tools and do it yourself. Learning all of this stuff and buying the tools will be cheaper in the long run.

Also, GREASE EVERYTHING. Any place where metal touches metal. And definitely grease the hell out of your cog/lockring.

I got a Steamroller from Universal, everything is tight and wheels are in true. Great service and got to me pretty quick. You really dont need to have previous bike knoledge to put the handle bars, seat, and wheels on. the only tools youll need are a 15 mm wrench and a set of allen wrenches. I'd go with online.

And just in case you didn't know that vip15 coupon code expires at the end of this month!

$168 is NOT enough to warrant buying online. "Why", you ask?

- What if the lockring isn't tight?
- What if it's the wrong size?
- What if the wheels aren't true?
- What happens when they need to be trued a year from now?
- What if the brake needs adjustment?
- Who will assemble it?
- Who will properly fit him on it?
- What happens when the rear hub, headset, brake lever, crank arm or some other part craps out?
- Does he have time to mail the bike/part back if there are any issues?

Local bike shops provide these services in exchange for a relatively modest fee.

+1



Also, I wouldn't expect a bike shop to MATCH an online price. That's just not fair. But, it's reasonable to maybe negotiate 5% off or maybe work a discount on some accessories (cycling shorts, water bottles, tubes, computer, helmet...).

Most shops can order on Monday and have your bike ready for you by Friday or Saturday.

Then there's the peace of mind of knowing that, "If I have any issues I'll just take it down the street to the place where I got it."


Sort of like owning a Mac. :D

But I use a PC!

i had my lbs order a complete steamer for me last march
i am glad i went this route...they changed up the stem for me no charge too
i have been changing parts out as i go and it was nice to be able to stop in and get the bike looked over from time to time

We need to talk.

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PC + linux ftw

Damn.. I may buy one for that price haha, I have 13 days to come up with some money.. Time to Sell stuff!

Support your local bike shop, cheapskate.

Now what if your lbs that sells surlys is 60+ miles away?