Online bike shop

[FluffyChicken]

Re: Re:

Support your local independent bike shops!

Otherwise we will curl up and die.

(Is it time to lock this thread already...?)

That too, you just need one that isn't just BSO based or high end specialist. Unfortunately hard to find, most our middle ground around here has left the scene. There are a few. but they're all too modern or disinterested when I went in some years back. So I gave up and go for convenience now.

 

[d8mok]

Re:

CRC & Wiggle are in my opinion the best overall.

Merlin and tredz are a close second.

Stuff turns up so fast , is easy to return without hassle that I don’t really use anywhere else unless forced due to stock.

 

[Antwack]

Thanks for the replies everyone, appreciated.

 

[TreaderSteve]

Re:

SJS cycles - if not already mentioned - been great for me multiple times (along with LBS).

 

[hamster]

Spa for chainrings and touring stuff.
I rather like Winstanleys - things are a little different.

However I buy more and more at my LBS. He's good, loves and understands old bikes and is close enough on price that it's worth it.

 

[TreaderSteve]

Re:

Yes, was trying to remember them - SPA for 'home-made' quality ally chainrings - much cheaper than Stronglight's Zicral yet same quality alloy.

Triton were horrific - disgraceful customer service. Actually I can't rate their customer service as I received none following multiple approaches trying to find out where my Surly rear axle was. Never again. Pretty much theft. Pfffff.

 

[greencat]

Re: Re:

Support your local independent bike shops!

Otherwise we will curl up and die.

(Is it time to lock this thread already...?)

That too, you just need one that isn't just BSO based or high end specialist. Unfortunately hard to find, most our middle ground around here has left the scene. There are a few. but they're all too modern or disinterested when I went in some years back. So I gave up and go for convenience now.

My issue also. I have a choice of halfords or a small independent who don't sell any bikes under a grand, and now mostly sell high end MTBs/ebikes while any kind of repair starts at £30.

The independent has been useful in supplying me bearing and spoke nipples, but there's nothing else for me. Zero chance of getting any 26 inch wheel era stuff. Halfords, well they are what they are. I only go there for massively discounted bargains.

Winstanley, SJS, CRC/Wiggle, tredz, merlin have all provided good service. Planet-X, customer service is appalling if anything goes wrong and I don't like their DFS like scammy "deals" and price shifting. If you know what you are after, AliExpress/eBay can be good for very cheap/obscure/knock off parts.

 

[drystonepaul]

Re: Re:

Unfortunately hard to find, most our middle ground around here has left the scene.

So it's fair to say that the old adage "you'll miss it when it's gone" rings true here then?

Small businesses can't be all things to all men, particularly when faced with small margin, discounting online behemoths.
So most don't or just won't even try to compete on the financial front. Many choose to specialise in niche markets as a means of survival rather than just to snub potential customers.

However, if you build up a good relationship with them based on mutual respect and not how much money you spend, it's amazing what they can get hold of for you if you ask politely.
It's unfortunate that online shopping habits make customers and vendors faceless non entities without any human interaction, compassion or manners.

As I always tell people, you can't fix your bike by clicking a mouse.

 

[d8mok]

Re:

Don’t want to sound harsh on LBS but at same time this is my thoughts ....

I buy 99 % of my modern stuff online and fit it myself with a few small exceptions (hate bleeding Hope brakes/invisframe etc). Mainly for convenience and price if I’m completely honest. It’s the way it’s going to go unless small shops offer something extra over and above what you can’t get online and also start being a bit more friendly.

However whenever I have tried to buy/use local it’s pretty hard work. From no stock (I’m not talking about this year as we all aware of issues) , to damaged bikes to stupidly long turnaround times. Some even seem to treat you like a bother. I appreciate it’s good to be busy but a local shop near me opens 3 half days a week.

A good LBS would be great but I feel they are a rare thing. I’ve just found a place half a hour away which seems good so plan to use him in future if I can.

Having just built a new bike up I’ve dealt with a few different small shops that are LBS types but not local to me. I didn’t have a good experience overall really at any and wouldn’t recommend them to friends.

 

[greencat]

Re:

Yes, I've actually travelled 100+ miles to visit a no longer local bike shop because the service was so good. And I've had terrible experiences with more local ones before the days of online. It was those formative bad experiences that led me to go self service.