Cheapest / Reliable place to buy specialized

HungryJoey

Hey guys, just looking for some quick advice. I have always fancied a specialized bicycle and I think its time to go for one, I presume they are very good bikes for road/mtb. Anyway I am just wondering where is the best place to buy a specialized with a decent range at a decent price ? I was looking on Evanscycles there, they seem to have the best range of bikes and the prices seem to be fair although I amn't to expert in this so any advice welcome.

Now if I am talking about buying in a store in dublin somewhere where would you's recommend and recommend especially for specialized bikes.

Thanks,

Hj

silverside

evans cycles are totally clueless and sell everything at RRP. avoid them.

in ireland i think cycleways are the main dealers. they're ok.

both the big shops in tallaght know what they're talking about (the one by ford, and cycle inn). Cycle Inn is in my opinion the best place although its small.

for cheapest prices , if you don't mind the hassle of mail order, pick up a copy of mountain bike rider and look at the ads, 2006 bikes should be going cheap.

and dont restrict yourself to specialized: trek, giant, marin etc also make good bikes.

Johnny Jukebox

silverside wrote:

evans cycles are totally clueless and sell everything at RRP. avoid them.

Not true. I bought my Specialised Epic from Evans in a sale and got the best price I could find anywhere, Internet included. Carraige was 25 STG and arrived in 3 days.

justfortherecor

I've also had very good experience of using evans cycles. Granted, I haven't bought a fully kitted out bike off them but the accessories I bought from them as well as gear were very competitively priced and the delivery was very quick.

liamo333

You can take any bike you fancy out of cycleways for a few days for a test. Only catch is you have to give them full price for the bike, you get all your money back less $20.

HungryJoey

Ok cheers for the tips lads Ill take a look at them stores soon so. Just to give you's an idea I am looking for something around the price range of a Specialized Hardrock Sport with Discs. Im guessing I can pick them up for around 700 ish. What are you're opinions on this bike and price ? It will be mainly used for road but I do take it off for cycles too around mountain / off road terrain.

Hj

Morgan

Specialized Hardrock Sport is EUR540 from McConveys
http://www.mcconveycycles.com/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p1685

It's a good entry level MTB. Not great on the road due to tyres, suspension and low gearing. Great off road though.

blorg

I got my Specialized in Cycleways a few years back; got a good discount as it was the previous year's model. Very happy with them.

I was in Hollingsworth in Stillorgan today and noticed that they now seem to do Specialized also, so might be worth checking with them for prices.

The prices in McConveys (or any Sterling-area shop such as Evans) were all substantially lower when I was looking; I don't think much has changed in that regard. Bought here due to the discount, someone to go back to, etc. Was it not for the discount I probably would have got the train up to Belfast or done mail order.

silverside

ok evans may have good deals mail order on last years models,

however their in shop staff *are* clueless in my experience, and you can probably find even better deals mail order. for accessories and bits and bobs they are quite pricey compared to chainreaction or wiggle generally.

anyway, i guess it depends whether you are happy buying sight unseen. you could always take one from cycleways for a spin, and if you're happy with the size buy it mail order. thats not a very nice thing to do though, i suppose.

HungryJoey

Where abouts is the shop cycle ways ? I hear alot of mentioning about them. I may be wrong but is that the store down the navan road ? I wanna take a trip and have a look at a Specialized Sport or similar bikes. I'd rather buy a bike out of a shop rather online, although I have no doubt it will be find buying from an online retailers.

Hj

ozt9vdujny3srf

They're accross the way from the ilac centre on parnell street.

HungryJoey

Ahh yeah thats them. Cheers I'll pop in soon

Ok so say I have a Specialized Sport I want to check out.

For a very similar price, what am I looking at then to match it from a competiting brand ?

Hj

daymobrew

Maps:
Cycleways: http://www.cycleways.com/store/go/about-us/
Cycle SuperStore: http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewContent.asp?idpage=5

Note that Cycleways does Specialized but CSS doesn't.

zappb

I would avoid cycleways like the plauge. Reason?

I bought a Specialized Hard Rock from them about 2 years ago - for whatever reason when i changed gears, the gear spikes (sorry don't know the lingo) at the back of the bike folded into the back wheel. I came of the bike.

The bike was under warranty but they said because the bike frame had been scratched they could not fix it for me with out a charge. (Of course the frame had been damanged due to me falling off it!). I was a bit young at the time and didn't push it with them.

Another time they sold me SPD pedals but gave me the wrong clets? I was need to the pedals so thought it was my fault i couldn't unclick my pedals. Came off the bike 4 or 5 times before going back. They tried to charge me for the replacements.

Both times the euro value of the transactions were around 50euro or less for the cleats, but the principle was important to me not the money. Nickle & Diming Rip off merchants, considering i had spent over 1000euro in the shop including another bike + numerous accessories.

YMMV