Buying a road bike - online v bike store?

DeCafe · 06-11-2011 10:53PM #1

Hi all

Im planning on buying a new road bike. Budget €1,000. Can people share their experiences with buying online versus a bike store?

Can you recommend the best place to buy online and also what would be considered the best Irish store in Dublin and surrounding areas?

What brand would you choose for such a budget?

Many thanks!

Sr. Assumpta · 07-11-2011 11:19AM

I bought my Canyon (Ultimate AL 9.0, 2011 model) online in June I cannot say enough good things about Canyon. Their pre- and post- purchase service has been excellent, in my experience. For your €1k you could invest in a Roadlite 6.0 , maybe others here have one and could comment....

As long as you take some time thinking about what you want, what size frame you need etc., I don't think buying online should be an issue.

Having said that, it is hard to beat going from bikeshop to bikeshop trying different models, although if I did this lust would get the better of me and I would end up spending a lot more than I set out too....

Tenzor07 · 07-11-2011 02:40PM

DeCafe wrote: »

what would be considered the best Irish store in Dublin and surrounding areas?

I like Wheelworx near Liffey Valley, huge display of road bikes..

Have to say its one thing seeing a bike on a website and another in person, could change your opinion of what bike you want...

Though for €1k all bikes will be pretty much the same apart from cosmetic changes and maybe different tyres so anything you choose at that price, well you can't go far wrong..

mediwheel · 07-11-2011 02:45PM

For me it would be the price and value for money that would decide !

DeCafe · 07-11-2011 03:40PM

Thanks for replies.. Leaning towards going with a good bike store.. Who would be known for well built road bikes both in Dublin and surrounding areas.. I'd be willing to travel an hour outside if I thought I would get a good deal.. Would squeeze 1200 for a good carbon frame model.
What brand/frame types would be recommended?

Relatively new to the cycling hence the questions.. Thanks

Tenzor07 · 07-11-2011 04:06PM

The 2012 Giant TCR composites are cheap... Loads of bike shops doing deals on last years Carbon bikes, though usually at the €2k price range...

Its usualy Alu frames around the €1k price point, though you will get some that have carbon main triangle tubes, alu lugs and seat stays...

I would go to:

Wheelworx - Liffey Valley
Cyclesuperstore - Belgard
Cycle Inn - Tallaght
Eurocycles - Everywhere

Lemag · 07-11-2011 04:22PM

For €1000 I'd expect to get something online with 105/Ultegra/Rival. In B&M shops bikes with Sora/Tiagra go for around this much.

For the €1200 which you've said you'd stretch your budget to I'd look no further than the Planet X Pro Carbon Rival or the Planet X Team Alu Red and swap out the wheels for the Planet X Model B.

Sr. Assumpta wrote: »

As long as you take some time thinking about what you want, what size frame you need etc., I don't think buying online should be an issue.

One certainly ought to know what they are looking for when buying online but this knowledge doesn't guarantee a pleasant experience. I know what I'm looking for yet my most recent bike purchase arrived very badly packed, a couple of parts were missing, the seatpost was badly scratched and the seattube needed to be smoothed with some filing. I only realised this after I'd already badly scratched a very expensive carbon seatpost. The correspondance with the sellers www.biker-border.de was a PITA and left me very dissatisified and out of pocket.

com1 · 07-11-2011 04:26PM

If you are going to Wheelworx it might be worth your while to drop down to Stagg Cycles in Lucan Village. I have found them very good to deal with

bcmf · 07-11-2011 06:43PM

http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/carbon-bike/1078836

Will let this go for €1200. Read the review of it on the link. It's the 2nd one of these I have had of these and I know a few other Boards'ies have got a few as well. Injury keeping me away from riding.
Also you can try before yo buy as well.

radiat · 08-11-2011 12:33AM

I've bought a couple of things online and haven't been happy with them.

Unless you know exactly what you want i'd go to your local shop.

Lumen · 08-11-2011 10:24AM

I bought my first road bike (after many years break) over the phone from a good shop who have a website. It was the wrong size, despite me doing a lot of measuring.

All subsequent bikes have been bought online or second hand. Once I figured out my size, which I could have done with a simple height-based size chart rather than over-thinking it with inseam measurements, I had no further problems.

Buying from a shop is no guarantee of anything except that you have somewhere to walk in and shout if things go wrong.

reilig · 08-11-2011 10:37AM

I bought my recent road bike in the LBS. I got it €150 cheaper than I could have bought it online. LBS also threw in a pair of cycling shoes, a spare tube, a computer, a water bottle and cage and a pair of gloves. They will also do a free service on it after 8 weeks when the gears will need to be readjusted, nuts and bolth checked and a bit of grease here and there. Other advantages to buying from the LBS is that the bike will come assembled for you, and you can bring it back to them for service and repair.

My previous bike was bought online. I felt embarrised bringing it to my LBS for services and repairs, and seeing the same bike for €20 more in their window made me realise that I saved nothing online. I'm not mechanically minded, I can fix a puncture and repair a chain. But i suppose if I was half descent at bike mechanics and could do all of my repairs, I could make a saving by buying online.

rustynutz · 08-11-2011 01:20PM

I bought my first road bike form Wiggle in the UK a couple of weeks ago. Apart from them cancelling my order on an end of line 2011 Felt F95 as they had oversold it it went well. I managed to get a 2012 model (Retail £650) for the same price as the 2011 clearance price (Cost me €508 delivered) for the inconvenience. This saved me nearly €250 as my LBS were offering 2011 F95's for €750.
The bike arrived assembled apart from pedals and handle bars which took literally 5 minutes to fit. All gears etc had been set up in the factory. After 100km I'm happy with the service and saving I made although if I had't got the bike for clearance price I'm not sure you would save that much as the F95 is retailing at £650 on Wiggle and can be bought here for €750 - €800.

codie · 08-11-2011 05:57PM

Cyclesuperstore in Tallaght would be well worth a trip to.Bike fit service for €65 but you get money back if you purchase a bike.I would certainly prefer this option as buying online.You get the bike delivered and you are trying to set it up correctly yourself.This can be a nightmare if your not sure what you are doing.If you have the bikefit done professionly at least you have peace of mind.My first road bike I was constantly swapping and changing things,still have the bike.I use it as a training bike and I swear I'm never happy on it anytime I bring it out.In cyclesuperstore they will do bikefit ,put you on the trainer and there is no problem if you want to take the bike for a good spin.I found John in sales a great help and also they have a very good aftersales service.I couldn't praise them enough.

redzone · 08-11-2011 11:07PM

This time last year I was in this position and was a bit put off buying online as there was to much that I didn't know. I had a trade in and got a good deal on a carbon road bike from Stagg cycles (lucan village).The shop isn't as bling as some of the larger shops but the lads know their stuff and are very helpful. They have been around a long time and it shows.

Maybe you should also consider buying second hand, you will get a higher spec for your 1k.
Arm yourself with knowledge. Do loads of research online and pick some models that you like, then visit some shops to see the bikes and try the sizes in person. After this keep an eye on adverts.ie + done deal etc for a good deal.

There are plenty of bargins out there at the moment, bikes bought on the CTW scheme that are not being used - I picked up a nice deal on a Mtb only this week.

Take your time and be patient, weight up all your options and you will get the right bike, you'll enjoy the experience

DeCafe · 08-11-2011 11:19PM

Thanks everyone for all that info! Will research and keep you posted...

DeCafe · 30-11-2011 07:52PM

okay people..after weeks of trawling online and around Dublin's bike stores I came to the conclusion that buying a bike online (unless you really know the game) is not the right way to go..especially when it comes to sizing up/getting the right comfort level etc.. After many years of mountain biking and one year on a ClaudeButler road bike, the urge of investing in a "top of the range" road bike had hit me...

After reviewing the latest road bikes I finally narrowed it down to the CUBE range..so off I went to see these at BuildaBike just off Capel Street.. Analyzing the CUBE bikes especially the CUBE Agree SL...a neat looking bike caught my eye...the GIANT TCR-4. Although I loved the look and the feel of the CUBE Agree I couldnt help but prefer the GIANTs carbon frame so the CUBEs Full Ultegra components + Easton wheels presented a real dilemma in choosing which bike! :eek:

The guys in store couldnt be more helpful and suggested swapping over ALL components plus the wheels from the CUBE onto the GIANTs carbon frame.. SUCCESS!!! Although I more than doubled my budget including new cycling gear I am more than happy with the purchase! Took it up Howth Head a few times already and it rides like a dream and climbs with ease...

http://bit.ly/afOZNm + http://bit.ly/si1ey8 = (((MY GIANT CUBE))) (image attached)

I'd like to say a big thanks to the pros @ http://buildabike.ie/ for all their help + support + 2years free service which they included! If your unsure on choosing your next bike..trust me..talk to these guys you wont go wrong!

No association just a very happy customer!

Tenzor07 · 30-11-2011 07:58PM

Great service for sure!

That's the 2011/10 Model Tcr?

DeCafe · 30-11-2011 10:33PM

Great service for sure!

That's the 2011/10 Model Tcr?

AFAIK TCR 2010/2011 models have same frames..components being different.

dunnangall · 01-12-2011 05:59PM

My wife bought a bike from Wiggle recently after I set up a "Refer A Friend" for her, while she got a great bargain on a carbon bike, I got over 100 euro in vouchers for my bother. This was after trying to deal in my Lbs for nearly 2 weeks.

Buying a road bike - online v bike store?

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