Internet Bike Buying

[Shoogle]

Do many people actually by a bike, unseen and untried through the internet? I know you could visit their shop, if they have one, but it could be hundreds of miles away.

[Spinners]

The last two bikes I've purchased I've visited the shop but I have previously bought bikes (and frames) by mail order without any issues. If you know your sizes and what you want then I wouldn't let it stop you but, of course, it is best to purchase it from a shop.

[flat tyre]

I've bought 2 bikes from the internet, both well known online shops, and had good servce and no problems. I had a clicking pedal on one of them and the online shop just sent me a new set free. I've also built up bikes using parts pruchased from the internet with no problems. I bought one bike in our LBS an on the whole I preferred this method as I got plenty of helpful advice, however it's not always easy to buy what you want from a traditional shop.

[martin biggs]

do you mean 2nd hand or new ?

i have sold and bought quite a few over the internet based on sellers description and some photo's , cant think of many disapoinments upon opening boxes

[Shoogle]

I mean new.

[SteveHunter]

I may consider it for my next bike now I understand sizings and what size I want. For my first bike I asked a few remote workmates for advice as I knew they were cyclists. They gave me lots of advice but it was nearly all mail order with a shop miles away. I decided to pop into my local Specialized shop. I may have not got the best spec for the money but it fits me great and I have upgraded the important bits (wheels)

I'm a big fan of online shopping but for some things I like to see what I am buying.

I'm very happy with my bike, whether or not it's the greatest value for money I don't think is always important.

[blackbike]

My first bike in 1963 was delivered from a mail order catalogue.

My dad did the necessary and it was roadworthy in minutes.

Last year I ordered a new bike for my 81 yr old dad over the internet.

It was roadworthy in minutes.

[Pandaz]

I've never had problems buying bikes online.

be prepared to do a bit if setting up afterwards though, as cables usually get stretched.

[Pandaz]

If you're at all handy with a screwdriver its no problem.

[Vantage]

My current bike was an online purchase. But only because unlike the likes of Evans (whom I bought it from) who can get the savings from bulk buying, my LBS couldn't sell it at their lower price...£186 off the retail price. Ordered Monday mid afternoon and was delivered almost completely assembled 10am the following Wednesday morning. No complaints about that! After checking every nut, bolt, screw and tweaking the gears, brake and fit, I was cycling away like my life depended on it.
The one issue here is that some bike shops (LBS type) in my experience won't even look at a bike that hasn't been bought from themselves and if the end user isn't very bike savy, he or she may have difficulty getting an internet bought bike to run smooth, safe and with a good fit.
My internet bike buying experience was thankfully a good one, but I wouldn't trust one of them 'sales' types in the big online shops to work on my bike. I value my ability to breath without life support too much.

[Sooper8]

This is a very close parallel with buying a guitar without holding it in your hands.

I've done both and got lucky, but must admit it isn't something I would choose to do if I had local options.

If you can try it locally and then by buying on the net you save a bit, then I see the logic, but personally I'd rather give the local business/seller the money.

Is this what you mean? ie the finer details of the 'feel', the ride, the sizing etc?
Or do you mean literally the putting it together when it arrives?

[mattsccm]

Current one yes. But there was no alternative short of a 300 miles drive to its only supplier.

[PaulSB]

Personally I value my LBS very highly and always buy my bikes there. Several reasons as below:

The advice and discussion to ensure I make the right choice

After sales service

A thank you for all the FREE help and discounts on everything I get through the year

Have to admit I couldn't bring myself to walk in and say "Hi Ian could you fix this for me?"

I need my LBS to support me and so every purchase is made there if the LBS stock it. The extra £££ are more than repaid through help, advice and banter.

[thirdcrank]

My first reaction was that I've only ever bought one bike over the internet, when SJSC were clearing some Cannondales at less than half price. I knew what size I needed and I could easily manage the small amount of assembly needed: fitting the pedals and front wheel, realigning the handlebars and then adjusting the front brake. The Shimano hubgear began to play up so I sent the wheel back and they fixed it. (Finding an LBS that sold or serviced Shimano hubgears might not be easy anyway.)

Then I remembered that there are some bikes that are only sold over the internet. I've now bought four Islabikes in increasing sizes and been totally satisfied with the transactions. IIRC, there's a bit of history to this but if they'd been available at my lbs that's where I'd have spent my £££.

[Shoogle]

As Sooper8 said, it's the feel, the ride and the sizing. It's a disc trucker I've been looking for but with their horizontal top tubes, sizing is different.