Would you buy a new bike online?

[beanzontoast]

I've bought second-hand from this very forum twice and have bought Mrs B a bike on Ebay - in all cases I knew that I was buying 'as seen' and was prepared to do some additional work on the bike myself.

If I was buying new, I'd go to a bikeshop to buy, but only if they allow test rides as for me, that's where a bike shop can really score over buying online. I'd also want to be able to take it back if a fault developed.

 

[janm399]

I only bought my TT bike online and out of all my bikes, it was the worst one (treat worst as just a word to compare the bikes, the bike is actually very good). On three other occasions, I bought a MTB and two road bikes from LBS. Each bike itself was more expensive, but the LBS threw in pedals and trainer and gave discounts on other bits I needed. All that made the price comparable to an online price.

Moreover, I like to get my hands on a bike I'm buying, take it for a spin and have a chat with the staff.

Therefore, it's *no* to online only shopping for me.

 

[Plax]

I've bought both my current bikes online (Evans & Wiggle). Would never buy a bike through Evans again, but Wiggle were fine. I've decided to treat myself to a road bike this summer and I will do that through the LBS just so I can try out different makes and see if there is much difference between the women specific models.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I bought one on line - knew what I wanted, size, etc. - no problem!

 

[Dayvo]

I've bought both my current bikes online (Evans & Wiggle). Would never buy a bike through Evans again, but Wiggle were fine. I've decided to treat myself to a road bike this summer and I will do that through the LBS just so I can try out different makes and see if there is much difference between the women specific models.

What problems did you experience with Evans, Plax? Something we could learn from?

 

[John Ponting]

I try to give local traders (lbs, music, camping etc) first chance. If they have what I want and are price (or service) compatible then they get the business and the follow ups. If they have what I want but can't price (near) match and have no USP then I go somewhere else. I do not waste presales time at an lbs and then go online to buy.

 

[TheDoctor]

Bought frames online (Ribble and FatBirds) and I'd have got my Brompton online had I not been using a Ride2Work voucher.

 

[Plax]

What problems did you experience with Evans, Plax? Something we could learn from?

The bike wasn't very well packaged and minus the pannier rack. To give them credit they sent out a new rack without any quibble. It was badly set up as well. The back mudguard was stopping the front mech from shifting into the granny ring properly and the brakes weren't set up very well (bit slack). Felt like they'd just bunged it all together and threw it in the box.

Wiggle on the other hand had packaged the bike perfectly and had done a good job of setting it up.

 

[BADGER.BRAD]

I’ve brought bikes online, I think as long as you know what you are looking at and deal with only bike shops with a good rep you cannot go wrong, my local bike shops always want way to much and never really seem to have exactly what I am looking for.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/comms/srv.a4d?f_pg=home.htm&f_Cardinal=1

 

[Dayvo]

The bike wasn't very well packaged and minus the pannier rack. To give them credit they sent out a new rack without any quibble. It was badly set up as well. The back mudguard was stopping the front mech from shifting into the granny ring properly and the brakes weren't set up very well (bit slack). Felt like they'd just bunged it all together and threw it in the box.

Wiggle on the other hand had packaged the bike perfectly and had done a good job of setting it up.

Thanks.

 

[John Ponting]

Should add that I did get a bike from Evans once. It was an insurance replacement after an lbl supplied bike was stolen. Insurance company took over my claim, sorted everything within 3 hours of reporting and bike arrived 48 hours later. All setup correctly. Only had to turn the bars and fit pedals.

 

[thomas]

Should add that I did get a bike from Evans once. It was an insurance replacement after an lbl supplied bike was stolen. Insurance company took over my claim, sorted everything within 3 hours of reporting and bike arrived 48 hours later. All setup correctly. Only had to turn the bars and fit pedals.

My road bike was from Evans shop and was set up correctly when I got it. I not had any problem with bikes bought from them.

 

[hackbike 666]

Had to vote yes as I already have and it has pride of place in my bedroom.(oooer)

 

[roadjunkie]

My last 2 bikes were bought online. I thinks its personal preference. I know what size frame I need and I cant be assed talking techno jargon with the sales people (this is not to say all sales people in the LBS are like that - because they are not. Just my personal experience no doubt). I supposed it also depends if you live close to a decent LBS..

 

[hackbike 666]

I ordered mine on christmas day 2006 as my old mates from cycling plus didn't get me one for Christmas.