Where's the best place to buy online mountain bike parts?
I need to get a chain, rear derailleur, cassette and brake disc, plus a couple of tools. Any suggestions?
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Dec. 5, 2010 5:33 p.m. Woody SuperDork
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Dec. 5, 2010 5:36 p.m. petegossett SuperDork
Pricepoint.com is pretty cheap, though I strongly prefer my LBS and can usually get about the same pricing, and sometimes even better.
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Dec. 5, 2010 5:48 p.m. DaveEstey Reader
Nashbar
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Dec. 5, 2010 6:32 p.m. Grtechguy SuperDork
nashbar, performancebike
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Dec. 5, 2010 7:23 p.m. Woody SuperDork
Long story, but I have been defiantly anti-Nashbar for years. And I've heard, but haven't confirmed, that they share a parent company with Performance.
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Dec. 5, 2010 7:33 p.m. Luke SuperDork
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/
Look out for the 'clearance items'.
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Dec. 5, 2010 7:38 p.m. Grtechguy SuperDork
I still prefer to support the local independent bike shop myself.
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Dec. 5, 2010 7:40 p.m. townsend7 New Reader
I've had good luck with: http://www.blueskycycling.com/
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Dec. 5, 2010 8:09 p.m. asterisk New Reader
Many of the online bike parts sites are store fronts for the QBP catalog and Shimano has pretty tight price controls so there's not a lot to be saved. Universal Cycles has an ongoing coupon for 10% off $100, 15% off $300 orders and ships fairly quickly.
When the dollar wasn't tanked ordering components was frequently cheaper from UK shops like Total Cycling or Wiggle but now it's hit or miss.
QBike is good for comparison shopping but if you need a number of items shipping works against you.
I'm with you on the anti-Nashbar stance after getting caught up in the identity theft incident they dragged their feet on notifying customers about for months.
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Dec. 5, 2010 9:18 p.m. gamby SuperDork
Grtechguy wrote:
I still prefer to support the local independent bike shop myself.
Best customer service, for sure.
Also--PM EastCoastMojo on this board. She was a big help for me--she manages a shop.
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Dec. 6, 2010 7:53 a.m. Slyp_Dawg Reader
like has already been mentioned, Chainreactioncycles is a favorite of mine and if you ever need/want to get a custom wheelset built for you for relatively cheap, they are my go-to place. another good place is JensonUSA, and I had a good experience with Beyond Bikes back in '09 when I built up my Banshee Rune, although their site has changed a LOT since then. The rest of my kit for the Rune came from Adrenaline Bikes, who were quite helpful over the phone, and I doubt their site has changed any since I ordered over a year ago, apart from possibly adding a section or two under the Marin section to account for Marin expanding their lineup
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Dec. 6, 2010 9:50 a.m. sobe_death Reader
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Dec. 6, 2010 11:07 a.m. Autolex HalfDork
I really like http://www.jensonusa.com
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Dec. 6, 2010 11:25 a.m. Pumpkin Escobar SuperDork
Grtechguy wrote:
I still prefer to support the local independent bike shop myself.
times thirteentybillion
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Dec. 6, 2010 12:05 p.m. ultraclyde Reader
seconded on Jensonusa and pricepoint for real parts. I have a love-hate with Performance/Nashbar, but I still buy clothing there. I refuse to use their online sites, I drive to Atown and hit the brick store.
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Dec. 6, 2010 12:20 p.m. donalson SuperDork
used jenson usa and pricepoint for the last 15+ years...
prefer the LBS... but many times even my LBS bud (runs the shop) will say just to buy it online... he'd knows how my money is and would rather a friend be riding then not if it comes to money...
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Dec. 6, 2010 2:36 p.m. pez222 New Reader
I also prefer going to my LBS but check out http://www.nextbikedeal.com/
Its like woot for bike parts and the deals last for 20 minutes and the on to the next deal. Good stuff.
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Dec. 6, 2010 5:52 p.m. Woody SuperDork
I bought two bikes in the past six months, plus a ton of stuff for them, so I have spent plenty at the local bike shop this year. But now, I just want to rebuild this bike myself. I've never done it before and now it's time for learnin.
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Dec. 6, 2010 10:36 p.m. PHeller Dork
Do some price shopping. You may find that for certain parts it is worthwhile to go down to your local shop.
For example, I determined that a chain from Universal Cycles or JensonUSA was about $40, and from the local shop was $50. If I had needed other stuff along with that chain, I would've ordered online, but because it was the only thing I needed to get riding the next day, I just bought it local.
Tools, cranksets, and wheels are where I notice the biggest differences in prices between online and retail.
