Originally Posted by
TheDudeIsHere
I tried to support my local business but it is outrageous imo. Not a bike but related as far as components.
I needed a rim to build a new wheel. The rim was $80, my local shop did not carry it but said they could order it for me.
$80 rim
$15 shipping
$10 service fee................$105
I went online, found a good sale (same exact rim) and payed $60 shipped.
I wonder if they would charge a shipping fee for a bike as well?!
It pays to roll your own!
And if you have the skills to provide your own product support, this is terrif. But most people cannot do that and will end up at some point, as with any bicycle, needing something addressed, which will require a trip to the shop. This is just one reason why we can't rely on amazon or Jenson or Western Bikeworks or Competitive Cyclist for all our bike needs, regardless of how compelling they may be. The day there are no more LBS's left is the day we are all hosed.