Safe to purchase bicycle from bike-mailorder?
02-24-19, 06:12 PM
#2
Honorary Bicycle Rider
Do you have link? Not sure what you are asking.
02-24-19, 06:29 PM
#3
Should Be More Popular
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02-24-19, 08:11 PM
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02-24-19, 09:13 PM
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That's an angry looking dentist, but I have a feeling his day is about to improve.
03-03-19, 09:43 AM
#7
Have bike, will travel
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I've purchased a Canyon Endurace and Raleigh Roker with total satisfaction. However, I know precisely what I need and want.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 03-03-19 at 09:46 AM.
03-03-19, 03:50 PM
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It's riskier.
- You might buy the wrong size. Buying the wrong size bike is kinda like buying the wrong size pants, it just doesn't work very well.
- You need to assemble some things when it arrives. Typically the handlebars are the thing you'd most likely either not know how to do it and/or need to buy additional tools to do it.
- You don't get any initial tuneup or followup tuneup after 100 miles when the cables stretch.
- Some online ordering will get you a piece of junk walmart-level bike...others will be fine. Depends on the price and specific model.
- You might buy the wrong size. Buying the wrong size bike is kinda like buying the wrong size pants, it just doesn't work very well.
- You need to assemble some things when it arrives. Typically the handlebars are the thing you'd most likely either not know how to do it and/or need to buy additional tools to do it.
- You don't get any initial tuneup or followup tuneup after 100 miles when the cables stretch.
- Some online ordering will get you a piece of junk walmart-level bike...others will be fine. Depends on the price and specific model.
03-03-19, 04:01 PM
#9
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All my bikes are mail-order (from web sites), except my wife's MTB from Performance Bikes. It needed as much tuneup as any of the mail-order ones, and the only benefit was she was able to ride it around the parking lot for 5 minutes before I bought it. I don't see any reason to avoid internet bike purchases
03-03-19, 04:03 PM
#10
Heft On Wheels
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I have purchased a complete bike part by part online and it was great but it was not a complete so not really the same thing but you need to know what you can ride in the end and others have stated.
biggest down side IMO is no dealer support. If you are a decent mechanic then I say go for it but if you need the shop for most things then mail order is not great because you will have to pay your LBS for mech support.
I have purchased a bike for a friend complete over mail. It was a hybrid. No issues with that either because I could work on it. she has really liked the bike and being I am her mech the service prices are good (free).
you didn't mention what your thinking about getting......
biggest down side IMO is no dealer support. If you are a decent mechanic then I say go for it but if you need the shop for most things then mail order is not great because you will have to pay your LBS for mech support.
I have purchased a bike for a friend complete over mail. It was a hybrid. No issues with that either because I could work on it. she has really liked the bike and being I am her mech the service prices are good (free).
you didn't mention what your thinking about getting......
03-03-19, 04:03 PM
#11
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As above... it depends.
https://bikesdirect.com/ Has some extraordinary bike deals.
https://www.bikeisland.com/ Tends to have all of the BikesDirect returned items, broken items, unsold inventory, etc. Use based on your bike knowledge and skills.
Keep in mind that many of the companies will take a few shortcuts and liberties, for example using cheaper spokes and hubs than the rest of the bike, or having a mixed groupset, with some good parts and some cheaper parts. Read the specs carefully.
Also, the bikes will be mostly assembled, but may require final assembly and tuning. If you are good, then it should be fine. If not, you may struggle.
You may find cheaper prices overall on used bikes locally. And if you can assemble and tune a BikesDirect bike, you can do the same for a used bike.
The choice of New Bike Shop vs New Direct Marketing vs Local Used is a very personal choice and depends a lot on your goals.
Some brands like our local Bike Friday folding bikes sell most of their bikes online, but have a very helpful customer service.
https://bikesdirect.com/ Has some extraordinary bike deals.
https://www.bikeisland.com/ Tends to have all of the BikesDirect returned items, broken items, unsold inventory, etc. Use based on your bike knowledge and skills.
Keep in mind that many of the companies will take a few shortcuts and liberties, for example using cheaper spokes and hubs than the rest of the bike, or having a mixed groupset, with some good parts and some cheaper parts. Read the specs carefully.
Also, the bikes will be mostly assembled, but may require final assembly and tuning. If you are good, then it should be fine. If not, you may struggle.
You may find cheaper prices overall on used bikes locally. And if you can assemble and tune a BikesDirect bike, you can do the same for a used bike.
The choice of New Bike Shop vs New Direct Marketing vs Local Used is a very personal choice and depends a lot on your goals.
Some brands like our local Bike Friday folding bikes sell most of their bikes online, but have a very helpful customer service.
03-03-19, 05:28 PM
#12
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As others have said, buying a bike online is perfectly safe in general but I think OP is asking about this site particularly:
https://www.bike-mailorder.com
https://www.bike-mailorder.com
03-11-19, 02:47 PM
#13
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Ordered a Canyon
I just ordered a Canyon Endurace on Friday. Based on that experience so far I'd say it's safe, but really do your homework...particularly on sizing. My knee jerk thought was to order a medium. But after going over their online sizing tool and carefully comparing their geometry numbers with a brand I k ow, I ended up ordering a small.
The bike arrives on Thursday so oll Wright back and let you k ow if I made the right choice.
The bike arrives on Thursday so oll Wright back and let you k ow if I made the right choice.
03-11-19, 02:53 PM
#14
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Are you looking to buy from a known-good seller? I got my last bike from R&A and would not hesitate to use them again, and the same goes for CC, Excel and some others (if you know the size works). If you have a website that has a crazy unbelievable deal on S5s that they're going to ship from Malaysia, skip it.
