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Where do you buy your bike gear? Helmet, pump, water bottle etc.

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Where do you buy your bike gear? Helmet, pump, water bottle etc.

Old 04-26-20, 09:58 AM
  #1  
deco101
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Where do you buy your bike gear? Helmet, pump, water bottle etc.

I just got a new road bike, hoping to get into road biking a little more than the 1st time around.

I was curious where do you all shop for your gear? everything seems so expensive - helmet 100$, bike lock 100$ etc

Is there an outlet for locks, helmets etc for discounted prices?
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Old 04-26-20, 10:01 AM
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tagaproject6
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Online, local, wherever there is a bargain to be had.
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Old 04-26-20, 12:19 PM
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If the LBS isn't way out of line, I try to buy from them. A rider I know had a problem with an old bike he had (straddle cable broke). We stopped by that LBS when we stopped riding. They replaced the straddle cable, and also found the threaded headset was loose and took care of that. All while we were there, and at reasonable cost also. The great and fast service was worth the little extra I'll spend there, even if the service example wasn't for my bike.
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Old 04-26-20, 02:18 PM
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sdmc530
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I will compare my LBS in town, if they are not more than 10% over an online discount retailer I will pay the LBS to support them. If more than10% I see if they will lower the price locally if not I buy online.
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Old 04-26-20, 03:51 PM
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I'm bald, so trying on a helmet is necessary to make sure there's no sharp plastic pieces digging into my scalp, same with shoes, gotta try them on, so the LBS gets that business. Other consumable/wearable goods that I do myself like tires, tubes, chains, brake pads, CO2, pumps, lights, computers, bags, fenders, gloves, jerseys, jackets, bibs, arm warmers, leg warmers, socks, energy bars/gels, glasses, and pedals almost all come from Amazon. And I usually allow the LBS to procure the parts that I need, when they do the repair like chainrings, derailleurs, spokes, bearings, cables, bar tape, rims.

Last edited by Riveting; 04-26-20 at 03:59 PM.
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Old 04-26-20, 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by deco101
I just got a new road bike, hoping to get into road biking a little more than the 1st time around.

I was curious where do you all shop for your gear? everything seems so expensive - helmet 100$, bike lock 100$ etc

Is there an outlet for locks, helmets etc for discounted prices?
I buy stuff everywhere. Local bike shops, bike swaps (great places to find bargains), online stores. I have a sense of what is a good deal and what is too much to pay.

Last edited by MRT2; 04-26-20 at 04:40 PM.
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Old 04-26-20, 03:58 PM
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ridelikeaturtle
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Another support for the LBS for something like shoes and helmets, unless you know exactly what you're getting.

For online stuff, I'll look to Wiggle & Chainreaction, eBay, PlanetX, ProBikeKit, even DeporVillage . But double-check your shipping costs, often it's just as expensive as paying more at your LBS, though of course online can be significantly less expensive, especially when something is on sale.
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Old 04-26-20, 05:23 PM
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Wileyrat
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All over. Mostly Amazon, Competitive Cyclist, and some AMain Cycle.

I'll hit an lbs for things like tubes and patches.
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Old 04-26-20, 05:34 PM
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LBSes in my town give a 10% discount to members of the local bike club. If the LBS doesn't have what I want or a good substitute in stock, online purchasing can get me the item faster and cheaper, so that's how I go.
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Old 04-26-20, 05:47 PM
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I usually buy just about everything from my LBS. I go in for a Thursday afternoon chat two or three times a month, they are great to deal with and they've always treated me fairly, if not better. If I am interested in something specific that he doesn't have, he's told me to give him the specifics so he can get it for me-- often at a lower price than on-line. If not, I'll still usually buy it from him as long as it's not a huge amount more. If it is, he'll tell me to get it on-line. That's how honest he is. And possibly most importantly, I want him to stay open so he can fix my bike when needed.
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Old 04-26-20, 06:01 PM
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I purchase all my cycling paraphernalia from local bike shops and competitively priced online retailers.
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Old 04-26-20, 06:15 PM
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internet
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Old 04-26-20, 06:37 PM
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Buy from my LBS if they have what I'm looking for otherwise from other bike shop in town
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Old 04-26-20, 06:48 PM
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If there is not a huge difference, I like to spend at the local shops
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Old 04-26-20, 06:57 PM
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My own chest of stuff and closet first. Times are hard. Amazing what I can find that's been barely used or unused and I just forgot about.
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Old 04-26-20, 07:14 PM
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Amazon, jenson, Amain, Competitive Cyclist, Tree Fort, REI, land LBS. Basically where there is lowest price or who has want I want (like Specialized dealer). Used to get basic stuff like tubes, lube, etc.from Performance bike - now I guess that is Amain.
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Old 04-26-20, 07:17 PM
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For years I have been touting that buying local is important for the community. As we have seen on a very large scale over the past few weeks, our country's inability to manufacture pharmaceuticals has demonstrated why keeping things local is a serious thing. Money is not everything, having your neighbors employed is. Buy from your local shop and keep your community alive and employed.
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Old 04-26-20, 08:33 PM
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For years Nashbar was my go to source. With the Performance takeover, and recent realignment, its not like it was, but sometimes you get lucky. I try to use a couple of local shops for stuff I need right now, but if they have to order it, so can I. Amazon can also be a good source if you know what you want. I like Voler for clothing, good quality, good prices and specials, and, made in USA.
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Old 04-26-20, 08:53 PM
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I go to my local bike shop. I would prefer to support a local brick and mortar than someone like Jeff Bezos. In times like this some of us are lucky enough to be able to work and I would really love to continue being employed.


Locks are cheap, super cheap and extremely light. A new bike is heavy and expensive I would rather spend $100+ on a lock and keep my bike for a long time then cheap out on a lock and have to buy a new bike. Also with a helmet you gotta try before you buy. Plus having a really light more comfortable helmet is worth it. Helmets suck but if you have one that is super comfortable and well ventilated without a lot of weight it makes it more pleasurable.
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Old 04-26-20, 10:29 PM
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Local bike shop first, if they don't have what I need, I try Ben's Cycle in Milwaukee because they are the closest online shop. I don't buy from amazon
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Old 04-27-20, 12:59 PM
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Online, but just remember to do your homework on the online store before you give them money just in case they are not legit.
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Old 04-27-20, 01:32 PM
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I bought 75% of my stuff at the larger Walmart store. They have a bicycle isle near sporting goods.
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Old 04-27-20, 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by branko_76
Local bike shop first, if they don't have what I need, I try Ben's Cycle in Milwaukee because they are the closest online shop. I don't buy from amazon
Ben's is pretty good. I once got a set of Bibs from them that retailed for $150. Got them for $50.
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Old 04-27-20, 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Slightspeed
For years Nashbar was my go to source. With the Performance takeover, and recent realignment, its not like it was, but sometimes you get lucky. I try to use a couple of local shops for stuff I need right now, but if they have to order it, so can I. Amazon can also be a good source if you know what you want. I like Voler for clothing, good quality, good prices and specials, and, made in USA.
I used to go to Nashbar regularly and you aren't kidding about some of the deals. Not as good any more.
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Old 04-27-20, 01:38 PM
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I have usually tried to support small, local bike shops. A lot of my accessories have come from online stores, though. If I need something quick and inexpensive, I’ll go to Target (before COVID-19) and now lately I discovered a small bike shop in my area with great and friendly staff and reasonable prices on everything.
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