Bike Commuting: Online or LBS?
Choosing to buy online or at the LBS (Local Bike Store for the uninitiated) is a lot like choosing between an online bank and your local community bank. The prices for online stores are almost impossible to beat, even after you include shipping. Local bike stores are generally more expensive but offer instant gratification and extensive knowledge. So which one will you go with?
Local Bike Store
The biggest appeal of the LBS is the that they have knowledgeable technicians who can help you out with whatever questions you have at every step of the process. They’re the ones that will help you size your bike, keep it in tune, replace parts and even offer training rides. If you buy a bike from your LBS, there’s even a chance of getting some sort of maintenance deal. When my brother bought his bike, they threw in a deal on free maintenance for a year. Unless you’re a die-hard DIYer, this is important for things like figuring out how to replace a disc brake rotor (Do I want a center-lock or a six bolt? What size? For cable or hydraulic brakes?). Though many day-to-day maintenance items can be taken care of at home, when you’re just getting started the LBS is the place to go.
Online
Nashbar is probably the most well known online store for all things bike related. Many of their items are often ridiculously on sale and there are also frequently additional sale prices offered. In an attempt to keep up with LBS they also have started offering Live Chat. Their prices are often difficult to beat, particularly for higher end items (they even have store brand items that are unavailable at a LBS, another cost saving feature).
Sites like BikesDirect can offer massively discounted bikes that are as much as 60% less than their LBS counterparts, but this comes without the service or warrenty that LBS stores offer. The bikes themselves are also rebadged FIJIs, making the bikes the equivalent of store-brands with a shiny paint job. Their prices however are pretty much unbeatable and if you’re not looking for top of the line bikes, this is a great alternative. BikeForums also indicates a high rate of satisfaction from bike owners who bought from the site.
Choosing between the two often comes down to what you need, how quickly you need it and how much you can afford to spend. Often, the LBS is worth putting in the few extra dollars for the service and expertise they provide. Buying at the LBS also keeps more money in the community. Other items, like a floor pump or a lock, are more flexible because they aren’t required to be exact, making them good areas to save money in.
Photo Credit: Stock Xchng
Elizabeth: One of our readers wrote a really good guest post about why people should shop locally and Moorea recently pointed out the 3/50 Project, an initiative to save local small businesses.
I’ve always supported the LBS in our neighborhood. Bike equipment and accessories are items I’ve never considered looking for online because I like the “hometown” experience of walking into a bike shop. I guess I could save a few bucks by surfing the Internet, but I rely on the service dept of the LBS. I want to support the front of the shop so the back of the shop is always around to fix a flat tire… I know, lame that I have to take my bike in for that type of simple repair, but I do. I can change a flat. I just don’t want to.
Nina: Those are definitely two good points, and yes almost twice as much money stays in the community when you buy from local stores as opposed to chain or online stores. In terms of convenience, expertise, and establishing good community ties it’s really hard to beat a LBS. When my rotor went pear-shaped and the valve popped off my brake leaking all the fluid, I was at the LBS in less than twenty-four hours.
Unfortunately, if you’re on a super limited budget, it’s not always possible to afford the LBS. Mine is easily twice the price of many online stores, which is the reason I often split my purchases between the two places. I also try to do as much of my repairs as possible (cf. derailleur tuning) because it’s easier on the budget. But kudos for supporting your LBS!
Don’t forget about your local *community* bike shop! These social enterprises are often non-profits or co-operatives, and provide affordable new and used quality parts as well as opportunities for you to learn how to fix your own bicycle. Most cities in Canada and the United States have at least one; there’s a listing online at the wiki of the Bike Collective Network.
Niiice. I’ve heard of these under a different name (bike kitchens), but alas there are none where I live. I’m diggin the wiki though, I’m going to have to poke around on there. Thanks.