Where is the cheapest place online to buy a mountain bike for my girlfriend, but...

kirk0791 · 12-13-2007, 10:12 AM

...half way reputable? Is it cheaper to buy it locally because of shipping. The local bike shops appear to be raping customers based on the markup I see in accessories and clothing.
The first guy answered my question, the second and third did not. Read the question. I understand nicer stuff costs a little more. However, many many time I have been able to buy the same EXACT item over the internet for 50-70% of what the local stores sell it for. So, I don't need luck with the "other cheap stuff" as I am just simply looking for the best deal on a particular item.

So let me simplify my question so others won't have the same problem you did....cheap place online, buy mountain bike?

M R · 12-13-2007, 10:12 AM

Try bikesdirect.com. Free US shipping.

SAMD010 · 12-13-2007, 10:12 AM

Mountain Bike clothing can be marked up pretty high. Be thankful that she is reputable . . . That is what really counts. Good luck with your other cheap stuff.

silverbullet · 12-13-2007, 10:12 AM

Nashbar and Performance are usually reasonable, but I would never buy a bike without trying it. Fit and feel are too important.

I did get a heck of a deal at Performance a couple years ago, but we have a local brick-and-mortar, so I was able to ride it around first.

Roger J · 12-13-2007, 10:13 AM

The best choice is forgebikes.com. It's sold through target.com which is safe and reputable. You may want to checkout either the Devon CM or the Sawback 5xx in 17" frame.

I own the Sawback 5xx and bought my wife the M Street. Both are excellent bikes!!! They are well regarded, made of excellent quality and written-up on mtbr.com, people who ride and know bikes.

Also... If you google "target.com coupons" you can find a coupon for an extra 10% or AAA gives members 10% off target.com. And your in luck, they are on SALE and Free Shipping now. I just bought my mom the Coco.

Here's the link to target.com and Forge's site:

http://www.target.com/gp/browse.html/ref=in_br_display-ladders/602-1821886-7579833?%5Fencoding=UTF8&node=125446011

http://www.forgebikes.com

Best of luck!

mgm531 · 12-13-2007, 10:13 AM

Bike shops mark up accessories and clothing much more than they do the actual bikes. Most bike shops make more money on accessories and clothing than they do on the bikes. In fact on per square foot cost/revenue basis sometimes bicycles can be money losers (ie, bikes take up a lot of space, but don't provide much return revenue). But you can't very well have a bike shop without any bikes, thus the difference is made up in the accessories and clothes markup.

Most bike shops are dealers for a particular brand (Schwinn, Trek, Raleigh, etc) and it is part of their dealer agreement that they cannot sell a bicycle that has not been assembled (ie, shipped directly unassembled).

What bike shops are selling more than the actual bike is the service and the potential for repeat business (where upon you presumbably purchase accessories and clothing). That's why most bike shops offer free tuneups and adjustments for a certain period of time (usually 1-3 months).

So while you may get a better deal buying online, you may not get the level of service or guidance you may get from the local bike shop. Maybe not a big deal if you're mechanically inclined or have experience working on bicycles, but if not, then you get what you pay for I suppose.

mgm531 · 12-13-2007, 10:13 AM

Bike shops mark up accessories and clothing much more than they do the actual bikes. Most bike shops make more money on accessories and clothing than they do on the bikes. In fact on per square foot cost/revenue basis sometimes bicycles can be money losers (ie, bikes take up a lot of space, but don't provide much return revenue). But you can't very well have a bike shop without any bikes, thus the difference is made up in the accessories and clothes markup.

Most bike shops are dealers for a particular brand (Schwinn, Trek, Raleigh, etc) and it is part of their dealer agreement that they cannot sell a bicycle that has not been assembled (ie, shipped directly unassembled).

What bike shops are selling more than the actual bike is the service and the potential for repeat business (where upon you presumbably purchase accessories and clothing). That's why most bike shops offer free tuneups and adjustments for a certain period of time (usually 1-3 months).

So while you may get a better deal buying online, you may not get the level of service or guidance you may get from the local bike shop. Maybe not a big deal if you're mechanically inclined or have experience working on bicycles, but if not, then you get what you pay for I suppose.