Buying from local bike shop Vs online or used?

I am relatively new to gravel biking and would like to buy new from our local bike shop but the retail prices plus sales taxes make everything so much more expensive. At what point am I justified to purchase new online or used from Craiglist? Thoughts or opinions?

You are always justified.  Most LBS will still happily service your bike even if you haven't bought it from them.  Chances are, you will build up a good relationship with one of your LBS and end up buying your N+1 from them.

The bicycle industry is changing fast.I'm sure most LBS would have no problem working on any bicycle you bought in.What are you looking to buy?

And I buy mostly online.But I also retired early and do most of my own maintenance.
Also I do not see many gravel type bikes when out at the local shops.

I did buy A road and endurance bike this year at the LBS.
Was not not planing on buying another race type road bike.
But the Fairdale Goodship with Sram Force for about $1200 was hard to pass up.Also bought A
 Fuji Gran fondo for longer road rides.

Without being too hypocritical, I recommend using a LBS, as much as possible. But, a lot depends on the convenience and quality of the LBS's in your area; as well as their knowledge of gravel bikes and equipment. Most of my adult live, I've lived in Metro. NYC area, where there were many high quality shops catering to the needs of serious cyclists. In fact, one of those shops sponsored the amateur team I raced for. Not only did this shop supply bikes and equipment at discounted prices; but frequently the shops owners and employees were also team mates. If you are fortunate enough to have a LBS in your area that takes this sort of interest in local cycling - particularly in gravel riding - then, by all means support them. 5 years ago I moved to a small rural NE town. There are no convenient traditional local bike shops less than an hour's drive from my home. Over the years of riding and racing, I've built of quite a collection of tools, bikes, and equipment; along with some basic knowledge of bike maintenance. I'm no master bike mechanic -- but I can do most of my own wrenching. Now, of necessity, I buy most of my stuff online. And, frankly, rely on this forum, and the Gravel Cyclist web site for advice and equipment reviews.

I have purchased online from multiple sources, including directly from Raleigh and Canyon. However, the buyer really needs to know if the bikes offered will fit by knowing your ideal size and checking the geometry chart. It's also important to have a complete and informed opinion on all the components, especially shifters, drivetrain, brakes, and wheels.\n\nBoth the Raleigh and the Canyon needed attention at the local bike shop. The Raleigh needed the shifter cables rerouted and reinstalled to improve shifting performance. This was a common complaint with the Roker. I upgraded the crankset on the Canyon, otherwise the Canyon could have been ridden without the help of a bike shop. \n\nIf the buyer is confident concerning bike fit and knows what components fit his needs, buying online has advantages. Not only will the buyer save money, online offers a larger inventory than any local bike shop. However, if the buyer is unsure of what is needed, the risk of buying a bike that doesn't fit or is not performing well enough is real. \n\nBuying from Craigslist offers the opportunity to inspect prior to purchasing. However, it's unlikely that you will find a gravel bike that fits you and your needs. There are not many gravel bikes on Craigslist, it's too new of a category and most bikes on Craigslist are cheaper bikes in the $50-$500 range.

Thanks for the good response. I just didn't want to feel guilty for online purchases. It must really be tough for a brick and mortar business to compete with the online competition.  I think I will try to patronize my LBS as much as possible.

Barrettscv wrote:I have purchased online from multiple sources, including directly from Raleigh and Canyon. However, the buyer really needs to know if the bikes offered will fit by knowing your ideal size and checking the geometry chart. It's also important to have a complete and informed opinion on all the components, especially shifters, drivetrain, brakes, and wheels. Both the Raleigh and the Canyon needed attention at the local bike shop. The Raleigh needed the shifter cables rerouted and reinstalled to improve shifting performance. This was a common complaint with the Roker. I upgraded the crankset on the Canyon, otherwise the Canyon could have been ridden without the help of a bike shop. If the buyer is confident concerning bike fit and knows what components fit his needs, buying online has advantages. Not only will the buyer save money, online offers a larger inventory than any local bike shop. However, if the buyer is unsure of what is needed, the risk of buying a bike that doesn't fit or is not performing well enough is real. Buying from Craigslist offers the opportunity to inspect prior to purchasing. However, it's unlikely that you will find a gravel bike that fits you and your needs. There are not many gravel bikes on Craigslist, it's too new of a category and most bikes on Craigslist are cheaper bikes in the $50-$500 range.

Your mention of Canyon is interesting. Canyon has totally abandoned (at least in the USA) the traditional dealer based business model. Instead, I'm told, that they are flooding the pro mountain and road bike teams with free bikes and equipment. This raises the the profile of their products, without them having to invest in strengthening and supporting the traditional dealer networks that other manufacturers have invested in. IMHO, in the long run we, the consumers will suffer, if traditional bricks and mortar shops can't compete and go out of business. While I find some of Canyon's bike's very attractive, I'm very reluctant to support this company, because of the long term damage their new business model may bring. After all, what you are buying from an LBS is more than a bike -- it's expert advice and service, and in the bigger picture, support of the local cycling community.

IMO, the local bike business is not only being damaged by online sellers, it's also being damaged by the major manufacturers who depend on traditional brick & mortar retailers. \n \nThe current business model requires most retailers to pay for the profits paid to distributors and commissioned Sales Representatives. Most brick & mortar retailers are paying more for bikes and parts than what is available directly to internet purchasers. \n \nIf the brick and mortar retailers are to compete, they need a more efficient industry with fewer middlemen. The internet is not going away anytime soon.

I recently had a really great experience regarding a local bike shop.

My (new) local shop is a non-stocking Niner dealer and I really wanted to try out an RLT9 but it was critical that I threw a leg over the bike because their sizing struck as me odd. I'm right between a 54/56 in the Trek/Specialized/Cannondale sizing scheme and the RLT geo really looked like I was a 53 and not a 56 (I have a sub 29" inseam and I'm 5.10").

The local Niner rep arranged a demo RLT in a 53 to be sent to the shop for me to demo for the day, I loved it and was sold. But I wanted a steel one and Competitive was blowing out their 4-stars for $3000. The local shop, which I had no prior relationship with quoted me MSRP (rightly so) for $3800. I challenged them to meet me half way and they knocked $300 off and then quoted me $3500. With sales tax, I was still north of $3800 out the door.

I did the math and with shipping and tax, I could have Competitive ship the bike to that local shop and pay their $120 build fee and still come out way ahead on their $3500 quote. This way I'd save money but they'd still get a couple hundred bucks from me, as I was also going to get some various accessories, we'll say another $150 worth of stuff.

Instead we met in the middle, at $3150.

I still got my $3000 bike, they got their $125 build fee and a little extra for the hassle. Plus by buying it through them, I got their complimentary service package they setup the bike (proper like too, tubeless and all) and I still bought my $150 in accessories when I picked it up. All together, it was a great experience for me as the customer and the shop got the sale.

So in conclusion, I think often times it's about putting costs into perspective. When I worked at a shop (for about 3 years) I'm well aware of all the sales I lost to online stores, the hours I spent offering test rides to find out the customer went elsewhere to save $100 and it beat me up. Made me question my effectiveness as a sales rep. I'd chat with these people when they'd come in the shop and would ask them: "Why did you do that" and they were always frank... it was about saving every penny. Ultimately I'd tell them that if they had been upfront with me on that I would have tried to match, I would offered complimentary ownership incentives, etc. I wasn't given the opportunity to close the sale because I didn't have all the information. Even when I'd ask people: "Are you looking elsewhere, online, etc."

So being up front with both the Niner rep and the shop from the moment I engaged them kept everything in the open and everyone in the loop. As a result of that, it was a great experience. I have an awesome new ride, a great new local shop and a wonderful crew at that shop to help me out if I need them because they know I'm prepared to pay for their services and gear.

I walked into my LBS to schedule a bike fit today and walked out with a Salsa Cutthroat. I paid MSRP but to be honest, just the fact they had one in MD size was great. Couldnt find a MD online and even if I did, the bike is too popular to see any discounts. \nFYI, switching from the stock apex build wheels and tires to XTRs and gravel kings took almost three pounds off the bike weight!

I try very hard to do local business whenever possible even if it costs me more. While researching, I covered every option, from direct sales carbon frames to full blown custom frame setups. One thing that is always important to me is to be at least slightly different than most. The problem with that is that some bike stores really don't want do things like change components around or do complete swaps. A good bike shop usually likes this kind of work.

My last bike was direct from Borealis in the form of a demo or press bike for a steeply discounted price. Yesterday I picked up my Bianchi Impulso Allroad from the shop just up the street. This bike was completely stripped and built up with all Force and Ritchey components. The shop didn't want the take off stuff so in the end I paid MSRP for all of it which means I paid about $600 more than if I bought stuff elsewhere and did the work myself. If I can sell the take off build kit with the wheels then I will cut that down a bit. And then spend it on a really good wheelset.

In the end I guess you have to ask yourself what your local shop relationship is worth, and what your time is worth. For me I'm not super excited about how much more it cost me but I'm ok with it and the bike is damn nice in my opinion.

 

I read about what Canyon was doing. I pretty much believe Raleigh is doing the same thing and in the long run it probably will hurt them. They lost some of their designers that went out and formed Noble bikes and I have heard that they also have lost some dealers. As a consumer I have to get what I consider the best price. At my end there was a big difference in pricing though. All I did at my end was just straddle a bike for sizing at the Raleigh dealer and didn't take a bike out for a test ride. Like others have said they don't sell any gravel bikes as all he sells in Raleigh is the road bikes or comfort/hybrid bikes. My LBS wanted to sell me the Tamland 1 for $1300 and Raleigh sold it to me for $799 + $49 sales tax. That is a big difference from my end. Yes I had no problem paying that shop $75 to finish setting up my bike as I didn't know how to put the front disk brake caliper on. I still support that shop in every way I can buying all my accessories instead of say buying them from Performance bike/Nashbar etc. 


Zman