whaddabout building a bike discount?

[Lorien]

So I'm in the midst of building my bike, a dream bike no less, and I look into the fuzzy depths of my pockets and find not money but lint. I'd like to get some quality parts, namely a front suspension fork, but the price tags put me off. Does anyone have anything to say (good or bad) about the super discount wharehouse ads in most bike magazines? I'd love a great deal, but 150 bucks for a 500 dollar fork seems maybe a little too good to be true.
Is there any hope for the breadless?

Lorien

[David1013]

Just pay attention to details when your ordering parts in the mail. For instance, two companies may be advertising the same fork for the same amount of money... but one might have an alloy steer tube while the other is steel. The one with the alloy steer tube is more of a bargain . As long as your willing to give up some customer service there is nothing wrong with going mail order.

[angelo_caduto86]

Ever listen to "Car Talk"? They have a saying (that isn't original):


It's the stingy man that pays the most.


If you are an expert bike mechanic (which you would have access to wholesale), then you won't need help. But assuming you are not, once you get a part and need help, do you think your local bike shop will want to help you.

My guess is 'no' and then at that point, how many mistakes can you afford to make?

[Mauriceman]

Your bike shop may have some good deals going on last year's product.

[phatlizard]

I just build a a Singlespeed bike - and all the parts came from eBay!
For example I like the old Manitou forks better anyway - so I landed a NEW Manitou Comp 4 from the last millenium and love it!
I had no limit in my budget but in the "spirit of Singlesppeding" I tried to use old and/or used parts!
After SYNCROS left the stage there were many parts on the market all of a sudden - 2001 tires (yeah big difference to 2002!! :) ) were cheap ... and so on and so on ... I would think I only spend 20% of the value of my parts on the bike!
And it was a custom-made frame that was really expensive so I didnt build it up cheap!

Give eBay a try or maybe the "Flea Market Forum" on here!

Christian
Germany

P.S.: I paid 20 $ for that unused Manitou!!!

[cyclodan]

In regard to bike shops not wanting to install parts that you did'nt buy from them. I have found that many shops are happy to have your business since they make a considerably higher profit margin on sevice than parts anyway.

[catfish]

Those warehouses really are full of good deals. I just built out a new frame using parts from various sources (nashbar, pricepoint etc) You really have to be conscious of exactly what's going to fit your bike though (bb size, crank length)

The thing is they just have the buying power over your local shop. A local shop owner also told me that they buy overstock components from the big bike companies such as Raleigh. They get it below cost. Your local bike shop can't really compete with this unfair business practice, but that's business I guess. It really comes down to who you want to support. I try to support my local shops as much as I can, however I'd be pretty stupid to turn down a half priced tire or fork.

And don't listen Angelo...It's utterly rediculous to think that a bike mechanic would turn down business. And stingy? Building out on your bike is usually an extremely expensive endeavour, regardless of where you get your parts.

[angelo_caduto86]

catfish is probably right, they mostly likely will take your money.

In fact a machanic once told me that at least 40 percent of the buys they work on are Huffys

That said, I have heard shop owners say they won't work with other peoples stuff, I forget if it was a warantly issue or not. I think I also heard that people tend to order the wrong thing, like a fork that won't fit their bie.

I do think the charge per hour you get will be higher than if you bought say a part at the shop.

[David1013]

All this rambling about shops not working on your bike because you didn't buy the parts there has prompted me to start my own bike repair shop... so if your near Butler , Pennsylvania its called the Bike Doctor and I'd be happy to work on your bike whether you bring your own parts or order them from me.

[catfish]

I ordered a frame through my local shop and most of my parts were ordered through catalogs. Not only did they help me install the parts I didn't have tools for, I get free lifetime maintenance on the bike, just for buying the frame.

If any bikeshop turned me down I'd walk out the door lauging, knowing they wouldn't be in business too much longer. If Angelos advice was true, you wouldn't be able to get maintenance done anywhere at all except where you bought the bike...doesn't make much sense.

Not to be rude Angelo, but you sound like you are full of heresay.