American online bikeshops

alritelad

Hey all. i have been reading this forum now and again for quite some time and have gleaned much helpful information. i finally decided to register in the hope of finding some more.

i've recently decided to get into fixed biking and intend to buy a bianchi pista. i've been searching websites from across the world, and came across an american site that would have shipped an '08 pista to ireland for $140 or thereabouts. i reckon with a bit of searching, i could get one cheaper from america than from belfast.

does anyone have any experience of dealing with american bike retailers, or have any helpful thoughts on my idea regarding the dangers of shipping something so precious so far etc etc etc?

thanks

Chips Lovell

I bought a track frame last year from the US (a Bianchi too as it happens). Remember you'll have to pay VAT and customs.

P.S. And $140 sounds veeerrrry low for a Pista. They usually seem to go for north of $500 in the US.

DirkVoodoo

Is 140 not the shipping cost? That seems high enough but still reasonable, what is the total price?

Caroline_ie

alritelad wrote: »

biking

cycling :pac:

alritelad

oh yeah i forgot about vat and customs. there's not really much chance of me being able to convince them that it's second hand. i'd imagine that makes the idea pretty pointless.

the 140 was the shipping price. as far as i remember, the total price was less than E600.

it was an '08 pista but a 61cm frame or something. i need a 57cm, so i was wondering was there any other online shops that may have 08's left. again, it's probably unlikely that there'd be many 57cms lying around from last year.

the cheapest i can find them for in england is £600, apart from a manchester shop at £550 who don't ship. have people any experience of bargaining with the likes of evans et al? or anywhere i might get a better deal?

alritelad

Caroline_ie wrote: »

cycling :pac:

eh...thanks...:rolleyes:

Chips Lovell

Ah, I misread it as the total price.

Don't buy a 61cm if you need a 57cm.

Slane Cycles have one 2008 model for £425, but its a 59cm.

tunney

Expect to pay 30-40% extra on top of the cost of the bike + shipping for duty.

alritelad

el tonto wrote: »

Ah, I misread it as the total price.

Don't buy a 61cm if you need a 57cm.

Slane Cycles have one 2008 model for £425, but its a 59cm.

yeah i know both of those things. thanks though. that one in slane cycles has been there for a while. i considered it, but then realised that it would be foolish to compromise when i'll be on this bike everyday for a long time to come.

Chips Lovell

I think you'll struggle to find a '08 one in your size. Track bikes are pretty fashionable at the moment and the steel Pista is quite popular, so much so that blogger BikesnobNYC runs regular posts on second hand Pistas being sold for more than they cost retail.

alritelad

yeah i figured. ok well i suppose a new one is the only way to go so. i have emailed AW cycles to see if they can do me a better deal than the 600GBP advertised on their website. evans are the same. slane are even more expensive.

if i'm missing out on some place that might do me a deal, please chime in!

Chips Lovell

http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci=product&wce=CY08BPISTA01

Chips Lovell

http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/bianchi.html

alritelad

wow. the epic bicycle offer looks excellent. front brake and flip flop hub included for less than the price of anywhere else. nice one! thanks a lot for that.