Buying a bike online?

httpete

I want to cut back on running and start cycling instead for an hour a couple of times a week. So I'm wondering where people buy bikes these days...as in if I'm buying anything computer related or electronics related I buy online because its so much cheaper than buying in some shop in Ireland.

What's the deal with bikes, is there much/anything to be saved by buying online? Any recommendations on where to buy? And what to buy?

g0g

httpete wrote: »

I want to cut back on running and start cycling instead for an hour a couple of times a week. So I'm wondering where people buy bikes these days...as in if I'm buying anything computer related or electronics related I buy online because its so much cheaper than buying in some shop in Ireland.

What's the deal with bikes, is there much/anything to be saved by buying online? Any recommendations on where to buy? And what to buy?

Yeah I think there's a better chance for low price, plus you can't get bikes like Rose or Canyon in shops here. Obviously though if you wanna try the bike you're asbout to buy then a shop here might be the way to go.

quozl

I've also come from running to cycling - seems likely that cycling will suit my wonky legs better than running does

If you can use the bike to work scheme it's great. If you're in the higher tax bracket then you save 52% of the bike cost (up to 1,000e bike) as you save tax as well as PRSI. On the lower tax bracket it would be around 30% or so.

I bought my bike in thinkbike in Rathmines (www.thinkbike.ie) as I'm new to cycling and wanted to make sure it fitted. They allow up to 2-day long test-rides of the bike so you can see if you like it. You will get cheaper online but you can haggle the advertised price in my (limited) experience - though I may have been lucky in getting the owner rather than a more junior salesman.

If you post up how much you want to spend then I'm sure that people will give some suggestions.

httpete

quozl wrote: »

I've also come from running to cycling - seems likely that cycling will suit my wonky legs better than running does

If you can use the bike to work scheme it's great. If you're in the higher tax bracket then you save 52% of the bike cost (up to 1,000e bike) as you save tax as well as PRSI. On the lower tax bracket it would be around 30% or so.

I bought my bike in thinkbike in Rathmines (www.thinkbike.ie) as I'm new to cycling and wanted to make sure it fitted. They allow up to 2-day long test-rides of the bike so you can see if you like it. You will get cheaper online but you can haggle the advertised price in my (limited) experience - though I may have been lucky in getting the owner rather than a more junior salesman.

If you post up how much you want to spend then I'm sure that people will give some suggestions.

Cheers, I'd be looking to spend something under €500. I have to shell out for a new phone soon too so money is a bit tight. I don't have the option of the bike to work scheme as I'm in college. I haven't a clue about what bikes are decent so any advice is appreciated. Is second hand worth considering too?

slideshow bob

Second hand only way to go with that budget. Much better value to be had. done deal, adverts and the cycling ads forum here all good. If you're patient you can get great value.

merc230ce

slideshow bob wrote: »

Second hand only way to go. If you're patient you can get great value.

+1 to this. LOTS of patience though! Be prepared for lots of bikes that don't quite fit you or are overpriced.

httpete

I see this bike is half price on halfords - http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?catalogId=15551&storeId=11101&categoryId=212512&langId=-1&action=listrefine&scope=inl||partnumber||2||266309||266291&constraints=sor||Price||1&cm_re=StaticMains-_-BIKES-_-tvcarreratdf

So what's the catch here, I'm always wary when something looks too good to be true. Is this bike they're selling at €375 really worth €750?

merc230ce

No. I would question its value at €375, but it def ain't worth €750.

g0g

httpete wrote: »

I see this bike is half price on halfords - http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?catalogId=15551&storeId=11101&categoryId=212512&langId=-1&action=listrefine&scope=inl||partnumber||2||266309||266291&constraints=sor||Price||1&cm_re=StaticMains-_-BIKES-_-tvcarreratdf

So what's the catch here, I'm always wary when something looks too good to be true. Is this bike they're selling at €375 really worth €750?

Yeah seems like good enough value. I think what people would say is that it's very much an entry level bike with low-grade components and it's pretty heavy at 12kg per website. Probably grand as something to get started with, but I'm guessing others might suggest going down the second hand route. Defo no way it's worth € 750 anyway!