Newbie - buying online

BoardsMember

Hi folks. I am about to get into cycling and am wondering if I can avail of the various online shop bargains that are posted, e.g.:

Seaneh wrote: »

Ribble Evo Pro Carbon with Tiagra and Fulcrum Racing Sport wheelset for €863 fromribblecycles.co.uk is a bit of a fecking bargain.

I don't really know what I am looking for. I suppose carbon forks, tiagra or ideally 105, light as possible, comfortable ride.

Is there any way to know if the bike will feel comfortable to me by trying out similar size frames in shops here? If I get the right frame size (I'm 6ft so presume I go for a Large frame), is the "comfort" element going to relate to the seat type/height/position, the stem length, the height of the handlebars.

Or is it not practical for a newbie to buy on the internet in case of getting it wrong. I was up in Halfords and there was a carbon Boardman bike for €1200 with Tiagra gear on it, this bike would seem to be great value compared to that.

Re the above offer, I have no idea what all the optional bits are, or what I'd need, especially the chainset & cassette. So maybe I should just buy from somewhere here that is trustworthy.

Lumen

BoardsMember wrote: »

Is there any way to know if the bike will feel comfortable to me by trying out similar size frames in shops here?

That's really bad form. Shops have higher costs than online retailers, and the higher prices are what allows you to sit on the bike in person.

Generally speaking, unless you have odd anatomy, just choose a frame size based on the manufacturer height-based size chart.

In terms of choosing a frame model that suits your level of structural fitness (flexibility and core strength), if you're on the creaky/stiff/weak end of the spectrum pick something with a taller head tube (the frame section between the bars and the forks).

BoardsMember

Lumen wrote: »

That's really bad form. Shops have higher costs than online retailers, and the higher prices are what allows you to sit on the bike in person.

Generally speaking, unless you have odd anatomy, just choose a frame size based on the manufacturer height-based size chart.

In terms of choosing a frame model that suits your level of structural fitness (flexibility and core strength), if you're on the creaky/stiff/weak end of the spectrum pick something with a taller head tube (the frame section between the bars and the forks).

Thanks for the helpful advice. I'm 40, slim and in reasonably good shape so hopefully I can get something reasonably sporty/fast.

I'm not sure I agree on the above. If I can get a good deal in a shop I'll buy in the shop, much happier doing so. I just want to explore my options. I dont want to pay €1200 for a bike that doesnt have the spec I want when I can get a much better product with the spec I want for less, online.

Ok, you have a point, so if the difference is not huge I'm happy to pay more for the shop purchase, and buy local etc. There is a tipping point. Thanks again for the advice.

07Lapierre

BoardsMember wrote: »

Hi folks. I am about to get into cycling and am wondering if I can avail of the various online shop bargains that are posted, e.g.:

I don't really know what I am looking for. I suppose carbon forks, tiagra or ideally 105, light as possible, comfortable ride.

Is there any way to know if the bike will feel comfortable to me by trying out similar size frames in shops here? If I get the right frame size (I'm 6ft so presume I go for a Large frame), is the "comfort" element going to relate to the seat type/height/position, the stem length, the height of the handlebars.

Or is it not practical for a newbie to buy on the internet in case of getting it wrong. I was up in Halfords and there was a carbon Boardman bike for €1200 with Tiagra gear on it, this bike would seem to be great value compared to that.

Re the above offer, I have no idea what all the optional bits are, or what I'd need, especially the chainset & cassette. So maybe I should just buy from somewhere here that is trustworthy.

The short answer is no. What feels comfortable while Test Riding a bike around a car park may feel terrible after a hilly 100k spin.

Oryx

If a shop is going to look after you, get you fitted, sort out teething problems, then it is worth paying a premium for that.

I bought my first bike online, but subsequent bikes have both been from b&m shops. If there is a price difference, give the shop a chance to price match, at least. If we dont support shops, they wont be there when we need them.

BoardsMember

Oryx wrote: »

If a shop is going to look after you, get you fitted, sort out teething problems, then it is worth paying a premium for that.

I bought my first bike online, but subsequent bikes have both been from b&m shops. If there is a price difference, give the shop a chance to price match, at least. If we dont support shops, they wont be there when we need them.

I'm coming around to this way of thinking alright, both for the moral and practical reasons.

Welcome suggestions re where to buy so! Halfords has been my only attempt, very helpful guy there but prefer to buy from irish owned shop if possible (yeah I know). On my list are Hollingsworth and Eurocycles, and maybe Commuter Solutions as they are all local.

Thanks for the responses.

twerg_85

I found FitzCycles to be very helpful and they seem to be in your neck of the woods.

F.

Ryath

That's a serious bargain. Carbon bike with tiagra for €900 delivered. With the savings over the boardman there's no comparison. At €1200 you are getting close to the price of a Planet X sl Pro with 105 or Sram rival. Which is the same frame as the ribble.

I've had a planet x sl pro over 3 years now and it's quite a nice comfortable frame. Doesn't look as sharp as some of the branded makes but it not ugly either.
You would be a large it's a compact frame and fairly flexible in terms of fit. Don't worry about the stem just get the 100mm there is still a good bit of adjustment with moving the spacers and flipping the stem if needs be. I'd go with a compact crankset 172.5 24/50 unless you have notions of racing.

The question is if you feel you need the support of a LBS starting out they are where you will go in a emergency. The savings on the ribble are substantial but I'd always try and buy local first.

Have you looked a fiztcycles they have Cubes which are fairly well priced RRP is over budget but 10% is usually achievable or accessories to that value thrown in.
http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/1559/cube-agree

not yet

BoardsMember wrote: »

I'm coming around to this way of thinking alright, both for the moral and practical reasons.

Welcome suggestions re where to buy so! Halfords has been my only attempt, very helpful guy there but prefer to buy from irish owned shop if possible (yeah I know). On my list are Hollingsworth and Eurocycles, and maybe Commuter Solutions as they are all local.

Thanks for the responses.

There are many benefits to buying at your LBS, You can haggle and it does work, either 5-7% off or they will throw in bits and pieces.

They will do a quick service after 6 weeks, the brakes lines etc need to be checked and tightened.

Any issues you have they will gladly help out, and the advice you get can be good.

crosstownk

I looked at buying online but as my LBS had been good to me in the distant past I decided to give him a chance. I told him I needed an M/L Giant based on a size guide. He instantly said "no, you need an L". To prove it he sent me out on an M/L and after 2km I knew it was too small.

So in the end I dealt with my LBS based on his advice. If I'd have used the online size guide I'd now be stuck with a bike that would have been too small.

Daroxtar

So what's the etiquette for when your LBS doesn't have the bike you want and can't get it because of dealership restrictions and you really don't want the other spec/colour/model they are trying to sell you instead?
Is it then ok to buy it online and bring it to them for bike fit/maintainence or is that just being too cheeky?

crosstownk

Daroxtar wrote: »

So what's the etiquette for when your LBS doesn't have the bike you want and can't get it because of dealership restrictions and you really don't want the other spec/colour/model they are trying to sell you instead?
Is it then ok to buy it online and bring it to them for bike fit/maintainence or is that just being too cheeky?

In most cases it'd be OK but expect a charge.

Daroxtar

crosstownk wrote: »

In most cases it'd be OK but expect a charge.

Ah well I'd hardly expect it for free

crosstownk

Daroxtar wrote: »

Ah well I'd hardly expect it for free

True.

I've had no hassles with my bike but a friend who bought from the same LBS has had a few issues that he can't sort himself as he's not a 'nuts and bolts' man. The LBS addressed all his issues on numerous occasions at no cost.

That's the type of service that's worth a premium.