My sister is looking for an entry level tri bike and after doing extensive research has decided on the 2013 Kestrel Talon 105 Tri. Although there are several lbs Kestrel dealers in my area, on-floor inventory (of any model) is almost non-existent. One lbs says he can’t even get this model anymore but volunteered to put it together if I decided to order online. Bike Shop Warehouse appears to be relatively new and apparently only does business online, but has the best pricing and can get the bike shipped right away. Anyone ever deal with these folks?
I’m in Houston and have never heard of this company. Not saying they’re not legit, just never heard of them.
I run BikeShopWarehouse. I know that it’s difficult to get comfortable with vendors you might not know. Check our feedbacks on eBay (Bikeshopwhse). We have been doing business on it for quite a while. You will also note we are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating. We work hard to earn these ratings. We also have an 800 number you can call. If you are still unsure, it’s understandable but I don’t know how much more I could say to help you be comfortable with us.
Regards,
i wonder why you would skip over the retailers who’ve made an investment in education, tooling, inventory, brands, in favor of someone else? i’m thinking of bicycle world, as an example, and this is one of several retailers i could name. i mention these guys because, unless i’m mistaken, they sponsor or produce a lot of bike rides, swim clinics, are highly involved with local tri community (i.e., clubs), and have gone the extra mile to establish their bona fides.
i don’t say this to denigrate the shop you’re thinking of going to, but, bicycle world, tri on the run, some of these guys have been hard at the tri market for quite some time.
Bike Shop Warehouse, Bike Island, and Bikes Direct are all part of the same outfit. They sell their own house brand and overstock items from a few others on occasion. I have ordered 2 bikes from them and my brother and my dad have as well. I have been very happy with the service but there are some horror stories floating around some other bikes sites about them. They have always been quick to respond to any of my issues. Probably most importantly, you need to be able to do your own wrench work if you plan to order form them. The bikes need a good once over when they arrive.
I do have to say, the Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL that they have on there is tempting.
I can think of a few reasons why one would order online rather than go to a shop:
- Price. This, I’m sure, is the most common reason.
- Availability. If the shop needs to order something, why not do it myself?
- Selection. Perhaps the shop doesn’t carry a specific brand.
- Service. At home wrenches don’t need shop support.
I’ve been to a couple Bicycle World locations since moving to Houston 6 months ago. The people seemed knowledgeable, and they do more in the cycling community around here than most. Bike Barn is similar. Fortunately for me, I have a shop in Chicago that I used before moving around a lot and still get everything through them, at prices lower than I’ve seen anywhere else. And I don’t need after-purchase support outside of warranty claims, so they’re perfect as a liaison with QBP.
That said, for my next mountain bike purchase I’ll certainly be using an LBS since I’ll need to ride a few first and think its extremely poor form to take up someone’s time and money to use them to make a decision, only to purchase the same product elsewhere. It’s why I didn’t shop around when ordering my last car. There was only one in LA in the configuration I wanted, and I ordered through them because they took the time to help me whereas nobody else could. (It also helped that there were no factory or dealer incentives, anywhere, on the model I wanted).
But if you know what you want, are knowledgeable enough to set it up as you want, and don’t need extensive, in person customer service, why not save some cash?
Lot’s of opinions and good points. Seems to me the decision is who you are comfortable with. No matter which direction you go, you’ll have a nice bike.
I’ve only dealt with Bike Barn and Webster Bicycle and both were fine.
As for a starter bike, has she considered buying used? YOu get more for your money that way. That is how I bought my first two bikes. The first was off craigslist and the second off the Woodlands Online (http://www.woodlandsonline.com/clps/clsclist.cfm?csid=124)
i wonder why you would skip over the retailers who’ve made an investment in education, tooling, inventory, brands, in favor of someone else? i’m thinking of bicycle world, as an example, and this is one of several retailers i could name. i mention these guys because, unless i’m mistaken, they sponsor or produce a lot of bike rides, swim clinics, are highly involved with local tri community (i.e., clubs), and have gone the extra mile to establish their bona fides.
i don’t say this to denigrate the shop you’re thinking of going to, but, bicycle world, tri on the run, some of these guys have been hard at the tri market for quite some time.
Dan, thanks for your reply, and I’ll be glad to tell you why I’m leaning this direction. First, sorry didn’t make this clearer but I don’t live in Houston…live outside Philadelphia so no leanings toward a Houston lbs. This organization I am inquiring about apparently is located in Houston. Second, I actually do prefer to deal with a lbs…and have tried doing so. But I’m helping my sister with her first "real’ bike and we need to get the best value with her very limited budget. I’m not sure where/how the Kestrel brand of Advance Sports/Fuji is going these days but this particular bike is inexpensive (relatively) and has gotten good reviews, and should fit her. I actually took the time to drive to two lbs dealers over the past 10 days who Kestrel lists on their website as dealers in an attempt to buy locally… but no inventory as stated in my original post. The first had no Kestrels in stock…nothing but Fujis. I took the time to speak with him and explain fully what I was looking for…a 52 Talon Tri…not a Fuji. Nice guy, and I left it with him that if he could find me one I would buy it. He said he would make some calls and get back to me either way…that was over a week ago and I never heard back from him. So much for that attempt. Last Friday, I went to another Kestrel dealer about 30 minutes away. Also nice guy, long time in business, but again had no Kestrels in stock. I asked him if he could get one and he said “hold on”. I could see him making a phone call…came back out and said unable to find one. He volunteered to put it together (at his regular tune-up price) if I ended up buying online. I spent some time talking to him (again, a long-time in business owner) and he told me Kestrel appears to be becoming an online/internet type of operation. I don’t know…not in the business. But, I gave a good effort to do business through local bike shops and we were not able to make a purchase. Thus my intention to buy online…as this particular business has the product we are looking for at a reasonable price. And I’ll be glad to take the bike in to the lbs for set up and ongoing maintenance tuning. Appreciate your reply and input, as always.
Hi
I m facundo from argentine
I m new to this forum. I m trying to buy a good price in a tribike. I saw a good price in bike shop warehouse http://www.bikeshopwarehouse.com/ and search for references. I saw at this forum a post talking about it.
Could you tell me what was your experience with them? Are they trusted?
Thanks a lot!!
As mentioned above, it’s another DBA for bikesdirect and bikeisland. I’ve had very good luck with this company but you have to know exactly what you want, know exactly what size you need and fully understand exactly what’s being sold. Read the spec sheets and geometry charts carefully before buying. The company is honest and upfront about what they’re selling. Their bikes are a very solid value but they often spec inexpensive but functional parts to keep the price low (in fairness, so does every brand on the planet). If you don’t understand the specs completely, ask around before buying. The “horror stories” are usually someone who hasn’t done their homework and ordered the wrong size or was “shocked” that their $1,000 “Shimano 105” tri bike has no-name wheels and an FSA crank despite the fact that this is clearly listed on the spec sheet.
ok perfect and usefull. What can you see is wrong or that has cheeper parts with this bike http://bikeshopwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/BSW_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=202
ok perfect and usefull. What can you see is wrong or that has cheeper parts with this bike http://bikeshopwarehouse.com/...tails&ProdID=202
Wheels are lower end and they went with Microshift for shifters which are cheaper. That being said I’ve run the Microshift ones before with no issues. I can’t speak to the cranks and BB, I think they are cheaper models but I suck at that part of bike anatomy.
If you live outside of Philly - try High Road in Wayne. We are working with them to clear out some Blue Bicycles.
IF you choose to purchase a Talon, there are plenty of local Kestrel dealers and Kestrel is located in philly and probably has some bikes at their local dealers here.
Always support your local shops!