So I’m planning on putting a new gruppo on my bike. I can get the Ultegra parts much cheaper at probikekit.com than at my local bike shop. I’ve spent a lot of money at the local bike shop over the years, and I really enjoy being a ‘regular’ and knowing the owner/mechanic etc. What do you all think about buying the gruppo on-line (and saving a few hundred dollars) and having the local bike shop install it? Would that be an insult or offputting to the bike shop that I may purchase the parts elsewhere and use the bike shop for labor? Or should I support local business, and spend a few hundred dollars more, and have no ethical questions about it all?
Go ask your LBS if they can do something about their price. Many times they may not match the internet price but may get alot closer.
If they can’t get closer to the price tell them up front you’re going to order it online and you want them to install it. I’ve actually had my LBS tell me to order stuff online because they can’t match some of the prices, but they shouldn’t be to upset about you asking them to do labor as they make money on that as well.
~Matt
We see this question frequently and here is my take on it FWIW:
I,m a small business owner and think you should support your LBS. I would also think that although they may not say anything they will be upset.
Buy your stuff where you get the best price, if it’s enough of a difference to matter (a couple hundred bucks is enough to matter for me, but maybe not for you). Your LBS probably doesn’t have the best price, but they do have profitable rates for performing the type of work required to install your kit. You should happily pay them for the service. If they cop an attitude, find a new LBS.
Better yet, buy your stuff online and install it yourself (all the information is out there).
I agree with what jhendric said. I think a few hundred dollars saving is pretty big for a lot of people. Some might not care but I would. That few hundred that you saved can go towards something in the store that you do need that is a good deal or could go towards the installation of the parts. My questions is why do you have to tell the shop where you got your grouppo from. For the most part you need them to provide you with a service which they will do. They will install your parts and charge a reasonable rate I would hope. Do they need to know where you got your parts are from or if they were less or more expensive. NO.
I buy all my bike parts online as it is way less money that what I can get locally. Significantly less money if you shop around like I do. I install all of my own parts as well. Where the local bike shop gets my business is when there is something that I can not do like wheels (I just do not have the time or patience to learn how to true a wheel), hydrolic brake lines or buying a new bike. I bought my wifes bike at the LBS which I friend owns, I will buy my sons bike there as well. If he offers the brand that I am looking for, most likely I will buy a bike from him in the near future. I have in the past.
What I can not understand is why my local bike shops are not selling their old stock online to get ride of it and to have a bit more money for the new stock arriving. I think a lot of bike shops hang on to way too much old stock and then can not get rid of it. This makes no sense to me at all. At least sell it at a few percentages above your cost to reclaim some of the money that went towards this inventory. Keep your selves stocked with the newest product and maybe have a bit more instock and customers might buy a bit more from you.
my take: if you need the LBS to install this stuff for you, you might as well buy it from them.
now if you are an expert, and know more than most shop employees, of course you should get it online and do it yourself. and i would urge you to start on the road of becoming an expert, it is worth it in peace of mind alone. you need to know your bike perfectly if you aim to win.
that said, in your current position, if you discuss the issue with the LBS and explain what you need, talk about price, and if they are good folks and good businessmen, i am sure you can all negotiate a fair package for the purchase with the install labor that will probably be fairly competitive (but of course it will not match the online price plus your own ‘free’ labor, but that is the benefit of knowing your bike inside out).
I just do not have the time or patience to learn how to true a wheel
it’s pretty damn easy, you should learn. building a wheel is even more fun.
I agree with the suggestion that you build it on your own. Much more satisfying. There will be stuff you don’t want to do on your own because of the degree of difficulty or you don’t own the tools, and use the LBS for that. You might even check to see if the shop offers a basic mechanic course.
Reading everyone’s posts, I’ve got small business owner Demerly with a ‘survival of the fittest’ approach that on-line is the evolution of retail and the LBS needs to embrace it. I’ve got another small business owner, Indigodog, saying the LBS shop may be mad if I bought the parts elsewhere. I’ve got a MJuric as well as GregXsuggesting I strike a bargain. Hmmm.
Perhaps I will try the bargaining route. I’ve been shopping there a few years now, and I think I’d feel comfortable negotiating a price. I don’t think the LBS can match probikekit.com’s price, but we’ll see.
Supposing I attempt to build it myself, is there a book you’d recommend as the must have build-it-yourself manual?
I wouldn’t be messing with the headset, so I assume the tools I’d need to install a kit (front/rear derailluers, STI shifters, BB and cranks) would be a
BB tool
rear casette tool
allen wrenches
Anything else?
Supposing I attempt to build it myself, is there a book you’d recommend as the must have build-it-yourself manual?
I wouldn’t be messing with the headset, so I assume the tools I’d need to install a kit (front/rear derailluers, STI shifters, BB and cranks) would be a
BB tool
rear casette tool
allen wrenches
Anything else?
Thinking of building my own road racing bike so I am interested also. Also wondering if there might be a list of items you need such as
Gruppo
Wheels
Handle bars
etc
Thanks
Having just built mine, its pretty easy…
I got the LBS to do the headset and BB (although it turned out both would have been a piece of piss)…
I bought a tool kit for about $100, of which I used the allen keys, crank bolt tool, and casette fitting tool. I bought a “third hand” tool and pair of wire cutters. I also bought a stand. On the book front, I bought the park tools book, however I could have done without it, and either used the instructions that came with the parts, or the internet.
I’ve heard the Park bike manual is he way to go. I have a collection of odds and ends that cover pretty much everything you need to know but if I had to do it again I would get the Park manual. Good luck. I think you’ll find working on your own bike very satisfying. I’m sorry to harp on the internet shopping. Owning your own business keeps you close to the edge, wondering from day to day how things will go. By shopping locally you take away some of the stresses and worries of the owners. It’s kind of like doing a favor for your friends and in return they’ll be happy to do things for you. They won’t feel required to do nice things for you, they’ll want to. I really do appreciate everyone that shops in my store and I operate under the philosophy that I am here to help you get the best care and products for your pets at a reasonable cost. I have generations of families that shop with me and it makes me feel good to help everyone to the best of my ability. I think the majority of local businesses think the same way too. Don’t you want to help the people that want to help you? I do.
The Park Tools book is great. List of things you might need:
Grease
Wrench (plain old wrench)
BB tool
Chain whip (only if you’re taking a cassette off)
cassette tool
allen wrenches
screwdrivers
bar tape
cable cutters
pedal wrench (not really necessary, you could make do with a regular wrench)
tire pump
tire wrenches/levers
It’s really not a question of ethics. It’s more of etiquette and maintaining a good relationship with your LBS. We live in a capitalist society and business is business.
I generally prefer to buy bike parts at the store as long as they are not overpriced. One of my LBSs gives me a discount on parts and labor because the know me as a regular customer. They never give me any grief when I occasionally bring in a part which i ordered online for them to install.
I will buy things online if the price is way lower (30% off) or if they don’t have it in stock (i can get it faster if I order it myself).
I would bet that if you bought the group from the LBS, the installation would be free…that plus saving the shipping costs might easily make it a push. Talk to your LBS…the worst they can say is “no”.
Spot
I’ve baught my frame and parts online. Installed them myself. Saved a ton. It just took some time and some research. But I agree with Spot’s post above. Free install, no shipping. And even if it still isnt quite the same price, then you will feel better about supporting your lbs, and then everyone wins
Here is what we do at my shop…
- We will do our best to match or come close to internet pricing.
- Buy it from us and get
a. no shipping cost.
b. free install. - Buy it online and bring it for install… we charge you!
Talk to your LBS. If you are a “regular” I am sure they will do what they can to keep your business.
I’m seeing three options here:
(a) buy parts online and install myself
(b) buy parts online and have LBS install
(c) buy parts from LBS and have LBS install
After reading everyones posts, I’m inclined to do either (a) or (c), but none of this halfway business like (b). I’m thinking I may try the install myself for the satisfaction of working on my own bike. Thanks for all the advice everyone. I do think that maintaining the relationship with the LBS is more important than saving the money on the parts.