Buying Bicycle Parts..Frustrating! Need Your Feedback
 

Well guys I used to cycle almost 10,000 miles per year and then got caught-up with life, house projects and multiple car projects.

I have made a commitment to start cycling again and really very jazzed about it. I have a nice Cannondale road bike that I bought a few years ago and rode once or twice.

I need the following items:
1) Look Neo clipless pedals and a good pair of shoes (wish I could afford a pair of new Time pedals and shoes!)
2) A new Bell \ Giro helmet and a good pair of gloves
3) Two new tires and tubes
4) Wireless computer (like a Cat Eye)
5) A comfortable pair of shorts

Granted I am not shopping for the cheapest stuff but I was hopping to buy good mid range quality...I was absolutely horrified when I went online to Performance and Nashbar the above items added up to an easy $375+, Colorado Cyclist has very limited choices.

Are there any other places you guys recommend? eBay is an option but you have to sit there drumming your fingers and try and snipe the bid at the last second and most of the "Buy It Now" auctions are bike vendors that are the same prices as Performance \ Nashbar.

I was hoping to buy everything from one vendor that had good prices. My local Craigslist has nothing either, ironically you can buy a beautiful gently used Kestrel for $900 (from my last night's search!).

I know there are some avid cyclists on this site. Gasp!

Thanks.
Yasin

375 seems pretty reasonable for everything you want. I mean, lets look at what you could realistically expect to spend for each of the items:

Pedals and shoes - probably 125 at least - more likely 150.
Helmet - these are always on sale 35 to 85 depending on what you want
Gloves - 10 to 30
Tires and tubes - AT LEAST 50 bucks.
Wireless computer - 50 (?)
Shorts - 75

Adds up to 345 bucks, and this is all just off the top of my head.

Gotta pay to play.

If the 'whale is still serviceable, just get what you need for now. Tires/Helmet/Shorts/Gloves Get the good stuff here.

You don't NEED shoes and clipless to build your base miles. Use what you have (unless you have none, then you might as well get the good stuff now, cuz cheap shoes and pedals are fools gold.)
Get a wired computer for a few bucks for now to work on your mileage log/spreadsheet, if that's what you're into.

Commute to work if possible, and use the money saved in gas towards the gadgets.

Winter's coming, you might need leggings, a jacket, LS jersey, booties.

Cripes, you live in Colorado. More bikees there than there are in Portland. Go to Goodwill.

The stuff you are looking for is not a new bike, so the "Gently Used Kestrel" comparison is not apt. You're looking for gear, not a bike.

Most important, get on the bike, start building your base, and enjoy it.

A pair of use shorts off Craig's list???(how do you input those smiling faces icons here?)

A good pair of bib shorts will set you back 80-100dollars. a pair of shor will be $80 bucks. so, 350 is not all that bad. Support your local ( pro ) bike shop. You will need them one day if you do a lot of riding.

I am in the same boat as you. I clean up my bikes last week and will go out in a couple. My aZZ bone is going to hurt like hell for a week.

I think you do need a (3 pairs) good pair of shorts, shoe and pedals to build base miles. How can you really spin without them using tennis shoe or sneakers?


You don't NEED shoes and clipless to build your base miles. Use what you have (unless you have none, then you might as well get the good stuff now, cuz cheap shoes and pedals are fools gold.)
Get a wired computer for a few bucks for now to work on your mileage log/spreadsheet, if that's what you're into.

Commute to work if possible, and use the money saved in gas towards the gadgets.

Winter's coming, you might need leggings, a jacket, LS jersey, booties.

Cripes, you live in Colorado. More bikees there than there are in Portland. Go to Goodwill.

Bury your nose in craigslist. Ebay is a joke.

The stuff you are looking for is not a new bike, so the "Gently Used Kestrel" comparison is not apt. You're looking for gear, not a bike.

Most important, get on the bike, start building your base, and enjoy it.[/QUOTE]

+1 on shoes and pedals. They are high priority. Cycling gear is expensive but thankfully the stuff lasts if you by quality.

Two new tires and tubes will cost you about $100 w/o tax. Shoes and shorts about $175. So $375 for the whole thing sounds about right, if not cheaper than it would cost if not bought on sale. I'd say go to the Pearl Izumi factory sale if you have one close by or buy from REI using your dividend money if you're a frequent shopper there. Performance and Nashbar have sales all the time but I found some of their prices are inflated to begin with but you can find bargains esp if you go with Performance's house brand - Forte.

Contact nikita76, he is in the biz and should be able to help you out.. He also use to be a rep for Canondale, so he should know your bike as well..

Cambria Bicycle Outfitter - We Outfit the world in bicycles, bicycle parts, frame, fork, wheel, build kit, shoes, accessories and more
Speedgoat Bicycles
Price Point - Discounts on Mountain Bike and Road Bike Parts, Accessories and Cycling Clothing
Universal Cycles

pricing seems about right. go with a heart rate monitor instead of a cycle computer. its all about quality not distance. I think I have at least 10 pairs of bib shorts new in bag never opened that I could part with for $15 each if you are interested. Only problem is they are all plastered with all my old sponsors and pretty bright!

Thanks for the feedback guys... you are all right the stuff adds up quickly and I guess $375 is not alot considering the number of items I actually do need. I am not shy at spending on good quality stuff, I was just shocked at how expensive and quickly it adds up.

It is amazing how I used to drop $500 or $600 on my bicycle back in the day without blinking, but I am so much more shy now....financial frugality I guess!

I definitely will get good shoes and pedals, helmet and shorts for sure...comfort \ safety is very important.

Thanks for those bike links myamoto!

Goat if those shorts are a Medium in size, I will happily buy a few pairs from you...please PM me or email at slownrusty@yahoo.com

Regards - Yasin

What size are they?? I might be interested in a pair?? Pix??

I don't think you have to get good or great shoe. Forget sll that light and carbon sole, stuff, flex, and all that BS. Just get a pair that fits and you are comfortable with. Road shoe are usually pretty good and it sound like that's what you will be doing. 80 bucks should get you a peir of good shoe at performance. Pearls are good shorts. don't forget the gloves. They are a great help and good for whiping a wet nose when you are suffering.

Again, try and support your local shop. Again, that's just me due to my racing days and long standing realationship with a certain people.

They are all size Medium. Will take some pics tonight. alot of Jolt cola on the sides of red shorts and others in blue. Those are made by Voler. Have some with some vineyard on the sides made by castelli in grey. Have a bunch more but can't remember what they look like.

get off your computer and go to your local bicycle shop...this is the time of year they have sales on all the summer gear. i see 20 shops listed for the springs alone
http://www.dexknows.com/search/?what=bicycles&where=colorado+springss%2C+co&btnG. x=0&btnG.y=0
that way if you need something installed they will be happy to install it for you.

Hello
I sell bike parts as well... for my brother who is a custom frame builder = SyCip Bikes - Handcrafted in Sonoma County, California

You can email me directly for some price quotes: jtkkz@att.net

I know on some parts it is very hard to beat those larger mail order companies....

A gently used Kestrel for $900.00 could be 7-12 years old(keep in mind the frame never cost this little!). Carbon properties and bonding agents have changed noticibly in that time.

As far as parts...teenerted1 is right. Bike shops have good sales now going into the holidays. If you can wait, go to a store that has most of the things you are looking for right after Christmas and hopefully during a snow storm. That's when you'll get your best deals!

TRY ON LOTS OF SHOES!!! They are a big part of the work machine that is your body. If your feet aren't comfortable, you've wasted your money no matter how much you spent.

Don't buy used clothes or helmets.

Good luck!
Nikita

try

eBikeStop.com - life is short - enjoy the ride

oh and go to

BonkTown.com: Cutter Classic Merino Jersey - Men's - $49.99 - 55% off

Super deals, all day long

Yasin - I'd check PricePoint first. They tend to have the best deals, but it's hit or miss as to what they have on close-out.

Do you have any decent local shops? I'd try to patronize them if you can. For shoes there is no way i'd buy without trying them on, and I refuse to try them on at brick and mortar then walk home and buy them online to save a few bucks.

Plus if you establish a relationship with your local shop it can help you in the long run. I do all my own work except for things that require special tools. I can go to my local shop and they will do things quickly and often for little $.