Best deals for gear

[cherinyc]

Hi all- now that I have officially spent my last dime to have a bike that fits me, with clipless pedals, which require specific biking shoes - and then bought special shorts so I can ride my new bike with my new shoes.....(wait, maybe I spent my last dime on the shorts) anyway, my point being - it's frigin expensive to get going on this sport, huh?
Now I need to get butt cream - or something, and special socks for my sweaty feet - and sunglasses with interchangeable lenses.....and a second job.
Here's my question....where's the best place to get biking stuff - considering shipping, value, quality, returns, etc? There's not a lot of store selection near me, so I am guessing I will be shopping on line mostly.
Suggestions?
cheri

[Nanci]

Keep checking the clearance sections of online shops such as TE and Terry for clothes. You can get great deals on last year's and last season's stuff. Sierra Trading Post will often have super deals on bike clothes and sunglasses. All the bike-specific stores have periodic sales, which if you wait long enough, will usually include the item you are looking for. Performance Bike and Nashbar are two that have very frequent sales. All these places have fast shipping, TE especially, and I have never had problems with a return at any one of them.

Nanci

[Jones]

TE is great and always my first choice but I also like REI and the REI outlet often has great deals on lots of bike stuff and sunglasses.

[KnottedYet]

What Nanci said. TE, Terry, and Sierra Trading Post. Ibex has woolies on sale all the time, but they're still expensive. (but worth it if you are a woolie fan)

[KSH]

TE of course.

Also check out www.performancebike.com.

And, if you go to www.primalwear.com, and go to the Factory Outlet store, you can sometimes find some really cool jerseys for around $30-$40.

[Fuji Girl]

You can use this website, which compares the prices of bike gear among several websites:

http://www.qbike.com

It's quite handy if you know what you're looking for. And of course, the sites mentioned above. Do a google search for coupon codes before ordering - helps with shipping costs!

As for chamois cream, I like to use Vaseline Deep Moisture Creamy Petroleum Jelly that comes in a blue and white tube. It's a lot cheaper than chamois cream, works well, lasts a long time, and can be used on your hands/feet in the wintertime. I think it's about $5 or less for a tube at Walgreens.

[Trek420]

don't forget swap meets like Veloswap.

I've got great deals there. It's a mix of e-bayers & Craigs folk, LBS with their spare & used or trade in items, manufacturers/builders with last years models, even race teams sell the things they won-but don't want to keep.

None of the bad karma that can come from buying a hot bike and very fun.

Locally here Trips for Kids has a swap a few times a year, great deals and a great cause, helping kids.

[Squirrel 2]

Hopefully you can build relationship with your LBS, first choice would probably be where you bought your bike. You need that for componentry & any fit or performance issues that might come up where you need to take your bike in & do so with confidence. They should also have basics like butt cream, chain lube, spare tubes, tire pump, etc, etc.

For apparel, you will not find anyone to match the huge selection of women's gear available at Team Estrogen. And as everyone else has already said, their customer service & return policy is first-rate. If you are looking to get quality for your purchases, you will find that you really don't need that much in quantity. You can get by with just a few items, such as a good jersey and a good pair of shorts, and just wash them frequently. Good gear holds up very well, and you will be happy with the performance for a long time.

[Kimmyt]

Just thought I'd give you deal-seekers a special secret tip of mine.

It's a website called www.steepandcheap.com

It's not strictly biking gear, nor is it anything so much as 'outdoor gear' in general. They carry one item a day, sometimes in several sizes, sometimes not. Every day there is a new item. The prices are usually marked down 60-80% of the original, and you can find some seriously good gear on here. It trends more towards camping/mountain gear than anything, but if you're looking for sunglasses for riding, and sometimes nice techy clothing, you can find it here. They have sunglasses alot. In fact, today they have a pair on there for $40 marked down from like $80.

Anyway, I thought I'd give you all a heads up. I like going to this site, it's like Christmas every day, you never know what you're going to find! Yesterday they had a really nice lightweight tent by Sierra Designs for $130 (Down from 200!!)

You can also get them to send you email notices with the new item of the day, which is helpful.

K.

[Geonz]

I don't buy too much stuff that I don't really need. I get a fair amount of stuff at the LBS - the relationship really pays off when they know me and know my bikes - and I feel like a celebrity walking into a store and being recognized
I don't resist a good sale on stuff like tires at Performance or Nashbar, and I cruise the sale stuff at TE too (got some of those Zoic knickers - sweet!) but except for the occasional blender, try not to over-accessorize my bicycle. I like Sierra Trading Post, too (especially for the camping kinds of things for the yearly long tour).

[Cari]

I get a lot of good stuff by buying from or trading with friends, and by word of mouth. Actually I have quite a bit of stuff at home, lots of things that I tried but didn't like, or that friends have given me to show to other people to sell or trade, or things I got as gifts but never used. Right now I have:

- a couple of saddles: a brand new Arione, a used WTB, a Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow I used twice and didn't like, several others used but in good condition, plus a WTB Speed She I have loaned out (I got that one here nearly free, and will pass it on as soon as I get it back.)
- new and used bike lights
- Bontrager road handlebars, size 40, I think they were taken off a new bike
- Look KeO Classic pedals, brand new
- SPD cleats
- shoes (including some brand new Sidis in sizes 41 and 44... *sigh*, wish they were my size)
- Sidi mtb cleats, replacement heel pads for their road shoes, and a brand new shoe bag.
- clothes: selling/trading some new base layers here on the forum, also have a bunch of jerseys that don't fit, or that I just don't especially like that I should sell or give away
- helmet: a red Giro E2 in size Medium (too big for me) with a new set of pads
- gloves: new Craft gloves in men's Medium/9 (too big for me), Fox full-fingers in Medium (also too big) and several PI's, some new that didn't fit me, some I tried a few times but didn't like
- brand new vibe wrap kit
- some Rock N Roll lubes
- several seat bags (both new and used)
- a Bell floor pump I used before I got a better pump for my road bike
- a Topeak frame pump - very nifty, with a frame mounting kit and a pressure gauge
- water bottle cages, Tacx (used) and Bontrager (nearly new)
- really nice looking XTR skewers my friend gave me, but they're so pretty I feel silly putting them on my old hardtail which has Deore
- food items: Jelly Beans, Clif Shot Bloks, Clif Bars
- computer: a Cateye Micro Wireless computer (new) and a brand new (but opened) Polar speed sensor and bike mount kit. And soon I might be selling my Polar CS200 cad.

Need anything? Maybe I should have a virtual garage sale.

Anyway, sharing with friends is a great way to try before buying, to get what you want and to find a good home for what you don't need. Some stuff I sell, some I give away. The important thing is to share and share alike.

[GLC1968]

- computer: a Cateye Micro Wireless computer (new) and a brand new (but opened) Polar cadence kit, and soon I might be selling my Polar CS200 cad

Need anything? Maybe I should have a virtual garage sale.

Are you really thinking of selling that Polar cadence kit? Because that was going to be my biking purchase this weekend, if you are interested in negotiating.

[Cari]

Are you really thinking of selling that Polar cadence kit? Because that was going to be my biking purchase this weekend, if you are interested in negotiating.

Sorry, I goofed up. It's actually the kit that comes with the Polar speed sensor and bike mount that I wanted to sell. My apologies! (I've fixed my previous post.)

[GLC1968]

Bummer...but thanks anyway!

[donnambr]

Goodwill can have a surprisingly good selection of clothes that are good for cycling.