We get a lot of people coming in to the shop to get advice, get measured and sized for a bike and then go on the internet to buy at the best price they can find, but what are the pitfalls of buying a bike online?
It will arrive in a box, sometimes damaged. We also have bikes shipped from distributors that are damaged, but it’s easy for us to return them, especially as we don’t pay in advance.
You will need to build it yourself, do you know how to? Do you have the correct tools? A Torque wrench is vital and using the wrong type of grease for assembly can damage carbon. There is a British Standard to which all bikes should be manufactured and built. Only a qualified mechanic can do this properly.
A lot of cheap bikes are imported, especially from the European mainland. Is the warranty valid? Even if it is, you will need to strip the bike down, put it back in the original box and ship it back to your German supplier. We actually get people coming in the shop and asking us to do this for them.
Buying locally means your warranty is with your local bike shop, not just for the manufacture but the building and all of the accessories we’ve fitted for you. One single, local point of contact.
Ensuring the correct fit for your bike is vital to maintain comfort, efficiency and avoid any potential pain or possible damage to your body. A local bike shop can provide a professional, qualified bike fitting service.
After a few weeks of riding your new bike will need a check, cables stretch and bed in leaving gears ‘ticking’, bolts need checking for correct torque and it’s always a good time to get your position adjusted. Your online seller cannot do this for you.
Dorvics has an online store for ease of ordering, the prices online are the same as the shop and you will pick your bike up from the shop knowing it’s been built professionally. All bikes supplied by Dorvics also get their 6 week and first annual service free.
Have you really saved that much money in the end after buying online?