[Closed] How many bikes/frames have you bought from your LBS?

zero.

Went to a LBS recently with a view to possibly ordering a new bike/frame, but the staff were seemingly uninterested in serving me. 🙁 So I'll probably buy elsewhere or online.

Mixture. First few were from LBS cos there wasn't no internet buying of bikes available in them days!
After that it was mostly ebay and STW classifieds.
Tripster frame was from a LBS.
Last MTB (first new full bike) was mail order (shop in Wales). I did go to a local dealer for the same bike, but they didn't have the model I wanted in stock. They were good lads in the shop though, so was a little disappointed not to be able to give them my business.

3 from Stif (since they moved to summerbridge/Harrogate)
3 from Boneshakers in Harrogate (closed 2.5 years ago)
2 from specialized concept store in Harrogate (it's a franchise, and it's staffed by mates/folk I used to work with at Boneshakers /\
1 from Halfords (£90 Apollo BMX, was a student)

My last 2 road bikes were from the LBS, but then I have a great LBS ([url= http://www.mickeycranks.com/ ]Mickey Cranks[/url])

From most recent: no, yes, yes, no, no, no, no, no, yes, no, no.

Cant really remember any further back.

I very nearly bought my first mountain bike (back in 1992 IIRC) from the shop
4 doors away. Tried it out, decided to buy then they couldn't get it. Bought it from another shop on the other side of town. That was the last bike I bought new, and still the most expensive.

Personally 2 out of the last 4, for work 6 out of 6.
I get on fine with the LBS but I don't feel particularly loyal, when I got the Mrs bike she asked for a £3.50 bottle and cage to be thrown in on a full price bike- No. So we know where we all stand, they give us no cuttings, we give them the same.

2 out of 4.
Back when I lived up north my local bike shops were Merlin (Felt F95) and Ribble (R7). 🙂

Going back: No, Yes, No, Yes, Yes, No, Yes, Yes, No, No, Yes then it goes a bit hazy.

Two bikes from current LBS in the 3.5 years I've lived here, plus Reverbs, forks, wheels & other components.

Helps that it's one of the best-priced UK internet retailers anyway.

None, although I've bought all but one bike from shops that were a short drive away. The bike shops that are properly local to me tend to specialise towards the family friendly end of the market so buying from them would mean them getting stuff in specifically for me which seems like a bit of a faff.

Latest one was yesterday from a shop but not local as I was chasing end of line stock. Lygon in Melbourne
Previous 2 new were from the same Local Shop both excellent deals and great service. (including a 4 day demo) Sprung in Launceston
3 before that were all second hand
2 Before that were from KMB in Keswick again great deals, service and support

none.
The three shops I spoke with wanted to sell me what they had, not what I wanted to buy.

Actually, the geographically closest bike shop (an independent) is run by a bunch of liars, crooks and shysters, and I've actively discouraged people from shopping there. So I've probably prevented several sales of new bikes there. I'm well into minus figures in that respect. 😆 -6 or 7 at least, I'd say.

Got both my Reign and XTC Team frames, new, from Back-on-Track in Malvern.

Two, though not for a couple of years. Also bought various wheels, most recently about a month ago.

Pretty much 50/50 between Alpine Bikes Edinburgh and Edinburgh Bicycle Coop, and one off here 8)

Evans always get a look in as they carry some interesting stock, but I've never actually bought from them and would always favour Alpine or EBC anyway. If I ever give in to my disturbing desire to buy that bright pink Charge Plug it will probably be from Evans.

Bikes always from a shop as I'm a massive tyre kicking timewaster so would feel bad buying online.

Anything small or fiddly typically online now, can't be arsed with special ordering etc.

1 full bike after demo
1 frame after demo
2 bike builds one with shop frame above and one Cotic

So thats 3 bikes all / substantially from the LBS (Nirvana) out of 4 bikes owned.

None, I don't want to pay full RRP for Trek or Specialized

If I ever give in to my disturbing desire to buy that bright pink Charge Plug it will probably be from Evans

I think I may be indulging that urge tonight 😀

Never, I try to avoid going to my LBS as it's shit and the people there never seem like they want to help you in any way!

Actually I tell a lie as there's a new bike shop opened closer to me, but i think it only sells kids bikes and bells and stuff.

I did by a bike a few years ago from an actual shop near to where i used to work though, so I reckon that should count.

Last frame from my LBS was in 2005.

Not so many now, but about 10yrs ago when I had more disposable income and could afford it I lusted after a litespeed Pisgah frame. My LBS was a litespeed dealer so I was able to get one from there. Also bought a Kinesis Maxlite bike from them as well as my first "proper"MTB a Marin Nail Trail with Manitou Magnum R Forks!!
Over the last 15 yrs this bike shop has doubled in size and moved twice. (Alf Jones , Wrexham)

2 from Don Skene
1 from Sunset
1 from Afan Shed.

2 s/h
1 on-line from We Love Mountains I think they were called.
1 from Halfords on the R2W scheme.

None, I don't want to pay full RRP for Trek or Specialized

Didn't know that was possible, I certainly haven't for the 5 I have/had, from both independents and franchises.

I bought a frame from Keswick bikes about 9 years ago, good advice, good price and great service. Once I realised I could fix / replace things myself easily enough I bought 2 2nd hand bikes. Bought a bike from Rose bikes 2 years ago as nothing could compete on price. Don't think I'll ever buy a bike local, wrong stock for me and too expensive for something I consider disposable.

2 out of 8 in 10 years. 1 "dream build" hardtail for £lots from Race Co in Stourbridge and 1 c2w road bike from John Atkins in Leamington. Of the rest, 1 was from Decathlon in store, 3 online, 2 second hand. The decision to do so was a combination of choice and cost, I generally knew exactly what I wanted and in which size so it was difficult to justify the extra cost of an LBS.

Prior to that they were all from the LBS, but that's mainly as the internet was in its infancy or for large parts, didn't exist. A good few from Halesowen Cycles, a couple from the shop whose name I can't remember that is now Leisure Lakes in Wolvo and at least 1 from Two Wheels in Stourbridge and Brotherton's in Old Hill.

4 from LBS - Cotic were still in Nottingham at the time so I'm counting them.

And 6 bought online.* One of which was cheaper for the current model year than Samways wanted for the previous years lower spec model that sat in the shop 3-4 months after they couldn't do me a discount.

*In my defence, 3 were frames I had built up by an LBS.

i bought a bike locally this year - as in local to where i live now. Previously i always went back to my old local and employer.

It was the only dealer for the brand anywhere near me and i knew the bike was a pre order only at the time.

I practically had to throw money at them to look interested in finding out how long it would take to order in..... I wasnt trying to haggle - i just wanted that damn specific bike. Not one of the CX bikes you have in stock and i wont be talked round because its not even close to what im asking you to order for me.

When it arrived it was assembled for me - by the saturday boy i assume. In all of the shops ive worked in it would have failed PDI on a number of points. The one that annoyed me most was both hubs were nipped up and didnt turn freely (which if left unattended would result in dead hubs PDQ) but there was a significant drought of grease through out , seatpost was in dry. The bar clamp was nipped on one side and had a massive gap on the other.

remembered why i prefer to buy my bikes in boxes and sort them my self.

One. out of about 10.

None from an LBS,all national.

7 out of 8

3 from Northwest Mountain Bike Centre
2 from 18 Bikes
1 from On One
1 from Cyclestore
1 secondhand frame off Ebay

Edit - Ok, not my immediate LBS's but NWMTB, 18 bikes and Cyclestore are the closest ones I use

3 bikes 1 frame - Samways
2 bikes - Je James
1 frame - stif
1 bike - leisure lakes.

Plenty of frames from online retailers and a lot second hand.

I doubt if I wasn't so impulsive that the lbs's would have done as well out of me.

I doubt if I wasn't so impulsive that the lbs's would have done as well out of me.

Good point, the most recent purchase was something I'd been mulling for ages but didn't really need. On the day I bought it the wee ice cream place next to the bike shop was handing out free Frappucinos, hence massive sugar and caffeine spike as I walked past the bike shop offering discounts on Trek Superflys. How could I not?

None.
Halfords, Ribble, On One, second hand off here, Halfords, Halfords and Evans.

Tried to use LBSes a few times and have either been shouted at by a grumpy mechanic for asking if they had x in stock (he was the only one in the shop and apparently shouldn't be disturbed) or been lied to (they thought they'd put me on hold on the phone, but hadn't so I heard "nah, I've not ordered it" and then they came back on the phone and told me "we ordered it last week, the distributors didn't include it in yesterday's delivery for some reason").

Quite a few over the past 20+ years all from Ralphies Taunton.

Not including the children's bikes I have bought, two of my current five were bought at Bike Shed in Cardiff. The others were all bought second-hand.

Before that, I was in Canada and bought the bikes I had there in the days before the internet, so the LBS was the only option.

1 from Samways, 2 from The Bike Shop Derby, 1 national and 2 online (including 1 for the wife and 1 for my daughter), over the last 8 or 9 years.

Virtually all!

Three second hand ones
two from China
one from an alternate supplier
18 (I think) from the LBS 😳

Since 1995 approx 6 (5 bikes and one frames) from LBS.

One bike and one frame mail order and one bike and frame second hand.

All of them (4 or 5) from 1988 - 2003 as not much on the Internet at that point!
2 after that and all the others purchased online as frames and built up.

I am into the niche end of bikes so LBS not much use.

4 S/H, 2 frames direct from company (Dialled, Singular), 1 from sort-of LBS (Condor) when I lived in North London, 1 mail order from Stif.

Let's see what I can remember, starting with my first bike purchase as an adult...

[list][*]Marin Bolinas Ridge, bought from the Bike Co-Op - (large) LBS
[*]Rocky Mountain Elevation, bought from the Bike Co-Op - LBS[/*]
[*]Cannondale Bad Boy, bought from the Bike Co-Op - LBS[/*]
[*]Rocky Mountain ETS-X, bought from the Hub - (less local) LBS[/*]
[*]Cotic Soul (frame), bought from Cotic - online[/*]
[*]Pace RC303 (frame), bought from Evans - online[/*]
[*]On-One ScandAL (frame), bought from On-One - online[/*]
[*]Orange 5, bought from the Bicycle Chain - LBS[/*]
[*]Kona Dr Dew, bought from Cycle World - (not at all local) LBS[/*]
[*]Giant Anthem, bought from Cycle World - LBS[/*]
[*]Santa Cruz Chameleon (frame), bought from Alpine - (chain) LBS[/*]
[*]Ibis Mojo SL (frame), bought from the Bicycle Chain - LBS[/*]
[*]Giant Anthem X (frame), bought from an LBS's eBay store - online[/*]
[*]Whyte Portobello, bought from the Bike Co-Op - (at this point a chain) LBS[/*]
[*]Nukeproof Mega 290, bought from Alpine at Glentress - (less local) LBS[/*][/list]

15 bikes in 16 years! It seems like a lot when I write them all down. 🙂

In total 9 were bought from and wheeled out of shops, though most of them were from relatively big players (the Bike Co-Op and Alpine) rather than single shops. 3 more were bought from LBSes but at one level removed. One came from Evans, a national chain, and from its web store. Only the Soul and the On-One were bought from online-only retailers.

Edit: I can see why people don't use the list formatting here much. 😐

In the last few years, all from my LBS as they are excellent - The Trailhead in Shrewsbury.

Since 2010 after moving out here, 4 bikes (Trek 3500, Yeti ASR-5 & SB66c and a Mach6) plus 1 frame (SB5c) but I had to buy another 2 frames via the internet (Stanton & Liteville) as I couldn't source locally.
My local LBS is brilliant, so both the outsourced frames were delivered straight to them to carry out the fitting.

None - in the last 20 years:

2 bikes from Edinburgh Bike Co-op
1 bike from Paul's Cycles bought online
1 bike from Evans, bought online, picked up in store
1 frame bought online from an LBS down in England
1 frame from On-One

I have however bought 3 pairs of forks from my LBS in the past 2/3 years.

Three. 1st Giant Hardtail 2005, 2nd Orange 5 2008, 3rd Giant Defy 2016

All the others except for the Canyon have been bought as frames, usually second hand.

Two this year, one in 2012, one in 2011, one in 2006 and maybe three or four kids bikes across that time oh and one from Halfords.

I've had maybe half-a-dozen from Edinburgh Bicycles - two of them being bike-to-work purchases. Also had a couple from Halfords and I think one more from another shop. Most of my bikes were built up from 2nd hand frames or frames bought online.

I've only bought 4 new bikes in my life- two from Halfords, one from Go Outdoors, and 1 from an LBS, Macdonalds Cycles in Edinburgh. Kind of a shite LBS though, they sold me a massive frame and said I'd grow into it, which I eventually did about 4 years later just before I sold it. Ah well.

The last new one was from a chain (Evans). One before that LBS. One before that a chain (Decathlon).

Other than that, all second-hand, but the replacement parts and upgrades pretty much all come from the LBS.

Two frames, forks, wheels, assorted small bits, clothing & a few other bits over the last 2 years worth well over 5k.

Bought two bikes from Hargroves, my Principia RSL ~1996 from the now gone Bitterne rail station branch, plus my Tricross Singlecross from the now gone Millbrook Road West branch in 2010.

Does buying the Wazoo from the Halfords in Western Esplanade back in Feb this year count as a LBS?

Cycle World by The Bittern pub rarely have bikes in stock at a price that interests me, while sadly Dave Hardy Cycles in Woolston seems to be long gone.

Probably 10 in the last 20 years but not all from the same lbs

Just the one online

Also a serial s/h buyer but only three bought as complete bikes ever.

One complete bike from CRC ex demo with BC discount on top.

Two bought as complete bikes from 18bikes (who I regard as my 'proper' LBS even though there are many shops closer to me)

Four brand new frames bought online from online companies (Cotic and On One)
Probably six or seven sh frames bought.

was adding this up the other week. Over the past 20 yrs, including for my kids :

Dales Glasgow 9
Sprockets Kilmarnock 3

have also bought one from Halfords, one from Dolan, one from Merlin, 4 from Islabikes, one from Wheelies, one from Orange......

all full bikes
😳

Halfords/Evans/LBS/LBS Are the only times I have bought new! Of those purchases, I got by far the best customer service in Halfords and Evans.

My last bike was off ebay, and if I get another bike soon it will be direct from the company (either Bird or Cotic).

I bought a £250 Giant Yukon from one of my LBS's when I finished college and was a bit hard up, hell, it was even on christmas club scheme - 0% pay what you can when you can, and collect on last payment.

But that LBS is now pretty massive, only really interested in selling mega expensive bikes to thin blokes who do 200 miles of a weekend or look gnar, so they don't get any of by business. Also wanted £10 a metre for hydraulic brake hose last week.....

My main LBS is ace, their knowledge is unsurpassed on general bike stuff, they can repair just about anything and still do frame alterations and repairs etc. I use them for as much as possible, particularly consumables and little bits that you wouldn't save much money on, and would lose time for, online. Bike sales are slow there though, and they don't really stock anything I'd ride now on the MTB side, they're going to stock less bikes and concentrate on the workshop and accessories from now on. I might buy a road bike from them if I do ever get one though.

We do have at least 3 other bike shops in town, one is very 'concept store'-ish though is I think privately owned and run independent of any brand, they do mostly (if not all) road stuff and drink lots of expensive coffee. Not keen. Another is very old fashioned, though was a genesis dealer, bit dusty. The last has a huge range of stock for a one man band, and a cotic dealer, I could find any type of bike in there, Scott and Merida stockist too.

BUT, of the last 8 bikes/frames I've bought/owned, 1 came as a complete bike from Winstanleys, 6 as second hand frames and swapped/bought other bits accordingly off here/ebay/pinkbike, and the other as a full second hand bike from here.

Bit mad to think I've had 9 bikes in the last 9 years, though really, 7 of them have been in the last 4........

Madder to think I couldn't afford a £250 bike at one point not than long ago, when I now have frames and forks worth double that sat doing nothing and regularly drop £100 on some bike related thing or other without giving it too much thought. Makes you think a bit. Oh to have no kids.

Pretty much none since I worked in a LBS. Lots of second hand and cheeky trade deals when I was in the trade, more recently I've had one built by a frame builder and bought a Bird from Bird (who nearly count as a LBS).

I have never bought a bike from Halfords, CRC, Wiggle or any other online retailer.

I have only ever bought bikes from LBS's albeit not necessarily the most local to me.

Me and the wife have had seven off our LBS, Moose Cycles, over the years and five from other sligltly less local LBS's (but within 10 miles of home). Few Planet x's (3), ribbles (3),evans and halfords on the non lbs side

Never, I bought my 2nd full build bike from JensonUSA back in 2010, Yeti 575, but since...I've bought all my frames from online manufacturers/dealers

My first mtb when just getting in to it, since then they have all been second hand...

1. First mtb, a trek hardtail from lbs
2. A specialized camber from the concept store in town
3. A trek hybrid for commuting from the lbs
4. A cannondale roadie from a shop 10 miles away as lbs don't sell cannondales
5. Dialled alpine frame bought new online from dialled. All bits transferred from the camber or from crc
6. A banshee rune frame from blazing bikes, about 60 miles from me.
7. Most recent is a bird zero tr, obviously online 🙂

LBS? 9 bikes over twenty years or so. Given that I have worked on and off in the trade myself, I'd say that's pretty good going! Obviously, others came direct from suppliers while in the trade. Which was nice.

My Dad bought me a Raleigh burner from a local shop in about 1984...

All of them, apart from my first MTB which I bought from (I think) Warminster Cycles via an add in MBUK.

I, er, noticed the frame was bent and bought a Marin with the refund, from my lbs.
🙂

Rowbothams.
Moston Cycles.
Mike Cookson.
Neil Walton.
Harry Hall.
Merlin.
Harry Ingham.
Spa.

I like bike shops.

Three bikes bought for me from my most local lbs, the excellent Bicycle Smithy in Hazel Grove, though one of those was a second hand bike they took on trade. One other bike has been a bit of a "Trigger's broom", started out as an 18" Inbred direct from on-one and had various frame swaps and part changes over the years from forums and friends (nothing new though that I can remember) till it was eventually replaced by a 29er

Mrs NBTs current bike was bought as a frame from here and built up with a mix of parts, some of which came from the above shop. Her previous bike came from NWMTB.

The tandem was bought secondhand and upgraded with various parts from the forum

Currently considering a new C2W bike but not sure that my LBS will be able to compete with the value offered by the Arkose 3 I've got my eyes on, which is a shame. I'd much rather shop locally

Orange Clockwork in about 1992 from a place in South Manchester. I then stopped cycling for years and became a right fat ....

After that i bought a Trek 4500 about 5 years ago from the now defunct Saddleworth Cyclery, got into biking but my next was an On One Scandal frame, then a Canyon Nerve AM so both obviously online. Arkose 4 and my Charge Cooker Maxi were both from Evans.

Bit of everything.

And a Felt Z95 from Wiggle that I've forgotten about.

Over the last 3 years, everything has been from the LBS... But then I own the shop, so... 😉

Prior to that, a bit of a mix. Quite a lot 2nd hand off the classifieds on here, used LBS's for the odd frame or full bike here or there, I think only one whole bike bought online in the whole lot (various parts obviously at points).

Only my 456 frame came mail order. My wife's bike bought nearly ten years ago was from Evans Cycles but had to be collected so it's kind of mail order but not (£700 bike knocked down to sub £400 was too good a bargain to miss at the time).

The other 7 or 8 new bikes I've had over the years have all been from local shops.

As a kid everything was second hand until I was about 15

Parts I am a lot more variable on. Probably 60/40 shop vs. mail order and clothes 80/20 shop vs. mail order.

If I ever give in to my disturbing desire to buy that bright pink Charge Plug it will probably be from Evans

I think I may be indulging that urge tonight

Mission complete 🙂

Since reaching adulthood, 3 complete bikes from an LBS i think. All have had issues which the LBS weren't capable or interested in fixing. (And that's all in the last 10 years)

Everything else has either been frames or bikes from the Internet/mail order from not local shops (even dave hinde once or twice). Which I've built myself. Or gear from sponsors, which mostly went back.

0. I always buy my big bits 2nd hand. Every shop I seem to try is staffed by miserable buggers so its hard to find a reason to want to give them my money when I can get things cheaper elsewhere.

I#m definitely veering towards online buying, I think

Kona from a (horrible, shitty, thankfully now closed) LBS
Blur 4x Frame - from an LBS (though not all that local to me, went in for a browse, and bought on impulse)
Specialized Demo 7 - ordered online, was half price, so....
Cotic Roadrat - direct form Cotic, a slightly scratched one they found in the warehouse
Lapierre Spicy - More or less a full bike, from a sadly now-closed LBS
Intense Tazer HT - Ebay
Morewood Makulu- Frame bought online
Cotic Soul - frame bought Online
Nicolai Ion 16 - frame bought online
Last Fast Forward - Kickstarter
Geometron - second hand frame from on here

Most of mine (frames and full bikes) have come from LBS (Worcester Cycle Center) I've had 16 bikes, 10 of which have come from them.

I tend to buy frames and build from bits, but even the last full bike I bought was from them. Great shop, great team in there who all know their stuff and are happy to impart their collective knowledge. Or in my case, let me try 5 different demo bikes before pulling the trigger 🙂 new Orange Four frame is on its way! 🙂

More worryingly, I've worked out over the last 7 years how much I've spent on bikes 😯 over 70% has been in there!

I've spent a fair bit at merlin which is a relatively local but I buy components and build myself so frames have come from online and classifieds here. The carerra came from halfords as a semi impulse purchase, when that was stolen i was given halfords vouchers from the insurance company so got the voodoo . I use cooksons and keep Pedalling for bits and make a point of buying something from the mental list whenever I go in. This thread has encouraged me to get brakes from my lbs for the next project.

Over the years, 1 FS, 1HT, 1FS for Mrs M, a frame, a road bike and an eBike for Mrs M. As well as tonnes of bits.