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In recent years, making online purchases of big ticket items like bikes, cars, and even houses has become much more common. As an online bike shop that also has a physical location and a large staff of knowledgeable bike experts, Wrench Science is in a unique position to guide you through your bike purchase, whether you are buying online or are coming into the shop in person.
Those of you who do not live in the Bay area will likely need to communicate with us online via a number of options including our chat and direct email addresses. Our site also provides services like a bike fit calculator and bike builder to get you started on your search for the perfect ride.
Nevertheless, there are several suggestions we can make about how to buy a bike online which should help you avoid any pitfalls in the process. Whether you are looking to learn how to buy a mountain bike, how to buy a road bike, a gravel bike or even an e-bike online, this short guide should help.
Decide on what type of bike you want
If you have read some of our other blogs, you’ll recognize this first piece of advice, since it is usually the foundation of multiple search points. What type of bike do you want for the type of riding you’ll be doing? Pinpointing this part of the search will make other choices down the road much easier, such as fit, frame material, performance level, and even cost.
How to get the fit right from a distance
If you haven’t been riding for very long and are uncertain of your ideal bike fit, or perhaps you have been riding for decades but have started to feel a certain discomfort in your longtime setup, it is important to undergo a professional bike fit before purchasing a new bike, whether online or in a shop.
The Wrench Science Fit System will be a great place to start if you want to get a good idea of what size frame, handlebar width, stem length and crank length you will want to consider. However, we would highly recommend you come into our shop for additional consultation, if you live near enough. And if you are on the other side of the country, then you should find a professional bike fitter near you.
Though your local bike shop might have a person who will be willing to eye-ball how good your bike fit looks, we’d definitely suggest that you go to a professional bike fitter who has all the equipment to analyze objectively your fit, and who can listen to your needs and complaints. Any bike fitter who doesn’t start the process by asking you what you want from your bike fit – more power in your pedal stroke, more aero position, more comfort for long rides, etc. – is not doing a proper job. Not all bike fits are equal and what type of riding you do and what physical condition you are in will have a huge impact on fit choices.
We could preach for hours about how important having a good bike fit is to your overall cycling enjoyment. And once you are comfortable with your fit and know that bike measurements work best for you, then buying a bike online will become much less scary.
Discuss accessories necessary to get started
Whether you are buying a bike from an online shop like Wrench Science or directly from the bike brand that offers direct to consumer purchase options, you’ll want to know what accessories you will be getting in the purchase. In other words, are you buying a fully built bike with all components included, or are you buying only the frame and will need to source and order components separately?
Some bike brands won’t even offer a frame-only purchase. You will be tied into however the brand has chosen to build the bike, including little to no choice on component options or sizes. That’s one reason why shopping with a company like Wrench Science can help you find the perfect bike for you since we are in a position to offer a wide range of component options and have experts on hand ready to help guide you through the build process.
This issue certainly ties in with the question of having the right bike fit and knowing what your frame and components measurements should be. Frame size may be the biggest question, but stem length, handlebar width, crank length and even wheel size if you are looking to buy a gravel or mountain bike need to be considered.
Finding the right mix of components will ensure that you will always feel comfortable and in control of your ride.
Don’t be afraid to ask about warranty and returns while buying a bike online
Sometimes purchases just don’t work out, whether you’ve bought something online or in person from a shop. Don’t be afraid to ask what your rights will be in the case of some problem with the materials.
Multiple frame manufacturers like Time, Look, and Mosaic offer lifetime warranties, while other brands like Pinarello, Willier, and Chapter 2 will offer 5 year warranties, which should add a feeling of security when ordering from one of these brands. Being able to make returns when something is not right will also be an important part of clicking the Buy Now button with confidence. Customer service will inevitably vary from online shop to online shop. If you are in any doubt, check user reviews to see what experience other buyers have had.
What about post-purchase service needs?
When purchasing online, post-purchase servicing inevitably becomes the biggest question. Unless there is a warranty issue, shipping the bike back to the purchase point is not really a viable option for normal servicing. In the early days of online bike purchasing, there was an unhelpful movement among certain independent bike shops that would refuse to service a bike if it was not bought in that shop.
Thankfully, that attitude has largely disappeared. Bike shops have understood, especially in a post-covid world, that competent bike servicing can form the backbone and long-term security of the shop. As a result, offering exceptional service to customers, no matter where those customers bought their bikes, will ensure secure and repeating sales.
Find a bike shop near you with a quality mechanic and service-oriented attitude. Smaller shops may not be able to offer the wide range of brand and material choice or competitive pricing that a large online shop can offer. But the independent bike shop plays an important role in the cycling ecosystem.
Conclusion – take advantage of choice and service when buying a bike online
As with any important purchase, doing a thorough amount of research will put you in a position to make the most of choice and services offered by larger online brands and companies. Knowing basically what you are looking for will help to focus on buying exactly what you want for your cycling adventures or racing needs.
By following these few guidelines you should be in a good position to make your next bike purchase online with confidence and minimal hassle. Feel free to get in touch with us directly if you have any additional questions.
You may also like our article on what to look for when shopping for a bike.
