$200 for Avid Mechanicals Upgrade - Good Deal or Not?

[MMcG]

A few weeks ago I was at my LBS and worked with a guy to get fitted with a shorter stem for my hard tail. My Nail Trail comes with disc-ready hubs. I received a quote for $199 for Avid Mechanicals (forgot to ask if this included labor...probably not).

Is this a good deal? Are there other alternatives to consider in terms of a disc brake upgrade that would provide serious bang for the buck performance-wise?

[MtnBikerChk]

that price better be for 2 - including labor

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.asp?number=05750

[MMcG]

It was definitely for front and rear. I'll have to check on the labor charge.

Are you a frequent JensonUSA visitor MBC?

I often find myself drawn to their site to see if they are running any amazing deals on frames.

I bought my Camelbak and shoes from JensonUSA at amazing prices with great delivery times as well.

[gungywump]

that price better be for 2 - including labor

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.asp?number=05750


If you look at the site you will see that they don't even have any in stock.
Typical Mail-Order!

In mail-ordering bike parts you will find that the "shipping and handling" charges OFTEN exceed the cost of paying sales tax where you live. ALWAYS if you live in N.H. Plus, by buying from an LBS you are putting money directly back into the community in which you live.

[MMcG]

I like to support my LBS....This summer I bought two bikes for my kids....a little 16" Fisher for my 4 year old son, Connor, that is super cool (anyone know where you can find off road training wheels?? ;D_)....and a 20" Trek for my son Liam that he loves. We rode the Hollow together earlier this year and he did great!

I also went in to get a new stem and got awesome service. This guy Jay spent over 45 minutes with me trying out different stems, bar, shifter and brake lever set ups to get it where I felt most comfortable. But their prices for some parts are way higher than online.

I will support my LBS as much as possible. But occassionally I will also purchase online if the deal is too good to pass up. It often seems that clothing and gloves etc. can be had for a steal online whereas at the shop you have to pay full price. For example, this summer I got a pair of Race Face gloves for $14, and a pair of Time Atacs for $55 at Pricepoint. My LBS didn't carry Times, nor RaceFace clothing. I also got a camelbak and my Answer shoes from JensonUSA. Again, my LBS couldn't come close. Their least expensive shoes were over $40 more than what I paid for my Answers.

At the same time, the service I got on my purchase of the kids bikes was awesome and the time spent fitting my new stem was priceless (well it cost me $7..but it was worth it). On the other hand, for my next bike or frame purchase I will either order a frame or go to a not so local bike shop as this shop doesn't carry anything I'm interested in (unless they start carrying Haro FS rigs which I might consider) when it comes to bike lines.

Gungy, does your shop work with customers to do build ups? What about swapping parts from one bike to another as part of a FS rig build up, Single Speed conversion project?

I think one needs to strike a balance, especially when $$ is tight.

[MtnBikerChk]

In mail-ordering bike parts you will find that the "shipping and handling" charges OFTEN exceed the cost of paying sales tax where you live.

Not true. The cost savings is usually significant - shipping included.

I support my lbs when I can. For $50 (sometimes more) you better believe I'm buying online.

And yes MMC, I've ordered from Jenson before. If you call them, they usually can tell you how long their items are backordered. I've never had a bad experience with them.

[MMcG]

MBC......just curious.......did your RM come with Discs or did you add them on later?

[MtnBikerChk]

MBC......just curious.......did your RM come with Discs or did you add them on later?


added later.

[I Are Baboon]

In mail-ordering bike parts you will find that the "shipping and handling" charges OFTEN exceed the cost of paying sales tax where you live. ALWAYS if you live in N.H. Plus, by buying from an LBS you are putting money directly back into the community in which you live.


We have bought three bikes from our LBS in the last 18 months, totaling upwards of $6,000. We support them plenty. The simple fact is NO LBS has the variety and discounts you can find online.

CLICKETY CLICK CLICK CLICK

[bike187]

200 isn't bad for a bikeshop. mailorders don't alway have them in stock. i would reccomend you look on ebay. completes sets usually end at around $130. some even include the brake levers. just make sure you look for a respected seller. look for "power seller"s, or people with alot of positive feedback. i would reccomend you look after xmas if you're not in a rush because prices will probably drop a bit. however if you're in a rush, checkout http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1974484036 . it's a pair of 2003 avids with a start bid of $136 and a "buy it now" option for $142.