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#1 Tue, 04/09/2012 - 10:20

Any experiences with ChainReactionCycles.com

Good news - ChainReactionCycles.com now ship to Australia. Apparently, they are the largest cycling shop in the online world. Two questions: 1) Has anyone had a recent experience with this website? I know they are a large, reliable company but most often companies use outsourced shipping operations for overseas business like in the case of some major US retailers such as JC Penny. This can cause problems such as delays, issues with payment verification etc. Also, if a buy a decent cycle, it will almost always involve custom/duty payments so don't want to risk anything. 2) I am looking to buy a decent road bike - budget is $2000 or less. I don't know much about US brands but will be happy with a well known brands with good specs. I generally ride couple of times a month - my last bike was from Cell Bikes (paid $1500) but it was a disappointment so don't want to buy another one locally. Any ideas/suggestions on which bikes might be a good deal (if bought from ChainReactionCycles.com) after including duty estimates + shipping etc. etc.? I am not expecting it to be easy but it will be great if I could get a decent deal. Thanks

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Thu, 06/09/2012 - 09:28
Interesting thread - I will be keen to know more as well. Apparently, it would cost you around $150 to ship a while bike to Australia. I looked at couple of their bikes and they are not bad. Check this one with Shimano Dura and Carbon frame http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=70371 This will cost you $2200 + $200 shipping and comparable to following bike from an Australian discount bike retailer. http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Shimano-Dura-Ace-Road-Bike-CELL-Carbon-Ace-M... I think you will save some money but it is not going to be a lot cheaper.

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Thu, 06/09/2012 - 11:18
When you're looking at over $1k for a bike, I'd really consider a local shop... you get it setup and fitted properly, if something isn't quite to your liking you can go back, and frequently they'll throw in a few services. Personally I ride a little bit, but am happy with a Repco/Dunlop job from BigW for way less than shipping cost KB noted above.... yep it ain't light, but it's not too bad, rides fine, and I don't worry if it gets stolen or damaged. If I was riding every other day then maybe I'd fork out for something better.... but I figure the extra weight also helps keep me fit! Oh, as you noted you would probably be pinged for duty if you import something.... unless you buy & ship the parts separately to keep under the $1k barrier! Unless you're riding with a bunch of bike snobs one thing to consider is getting 'last year's model' bike - usually can get them at a big discount, even though they are usually not that much different from the new ones...

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Thu, 06/09/2012 - 11:51
Just one example of last year's bike http://99bikes.com.au/bike/cube-streamer/19 2011 model for $1,679, was $2,599 (review here: http://bicyclingaustralia.com.au/2012/cube-streamer) Actually, around about now the 2012 models will be starting to be reduced to get the stock down for the new models eg http://www.bikes.com.au/p/5215786/2012-ridley-orion.html is $1,499 - RRP a rather optimistic $2,999 (reviews http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/latest-bikes/road-bike/ridley/orion/prd_410564_5668crx.aspx) Money saved can be put towards upgrading bits that may not suit you, or towards alcohol. Your choice. ;-)

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Thu, 06/09/2012 - 18:10
I can't believe this - even bikes are now being shipped from UK at a discount. There is little hope for local shops if this flooding of overseas retailers continues. We all like cheap stuff but let's not just put all of this country out of jobs :P

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Thu, 06/09/2012 - 22:22 (Reply to #5)
It just shows (as well as how strong the $OZ is) the markup that must be on these bikes..... a lot of the parts, including the carbon frames, are being made in China... in some cases, *all* of the parts.... and they're being shipped to the UK and then being shipped to Australia... might be being green when riding the bike, but suspect a fair amount of CO2 is being generated to ship the bits around the world! So yes, at the very least I'd get the bike from a local retailer if only because there's less shipping involved....

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Fri, 07/09/2012 - 14:53 (Reply to #6)

The main reason behind cheaper prices in UK/US is the bigger scale. Their retailers can always get better rates from China and it is always cheaper to ship bulk containers from China into Europe and US due to the trading routes etc.Being secluded from the world has some benefits but there is a big price as well.


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Mon, 10/09/2012 - 14:39
Hello everyone, I'm new to cycling. I'm not a professional cyclist. I just bought cycle because my friends have. I've an excellent experience with chain reaction cycle. I purchase "BeOne Diablo Race Road Bike" from http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75434 at 40% Off because I used coupon code which I got from http://www.couponrefund.com/stores/chain-reaction-cycles-discount-coupon...

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