Buying a bike online or in store: Where to shop in the UK

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Deciding whether to shop online or in-store can be a big decision. Each option is a great way to buy, but there are different benefits depending what you are looking for. As a local bike shop that offers all these services, we wanted to explore the benefits of shopping online, shopping in-store, and ‘click and collect’, to help you decide which would be best for you.

Thanks to our extensive experience in these areas of cycling retail, we have seen, first-hand, the unique benefits each option offers, whether shopping online for home delivery, shopping in a bricks-and-mortar store, or ‘click and collect’ orders where you order online and collect in your local store.

In this article, we will look at each of these options available to you and the benefits each one gives. Whether a seasoned cyclist, or a total beginner, there will be an option for you.

Contents and Quick Links

Quick Guide

As we mentioned, all options are good ones, it is just that each offers different benefits depending what our customers are looking for. Here is a quick round-up of the unique benefits of in-store shopping, online shopping, and ‘click and collect’ options.

  • In-store shopping – Expert advice – test rides – try on clothing – bikes fully set up at collection
  • Online Shopping – Convenient – Shop any time – Right to your door
  • Click and Collect – Online ease or ordering – In-store set-up and advice

In this next section, we will go into each of these benefits in a bit more detail.

Buying Online VS In-Store

In-store Shopping

There are so many benefits to shopping in-store. The main ones being that you can ask for advice if you are not sure where to start, and you can test ride bicycles to make sure they will be comfortable and efficient for you. Here is our full list of the benefits of shopping in-store.

Bicycles

  • Test bicycles and electric bikes for the correct size and fit
  • Ask for expert advice to find the right bike
  • Narrow down the best options for you
  • Exact set-up on collection (seat height, handlebars etc)
  • Talk through bicycle operation (gears, brakes, etc)
  • Maintenance advice on collection
  • Bike will be fully built and be in top condition

Clothing and Accessories

  • try on clothing or helmets for fit and size
  • Ask expert advice
  • Get measured for saddles, shoes, and more (available in selected stores)

Repairs

  • Only available in-store
  • Advice on what work is required
  • Professional and courteous service

Online shopping

Online shopping is super-convenient and comes right to you. Here’s the list of benefits of internet shopping.

  • Convenient to order
  • Easily comparer products
  • Delivered right to your door
  • Great prices
  • Online size charts help with sizing
  • You don’t have to deal with people (important to some)
  • Shop any time
  • You don’t have to travel to collect your items
  • You can see the whole range of products
  • Easily filter to see sale bikes or sale electric bikes

Click and Collect

Ordering with ‘click and collect’ offers the best of both worlds when it comes to ordering bicycles and accessories. When you order online to store, you know your item will be there so you avoid the disappointment of turning up at the shop and they don’t have your item. When using ‘click and collect’ for bicycles, you get the bike fully set up, saddle height set for you, and you can ask any questions you may have at this point.

Why Choose ‘Click and Collect’?

Both online and in-store shopping are great ways to shop but why should you consider ‘click and collect’? There are a lot of really great reasons to shop this way which we will look at now.

Why Collecting Helps

There are a great deal of benefits to collecting in store, particularly bikes. Here are some of the top reasons to collect in-store.

The bike is fully built and ready to ride

When you collect a bike in-store, there will be absolutely no assembly required as all bikes will be fully assembled for collection. We will also set up the saddle height for you so the bike is ready to ride away.

Maintenance and Operation Handover

For everyone who collects a bike in-store, we will offer a full handover where we offer advice on the operation of the bike including gears and brakes, and we will discuss some basic maintenance such as tyre pressure, chain cleaning, and the bedding-in process for disc brakes.

We will also offer everyone the chance to ask any questions they may have.

Guaranteed to be In-Stock

When you click and collect, you will be notified when the item has arrived in our stores. This way, you can guarantee the item is in store before making your journey. No more frustration at wasted journeys.

How A Reputable Bike Shop Will Help You Find The Right Bike

One of the main benefits of shopping in-store is being able to make use of the expertise and knowledge of the staff members to help you find the perfect product for your needs. This is especially important for bicycles as there are questions of finding the right style and getting the right fit. We have also made a handy guide for finding the right style of bike for you – Types of bikes buying guide.

Here is our checklist for choosing the right bike.

Pick the right bike for your riding

If you need help finding the best bike for you, we can easily help with that in-store. We will start by asking what you plan to use the bike for – mountain biking, road cycling, commuting, touring, etc. We will then talk you through the options and why they would be the best for you.

Don’t worry though, we do not choose the bike for you, we will give you all the information to help you make the informed choice yourself.

Fit and Sizing

A bike that fits will not only be more comfortable, it will be more efficient as well. On the flip-side, a poorly fitting bike will make cycling much less enjoyable and will potentially turn you off cycling altogether.

When in store, you can sit on, and even test, the bikes to make sure you are getting the best one for you. If shopping online, you do have size charts but it is worth noting that they are intended as a guide only. The only way to know for sure is to pop into the bike shop.

Another common error we see in store is customers thinking that because they are a medium in one brand, they will be a medium in another. This is not the case as a medium in one brand can actually be significantly different from a medium in another.

Finally, wheel size plays a significant part in sizing for mountain bikes as this dictates how long the bike is. For example, 29er wheels will result in a longer bike so riders may want to size down to accommodate for this.

Size Guides

Test Rides

When test riding your potential bike, you should be looking for a comfortable fit, that you can operate the gears and brakes comfortably, and that you can still handle the bike while manoeuvring. Most of these factors will give you a great indication if the bike is the correct size for you. If you struggle to operate the brakes and gears when turning it suggests a bike that is too big (particularly the case with kids bikes).

It is worth saying that on a short test ride it is impossible to know how the bike will feel on longer distances, such as for open road cycling or touring, but with a test ride and our expertise, we can ensure that the bike will remain comfortable over distances.

When cycling longer distances, it is sometimes wise to buy some equipment that will make these longer rides more comfortable. We will also happily talk to you about this in-store when buying or collecting your bike.

Extra Accessories

Certain extras will make cycling much more comfortable, safer, and more enjoyable. We will discuss these with you when in-store. Examples include cycling bib shorts for long distance road cycling or touring where you spend long days in the saddle. Helmets add safety and certain ones suit different disciplines better – road helmets or mountain bike helmets for example.

Where To Shop?

What to look for in a bike shop

When visiting a cycling store, there are some important things to look out for. A good bicycle shop should have the following qualities:-

  • Trained and attentive staff to help with advice and sales
  • Well provisioned workshop with experienced mechanics
  • Clear aftercare – free services with new bikes, support for warranty cases
  • Parts aftercare – sourcing replacements, advising on specifications

Where are our Stores?

We offer all of the above and have stores in Scotland and the North of England. Here is the list of our stores.

  • Aberdeen Branch
  • Bruntsfield, Edinburgh Branch
  • Canonmills, Edinburgh Branch
  • Giant Store Edinburgh
  • Giant Store Stirling
  • Edinburgh Bike Coop Newcastle

Frequently Asked Questions

We are going to take a look at the most frequently asked questions around the topic of online vs in-store purchases.

Should I buy a bike at a shop or get it online?

Both are great options and each offers different benefits.

If you are looking for convenience and are confident in your sizing than online would be a great way to order. Order any time and the product comes right to your door.

If you need some assistance, expert advice, or would like to try something for size first, then in-store or click and collect is the way to go.

Buying a bike in bike shop vs online, what changes for sizing and setup?

Sizing and setup are perhaps the two biggest changes when it comes to online ordering vs in-store ordering.

Online

When ordering online, you will not be trying the size of the items so will likely have to rely on bicycle size charts to get the best size. It is worth saying that size charts act as a guide only, for both bicycles and pedal assistance bikes.

When receiving your delivered bike, it will arrive built but tweaked to fit back in the box it is delivered in. This means that handlebars need to be straightened, pedals need to be fitted, and the front wheel will need to be fitted. Great if you are used to bikes, but a downside if you are not very technical.

In-store

One of the main benefits to shopping in-store is that you get to try for size. Whether that’s bicycles, clothing, or helmets. You can be sure of a great fit.

When collecting also, there is the benefit of having your bike fully built and set up for you with no assembly required from you – perfect for those that do not want to have to partially assemble the bike. Collecting in store also gives a great opportunity to ask questions about bicycle operation, maintenance, or any other questions that may come up.

Online bike purchase, what should I check before paying?

The normal stuff we think… that the item in your basket is correct, your address is correct, etc.

It is also worth checking if we have a store near you for the collect in-store option and all the benefits that gives.

Best place to buy bicycle in the UK, what should I look for?

When visiting a cycling store, there are some important things to look out for. A good bicycle shop should have the following qualities:-

  • Trained and attentive staff to help with advice and sales
  • Well provisioned workshop with experienced mechanics
  • Clear aftercare – free services with new bikes, support for warranty cases
  • Parts aftercare – sourcing replacements, advising on specifications
  • A wide selection of products

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