Pretty much title. I started asking myself this when I was on the hunt for tires. But then I realized I’m extremely limited with what my local shops carry. It’s bare bones at best and honestly the prices are not competitive. So that leaves me wondering, what are some of the best online bike stores to check out?

  • Competitive Cyclist. Back Country. For tires I almost always go to bike tires direct. Always have the tire I’m looking for at a great price. For mountain bike related world wide cyclery. Their online help are real people and they are very knowledgeable. Same with Trek’s telephone help with their website. I’ve used them to find three separate parts I couldn’t identify for sale as a replacement part. They really are awesome. 😎 good luck 👍🏻

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    At this point, competitive cyclist, backcountry, and BikeTiresDirect are all under the same company umbrella. But BikeTiresDirect inventory still differs. Competitive cyclist and backcountry almost always have matching inventory

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    TIL that BTD was purchased by backcountry in September. This is a bummer, I hope they continue to have better prices for the items I am looking for than CompetitiveCyclist.

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    Man that sucks....I always found BTD to have better deals. Now it's all going to be the same

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    They are the same company at this point and would be surprised if their prices differ.

    With that, I have been pleased with my purchases on Competitive Cyclist; both price and service..

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    They routinely have sales at BTD and you can join their club and get credit toward future purchases. I bought a ton of stuff from them and never had an issue.

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    I have had really bad experiences with Competitive Cyclist and Backcountry (same thing).

    They advertised a price match so I tried to use it on an assos jersey. After keeping me on the line for 20 minutes, they declined to price match because Bike Closet isn't on their list of approved stores to match with. Another time they wouldn't do a price match on a tire because the discount from the other store was too good.

    The final straw was when I attempted to buy a gift this Christmas and at the last stage of the checkout, they added a charge for "worry free delivery" from a company called Seel. I didn't add this, they automatically added it. There wasn't a box to decline it. I had to do a Google search to figure out how to eliminate the charge and by then I just bought elsewhere.

    They also have inconsistent shipping and a weak return policy. And not to mention they sued a bunch of small businesses just because they used the word "Backcountry" in their name.

    It's a shame about Bike Tires Direct. That place was awesome.

    I use Universal Cycles, Modern Bike, Cambria, and occasionally Jenson.

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  •  Bike24, bike-discount, bike-components

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  • Jenson

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    At first glance their tire prices don’t look that great

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    Just in general for parts and gear they usually have what I want in stock, ship fast, and have good customer service. They run a lot of sales too. Also have bought a complete bike from them for a great sale price. For tires specifically I usually shop around for the tire I want. Bike tires direct I have also used in the past as well.

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    Mountain bikes are expensive. You aren't gonna find a discount mountain bike store.

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  • It depends on where you live. UK? Europe? US?

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    If someone isn’t self aware enough to tell you when asking a question like this, they’re in the US.

    And they assume everyone else is in the US to answer.

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    US exceptionalism in action.

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    💯 this. Lack of awareness that they're asking the 'world wide web' is staggering (for the majority outside the US).

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  • Modern bike for sure. Great selection and CS

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    Seconding Modern Bike (plus they’re local for me).

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    Used these guys for years when i can't find locally. Legit operation 

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  • Biketiresdirect has a great point system if you rack up enough purchases. I’ve gotten free tires and chains with it

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  • Performance Bike or Competitive Cyclist.

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  • Universal Cycles has everything. Bike Tires Direct has all the tires you want and a bunch of other stuff too.

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    These are both great stores that are even better when you're local. Wish Universal was still on Burnside though

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    Totally agree. I needed a random part recently and they had it in stock, but it's over an hour drive with traffic.

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  • I prefer Universal Cycles. But I do online pickup mostly.

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  • Primeau velo in Canada has been great for me.

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  • BikeTiresDirect and all the Backcountry affiliates are solid and quick shipping. BikeInn for the cheapest but not quick.

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  • I have had luck using EVO dot com. They are a multi different outdoor activities online retailer. Especially sale items. I also use the Google Shopping feature, inventory seems to be hard to stock.

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  • I am a big fan of BikeTiresDirect in general, or Jenson for more MTB-specific stuff.

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  • Bikeinn for me. But for things i dont need so urgent and fast. As they have known practice of not sending orders on time.

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  • R2-Bike by far

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    And it's not even close

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  • For the US - Tree Fort, Modern Bike and Bikesmiths for no tax.

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  • Bike 24, Bike-components.de, bike-discount.de -> good prices and wide range, fast shipping Mtbiker.sk -> fast and smooth shipping, wide range and reliable justpedal.nl -> for stuff from smaller brands

    Well, this is for people in Europe, location was not mentioned in the post

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  • How can you ask this without even stating where you are..

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    When I lived in Europe there was no reason to ask this question, so forgive me for assuming lol. I’m in the US.

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  • Bikecloset.com has great prices but stock can be limited. Competitive cyclist is good. Bikeinn and Merlin’s for euro sites have done me well also. Just have to compare to make sure freight still make their items a deal vs someone in the states

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  • While they are more MTB focused, worldwide cyclery is great.

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  • I like Pelago and Cinelli.  No uncertainty. 

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  • Bike closet

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    How in the world do you even order anything off there

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  • +1 for EVO.com - they price match and can also beat Jenson or any US online retailer price about 5% off. They also have reward point system for every item purchase.

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  • Lord gun, gambachino (however, you spell it). 

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  • I feel this. Although I prefer and support local shops, they're clutch for vibes, but sometimes you just need a tire that isn't the dusty Continentals they've had since 2019.

    The go-tos: Jenson USA (reliable goat), Competitive Cyclist (bougie but legit), Bike Tires Direct (tire heaven), Worldwide Cyclery (MTB/gravel squad), and Chain Reaction/Wiggle (UK steals if you're patient).

    Pro tip: prices vary widely, so check a few before you send it. The deals are out there.

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  • For MTB: Worldwide Cyclery! Small company that actually cares. Listen to their 'MTB Podcast' - best MTB podcast there is.

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  • I like deal hunting from Cambria Bikes. If you’re looking for something specific, I wouldn’t say they’re the ideal option, but you can find nicely discounted odds and ends and it’s worth it to do a first pass for something on their sale page. I’m in California - as is Cambria - which makes the shipping quick for me too.

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  • I want to add Universal Cycles to the list. Oregon based, may not have the “best prices” but their inventory of parts has been top notch when I’ve needed things.

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  • in Russia ?

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  • ChatGPT to help understand my unique requirements and goals, and then recommend products. Then Amazon to buy.

    To offset this I go to a physical shop that I trust will pay attention when servicing and not overdo it with selling to me. I have found that even within a corporate store, some locations are better than others.

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  • AliExpress for nearly everything except tires. Tires are very expensive there as they are heavy for shipping by air. Amazon has sometimes good deals on tires. Rose bikes often has great deals for tires.

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