How much do you pay for inner tubes?
Discussion
Hi
So after buying new wheels I need to swap to Presta valves. I was kind of anxious to get some tubes so went to my LBS and asked for two tubes (MTB).
12 quid!!! And they were Nu Track or summat crap!
I'd handed him a tenner expecting change, thankfully I'd not quite let go so I grabbed it back, made my excuses and left! Having just looked on ebay, I'm now awaiting delivery of 5 Continental tubes, delivered, all in for £16.95
So after buying new wheels I need to swap to Presta valves. I was kind of anxious to get some tubes so went to my LBS and asked for two tubes (MTB).
12 quid!!! And they were Nu Track or summat crap!
I'd handed him a tenner expecting change, thankfully I'd not quite let go so I grabbed it back, made my excuses and left! Having just looked on ebay, I'm now awaiting delivery of 5 Continental tubes, delivered, all in for £16.95
'Bread and butter' consumables like tubes, brake pads and tyres can be quite expensive in bike shops compared with online, I guess they're the type of thing people need staight away so they don't have to compete with the CRC and the like on price.
I don't blame them for it, it can't be easy trying to run an LBS when everything you sell is available at rock-bottom prices online.
I don't blame them for it, it can't be easy trying to run an LBS when everything you sell is available at rock-bottom prices online.
Interesting thank you 
As a biking newbie I naively walked into my LBS recently and paid about £8 for an inner tube. My early amazement at the prices charged for bike 'stuff' had obviously dulled my senses to not question this lower value item.
However I've now used that one so need more, fancy sending me a link?
As a biking newbie I naively walked into my LBS recently and paid about £8 for an inner tube. My early amazement at the prices charged for bike 'stuff' had obviously dulled my senses to not question this lower value item.
However I've now used that one so need more, fancy sending me a link?
Yeah I know they need to make a profit but there's a profit and there's double the price someone else can charge and still make money!
www.ebay.co.uk and search for 'mountain bike inner tube'. If your valves are skinny they're Presta, if they're like a car you need Schraeder
www.ebay.co.uk and search for 'mountain bike inner tube'. If your valves are skinny they're Presta, if they're like a car you need Schraeder
BOBTEE said:
Yeah I know they need to make a profit but there's a profit and there's double the price someone else can charge and still make money!
www.ebay.co.uk and search for 'mountain bike inner tube'. If your valves are skinny they're Presta, if they're like a car you need Schraeder
A physical bike shop has much greater overheads than an Internet shop though. Don't you think that if they could charge the same as crc, wiggle etc and stay in business they would?www.ebay.co.uk and search for 'mountain bike inner tube'. If your valves are skinny they're Presta, if they're like a car you need Schraeder
I'm a big fan of my lbs, the owner was very helpful in helping me get my first road bike and even invited me out to ride with him and a few other guys.
Yes I paid a premium for his services but I'm happy with that.
Last night I went to my LBS to buy a new chain. It keeps "slipping" when putting under heavy load, and after 2.5k miles I thought the chain was worn. So in I walked (it's where I bought my bike, so they know me) and explained my problem.
He measured my chain and said no, it seems ok. Did some fiddling and told me it was fixed! Seems the cable had stretched on the gear change lever. Total cost = £0.
That's why you pay slightly over the odds for other stuff
(However, I must say that I do buy shed loads of stuff from Evans, but always make a concious effort to continue to buy some bits from my LBS - such as the chain!)
He measured my chain and said no, it seems ok. Did some fiddling and told me it was fixed! Seems the cable had stretched on the gear change lever. Total cost = £0.
That's why you pay slightly over the odds for other stuff
(However, I must say that I do buy shed loads of stuff from Evans, but always make a concious effort to continue to buy some bits from my LBS - such as the chain!)
I think the point has been made, but it we all go and try out bikes in a shop, and then buy them online, there will eventually vbe no shops left.
Paying a couple of quid extra for a tube now and then keeps them in business, and means when you double puncture miles from home, there is a good chance of a shop being within a reasonable distance.
Some things I buy online, some things I buy in store, but I always try to reward good service with some form of sale.
Paying a couple of quid extra for a tube now and then keeps them in business, and means when you double puncture miles from home, there is a good chance of a shop being within a reasonable distance.
Some things I buy online, some things I buy in store, but I always try to reward good service with some form of sale.
Maybe it's just me being a tight arse Yorkshire man then! That said, I recently bought some new SPD shoes from a different LBS. I wanted to actually try them on before buying, which I'm glad I did as they came up a different size to my usual. That shop was comparable to online. Tube guy is double! I don't mind paying for a service but double?!
k load in order to stay in business on tubes alone...!Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff