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Post by iancg on Aug 13, 2017 13:07:37 GMT 8
Hello everyone! I will be going to the US soon and I was wondering if it would be cheaper to buy bike parts (except for big parts like frame, rim, etc) there and send it here via balikbayan box or should I just buy locally?
I had a Jamis built bike before that I bought from ROX so I have no experience in building my own bike. I sold it when I got busy. I plan on biking again and I was wondering which way should I go. Thanks!
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Post by anthrax76 on Aug 13, 2017 22:13:20 GMT 8
Here's the thing, 90% of bike components are pretty much made in Taiwan. That means transporting finished goods are cheaper going to the Philippines than Europe or U.S. Unless the parts are on sale, generally speaking, components are cheaper here.
Actually the one you're not buying are cheaper in the US. If you're getting US brands, it might be cheaper in the US, especially US frames. For example you're getting Foes or Intense, it will be cheaper in the U.S. than getting it here. But getting SRAM or Shimano, it's actually cheaper here, unless it's on sale in the U.S.
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Post by spyghost on Aug 14, 2017 6:59:24 GMT 8
Hello everyone! I will be going to the US soon and I was wondering if it would be cheaper to buy bike parts (except for big parts like frame, rim, etc) there and send it here via balikbayan box or should I just buy locally? I had a Jamis built bike before that I bought from ROX so I have no experience in building my own bike. I sold it when I got busy. I plan on biking again and I was wondering which way should I go. Thanks! i've had a fair experience in buying parts from the US, except that I ship them to Manila via a forwarder. Like what anthrax76 said, it's cheaper here... way lot cheaper specially shimano, where the price is almost half of the cost when sourced from the US (even at sale price). as for other components, i only have 2 rules that i follow: (1) if the price + landed cost is cheaper, i'd buy it even if it's available locally, and (2) if there's no chance that it's going to be available in the local market. if i were you, i'd check on the parts of locally first for the price and compare it once you get there. if you are looking for something that's not here or won't be here at all, then grab the opportunity and get it abroad. so far, here are the things that s*ck in the ph market: - tire selection (mtb thread patterns even for known brands are mostly mediocre) - spare parts availability (once you break, hack it or throw it away and replace) - quality bike specific tools availability - consumables availability (seals, fluids) - other brands availability (ph market is dominated by the big S's, but still even they still lack parts and certain models) btw, what i highlighted above is quite a consideration... you have to be accustomed to the non-standards of the standards of the bike world (sarcasm). i suggest picking a properly sized frame first and know what that build requires. what you want to avoid is buying stuff you won't be using at all because it won't fit your rig.
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Post by anthrax76 on Aug 14, 2017 9:44:59 GMT 8
to add to spyghost's post.
also consider sustainability. i've known some guys selling their components because it's so difficult/expensive to sustain it here. Like magura royal blood or a particular shock spring or sometimes even a particular rear hub dimension.
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Post by anarki on Aug 15, 2017 2:20:29 GMT 8
There are a lot of used full suspension frames being sold today that are 26ers, but the market for 26" wheels in the PH does not look good. Would it be feasible to give a green light to those frames and buy tires/rims overseas?
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Post by anthrax76 on Aug 15, 2017 8:12:42 GMT 8
There are a lot of used full suspension frames being sold today that are 26ers, but the market for 26" wheels in the PH does not look good. Would it be feasible to give a green light to those frames and buy tires/rims overseas? the key thing is sustainability, you may be able to get tires and rims overseas now. quite a number of frame manufacturers are jumping out of the 26. rim and tire manufacturers will follow, albeit at a slower rate.
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Post by anarki on Aug 15, 2017 14:21:25 GMT 8
You saying that makes me feel that it's going to be harder in the long run... Good thing I've learned to avoid buying on impulse. Hayy..
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