Web – mostly for the fact that I can get anything, in any size and variety. I’m not sure the plethora of standards within the bike industry is helping the lbs – harder than ever to keep a comprehensive stock of parts and kit.
I do my own spannering and I am on a very tight budget. That and the fact I like choice, don’t trust anyone tinkering with a bike I am going to be flying down a steep hill on and my LBS’s are useless.
WEB – cheaper, turns up at work so I don’t have to spend time going to get the bits and I can do almost all work myself so don’t need workshop services.
LBS – great chap and if I can afford that extra £20 which I’d probbaly only spend on wine, why not support LBS?
He is as good ‘un though, and I know there is a lot of cr**.
Funnily enough, bought some 3/4 Enduras the other day from him, and he knocked me off 10% at till, which when I got home and checked, made them cheaper than CRC or anywhere else!
Bought a new pump from the lbs this week, had looked at it online, but thought I’d go visit the shop and get it there instead. Gave me a nice wander at lunch and no waiting for delivery.
Web. Much more convenient that trying to get to an LBS to see an inferior selection at a higher price. Might take a different view if I didn’t enjoy doing all my own maintenance.
LBS, pretty much always if need something quick and random, if not order off my accounts, although my hording ways mean I seem to have built up stocks of all the hard to find stuff, ODI TLD grips, black, found half a dozen setting still boxed today 😐 Mr Trebus 😳
About 70/30 split in favour of web. So much choice out there which one shop can’t hope to stock. I also enjoy the randomness of accidental purchases – i like a little gamble and buy things i usually wouldn’t if the price is low enough 🙂
I don’t have a very local bike shop so it’s easier for me to order parts and things from the web. I do try to use shops I know for these though if I can.