This moral question works both ways. When I went in to ask for a price match at my LBS they were more than happy to do it..the reason they stated was that a: they’d rather make some profit than no profit, and B: they be putting it in the sale after christmas anyway (its now down at 1600, I paid 1400 (in Nov), it was 2150 originally). The point is that if I hadn’t asked I’d have lost out on £550 quid and they wouldn’t have thought twice about it. And this was regardless of the fact that I spend a small fortune in there over the past 12 months.

Ultimatly as a consumer the biking population get shafted by prices. An equally you are entirely justified to walk away. If any of the people on here would honestly pay the 900 extra for the LBS shop service then good luck to you, you’re obviously much richer than me. I suspect the vast majority of the population can’t afford such luxury when it comes to morals…

lots of good deals on 2011 bikes at the mo. You can get a stumpy fsr comp for about 1300 at the mo, which will leave you 200 for the obligitory dropper post to go with it :-)

I just bought and Anthem x 3 for 1400, ace bike but a bit short on travel if its the only bike you will own…

I’m all for it! My LBS does price matching. I was recently looking for a full suss XC bike and saw a 2011 model Giant Anthem 3 online for £1400. In my local bike shop it was £2150. I went in, tried it for size and then told them that I could buy it for 750 less elsewhere. If they wanted to match it great, I’d rather buy it from them, but if not then it wasn’t a big issue, I’d go elsewhere. They didn’t have a problem with it, fully appreciated that it was huge amount of money, and said whilst they’d make very little profit they’d rather me buy from them than elsewhere.

As far as I can see they get a small profit on a bike that they wanted to get rid of and my continued custom, I get a good deal on a bike, everyone is happy.

Ultimately I agree with the poster above, I’m not a charity and look after number one. Its not like buying a loaf of bread from tescos, its a fairly substantial amount of cash that I’d rather have in my pocket than someoneelses!

I have a great condition medium Orange 5 2006 (last one with straight top tube), but its the full bike! Probably no good for you but it is in amazing nik (selling for a mate) for the age if you can get rid of the rest of the components!

NC21, thats exactly why we’re entering!

Thanks all for taking the time to respond.

Thanks for the advice, hopefully you wont pass in a weezing heap at the top of the first climb!

We’re bringing one of those oldschool 1970s family tents (complete with matching curtains!)which will be perfect for sheltering from the elements. Assume the onsite campsite will be right next to the start line then?

ta