Buying a bike online

There are now several bike brands that operate a direct-sales model and are available exclusively online. Canyon, YT, Ribble and Commencal are all brands that avoid the traditional wholesale to retail route and sell directly to you. This means that their bikes are usually significantly cheaper for a given quality of frame and level of componentry. There are some fantastic bargains to be had and people often find that they can afford a much better bike than if they had gone to a regular shop.

There are, however, a few things to consider before you take the plunge to make sure you are happy with your purchase:

Choosing the right model

Bikes come in many different styles and it can be confusing choosing the right model to suit you and your riding. Be honest with yourself and think about what you will mainly be using the bike for: are you looking to cover long distances, and maybe try out a club ride? Do you want to get out in the woods for some off-road fun? Or do you want something that will be comfortable and reliable around town in all weathers?

If you’re not sure, get some advice. We are always happy to chat about bikes and can use our experience to point you in the right direction.

Getting the right size

All models of bike come in various sizes to suit riders of different heights. Most of the online retailers have useful sizing charts on their websites, so you can take a few simple measurements of yourself to figure out which size to go for. It’s not the end of the world if you get it wrong, as you will be able to send it back and exchange it for a different size, but it is inconvenient and will probably cost you for the return carriage.

If you need some help, come in and see us. We have years of experience in fitting people onto bikes and can help you order with confidence.

Taking delivery

You don’t want a delivery driver leaving a huge bike box on your front step while you’re out, and taking a day off work isn’t always practical, so customers are welcome to use our shop as a delivery address.

Please let us know if you have arranged a delivery to the shop by emailing us at info@rhythmandbikes.co.uk. We will then be able to let you know when it arrives.

Unboxing & Assembly

When your bike arrives, you’ll be itching to get it out of the box and ready to set off on your maiden voyage. To be sure that it is safe and ready to ride, use Rhythm & Bikes to assemble your boxed bike. We will check that the brakes work, the gears are indexed, the wheels are true and all bolts correctly torqued. We also give you a free tune-up after the first few rides, just like if you bought your bike from a shop.

We offer a Fitting service, to get the saddle at the right height and position and set the controls to suit you. For mountain bikes we also offer Suspension Set-Up, so that your fork and shock are set to suit your weight and riding style.

Maintenance

We are here to provide all the support and servicing you require as you get the miles in on your new bike. We’re also happy to give advice on how to keep your bike in perfect running order if you want to get your hands dirty and do the work yourself.

What if something goes wrong?

If your new bicycle has a fault or develops a problem we will diagnose the issue and write a report to help with your warranty claim. If necessary we will then box up your bike ready for despatch straight from the shop back to the manufacturer.

Buying second-hand

You can also find some fantastic second-hand bikes on-line through sites such as eBay, PinkBike and Gumtree. Obviously these bikes have been used so they may need some TLC to get them running smoothly again. It’s a good idea to keep some of your budget to one side, so you can have it serviced and replace any worn-out parts. Then you will know that the bike is safe and you can enjoy your “new” bike with confidence.

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/

https://www.yt-industries.com/uk/

https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/

https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/

https://www.commencal-store.co.uk/

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/

https://www.gumtree.com/bicycles/brighton