Performancebike.com really delivers performance!
Written: Sep 14 '04 (Updated Apr 20 '06)
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Pros: Good variety, good selection, reliable delivery
Cons: Nashbar has better closeouts and has more stock on some items; Some sales only available in stores
I've been using Nashbar.com and Performancebike.com for a few years now as my primary vendors for bicycle clothing and accessories.
Performancebike.com is a vendor who provides the full gamut of bicycle clothing, accessories, gear and bikes themselves. They are a little different than Nashbar, because they have local stores in the area.
Their categories include:
Clothing
Bicycles/Frames
Components
Helmets/Shoes/Eyewear
Nutrition
Tires/Tubes/Wheels
Tools/Pumps/Repair
Computers/HRMs/Lights
Trainers
Packs/Racks/Hydration
Bike Transport/Storage
Accessories/Misc
Within those categories, there is a solid selection of goods, although Nashbar has more categories and more items within categories.
Most of what I have bought from them in the clothing category. They have a pretty decent selection in my size, XXX. Their house brand jerseys, shorts and jackets are of great quality and value. I probably have 4 or 5 Performance jerseys, which fit and perform very well and their own label shorts fit more comfortably that Nashbar's, whose shorts are still quite good.
Delivery has been quick in my case and reasonably priced. I've probably done 5 - 7 orders over the past 2 years with no problems. My interactions with customer service have been satisfying as well.
Compared to Nashbar, their standard prices are quite comparable, but Nashbar has more items and better closeouts, as shown on the accessories I got for my new recumbent bicycle. For example, at Nashbar, I got a $100 Hydrapack Snowstorm hydration pack for $39.99, which had better features than similarly priced packs at Performancebike.com. Also, I was able to buy a neat little Zefal bottle and cage combination at Nashbar for $5.99, whereas the lowest priced cage at Performancebike.com was $5.99 without the bottle. I've also found that Nashbar has a better selection of low-price shoes.
Performancebike.com has a price match policy, but, like with many stores of all types, they get around the need to match by stocking different, but similar items.
One thing I don't like about Performancebike.com is that they occasionally will do mail flyers on sales where the prices are only available in the stores. When one is on, the prices will be higher at Performancebike.com, although the store can order it at the sale price if they are stocked out and you go in. The two stores in my area, North of Chicago, are each 10 miles away, and I'd just as soon not visit them unless I have a good reason.
I did in the spring, get an Astrale cadence computer, priced it at the site and had one of their local stores match the price, since I wanted it installed.
Tonight, I got in my latest order, from their fall sale flyer, a balaclava at $12.99, which fit nicely under my helmet, a cute closeout sleeveless jersey at $29.99, which I will hit the road with tomorrow and a nice windjacket for $34.99. I was looking for some cold weather gear, and their prices were better than Nashbar for similar items.
So, my recommendation is for clothing and accessories, check both Nashbar.com and Performancebike.com and go with the better one for what you want at the time.
Incidentally, I just found out that online coupon codes for Performancebike.com can be found at www.bikeforums.net. Wish I'd known that before my last order!
Bottom line: One of my two preferred online bike gear and accessory vendors, with Nashbar.com. Recommended.
Thanks for reading. God bless!
Please check out my other reviews on cycling equipment:
Cateye Astrale 8 Cadence Bicycle Computer
Cycle Genius ALX 20 Squared Recumbent Bicycle
2004 Jamis Coda Comp Road Bike
Nashbar.com Online Store
Jandd Mini Mountain Wedge
Nashbar Neck Gaitor
Performance Pro Balaclava
Topeak Joe Blow Sprint Floor Pump
How to commute by bicycle
Cateye Astrale 8 bicycle computer
Bell Double Gel Seat Cover
Nashbar Cold Weather Gloves
Nashbar Crochet Bicycle Gloves
Nashbar Gel Gloves
Bell Solair Pro Helmet
Nashbar Millenium Shorts with Liquicell
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Clothing in general; fall clothing recently
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