My Favorite Bicycle Accessories Supplier
Written: Sep 20 '04 (Updated Apr 20 '06)
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Pros: great selection, great price. Nice customer service
Cons: no online order status
Bottom line: My favorite bicycle accessories supplier. Use them!
I updated this on September 21 to include information on a recent order, more information about their house brands, more information about delivery and shipping and more information about coupons.
As I’ve gotten more into bicycling in the last few years, I’ve developed an increasing need for accessories. Generally my purchases are clothing and other items that require little or no installation. I have been using Bike Nashbar (Nashbar.com) for the last 5 years or so.
On their web site, they have 59 categories, which basically include nearly anything pertining to all aspects of bicycling: components, accessories, clothing, frames. Really, the only thing they don't sell is complete bicycles, although you could buy the components from them and put it together yourself, if so inclined.
There are additional options on the name page for:
Returned Goods
New Items Just Added
Gift Certificates
College Jerseys
Within each category, you can search by brand or buy price in either ascending or descending. I usually choose ascending.
Nashbar has a tremendous selection. It IS hard to find jerseys and shorts that fit me since I take a size 50 in each. Nashbar’s house brand clothing is well made and comfortable, although performancebike.com’s shorts are slightly more comfortable. I’ve used Nashbar riding gloves for years, and they are comfortable and durable. I’ve also noticed that Nashbar has more moderate price selections in shoes vs performancebike, and I bought a pair of road shoes and mountain bike shoes from them this summer.
They stock the major names brands in the categories I am familiar with. In clothing, names include Primal, Garneau, Cannondale and Ascent, among others. You can find Bell and Giro helmets, Camelback and Hydrapack hydration systems, Shimano and Campagnolo components, Ritchey and Speedplay petals and much, much more.
Nashbar really shines in the use of private label brands. Their use of private label merchandise includes not only the typical clothes and related accessories like gloves but also shoes, components such as brakes and pedals, and even items you would not expect, such as cyclocomputers, lights, shifters and frames. The Nashbar branded items I've tried have almost always performed well at a great value. I did have some trouble a few years ago with a private label heart rate monitor (HRM) manufactured by CardioSport. I noticed on the site that they no longer have Nashbar branded HRMs.
Nashbar also shines is in the closeouts. While equipping my new recumbent bike, I bough a Zefal bottle and cage combination for $5.99, where Performancebike had only single cages for that amount. I also got a $100 list price Hydrapack Snowstorm hydration system for $39.99. I replaced the toe clips on my road bike for $2.99. I’ve bought bottles, cages, helmets and locks from them in the past, with excellent value for the prices.
I turned in an order today, looking for some cold weather and fall/spring gear. I got a Nashbar branded Fleece sweatshirt, size 50-52, winter gloves, mini-pump, 2 bells, and a zefal mirror, a couple of light combos and a light with a wrist strap and some reflective tape. All-in, with coupoh, shipping and tax, the cost was under $101.
I checked Performance for some of the items in this order before I completed it, and they could not compete in either selection and price on these particular items.
Nashbar's standard delivery, by UPS or USPS, comes quickly, generally within 5 days of order. One mild drawback is that on-line order status is not available. However, they email when an order ships and their phone customer service has always been helpful. Shipping charges are reasonable, particularly for larger orders. Packing is of good quality, with sturdy cardboard boxes and lightweight air pocket material inside to keep the items secure.
I have not have difficulty with any orders, but their terms are very nice. They allow returns for any reason. An RMA is not needed unless the value exceeds $250. They offer 15-day price protection, except for other stores' closeouts.
Online payment terms are credit card only: Visa, Mastercard and Discover. Thier site is certified by Verisign.
They will occasionally do email coupons for people on their email list(such as a recent $10 off on a $100 order). I used it on my last order for a great-looking bright red ying-yang jersey, matching socks and the aforementioned mountain bike shoes. No, I don’t mountain bike, but I need a shoe I can walk around in during breaks and I wanted to see how a stiff soled shoe would feel in terms of power transfer. It was a marked improvement. They also do fairly frequent sales, every 4 to 6 weeks in season.
This evening, I discovered that you can get coupon codes for Nashbar and Performancebike at www.bikeforums.net. Wish I'd known that before my last order at performancebike.com.
Generally, when I have a specific need for something, I check prices on both Nashbar.com and Performancebike.com and then figure out which is better for what I need at the time. So, that is what I recommend.
I do give Nashbar a slight edge for the improved selection and better closeouts.
Thanks for reading. God Bless.
You might be interested in some of my reviews of bicycles and accessories:
Cateye Astrale 8 Cadence Bicycle Computer
Cycle Genius ALX 20 Squared Recumbent Bicycle
2004 Jamis Coda Comp Road Bike
Performancebike.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? cold weather gear and accessories
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