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To bring my bike or buy?
Heading to BC Canada for 5 weeks riding in July/Aug. Was planning to bring my bike but someone suggested I could buy a new bike over there for much less than here - ride it - bring it back to Oz and sell it for more than I'd pay.
Has anyone done this? Is it true? Any advice? Could you recommend any LBS in Vancouver or Whistler that sells Norco?
Any info much appreciated
Ecca
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I'd imagine it was partly true right up until the part where you get home with a used bike, that has no local warranty and try and sell it 'as new'. If you are in need of a new bike to keep yourself then buying over there and bringing back might be a top idea. If you are going to do it purely for profit I'd imagine it will be more trouble than it's worth.
Buy one if you need or want a new one. Take yours if not.
I lived for a short time in Vancouver and bikes are no cheaper than they are here in OZ. Mind you with the exchange rate the way it is now things might be a little more positive now.
Parts on the other hand are cheap as chips!!!!
I would suggest you go to MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) join up as you can only make purchases if a member and buy up all the gear you can. If there are specialty items your after there used to be a shop not far from it (across the rd) that special orders some nice gear.
If your buying a bike over there then head out to Deep Cove and have a look at Cove bikes, they are a BC brand and very popular on the North Shore, they also had a store in North Van from memory. They sold Kona and Cove bikes when i was there....I did buy a Norco from Cyclepath on West Broadway though, (smaller shop).
Riding well you have to ride Seymour and if your adventorous go for Fromme, maps can be picked up at most local stores. If your riding the shore i would suggest full face and armour, you'll soon see why when there! I'd recommend going up to Mt Robson, you can ride up to where my profile pic is.....its unbelieveable!!!!!
Try one of the many popular loonie or toonie rides they are very popular and from wha i hear quite fun.
Another word to the wise is buy about 15 bike locks!!!!!!!!
Bike theft is unbelievable there, you could turn your back for 2 mins and it's gone, be cafrefull of your steed while there
Oh and DONT!!!! miss CRANKWORKS its a must, book accom early as it sells out QUICKLY!
Good luck and enjoy.
Cheers
Sam
Rob, Pivot, Sam
Thanks for your feedback and advice
I think I'll just take my Commencal Meta 6.1 - seems less hassle to pack and bring than buying/selling
Now I know in Canada they drive on the other side of the road and they flick switches up to turn lights on instead of down but I've also heard the front/rear brake levers are on opposite sides in Canada - is that for real - reckon if I rented a bike I'd end up A over T
the bikes shops in CA/US will swap the levers around for us Aussies so to avoid an unfortunate event.
In the US (and even some Southern Hemisphere countries) they have front brake on the left. Arghhh!
Any rental place should just swap the levers though, it's hardly a tough job.
Hi,
There is a good thread going over @ rotorburn that discusses this and various other Whistler issues for the coming season
http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?2...
Ill be there Aug1-17 and I cannot wait!
Hi, I have been going to whistler for a few years (usually in June) and thought I may be able to add a few things.
The bike shops in Vancouver are in general cheaper than in Whistler. I have bought a few bikes from Different Bikes and have always been happy with their service and advice. Most local shops say dont bother with a lock. There are organised "gangs" that work the village and locks dont slow them down. So dont leave it out of your sight, ever.
Whatever you think your skill level is, move it back a few notches for the first week or so. So if you think you are a medium skilled rider, start with the beginner trails! This is more important outside the bike park than inside the park. Some of the best riding in Whistler is XC - some of which is much more extreme and technical than the bike park. Lots of people ride 6" bikes with 2.5" tyres as a XC bike!
If you are interested in riding outside of the park the trails are very well marked. But not everyone knows where they are so I would suggest buying this book: Whistler Mountain Biking - A Guide to Trail Rides in the Whistler Valley by Finestone and Hodder. You can get it from MEC or the Whistler book shops.
Lika a lot of resort spots, cheap anything doesnt really exist. For some cheap and very good food, try Pasta Lupino; Splitz (Burgers); Dup's (Mexican). All are local favs and in the village.
Join WORCA and do one of their rides. Worca does an amazing job of administering the local trails as well as acting as an advocate group. They have several rides. Toonie rides (a Canadian $2 coin donation to ride) can be as race or as social as you want. 200 or so starters with everyone meeting back at a local pub for a free beer at the end. Worca also offers member run weekly skills clinics (all free for members).
There are more Aussies in Whistler than locals so no problem renting a bike with the brakes swapped around. Last time I bought a Rocky Mountain Slayer and brought it back. Not sure if you could re sell it for a profit but I thought it was good value compared to local options.
Hope this helps - glad I could finally offer soemthing. Let me know if you have any other q's.