Trying to buy a bicycle can be tricky. There are just so many options out there, so many stores to choose from, so many brands, components, styles and sizes — it can be difficult to know where to begin.
While shopping for bikes in person can be a very rewarding experience, as you can chat to store assistants, see the bikes in real life, and even try them out before you buy, it can be time-consuming and tiring to traipse around multiple bike stores to find the perfect model for you.
Well, we have some good news — shopping for a bike couldn’t be easier online. You’ll have access to hundreds of options at your fingertips, the opportunity to live chat to experts every step of the way, as well as easy shipping direct to your door and real-life customer reviews to help you make your final decision.
On this page, we’ll go over some of the best places to buy bicycles online in the US, including what’s on offer at each outlet, the general price point it caters to, and the sort of brands you can expect to find.
Buying Bicycles in the US
Buying a new bicycle in the US can, if you’re sticking to brick and mortar stores, mean a lot of driving, a lot of time, and a lot of energy.
By choosing to shop online, you’ll be saving yourself a lot of hassle, and also giving yourself more time to consider all potential options before committing to spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a new ride. Don’t worry, you can still get expert guidance, detailed descriptions, excellent photographs and even customer reviews from the US’s best online bike stores, so you won’t miss out on any of the expertise from bike store staff by shopping online.
Of course, before you start shopping online for a new bike, you’ll need to consider what sort of bike you’re looking for and how much you want to spend. In particular, you’ll need to think about what you want to use your bike for: whether that’s commuting, mountain biking, long-distance road biking, electric biking, or something else.
Then you can get into the specifics of brands, specs, colors and styles to find your perfect bike — and don’t forget to consider the size of bike that’s perfect for you. Of course, when you shop in person you can often hop onto the bicycle and see if it’s the right size, but shopping online you’ll have to be more diligent with measurements. Why not try our handy guide to bike sizes which can help with this?
Where Can I Bikes Online in the USA?
When buying a bike online in the USA, there are plenty of options. If you know that you want a bike from a particular brand, you can shop directly with them, or if you’re a bit more open, you can try a store that stocks multiple brands.
Our guide will focus on the second type of online bike shop — ones which stock multiple bike brands for customers to choose from.
Now, let’s go through America’s top 7 places to buy a bike online.
Best Online Bike Stores [America’s Top 7]
- Mike’s Bikes [VISIT SHOP or READ MORE]
- Competitive Cyclist [VISIT SHOP or READ MORE]
- Performance Bike [VISIT SHOP or READ MORE]
- Jenson USA [VISIT SHOP or READ MORE]
- Wiggle [VISIT SHOP or READ MORE]
- Chain Reaction Cycles [VISIT SHOP or READ MORE]
- Decathlon [VISIT SHOP or READ MORE]
1. Mike’s Bikes
California-based Mike’s Bikes has been trading since 1964 as a beloved local bike shop with a huge online store.
They pride themselves on only selling bikes, dedicating their expertise to cyclists and striving to be one of the best, most reliable bike retailers in the US — and they’ve got a few awards under their belt, too.
Their selection is large, and they stock a wide range of top bike brands across road bikes, mountain bikes, electric bikes and kids bikes. Mike’s Bikes also sells components, accessories and apparel, making it a one-stop shop for all your cycling needs.
While Mike’s Bikes is California-based, they ship bikes across the US with several UPS shipping services: UPS Ground, UPS 3 Day Select, UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS Next Day Air. Different bikes and locations qualify for different shipping options, but it certainly offers peace of mind that no matter where you live, if you fall in love with a bike at Mike’s Bikes, you can have it delivered to you.
For road bikes, prices start at $ 599.99 and go up to $ 14,999.99, so no matter your budget, you’re bound to find a bike you love.
Types of Bikes Available at Mike’s Bikes |
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Road Bikes Mountain Bikes Hybrid Bikes Gravel Bikes City Bikes Folding Bikes Electric Bikes |
Notable Brands at Mike’s Bikes |
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Cannondale Giant Gazelle Santa Cruz Cervelo |
2. Competitive Cyclist
From road bikes to electric bikes, mountain bikes to gravel bikes, Competitive Cyclist has a wide range of brands and models to choose from.
The company boasts a “curated collection of cycling’s standout brands”, compounding its stock with hands-on service from its knowledgeable ‘Gearheads’ and an in-house bike assembly operation that’s designed to ensure a convenient and satisfying online shopping experience.
Orders will arrive within 4 to 10 business days depending on your shipping selection, and if your order exceeds a certain amount, delivery will be free. Plus, bikes are delivered built, tuned and test-ridden by a professional mechanic from Competitive Cyclist’s Salt Lake City shop.
There’s a chat function to help with any queries you might have, and the product pages are very detailed with insight from the Competitive Cyclist experts, tech spec, geometry and more, including customer reviews so you can see what cyclists really think.
This is mainly a store for seasoned cyclists, with adult bikes generally costing a few thousand dollars, so if you’re looking to invest in a quality, durable ride this could be a great place to look.
Types of Bikes Available at Competitive Cyclist |
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Road Bikes Mountain Bikes Hybrid Bikes Gravel Bikes City Bikes Folding Bikes Electric Bikes |
Notable Brands at Competitive Cyclist |
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Santa Cruz Yeti Ibis Bianchi Cervelo |
3. Performance Bike
Performance Bike started off as a family-run catalogue business in 1981, aiming to sell great products at great prices.
Some 40 years later, that’s still what they do, just keeping up with the times with a website rather than a catalogue!
Bikes and frames, accessories, clothing, maintenance, parts, tyres and tubes are all at your fingertips at Performance Bike, which stocks some of the best cycling brands in all departments.
Road bikes start at just shy of $ 1,000 at the time of writing and go up to over $ 5,000, so this is an online bike shop for intermediate cyclists looking for their next step up. There is a relatively small range of e-bikes, plus mountain bikes, BMX bikes, kids bikes and more, with each category broken down into subcategories so you can find exactly what you’re looking for with ease.
The product pages have decent descriptions and spec details, but aren’t quite as in-depth as some of the other sites on this list, so you might need to do a bit of extra research while deciding which bike you’d like to buy. There is a live chat function on the website too, if you need some extra advice or information.
Shipping is free on most orders over $ 99 in the 48 mainland US states, but do watch out as some bikes are only available for store pickup.
Performance Bike has four locations: two retail stores in Chico, CA and two distribution centres, one in Chico, CA and the other in Charlotte, NC, which is worth bearing in mind if you’re after a bike that isn’t available for delivery.
Types of Bikes Available at Performance Bike |
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Road Bikes (remove tick/cross as appropriate) Mountain Bikes Hybrid Bikes Gravel Bikes City Bikes Folding Bikes Electric Bikes |
Notable Brands at Performance Bike |
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Specialized Giant Surly Diamondback Niner |
4. Jenson USA
Dubbing themselves ‘America’s Bike Shop’, Jenson USA has a great selection of road, mountain, gravel, electric and city bikes for every kind of rider.
From bikes to components, apparel to accessories, Jenson USA has you covered. The site stocks high-end bikes from a range of recognisable brands and cheaper bikes at a few hundred bucks for new cyclists, making it a great place to shop no matter what you’re looking for in a bike.
Product pages are insightful with quality pictures, lengthy descriptions, feature lists and spec information as well as review and Q&A sections. Plus, there’s also a contact form you can fill in for extra personalised information about the bike if you need a bit of expert opinion.
It’s really nice to see that the bike page has some FAQs front and centre, giving shoppers insight into the most popular bikes, how to choose the right type and size of bike, the brands you can trust and which bikes are best for beginners.
Shipping is free on orders over $ 50 in the 48 continental US states, and all bikes are built, tested, tuned, and ready to ride upon shipment. Building the bike usually takes 2-3 days to complete depending on the bike model and its complexity.
Types of Bikes Available at Jenson USA |
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Road Bikes Mountain Bikes Hybrid Bikes Gravel Bikes City Bikes Folding Bikes Electric Bikes |
Notable Brands at Jenson USA |
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Specialized Marin Ibis Yeti Niner |
5. Wiggle
Wiggle started off as a local bike shop in the UK, and now it’s an international fitness retailer with customers all over the world.
It sells bikes and cycling gear, running gear, gym equipment, swimming accessories and more, catering to a wide range of sport-lovers at affordable prices.
No matter what kind of cyclist you are, you’ll find something to suit your needs at Wiggle. There are road bikes, mountain bikes, BMXs, time trial bikes, touring bikes and more, and with adult bikes starting at just over $ 300 and going up to nearly $ 8,000, there’s something for every budget too.
Wiggle’s website has a clever product comparison feature, so you can look at different bikes side-by-side and compare their price, specs, accessories, reviews and images. Plus, the product descriptions are vast with information about the bikes and the brands that make them, so you feel like you’re going into any purchase fully informed.
There is also a chat function if you need a bit of extra support from an expert.
Bike orders are processed in five working days, and delivery options vary depending on the product you buy and your location — so do be aware of this when adding products to your online basket. All bikes delivered from Wiggle are assembled and inspected by their CyTech accredited technicians — mechanics which have the necessary skills to make sure your bike is properly assembled and safe to ride.
Types of Bikes Available at Wiggle |
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Road Bikes Mountain Bikes Hybrid Bikes Gravel Bikes City Bikes Folding Bikes Electric Bikes |
Notable Brands at Wiggle |
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Cinelli GT Nukeproof Vitus Cube |
6. Chain Reaction Cycles
Chain Reaction Cycles started off as a bike shop in Northern Ireland, but now is a one-stop-shop for international customers’ cycling needs.
Because the company is based in Northern Ireland, all goods are shipped from the UK, but the website promises that “our whole operation is designed to get your order out the door and on its way to you in the shortest possible time, so you aren’t left waiting”.
Chain Reaction’s bikes take a little longer to ship because they are all inspected for quality before dispatch, and US Customs processing may further delay your order. This is, therefore, important to bear in mind when shopping from Chain Reaction Cycles in the US.
That said, there’s still plenty of reasons to shop with Chain Reaction Cycles as a US-based customer. There are lots of options to choose from, no matter what kind of bike you’re after, and each product page has detailed descriptions, sizing guides and high quality images. There’s also a live chat function where you can chat to an expert if you have any queries.
Adult road bikes start at around $ 400 and go up to just under $ 8,000, so cyclists of all levels are well catered for at Chain Reaction Cycles. Plus, you can buy frames and forks, components, apparel, protection, nutrition and more all in one place.
Types of Bikes Available at Chain Reaction Cycles |
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Road Bikes Mountain Bikes Hybrid Bikes Gravel Bikes City Bikes Folding Bikes Electric Bikes |
Notable Brands at Chain Reaction Cycles |
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Vitus Cube Orro Cinelli Rondo |
Best Place to Buy Cheap Bike in USA:
7. Decathlon
Decathlon’s whole ethos is around providing affordable, sustainable and high-quality sporting goods, so everyone can enjoy getting active regardless of their budget.
It has over 2000 stores across 56 countries, making it a truly global business. Decathlon ships to the 48 mainland US states, and customers based in California can enjoy reduced shipping costs and shorter order fulfillment times. Generally, though, shipping of orders of bike or fitness equipment takes up to 1 week.
Decathlon’s online store stocks all kinds of sporting equipment for many different activities, including cycling, hiking, running, camping, gym workouts and winter sports. The cycling department boasts a wide variety of bike styles including road, mountain, gravel, hybrid, folding, electric and city bikes.
Adult bikes start at just $ 299 at the time of writing, and go up to just shy of $ 2,500, making Decathlon a great place for all kinds of cyclists. There are several brands on offer that are only available at Decathlon, too, all at great prices. The online store also stocks clothing, accessories, shoes and maintenance products for a comprehensive shopping experience.
Product pages feature images, video, full spec information and generous descriptions so you can research before buying. It’s also great to see that there are plenty of customer reviews you can check out too.
Types of Bikes Available at Decathlon |
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Road Bikes Mountain Bikes Hybrid Bikes Gravel Bikes City Bikes Folding Bikes Electric Bikes |
Notable Brands at Decathlon |
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B Twin Riverside Rockrider Triban Van Rysel |
The post Where to Buy Bikes Online in the USA [7 Best Bike Stores] appeared first on Discerning Cyclist.