Related Posts:
> See the buying a bike and gear category of this blog.
Details:
1. Main websites I use to source parts and accessories cheaply
(a) Cell Bikes - Has regular clearance sales and specials. Overstocked items also get discounted significantly to normal prices. The online store is based in Sydney but you can now get free delivery to the Fitzroy North store. Ships within 2-3 business days.
(b) Chain Reaction Cycles - Has a very large range of parts and accessories so can find things like spokes here which are hard to find cheaply on Australian sites. There is often free delivery to Australia. Prices on items not regularly discounted significantly in Australia are much cheaper. For example, I always buy my Schwalbe tyres and tubes from here. Delivery takes around 2 weeks.
(c) The Bicycle Depot - Often has very low (even below cost) prices on surplus stock it is clearing for other vendors. When it has big clearances I often stock up on parts and tools which I could always give away to one of the bike sheds I volunteer at or to friends.
(d) Grays Online / oo.com.au - These online clearance businesses have merged and the same products are listed on both. As they get rid of other's surplus stock, items on sale or auction can often be had below cost. Note that for some recent listings I have found the same items at The Bicycle Depot for $1 less.
(e) Bike Exchange - While this site doesn't list many clearance/sale items, it is Australia's biggest and best aggregator site and is always worth checking for comparison prices and to find the stores with the most competitive prices for certain equipment.
(f) The Bicycle Store - Regularly has low prices on some types of parts (chain rings, chains, etc).
(g) Pushys - Regularly has brand sales and clearances particularly on accessories. My Fiction skate helmet often sells for as little as $15 here.
(h) Cycling Deal - Limited range of sale items but the discounts can be significant.
(i) Reid Cycles - Often has rushed and poor service and assembly is often lacking but may be a decent option for acquiring well-known components cheaply in a physical Melbourne bike store.
(j) eBay - I personally don't use it much but some types of ultra cheap parts may be worth trying out this way. For example, solar-powered bike lights and similar electronic equipment that can be had extremely cheaply on eBay.
2. Cheap sources of consumable parts
Below are the links to where I've most cheaply and reliably sourced consumable parts from:
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 40mm Brake pads (The Bicycle Depot) | $1/pair | - Clearance; bought 8 pairs for $8 - My last Shimano pair from Cell Fitzroy North cost $12 |
| Brake cables and casing (The Bicycle Depot) | $1 each | - Clearance; bought 6 for $6 |
| Derailleur cables and casing (The Bicycle Depot) | $2 each | - Clearance; bought 2 for $4 |
| KMC Single speed chain 1/2 x 1/8 x 112L (The Bicycle Depot) | $5 each | - Clearance; bought 4 chains for $20 |
| 21-24 speed chain 1/2 x 3/32 x 116L (The Bicycle Depot) | $7 each | - Clearance |
| Rim tape - Hochdruck 16mm (The Bicycle Depot) | $3/pair | - Clearance; bought 2 |
| Rim tape - Schwalbe 20mm (Chain Reaction Cycles) | $3.50/pair | - Regular discount |
| Schwalbe road tubes (Chain Reaction Cycles) | $8.50 each | - Regular discount |
| Schwalbe Durano Plus tyres (Chain Reaction Cycles) | $37 each | - Regular discount |
| Bike chain lube - Rock N Roll 118ml (Cell Bikes) | $10 each | - Special; bought 2 |
| Puncture repair kits (The Bicycle Depot) | $1 each | - Clearance; bought 2 |
| Spokes (Chain Reaction Cycles) | ~$2 each | Not yet bought |
3. Cheap sources of other bike parts, accessories and tools
Below is a list of other equipment I've acquired cheaply for eventual replacement or for my volunteer bike fixes.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rear mudguard - Zefal Swan (Cell Bikes) | $12 | - Clearance; bought one for future use/gift |
| Wired cycle computer - Ventura XIV 14 function (The Bicycle Depot) | $7 each | - Clearance; bought 2 |
| Kryptonite Evolution Mini U-Lock (Cell Bikes) | $71 | - Special price |
| Multi tool - 18 function Le Tour (The Bicycle Depot) | $6 | - Special price |
| Spoke wrench - 3.2/3.3/3.4mm (The Bicycle Depot) | $6 | - Clearance |
| Stem for 25.4mm handlebars (The Bicycle Depot) | $10 each | - Clearance; bought 4 |
| Bottom bracket 1/2" torque wrench (The Bicycle Depot) | $10 each | - Clearance |
| Freewheel sprocket remover with chain (The Bicycle Depot) | $6 each | - Clearance |
| Cassette sprocket remover for Shimano hyperglide (The Bicycle Depot) | $6 each | - Clearance |
| 7 speed cassette 14-28T (The Bicycle Depot) | $7 | - Special; bought 2 for workshop |
| Shimano-compatible 8 speed cassette 11-32T (The Bicycle Depot) | $13 | - Special; bought for workshop |
| Shimano Chain CN-HG40 6/7/8 Speed (Cell Bikes) | $12 | - Special; bought for workshop |
| 36 piece Super B bike tool set (The Bicycle Depot) | $99 | Clearance; bought one for loans/workshop |
| Mountain bike handlebar grips - Bike Ribbon Katana grips (Cell Bikes) | $7 | - Clearance; bought one for future use/gift |
| Rear bike rack (The Bicycle Depot) | $15 | - Clearance; bought one for future use |
| Crankset remover for square axles (The Bicycle Depot) | $4 | - Clearance |
| Chain rivet extractor tool for Shimano hyperglide (The Bicycle Depot) | $4 | - Clearance |
| Road saddle - Ventura universal (The Bicycle Depot) | $4 | - Clearance |
| Chain wear indicator tool (The Bicycle Depot) | $3 | - Clearance |
| Mini pump with holder - Ventura (The Bicycle Depot) | $3 | - Clearance; bought 2 |
| Freewheel half ball 18T (The Bicycle Depot) | $2 each | - Clearance; bought 5 for $10 |
| Platform pedals (The Bicycle Depot) | $3/pair | - Clearance |
| Axle track nuts for rear and front hubs (The Bicycle Depot) | $2 each | - Clearance; bought 4 for $8 |
| Stem spacers 1.1/8" 10mm (The Bicycle Depot) | $1 each | - Clearance; bought 8 for $8 |
| Floor pump with universal valve - Tioga (Cell Bikes) | $7 | - Clearance |
| Lightweight full-fingered gloves - Cell (Cell Bikes) | $5 | - Clearance |
| Universal Car Bike Carrier - Bike Rider (Cell Bikes) | $50 | - Clearance |
| Single speed spanner 15mm - Tobe (Cell Bikes) | $5 | - Clearance |
4. Bike parts and accessories I've yet to find regularly cheap sources for
- For the below parts, I haven't found places to save a lot of money. If you know of any, let me know.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Handlebar bar tape (Cell Bikes) | $15 | Hard to get your desired colour without paying standard price |
| Bullhorn handlebar 25.4mm (Cell Bikes) | $35 | Full price. Could not easily find a local supplier with a special |
