How to Buy Road Bike Tubes in Bulk
Tubes are one of the most marked-up items in bicycle retail. Most bike shops and online bike retailers sell them for between $3 and $7, yet they purchase them through distributors for a fraction of that cost. Buying them in bulk is a good idea if you can, obviously, get them for a significantly lower price. This is possible if you are willing to shop around.
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Instructions
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Determine the size and type of bicycle tube you need. The size you require is imprinted on the sidewall of your tire (e.g., 26 X 1.95 or 700 X 23). There are two common types of tubes: one with a Presta (skinny) valve and one with a Schrader (car tire) valve.
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Determine which option suits you best between taking whatever price is advertised at an online bicycle retailer or attempting to bargain at your local bike shop.
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If you prefer to purchase online, tubes can generally be purchased for cheaper than they cost in bike shops. From time to time, online retailers offer specials for bulk purchases. Spend time searching online to find the best deals.
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If you prefer to deal with your local bike shop, you have a good chance of getting a deal, though you might need to research several shops. You can simply ask for a deal. Some shops will sell tubes for close to their cost if you ask and seem like the type of customer who will buy other things with the tubes or down the road. Some shops will offer specials to customers, usually in the neighborhood of 10 tubes for $29.99. Ask for further discounts on larger purchases.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't be a pest, but it can help to get to know the employees at your local bike shop. If you forge a relationship with them and are willing to buy other items from time to time, they may cut you a bulk deal on tubes.
Email the mail order departments of online bicycle retailers and take a similar approach as you would in person at a store. Explain that you want to buy tubes in bulk and that you plan on being a good customer if they will discount tubes for you.
