Hi everyone,
I am an amateur road cyclist. I just sold my old bike, and was going to buy a new one in Canada before leaving for Milan in August. I have read mixed reports that bikes are more expensive in Italy, even though most are Italian.
Is this true? My company is paying for my move...so should I buy one in Canada and ship? Or should I buy one when I arrive in Italy?

It's odd but some high-end bikes do cost a bit more here than in the US. Here you must pay 20% IVA, which in some cases exceeds the shipping and importer's mark up in the US or Canada.

That said, I would buy it here anyway. It's been 13 years ago, but I still remember being measured and fitted by Giovanni Pinarello in Treviso. The shop is like a shrine, pictures of him and Miguel Indurain meeting Pope John Paul II, etc. He got all upset when someone called from the Worlds in Colombia and told him "Indurain riporta dolore". And the bike was awesome too.

Read about some of the bike shops Angel visits here: www.italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com

Non-Italian road bikes in Italy are very, very expensive; in case you were thinking along those lines.

Italian road bikes can also be pricey. You have the IVA + in general you don't have the the competitive sales environment (internet shopping) that you have in North America. I bought my Pinarello in the US for less then I could buy it in Italy.

There are many wonderful small builders in Italy. I would do something like that so when you return to Canada some day you would have something a bit unique. Beware that if you are buying a carbon frame that many, many small shops source these through an Italian distrubutor that gets them from Asia, and then they have their decals slapped on.

quote:

Originally posted by Clo:
Hi everyone,
I am an amateur road cyclist. I just sold my old bike, and was going to buy a new one in Canada before leaving for Milan in August. I have read mixed reports that bikes are more expensive in Italy, even though most are Italian.
Is this true? My company is paying for my move...so should I buy one in Canada and ship? Or should I buy one when I arrive in Italy?

Good point Stelvio!

Kind of a weird variation on the outsourced framebuilding: I bought a used Merckx carbon bike- the frame is made by an Italian firm (also makes carbon Ferrari parts), shipped to Belgium, clear-coated and decal-ed, then shipped to shops all over Europe (including Italy).

Thank you to both for your speedy reply!
I am not too picky on the brand of bike, as long as it is a good fit, and rides well. I am relatively new to the sport.
I did a charity ride last summer...rode 600km in 3.5 days on my brother's old Bianchi, and was hooked.
So anything is an improvement. I just worry about my lack of speaking Italian in shopping for a bike in Milan. But my company will at least give me Italian lessons when I arrive.
Thanks again!

I saw today the bike I'd buy if I were in Milano. The guy in front of me in the paceline had a spanking new Colnago Master Light. Beautiful frame and paint job.

Bill, we may need to meet up for a pedal!

I'm moving into your neck of the woods in a month or so, with my Trek (Campag equipped, of course).

Matt