Ordering From Bike Inn

[splat]

2 hours ago, warick_wrx said:

which shipping option did you use ?

There isnt a choice with them - Its DHL. 
But the snail version.
And they didnt actually have the item in stock as indicated - they still had to get it in from states and then dispatch it to me.

A very slow and laborious process. Luckily, I am not in a rush.

The previously unreliable SAPO was actually amazing quick, so they werent the weak link the chain.

In contrast, ordering from Merlin is super quick.
Its strange that others cant be like that.

Anyway, this thread is about Bike Inn and I hijacked it slightly...

Edited July 24, 2025 by splat

[warick_wrx]

9 minutes ago, splat said:

There isnt a choice with them - Its DHL. 
But the snail version.
And they didnt actually have the item in stock as indicated - they still had to get it in from states and then dispatch it to me.

A very slow and laborious process. Luckily, I am not in a rush.

The previously unreliable SAPO was actually amazing quick, so they werent the weak link the chain.

In contrast, ordering from Merlin is super quick.
Its strange that others cant be like that.

Anyway, this thread is about Bike Inn and I hijacked it slightly...

who did you end up paying duties to SAPO or DHL ?

[splat]

2 minutes ago, warick_wrx said:

who did you end up paying duties to SAPO or DHL ?

SAPO

There was a choice of COD or over the counter when I collected.

[BruceNotTheBoss]

Hi, I see this thread has been running for a bit, I just wanted to share my experience dealing with Bike Inn.

I was searching for a specific DT Swiss hub and couldn't find stock at any of the retailers. The listed price was a bit over 4k, I skeptically tried Bike Inn as they showed stock. I ordered on a Sunday night paid for the part and DHL shipping, on Monday I was contacted by DHL to pay the taxes. The part arrived on Thursday for almost 1k less all in.

I've used them twice after that and both times everything ran flawlessly. 

[warick_wrx]

On 7/24/2025 at 8:25 PM, splat said:

There isnt a choice with them - Its DHL. 
But the snail version.
And they didnt actually have the item in stock as indicated - they still had to get it in from states and then dispatch it to me.

A very slow and laborious process. Luckily, I am not in a rush.

The previously unreliable SAPO was actually amazing quick, so they werent the weak link the chain.

In contrast, ordering from Merlin is super quick.
Its strange that others cant be like that.

Anyway, this thread is about Bike Inn and I hijacked it slightly...

Its offering me these three options 

[MORNE]

10 hours ago, warick_wrx said:

Its offering me these three options 

If those 3 were my options..then UPS. Only if there was a DHL EXPRESS option would i choose it over UPS..and then purely because of DHL Express’ self service through the app, and not having to deal with the local UPS agents over the phone or email. Just faster.
 

It has been discussed already. DHL and DHL Express, although different divisions of the same company, are not the same thing. Vanilla DHL is basically german SAPO. DHL Express is a premium courier service with their own separate logistics.

Think SAPO vs Courier Guy - to simplify. 
UPS usually implies a similar service to DHL Express..it should therefore cost more than vanilla dhl, but its a door-door service.

[Shaun C]

It looks like all Shimano products have been removed from the Bike Inn website if you are SA based.  Looks like they can't ship Shimano stuff to SA anymore due to distribution restrictions.  I've been searching high and low for the same stuff locally and was only resorting to importing because of availability.  Had it in my cart on the weekend and was about to pull the trigger today, when I realised they'd removed all the Shimano products. 

[cadenceblur]

56 minutes ago, Shaun C said:

It looks like all Shimano products have been removed from the Bike Inn website if you are SA based.  Looks like they can't ship Shimano stuff to SA anymore due to distribution restrictions.  I've been searching high and low for the same stuff locally and was only resorting to importing because of availability.  Had it in my cart on the weekend and was about to pull the trigger today, when I realised they'd removed all the Shimano products. 

WTAF ! 😡 so they protect supply they cannot honour in SA?

 

What joke!

[Immink]

There goes me saving money getting my brakes for less!!! Merlin Cycles have not had many Shimano products in stock for awhile also.

[cadenceblur]

Had a look, and all the Shimano products were there ? I added to basket and got to checkout as well?

[Immink]

O have not looked since last week, but maybe certain items, I am looking at XTR 4 POD brake set, will go have look again.

[warick_wrx]

It appears as if all the Shimano items are available, the trick is you need to place your order after hours or on weekends as I have noticed it is geo blocked during normal working hours. 

Edited August 12, 2025 by warick_wrx

[Immink]

Interesting, will try that, crazy or maybe too many buyers ☺️.

[Liam_Volschenk]

Ordered some sram shifters from Bike Inn, all in all took just under a month from order to delivery. I was notified that one of the shifters was out of stock only after placing the order, which caused a big delay. I wasn't in a huge rush to receive the order so not really an issue for me. Went with UPS for delivery, I had to contact them to initiate customs clearance after the parcel sat in their warehouse for 3 days. They charge an admin fee and a disbursement fee along with the customs fee

[Spinnekop]

On 8/12/2025 at 6:28 PM, Immink said:

O have not looked since last week, but maybe certain items, I am looking at XTR 4 POD brake set, will go have look again.

Just double check on what break flued you will be needing...............
I know with the new XTR launched a couple of weeks ago, new flued was introduced.
And local agents dont have stock of the new flued.  

[ewep]

I am not based in South Africa but have order with "The Inn" (Bikeinn, Runnerinn and Swiminn).  Service was decent even when I returned a product.  They are based in Spain, so it is a bit more relaxed in terms of time 😂.

A good option (if the products are not blocked) is Bike24.com.  Pricing wise the 2 suppliers are "hier bietjie goedkoper, daar bietjie duurder" but I have found Bike24 more responsive to issues and quicker to assist.