Transporting bikes between UK and Holland

[Vonn Brinkman]

Dear cycling friends,

I am moving to the glorious UK after the summer to take up a job at a university.
I have saved up a lot so I could buy a new road bike (the one I have now is a bit too shaky and unstable) and use it to compete in the UK.

The problem is, I don't know if I should buy my bicycle in the UK or here in the Netherlands. I have seen some nice bikes here, but I don't know how to transport it easily and have no idea how much it costs.
Has anyone ever done this before?
What is the best way to transport your bike when you move overseas, and how much should it cost?

Cheers,
Arthur

 

[L'arriviste]

Dear cycling friends,

I am moving to the glorious UK after the summer to take up a job at a university.
I have saved up a lot so I could buy a new road bike (the one I have now is a bit too shaky and unstable) and use it to compete in the UK.

The problem is, I don't know if I should buy my bicycle in the UK or here in the Netherlands. I have seen some nice bikes here, but I don't know how to transport it easily and have no idea how much it costs.
Has anyone ever done this before?
What is the best way to transport your bike when you move overseas, and how much should it cost?

Cheers,
Arthur

Can you be more specific about how you'd be taking it? For example, are you moving all your stuff professionally or are you retaining a residence in NL? You can, for example, take a bike onto the Eurostar or a ferry. On the other end of the scale, you could be moving lots of stuff so you could pop it in the van with that. It all depends on how you're making the crossing.

However, if you're set on buying a new one and it's more about NL vs UK on that issue, you could probably benefit from what is still for the moment a better € -> £ rate and buy in the UK. Depends on where you're going when you get there, but there are some terrific shops serving certain areas and for everywhere else there are good online options.

One thing I like about the UK, my country of origin (though "glorious" is not a word I'd use for it ), is that businesses are a) generally Internet-aware and most importantly, b) not coy about pricing, so you can probably find out everything you need to know online in terms of what sort of prices you're looking at well before you embark on the journey.

Folks here will probably want to call in with their ideas on URLs. I have long loved Ribble Cycles up in Preston. Site features an online bike builder and full pricing info. I haven't been for a long time but they were always helpful.

Beste wensen voor de verhuizing!

 

[Monte Zoncolon]

Dear cycling friends,

I am moving to the glorious UK after the summer to take up a job at a university.


The problem is, I don't know if I should buy my bicycle in the UK or here in the Netherlands.

I would purchase a Bike in the UK. You will save Yourself the hassle of transporting a Bicycle from the Netherlands. Also if You purchase in the UK from what ever dealer You choose, whether online or in a Bicycle shop, ( as You stated that You were moving to the UK ) common sense will tell You that it's more practical in relation to warranty claim's if anything were to happen to Your Bike, or one of it's component's, while under warranty.

 

[Vonn Brinkman]

Thanks for your replies, I'll see what I'll do.
I guess Monte Zoncolon is right when he says that it's easier to buy a bike in the UK as it is quite simple to go back to the shop for any repairs and such.
Thanks!