Bicycle parts: how to find the right part at a better price
The part must fit your bicycle
With bicycle parts, the most expensive mistake is buying the wrong thing. A 29×2.25 tyre will not fit a 27.5 wheel, and a 12-speed rear derailleur will not work with a 9-speed cassette. So start not with the price but with compatibility.
Write down: the bike's model and year, wheel diameter, number of speeds, brake type (rim, hydraulic disc or mechanical disc), bottom-bracket standard and hub axle. If you do not know something, look for stickers on the frame, or photograph the part and add the photo to your request.
What to put in your request
- Which part — derailleur, cassette, chain, tyre, tube, brake pads, rotor, pedals;
- Compatibility — wheel size and tyre width, number of speeds, type of mount;
- Part model, if you have already chosen, for example Shimano Deore M6100;
- Bike model and year;
- Condition — new or used;
- Quantity — for example, two tyres;
- Fitting — whether you need installation at a workshop;
- Budget and city for delivery.
Example: “I need a Shimano Deore M6100 12-speed rear derailleur for a Merida Big.Nine 2021, new. Johannesburg, courier delivery, fitting preferred. Budget up to R 1,200.”
New, aftermarket or used
Original parts from well-known makers cost more but come with a warranty and predictable quality. Aftermarket parts can work perfectly well, but on the drivetrain and brakes, savings easily turn into quick wear. Used makes sense for frames, forks and wheels, but little sense for wear parts such as chains, cassettes and pads.
Another trap: a worn cassette should not be replaced without the chain, and a new chain on an old cassette can skip. Ask sellers whether it is better to replace them as a set. It is the same with brakes: if the disc is worn to its minimum thickness, new pads will wear out quickly, and a hydraulic line sometimes has to be bled after replacement.
How BlaBlaPrice helps with parts
You write your request on the home page, and bike shops and private sellers answer with offers in the chat: what is in stock, price, timing, delivery. Sellers see where they stand among others and adjust their terms, so the price often comes out better. Contacts stay hidden until you choose a seller. More in How it works.
What to check before choosing
Compare like with like: the part number or full model name, what is included (bolts, mounts, nuts), and whether there is a warranty. For brake pads, check the type: resin or metal. For tyres, the size in inches and width, and the use: road, all-round or off-road.
If you also need extras, see bicycle accessories, and if you are replacing the whole bike, bicycles.
