How do you buy your bike, online or from a bike shop? Probably at the bike shop! After all, high-quality bicycles are still mainly bought in specialist shops. This is not surprising, because the (e-)bike is an emotional product whose properties you want to feel and not read. In addition, there is a considerable investment and a certain need for advice.

But what do you do in times of Corona, lockdown, social distancing and closed bike shops? On to the online sender!? Too anonymous for many - and there will be a time after Corona when you would like to use the usual services. A variant that has been established for a long time, but is still unknown to many, is online purchase from the local bike dealer via an official brand online shop. The ZEG two-wheeler purchasing cooperative offers this option for its brands, for example Bulls and Pegasus at. The highlight: the purchase is processed via a professional and secure online shop, but the delivery and instruction then takes place via the bike dealer around the corner.

We took a closer look and explored this process with a test purchase. In order to go through this as authentically as possible, I did not do it myself as the author, but sent my 70-year-old father to go. The perfect subject: Not a "digital native", he shouldn't be out in public at the moment and needs a new e-mountain bike.

A look over the shoulder, from the purchase decision to the new e-mountain bike

The purchase decision

A Bulls E-Stream all-mountain bike with a Brose motor, 27,5+ tire size and 150 mm travel is to be purchased. This means that a large part of the research and advice in advance is no longer necessary, because most of the selection criteria are known: the brand, the bike type, the size, the equipment, etc. The new purchase is intended to replace the existing model, so to speak. The experiences of the last few years on the trails in the Hegau, as well as discussions with bike colleagues and reading test reports in specialist magazines have further strengthened this pre-selection.

The selection

After the pre-selection was made with the criteria mentioned, my father ends up on the Bulls.de website. There he is quickly guided to his favorite bike: One click on E-Mountainbikes, then one step further to the E-Stream models and all bikes appear one below the other. At the top of the page are beautifully presented action pictures and a short video of the Bulls E-Stream in action at Cape Epic in South Africa. With a little goosebumps, we now get down to business, the models are compared again, until finally the decision for the E Stream Evo AM 3 27,5+ falls.

My father, Gerd Böhme, ordering his new E-MTB on Bulls.de in the morning

The right bike and dealer

Three more decisions before the bike can be placed in the shopping cart: The frame size, color and battery capacity must be specified before the bike can be placed in the shopping cart. Under “Available”, my father also checks which dealer near him has the e-bike in stock. That is displayed Bike Center Singer. Wonderful, we know him, a reliable and competent specialist dealer. If something should happen with the e-mountain bike, then my father has the right contact person at hand. But, every other listed Bulls.de bike dealer can also help, as we are assured on the site. So my father is spared the unpopular sender problem with the subsequent lack of a service partner.

Clear input forms lead to a purchase in just a few minutes

The ZEG/Bulls sales model briefly explained

The ZEG/Bulls sales model briefly explained: Bicycles from ZEG's own online shops are bought from a bicycle dealer, but processed via the online platform, as in our case bulls.de. Although there is also a large ZEG central warehouse, this helps out if the desired bike is not available from any bike dealer, the bike will be sent to the customer directly from Cologne. As a rule, however, this large dealer network takes effect and a bike is always quickly available. The order ends up at the pre-selected or self-selected bike dealer. From this point on, the specialist dealer is responsible for delivering the bike. This ensures that you get your new e-bike professionally assembled and ready to ride when it is delivered or picked up. A service that most bike buyers appreciate.

Online shopping made easy!

After my father has selected all the fields as desired (frame size, color and battery capacity), it goes into the shopping cart and directly to the checkout. Clear forms guide you step by step through the ordering process. No frills, no extra fields - online shopping made easy! When entering the telephone number, it is already pointed out that someone will contact my father to coordinate the delivery date. That's the way it should be!

Delivered with expert advice

In the third step, my father can choose between shipping or collection options. The premium delivery, including expert advice, ready-to-drive assembly and flexible scheduling, is an absolute bonus service for my father in this situation. And cheaper than DHL shipping. Tick the box for premium delivery for €25 and continue to the overview and then to payment via Paypal.

Choices between: collection from the retailer, premium delivery by the retailer or shipping by DHL

Offer accepted and the phone rings

Bike Center Singer seems to be on the ball. As soon as the order confirmation is in the e-mail inbox, the phone rings. Since my father ordered in the morning, the e-bike is assembled in the warehouse Bike Center Singer it can be delivered in the afternoon after a standard security check. What Amazon & Co have been prophesying for a long time, the ZEG specialist dealer can already do today under the right circumstances: delivery on the same day. Since my father is retired and has no other appointments that day, a delivery date is agreed for the afternoon.

Short check of the E-MTB by two-wheeler mechatronics specialist Tommy Arndt at Fahrrad Center Singer...

...before the bike comes to the customer

Hooray, the new bike is here!

The bike arrived fully assembled and ready to ride

The bike that I had ordered arrived at my father's on the agreed date. As it turned out, the friendly delivery man of the e-mountain bike is not only a delivery man, but also has expertise in terms of technology and seating position. My father receives extensive instruction on his new Bulls E-Stream all-mountain bike on his doorstep: from the sporty, new display and its operation, removing the battery, the correct air pressure of the spring elements, to the appropriate adjustment of the seat position with handles and saddle. No questions were left unanswered and after the first little test ride, my father was happy about a great and perfectly working e-bike.

Competent instruction by Tommy Arndt two-wheel mechatronics technician from Fahrrad Center Singer, Villingen-Schwenningen

Adjustment of the e-bike with adjustment of the correct air pressure of the spring elements

A short test ride after handing over the purchased bike at the customer's site

Conclusion

With the simple online ordering process and delivery via a specialist dealer, this is not a world first. However, it is a service that is only used by a few. Surprising, because the coordination between the online platform and the specialist dealer service during delivery and instruction works extremely well. The price of €25 for the premium delivery is surprisingly cheap, especially if you include the instruction time on delivery. You can get these for free from specialist dealers, but usually not from the large online mail order company, which sends its goods via parcel carriers. If you want to add the proven and competent specialist dealer service to your online purchase, you have found the solution here! A discovery that we probably wouldn't have made without Corona!?