You sent me into a deep rabbit hole. I started looking on aliexpress and saw this:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006364668073.html
and this review:
I do not understand. 600 CHF is too expensive or too cheap in your opinion?
Ye. The one I have see comes with shimano 105 in the back and hydraulic brakes with cable.
What do you think for 600 CHF?
Indeed interesting.
Yet, I would never buy such kind of tool with Alibaba; I still value to have a physical shop (and normally decathlon’s warranty is pretty good) and “standardized” shimano components in case I need to repair it
Anyone has tried the gonser.ch/totem ones?
I think maybe cheap is not the right word. I would say it is very good value!
I bought two Decathlon bikes last year (to rplace two bikes that I rode for 22/29 years!) and I really like the idea to be able to walk into the shop to get a service or a repair done.
Many shops don’t do repairs or services if they didn’t sell the bike because they are too busy.
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Which model did you buy?
The Racing EDR CF 105 Disc schwarz
I know I could return it within 365 days but it would break my heart to do so. I am in love with it
Very nice one. At least on paper, specs are very good.
Unfortunately, it is out my budget, but need to admit it is a nice one 
Here’s an interesting road vs gravel comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP0Aoteesc8
One other thing: I noticed the prices in CH were higher than in FR/DE. So for the same bike, you can pay 20% less by buying in France/Germany and reclaiming the VAT.
But you will have to pay VAT in Switzerland + possibly import duties (no idea how it is for cycles). And then the whole warranty / service topic can become difficult.
The 20% saving was including Swiss VAT.
HS 8712.00
No import duty, only TVA 8.1%
Many things from decathlon are even cheaper in germany than in france
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I have seen many in tutti. Actually bikes of around 5000-10000 Chf are sold almost new at 1000-2000 CHF. Even if they seems to be pretty good value for price, It is out of the budget I was expecting…too many reach guys in Switzerland and almost no one selling bikes in the lower price range 
Any one knows when the older season new bikes are sold in the shop? I expect that the bikes form last year’s are then sold cheaper when the new collection (sometime only colour changes…) Will arrive. Any news if and when this happens?
Another option is to go for hybrid bikes with flat handle bars. You can find these in the €600 range. Once you lose the drop bar premium, the prices become much more reasonable.
bike-discount.de and bike24.de have also some discounted bikes now and then.
also keep an alert on facebook marketplace. bargains do come up now and then. you might snag a $4k bike for only $700.
When buying a bike second hand, always ask for a copy of the invoice to prove it was not a stolen bike.
If one day the police stopped you, you won’t be charged.
A Too good to be true deal may hide something else.
Some bike also have a code engraved in French cantons (BicyCode).
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