TheKillerPenguin

People, people! Listen to yourselves. These bikes deserve to be trashed. They're violent *******!!!

botto 

music to a Kazakh's ears (and tastebuds)

DrPete 

ratebeer

I'm a search engine optimization specialist and I do understand that BD is great place to post thread titles that contain keywords like "bikesdirect.com" coupled with "reliable" but I still don't understand how an archived thread like this would nudge any potential buyer into buying a BD bike.

It's also the case that almost *all* of those picking up the hobby of cycling will discover bikesdirect within the first few months of their hobby just based on ads at velonews, bikeforums and because their site is already optimized for a number of great keywords.

Is it time to write a SPAM filter that moves any BD thread into a special spam area of the forums?

bikesdirect_com

I am sadden by the responses new riders get from some forum members.

First, let me clear something up -- noone on my payroll posts on this forum or has ever posted as a shill on bikeforums.net

Second, I have no clue who the OP is nor what his motivation is. However, as a fair person I must assume he is just someone interested in joining me in my love of cycling.

I find some [not all] of the responses to questions like the OP's are insulting at best. They can have the effect of driving members off this forum. I do not want that and I am sure Joe doesn't either.

If you are shopping for bikes on the net; it is hard to avoid seeing our site. Thus it is natural that some shoppers will post questions like this on assorted forums. The fact that there are so few actually surprises me.

These new cyclists want real help; I think they desrve to get it. Maybe some think they should know how to use the search function {at brith I guess}. When I first came on this forum I had no idea how to post a picture; am I stupid?

Look inside yourself before attracking others; would be my advise. If you do not have the time or heart to help a new cyclist, please leave them alone. There will be someone here with the simple honest answer they seek.

ElJamoquio

With the response that these threads get these days, no sane shill would keep putting up new threads.

Now trolls, on the other hand...

dokie

hey guys i did search it and i kept getting people making fun of the question for like 8 pages with no real answeer

ElJamoquio

Go back to the older threads, circa 2004. I believe the first big thread was from Ravenmore.

You've seen in paraphrased in this thread - they're good bikes. In my opinion, to really make economic sense, you have to be willing to put them together yourself. I'm AOK with that (actually prefer it); you may or may not be.

ElJamoquio

Try this thread:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ct#post2571352

Or this search:

https://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=3217301

Am I self-aggrandizing?...

cccorlew

I don't mind the question. I've searched lots, and found differeng opinions (to put it mildly) I'm going to get a new bike in a few months and am seriously considering BikesDirect. But I'm worried. A lot. It's a ton of cash for me. Will the star bolt (whatever the hell that is) destroy my fork and like, or is it just fine? Will the threads need to be chased? Will my LBS shoot at me if I ride near the shop. I have concerns. Legit concerns. I WANT folks who bought BD to speak up and help me form my opinion. Just whining about another thread doesn't make me smarter.
/flame off

voltman

If it's a ton of cash for you, wouldn't you want to have a local shop you trust to help with your purchase/maintenance?

alanbikehouston

AND, if anyone believes that the owner of "Bikes Direct" is "sadden" to have four or five threads each week providing free advertising for his company, perhaps you will also believe that "BikesDirect" can sell you an "ocean front home" in El Paso Texas" for 50% off the suggested factory list price.

Prince9931

Best response to the BD questions i have ever read

Prince9931

Texas sucks !

bikesdirect_com

I would like you to get the simple answer you deserve.
I know of no on-line bike seller that you would have an issue with.
Performance will ship you exactly what they advertise.
We at bikesdirect will ship you exactly what we advertise.

Almost zero of our customers ever have issues with the new boxed bikes we ship them. In the rare event of any issue; we fix it in a quick, fair, professional manner. I am sure the same is true of other online sellers.

The best objective source for customer experience with new online bicycle purchases is the Ebay feedback system. On ebay you see the actual response of actual online buyers. There are lots of new bike sellers on ebay; if you do a advanced search on ebay for 'new road bike' -- you will find many for sale. You can then see the feedback of actual customers.

I hope this helps; I understand your desire to not watse money. Gary [performance] and I are both old hands and we do not want any unhappy customers. You can get a great new bike online and save some money; or get a great new bike in a bike shop and get personal service. I would not recommend to you a used bike for many many reasons; due to my observations over 30 years in bike biz.

dekindy

Amen, brother, amen. I agree completely.

SBSpartan

I agree. That said, buying from Performance isn't the same as buying from Bikesdirect.com

Second Mouse

Sorry abh, you lost all credibility when you resurrected that week-old thread a few weeks ago.

Interesting that the folks who are so anti-BD are the ones who keep these threads alive. Keep biting down on that sore tooth, guys!

geoffvsjeff

Warning, a bit of a thread hijack...

So how does one become a shill for (fill in with one of the usual suspects)? I am actually almost serious here. I could use an extra buck or two, and I can just hide behind my newbie-ness if conflict comes up. Of course, this post kind of ruins the secret that I am in fact a shill*, so I guess it's back to the plasma center. I know certain clothing companies pay "hot" people to improve brand image, what do you have to do here to get recruited as a shill? Post all the time? Do the posts have to show intelligence? Things to ponder.



*not really

Namenda

Intelligence is generally avoided at all costs.

DrPete 

To study effective shilling, one should look up the old Le0pard cycles threads. They were funny.

They kinda went something like this:

Newbie poster #1: Hello, I'm new to the forums and am looking for a new bike. I was wondering if any of you have experience with Le0pard cycles. I looked at their website and they look like a great deal. Can anyone tell me more about Le0pard Cycles?

Newbie poster #2: Yes, I own a bike from Le0pard cycles. They are the greatest. Here's mine:

(pic from the company's website)

I was so satisfied to get a full Dura-Ace exclusive pro 27" 20-speed road bike from Le0pard Cycles for only $1999 (retail $7,649) plus shipping. They are the best.

Newbie poster #3: Wow, that's cool. Thanks for all the information about Le0pard cycles.

ElJamoquio

So far I've tried calling myself a shill and mentioning in my posts what components I would like to receive. So far it hasn't worked, but I'm willing to keep trying.

cccorlew

That's the point. I would, but not for $3000. LBS sells 105 bikes with cool frames for OVER 3 grand. Nicer components run +4 grand. IF (and I said IF) I go BD and stay reasonable I spend 1200-1400. I could hire the LOCAL area bike mechanic who doesn't sell bikes to set it up for a lot less than $2000-3000. That's my thinking of the day. UNLESS someone makes a case that the BD frames are junk (which I haven't seen) or I'm missing something (which IS possible) the BD thing SEEMS to make sense. I'm waiting for someone to talk me out of BD with actual reasons, but it hasn't happened yet. On the other hand, Ann Landers always says if something sounds too good to be true, it may well be too good to be true. I still seek answers.

aballas

that is awesome....

DLH

I own a Motobecane LeChampion SL and I have been very happy with my purchase. I bought it April of 2006 and have had only 1 problem. I popped a spoke on the rear wheel and the LBS could not fix it correctly because they did nnot have the correct spoke. BD has an agreement with American Classic and I sent my wheel to them and they sent me a new wheel. the whole thing took less than a week. No problems since with the wheel. Assembly was very easy, anyone can do it and there are plenty of references on the internet to help. There is no bottom bracket assembly or anything that requires special tools or vast knowledge of bike building.

Bottom line is you can feel safe purchasing a BD Bike. I also have never had any problems with the LBS people when I take it to them if I need too, they get my money on other cycling related stuff too.