Who has actually purchased a bike of Bikesdirect?
03-02-10, 09:55 AM
#1
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Who has actually purchased a bike of Bikesdirect?
I'm putting some serious thought into doing so. Specifically the Motobecane Immortal Force. I love the frame, and I will likely convert the cranks, cassettes, and rear derailer over to dura ace.
Has anyone else bought a bike from them and used it as a primary bike? How Long ago did you purchase it? And are you satisfied with it still?
Has anyone else bought a bike from them and used it as a primary bike? How Long ago did you purchase it? And are you satisfied with it still?
03-02-10, 10:12 AM
#2
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allot of people have, and to be honest I would buy a carbon bike from them in a heart beat, great value for the money.
03-02-10, 10:15 AM
#3
Behind EVERYone!!!
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Uh ohhhhhhh!
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03-02-10, 10:18 AM
#4
slow up hills
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you don't buy a bike there for the frame to upgrade components later
:facepalm:
:facepalm:
03-02-10, 10:21 AM
#5
Peloton Shelter Dog
I like my Fly Ti. That bike RULES.
03-02-10, 10:22 AM
#6
Lost
i have a bd single speed which i use to commute on.
i've put well over 3000 miles on the frame at this point. i've replaced all of the major components (seat post, saddle, bars, stem, wheels, chainring). i have zero regrets, its a great frame.
i've put well over 3000 miles on the frame at this point. i've replaced all of the major components (seat post, saddle, bars, stem, wheels, chainring). i have zero regrets, its a great frame.
03-02-10, 10:26 AM
#7
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03-02-10, 10:28 AM
#9
Medicinal Cyclist
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My daughter bought a Fly MTB last summer. Loves it. I put it together for her and was really impressed with the whole package.
03-02-10, 10:28 AM
#10
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Not a bad frame, looks like most chinese carbon frames. btw currently this bike is two thousand bikes and comes with dura ace?
03-02-10, 10:35 AM
#11
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Bought my wife a bike from there last summer.. was worth it considering the low cost and if she didn't like cycling we weren't really out much.. I'm happy with her bike and so is she.. she's just to busy to ride...
03-02-10, 10:36 AM
#13
slow up hills
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buy it. it's got nice enough components already, no need to swap 6700 ultegra for 7900 da -- you won't notice a difference. If you want to spend more money, get a new seatpost (the one on it is carbon wrapped), maybe some sram/shimano brakes and some nice tires, Why is the bike called immortal FORCE and comes with shimano?
03-02-10, 10:42 AM
#14
Just Ride
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03-02-10, 10:47 AM
#15
ah.... sure.
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I'm putting some serious thought into doing so. Specifically the Motobecane Immortal Force. I love the frame, and I will likely convert the cranks, cassettes, and rear derailer over to dura ace.
Has anyone else bought a bike from them and used it as a primary bike? How Long ago did you purchase it? And are you satisfied with it still?
Has anyone else bought a bike from them and used it as a primary bike? How Long ago did you purchase it? And are you satisfied with it still?
03-02-10, 10:49 AM
#16
Should Be More Popular
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ACTUALLY bought a bike from them?? No one here at BF has even HEARD of bikesdirect before. Never been discussed.
Seriously, the consensus is they generally offer a good deal for the money, as long as you understand you are not going to get the support you would get from your local bike shop (LBS). They might cheap out on some components like brakes, cranks, seatposts, etc... (and bottom brackets!?!).
If you are very comfortable with sizing issues and doing some minor wrenching you will probably be fine with BD.
If you are a novice cyclist you should probably stick with your local bike shop.
/end thread
Seriously, the consensus is they generally offer a good deal for the money, as long as you understand you are not going to get the support you would get from your local bike shop (LBS). They might cheap out on some components like brakes, cranks, seatposts, etc... (and bottom brackets!?!).
If you are very comfortable with sizing issues and doing some minor wrenching you will probably be fine with BD.
If you are a novice cyclist you should probably stick with your local bike shop.
/end thread
03-02-10, 11:02 AM
#18
Wildflower Century
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I just bought a Windsor Knight last week, and it is scheduled for delivery tomorrow. I'm fully prepared to replace a few of the cheapo parts they slap on, like the saddle, crank, and perhaps the brakes. However, I'm going to ride it first and see what I like and don't like before buying new parts. From what I've read about the Knight and other BD bikes, they offer a great deal for the money. I'm going to do a full write-up and review on assembly, tuning, and riding the bike.
The biggest problems with BD that I've read about are:
1. Fit - you can't ride it, so how do you know it fits? My solution was to ride similar geometry bikes at a LBS to approximate the fit.
2. Assembly/Tuning - if you aren't a good hand with a wrench, set aside an extra $100 and take it to a bike shop to be assembled and tuned.
3. Warranty - If you break the frame or components, you can't just take the bike down to your LBS. I've heard both good and bad things about the return/exchange process for parts from BD.
4. Cheap parts - While the big items like derailleurs, shifters, wheelsets and cranks are a great deal, BD will skimp on the rarely mentioned parts: bottom bracket, brake cables, headset bearings, pedals, saddles. Not unlike a big name brand really, but just be prepared to replace some of these parts.
The biggest problems with BD that I've read about are:
1. Fit - you can't ride it, so how do you know it fits? My solution was to ride similar geometry bikes at a LBS to approximate the fit.
2. Assembly/Tuning - if you aren't a good hand with a wrench, set aside an extra $100 and take it to a bike shop to be assembled and tuned.
3. Warranty - If you break the frame or components, you can't just take the bike down to your LBS. I've heard both good and bad things about the return/exchange process for parts from BD.
4. Cheap parts - While the big items like derailleurs, shifters, wheelsets and cranks are a great deal, BD will skimp on the rarely mentioned parts: bottom bracket, brake cables, headset bearings, pedals, saddles. Not unlike a big name brand really, but just be prepared to replace some of these parts.
03-02-10, 11:06 AM
#20
slow up hills
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^^ the cranks on your knight are fine.
Cheap cables, meh. The brakes might be a tad spongy, but you can find used shimano calipers on ebay for cheap. the BB is fine, as is the cane creek headset. You'll want your own saddle anyway, so it's probably nice that they didn't put an expensive one on and raise the price. Seems like a nice bike for <$900
Cheap cables, meh. The brakes might be a tad spongy, but you can find used shimano calipers on ebay for cheap. the BB is fine, as is the cane creek headset. You'll want your own saddle anyway, so it's probably nice that they didn't put an expensive one on and raise the price. Seems like a nice bike for <$900
03-02-10, 11:07 AM
#21
noob
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Never have, I do know they are starting to get respect and hit the pages of major cycling magazine publications. I considered a bike from there, the vent noir in particular, but was unsure about the finish/paint, welds, service etc. And after I would've had it gone over/adjusted by my LBS I could just add another 80 bucks onto whatever BD's price was. Oh yeah and they were always sketchy on their bikes weight from what I remember, and never had one in front of me to ride... So I played it safe and just went the LBS way, because I'm not too mechanically savvy on bikes, I will get free service for a year with them, and of course a great warranty.... But I would love to hear about others experiences as well, I might need a rain bike next year.
Last edited by shautzy43; 03-02-10 at 11:11 AM.
03-02-10, 11:19 AM
#22
Must Ride
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Bought two....a single speed commuter, and a windsor for my friend so she could ride with me. The windsor was some dumb low price like $359 to my door. Works great for what she needs. The single speed......its a single speed, not much to gripe about.
03-02-10, 11:21 AM
#23
ah.... sure.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Whidbey Island WA
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I just bought a Windsor Knight last week, and it is scheduled for delivery tomorrow. I'm fully prepared to replace a few of the cheapo parts they slap on, like the saddle, crank, and perhaps the brakes. However, I'm going to ride it first and see what I like and don't like before buying new parts. From what I've read about the Knight and other BD bikes, they offer a great deal for the money. I'm going to do a full write-up and review on assembly, tuning, and riding the bike.
The biggest problems with BD that I've read about are:
1. Fit - you can't ride it, so how do you know it fits? My solution was to ride similar geometry bikes at a LBS to approximate the fit.
2. Assembly/Tuning - if you aren't a good hand with a wrench, set aside an extra $100 and take it to a bike shop to be assembled and tuned.
3. Warranty - If you break the frame or components, you can't just take the bike down to your LBS. I've heard both good and bad things about the return/exchange process for parts from BD.
4. Cheap parts - While the big items like derailleurs, shifters, wheelsets and cranks are a great deal, BD will skimp on the rarely mentioned parts: bottom bracket, brake cables, headset bearings, pedals, saddles. Not unlike a big name brand really, but just be prepared to replace some of these parts.
The biggest problems with BD that I've read about are:
1. Fit - you can't ride it, so how do you know it fits? My solution was to ride similar geometry bikes at a LBS to approximate the fit.
2. Assembly/Tuning - if you aren't a good hand with a wrench, set aside an extra $100 and take it to a bike shop to be assembled and tuned.
3. Warranty - If you break the frame or components, you can't just take the bike down to your LBS. I've heard both good and bad things about the return/exchange process for parts from BD.
4. Cheap parts - While the big items like derailleurs, shifters, wheelsets and cranks are a great deal, BD will skimp on the rarely mentioned parts: bottom bracket, brake cables, headset bearings, pedals, saddles. Not unlike a big name brand really, but just be prepared to replace some of these parts.
03-02-10, 11:33 AM
#24
South Carolina Ed
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https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...l_team7900.htm already comes with Dura Ace.
There are 3 BD bikes at my house.
There are 3 BD bikes at my house.
03-02-10, 11:35 AM
#25
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I just picked up a Windsor Cyclo for commuting and cross racing. The jury is still out on the saddle (it's been too cold to ride for very long) and the wheels need to be trued up a little, but all in all I'm pretty happy.
As long as you're confident with doing the final assembly and adjustment yourself, bikesdirect can present you with a fairly good deal. The big criticism has always been their customer service. I can't really comment on that though since I never had to deal with them.
As long as you're confident with doing the final assembly and adjustment yourself, bikesdirect can present you with a fairly good deal. The big criticism has always been their customer service. I can't really comment on that though since I never had to deal with them.