Mr.IDontKnow

Hello,
Have anyone brought something from bikesdirect.com? The prices of the bike are very eye catching. If someone can give me some good feed backs on the site, I just might buy my bike from them instead of my local bike shop.

Rancid

Honestly search is your friend. So much has been written about BD over the few years, but this is what I've picked up:

decent-good customer service, sometimes down right great CS
a fair amount of self-assembly
doesn't support LBS
no-name/bought-out brands build with decent components that make for a good deal

most people seem to be fans of the Moto CC's and the titanium one is a good deal

CliftonGK1

I've talked to quite a few people with BD bikes and they're happy with the decision.

Things I've been told to doublecheck if you buy one:

- Pull the bottom bracket and grease the threads properly. I'm told it's not well greased from the factory.
- Same with canti posts. One guy said his were bone dry.
- Pretty much anything grease-worthy, is what I've been told. Just yank it apart and re-grease it.
- Check torque specs and general tightness of things; don't trust that things were all set up properly at the factory and that things didn't rattle loose during shipping. It's just good practice, whether it's a BD bike or not.

RaleighSport

Local bike shop will fit you, and give you maintenance at reduced or no costs typically if you buy from them. Odds are they will also do a 2-3x markup on the bike since they are a brick and mortar shop, can't really blame them for that. If you aren't your own mechanic, probably your better choice.

BikesDirect, most people seem to be very happy going this route, it's hit or miss if your components will even be greased though, so account for checking/adjusting everything, the customer service is good but it also seems to take a while, so you may end up waiting on shipping times etc. If you are your own bike mechanic, probably a great route to choose.

Mr.IDontKnow

Thanks for the heads up!

fietsbob

Au Contrare,
LBS margin on bikes is just 30%.. 0.3x, not 300.
only accesories and small parts are 'Keysone' .. or margin is = to cost.

RaleighSport

meh I can buy that profit ratio for the bikestore, but it's still more expensive by 2-3x for an equiv bike.

UnsafeAlpine

An LBS bike with components equivalent to a BD bike is not an equivalent bike.

RaleighSport

...

a1penguin

Neither is the price. But components can be used on other frames. I like to support my LBS. And I really want to know that the bike I purchase is going to fit me well. If you are female, you may not like the fit of a bike decided for male shaped body.

fietsbob

What equiv to what, give firm examples to give a solidification to your statement.

Huffys and carbon Colnagos?


as a race beater?, cheap enough to bring 2 to ride them hard
and not care if you brake stuff, as you can grab the pit bike,

tear it down and rebuild it weekly, treat it as disposable
almost as if you were sponsored..

then they would have a niche..

RaleighSport

I did a little more firm research and the difference comes down to somewhere around saving 300 off what would be a 1k bike, note that these are online prices. If you want to do a cross compare on bike shop prices directly, not special sales from last year etc and have a specific bike in mind that matches something on the lineup for BD directly I'd be glad to humor you to a degree. But Fiet, I'd rather you put your energy and expertise that I myself have relied on in the past into helping the OP not bickering with me about our personal purchasing views.

Andy_K 

I would think that this discussion is relevant to the OP's question.

It's easier to compare components. There may be differences in opinion about SRAM vs. Shimano vs. Campagnolo, but the possibilities in the drivetrain components are relatively limited and easy to understand. It's much harder to compare one frame to another, but the frame is arguably one of the most important parts of the bike. So when comparing a Motobecane Fantom Cross to a Kona Jake the Snake (for instance), you should consider the frames.

But how do you compare frames? You can see that they both have double-butted aluminum frames and carbon forks. You read the geometry charts and try to make guesses as to what that means. Maybe you ask about weight. Those are good starting points, but there are other things that matter -- tube shape for instance. The Fantom Cross spec says that it has a "bi-axle" down tube. I assume this is meant to claim bi-axial, but I don't see it in the pictures -- maybe it does. I do see it on some of the other BD bikes (the Fantom Cross Outlaw, for instance). My Kona Jake has a bi-axial down tube it's visibly taller at the top and wider at the bottom. This has an impact on the bike's stiffness. Ultimately, I don't know if the quality of a frame can be judged remotely.

My impression is that the Bikes Direct frames are generally good, but not exceptional. If I may stretch an analogy, I'd say that the Fantom Cross, for instance, has a Tiagra-level frame. Like Tiagra components, there's nothing wrong with it. It's good. But perhaps it lacks the intangibles that make a frame great.

fietsbob

but,, that comes out as 30%,

If Mr.idontknow, is OK as his own service team . and is tooled up enough to do it , fine.

a parts pick comparison component by component
is needed to do an exact equivalency.

but Shimano has nothing to do with the frame, it's a separate contractor.
they,just, manufacture the components screwed on to the bikes.

Andy_K 

That's why I said it was an analogy.

RaleighSport

The one bike I would love to have compared with a bikeshop one, no longer seems to be available on bikesdirect it was a 30 speed windsor falkirk ultegra I believe setup.. for 899 for that price I could care less if the frame broke when it got here

Mr.IDontKnow

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._pro_ti_xi.htm
&
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ross_ti_xi.htm

Those two bikes caught my eyes, but it said you can put read racks on the bike....and there is no holes in the back, except for the disk brakes. What makes the Shimano Ultegra more expensive than the SRAM Rival?

RaleighSport

Buy them both, then you can just send me whichever one you don't like ROFLMAO.

Abu Jack

I bought the team ti about a month ago. I'm completely satisfied with it. I don't know why ultegra is more. I was willing to pay more because I like shimano ergonomics better.

UnsafeAlpine

The components for either bike would cost nearly as much as they're selling the bike for. For a ti frame. How good do you think that frame is?

Andy_K 

The frame does have rear eyelets, they're just hiding in the picture. You can see them in the Bike Island picture gallery of the frame. If you ever intend to use disc brakes with a rack and/or fenders on that bike, the placement of the eyelet inside the disc tab might be a problem.

It's hard to compare Shimano vs. SRAM components directly and say which is better. A lot of it is the preference of shifting style. SRAM makes two component groups higher than Rival, while Shimano only has one group higher than Ultegra, so it's tempting to equate Rival with Shimano's 105 group. That has some basis in how the groups are positioned by their respective companies, and is therefore reflected in the cost.

Mr.IDontKnow

I am a cheap guy, so most likely I would go for the SRAM Rival. SRAM Rival's shifters are double tap right?
Also I have thoughts of touring too, with 20 gears might be a bit hard...
I think I am complaining too much, I am just a 19 year old kid. haha

eddubal

The guys at my shop told me as I was shopping for my latest that the groupsets from SRAM & Shimano aren't quite equal. The SRAM tends to be a half step above each Shimano group. That's not to diminish Shimano, I've used them for years, but small differences are what makes the groups different. Rival is a half step below Ultegra, yet a half step up from 105. Apex is a half step below 105. I'm sure you get the picture. The only other difference would be the branding. Shimano being the older, larger company and SRAM being the "younger", hungrier rival.

Holden McNeil

I sell both SRAM & Shimano at a LBS and that is indeed the case. SRAM Apex, although found on some higher level bikes, is a step below 105.

That being said, and having substantial seat time with both Shimano and SRAM (Including RED), and I believe Shimano wins for everyday use. It's smooth, quiet, with better quality chains, and a more positive shifting feel. SRAM components are generally lighter at each component level and, for those of us with small hands, have a better hood design. Both component families have pros and cons and it ultimately comes down to personal preference and cost at the end of the day.

Tundra_Man

FWIW, I own five bikes. My BD has my favorite frame of them all. So throw that chunk of anecdotal evidence on the information pile.

If you're comfortable with wrenching on your own bikes and know enough to properly size yourself, then BD can be a good value. For many people who neither have that ability or desire, an LBS is probably the better option. Also assuming they have the model and size bike you want in stock, most LBSs will allow you to test ride prior to purchase, a luxury not available through BD.

So obviously, you are giving up some benefits for the ~30% reduction in cost. Whether or not this is worth it is up to the individual to decide.