Need Help Buying From Bikesdirect
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Need Help Buying From Bikesdirect
The website is hard to read on my phone. You'd think they'd have a mobile version in 2024! Here are my wants/needs
Light as possible
Somewhat road bike / athletic position (think trek fx 7.3)
Don't need disc brakes
Don't need clipless pedals
Don't want front suspension forks
Really would like to keep it under $600
Prefer carbon forks or maybe quality steel
Give. Those parameters are there any good ones on bike direct?
Light as possible
Somewhat road bike / athletic position (think trek fx 7.3)
Don't need disc brakes
Don't need clipless pedals
Don't want front suspension forks
Really would like to keep it under $600
Prefer carbon forks or maybe quality steel
Give. Those parameters are there any good ones on bike direct?
#2
Senior Member
The website is hard to read on my phone. You'd think they'd have a mobile version in 2024! Here are my wants/needs
Light as possible
Somewhat road bike / athletic position (think trek fx 7.3)
Don't need disc brakes
Don't need clipless pedals
Don't want front suspension forks
Really would like to keep it under $600
Prefer carbon forks or maybe quality steel
Give. Those parameters are there any good ones on bike direct?
Light as possible
Somewhat road bike / athletic position (think trek fx 7.3)
Don't need disc brakes
Don't need clipless pedals
Don't want front suspension forks
Really would like to keep it under $600
Prefer carbon forks or maybe quality steel
Give. Those parameters are there any good ones on bike direct?
Probably the closest to what you're looking for, they claim its comparable to the trek fx3 but take that with a large container of salt, there's good reasons why the FX3 skates in at 1000 on sale right now while the BD doesn't though maybe the 400 isn't worth the differences for you. The FX3 has a better component line in general with its 2x10 shifting and wider range cassette vs BD's 3x8sp. 3x8 can be nice but the mix of altus and tourney isn't great compared to the 10sp deore level parts. Both have disc brakes, both are shimano's and I think its a toss on which is better, same with the hubs, the BD has lighter shimano hubs that are, imo, better than the formula hubs so many companies seem to rely on. However the BD is a steel fork and I suspect a heavy one at that compared to the FX's carbon fork. And while they're both aluminum framed I'd suspect there's a good difference in frame weight, from the choice of tubing butting, dimensions, and version of aluminum used. Neither has suspension or clipless.
I've only bought one BD bike, and the result was unimpressive value wise. The bike is heavy and chunky, my previous 4130 steel frame used a 26.4 seatpost while the BD uses 25.0 meaning thicker, less well thoughout tubing for the purpose of the bike. But at the end of the day I really like the bike, it isn't my primary bike but its fun to ride all around the city, it handles really well, feels really stable and has all day comfort. You want to think trek FX3, I'd just go get one. I've built hundreds of them over the years and there's a reason why its a well known bike, they're just a great value for what you get. You want something basic the BD bike linked above is about the best you'll get for under 600, it'll be better than anything coming out of a department store, and better than the typical bike at my local Dick's sporting goods, and it'll probably be a decent ride but don't expect light.
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#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 7,318
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
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Don't need disc brakes
Get them anyway, it’s pretty much standard, would be harder to find rim brakes. It’s the future,
Don't need clipless pedals
New bikes don’t come with clipless pedals, you have to buy
Don't want front suspension forks
Dont get a mt bike
Really would like to keep it under $600
Keep looking
Prefer carbon forks or maybe quality steel
On a road bike, carbon might be the only choice.
Agree, web searching for this is hard on a phone. Get a tablet or laptop or borrow,
Get them anyway, it’s pretty much standard, would be harder to find rim brakes. It’s the future,
Don't need clipless pedals
New bikes don’t come with clipless pedals, you have to buy
Don't want front suspension forks
Dont get a mt bike
Really would like to keep it under $600
Keep looking
Prefer carbon forks or maybe quality steel
On a road bike, carbon might be the only choice.
Agree, web searching for this is hard on a phone. Get a tablet or laptop or borrow,
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Martinsburg WV Area
Posts: 1,716
Bikes: State 4130 Custom, Giant Trance 29
Liked 189 Times
in
127 Posts
The website is hard to read on my phone. You'd think they'd have a mobile version in 2024! Here are my wants/needs
Light as possible
Somewhat road bike / athletic position (think trek fx 7.3)
Don't need disc brakes
Don't need clipless pedals
Don't want front suspension forks
Really would like to keep it under $600
Prefer carbon forks or maybe quality steel
Give. Those parameters are there any good ones on bike direct?
Light as possible
Somewhat road bike / athletic position (think trek fx 7.3)
Don't need disc brakes
Don't need clipless pedals
Don't want front suspension forks
Really would like to keep it under $600
Prefer carbon forks or maybe quality steel
Give. Those parameters are there any good ones on bike direct?
There are a few, I listed two of them below, along with other ideas in your price range. Keeping a new bike under $600 and light, might be too much to ask for. Although, what one person considers light, others call heavy.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products...tbar-bikes.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products...atbar-road.htm
https://www.bikesonline.com/2024-pol...rban-city-bike
https://www.poseidonbike.com/product...44113675288804
-Sign up for the email promotions and get a $100 off of your bike purchase.
https://www.konaworld.com/products/d...41030032982060
-Search local shops online if they have any in stock
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/escape-3-2022
***One of these days I'm going to start a service that charges a fee to search for bikes for under a posters prerequisites.
Last edited by travbikeman; 03-28-24 at 01:58 PM.
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#5
Banned
You won't be able to buy a BD bike and flip it for more than you paid. Best to stick with garage sales, FB and CL.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Not trying to flip this one.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
EDIT: **Noticed the OP has bought a bike. Still leaving the links below in case anyone finds it useful......JUST IN CASE GUYS!
There are a few, I listed two of them below, along with other ideas in your price range. Keeping a new bike under $600 and light, might be too much to ask for. Although, what one person considers light, others call heavy.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products...tbar-bikes.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products...atbar-road.htm
https://www.bikesonline.com/2024-pol...rban-city-bike
https://www.poseidonbike.com/product...44113675288804
-Sign up for the email promotions and get a $100 off of your bike purchase.
https://www.konaworld.com/products/d...41030032982060
-Search local shops online if they have any in stock
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/escape-3-2022
***One of these days I'm going to start a service that charges a fee to search for bikes for under a posters prerequisites.
There are a few, I listed two of them below, along with other ideas in your price range. Keeping a new bike under $600 and light, might be too much to ask for. Although, what one person considers light, others call heavy.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products...tbar-bikes.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products...atbar-road.htm
https://www.bikesonline.com/2024-pol...rban-city-bike
https://www.poseidonbike.com/product...44113675288804
-Sign up for the email promotions and get a $100 off of your bike purchase.
https://www.konaworld.com/products/d...41030032982060
-Search local shops online if they have any in stock
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/escape-3-2022
***One of these days I'm going to start a service that charges a fee to search for bikes for under a posters prerequisites.
Looks like the first has Claris. Is Altus better than Claris?
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Martinsburg WV Area
Posts: 1,716
Bikes: State 4130 Custom, Giant Trance 29
Liked 189 Times
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127 Posts
I would more compare geometry on the bikes and check if you believe one would fit you better than your Raleigh. If they are not much different, then save the money and keep the Raleigh. The components from Shimano Altus (Claris) through Alivio (Sora), are only slightly different with 8 to 9 speeds and how they shift.
Hope that helps!
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#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I wasn't aware that Alivio is comparable to Sora. That's good to know. I've been happy with the Sora line in the past.