General Cycling Discussion - bikesdirect.com/cycle spectrum BEWARE!!!

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Thanks for the information, that is one less bussiness out of circulation.

Interesting. What about buying a Fuji from them? Fuji lets you send a frame directly to them for warranty coverage as long as you have a receipt.

RichC

Can you give us a few "whys"? All frames they sell, or just Motobecane? And isn’t warrantee provided by Motobecane, not the shop that sales the items?

Obviously Motobecane isn’t what it was back in the day, but IMHO, they still make great bikes for the price. Even then, I don’t think anyone new to cycling should ever buy a bike over the internet or mail order. For your first few bikes, go local.

You sound like a disgruntled employee who has been laid off...

I bought my Motobecane from Bikesdirect and I am very happy with it. I haven't had any problems but if I did and Bikesdirect didn't take care of me,I would contact Motobecane themselves.I don't believe Motobecane would be trying to build the company back to its former glory knowing that their rep is not standing by their warranty:D

I'm a little skeptical about one person heralding the bad news. Does anyone else have some sort of history with this company, or do we automatically believe someone just because they are on the same forum that we enjoy (and call home).

I smell a disgruntled employee. Someone angry enough to write here and "screw" a previous employer.

Prove me wrong, I will apologize.

Mike Spratt is only interested in one thing...MONEY. Also there are dealer agreements that are signed for bike brands stating that you will only sell tehm in your stores. Motobecane may be an exception I don't know. however I do know he was pushing KHS on E-Bay which is a violaton.

Originally posted by Krafcik
I saw one manager put some that in 6'7 and plans on doing serious off-roading on a Newton FS for $199 and a 19 inch frame. He came back in later with a snapped (Plastic) crank. The local boss, decided it was user fault and not a warranty issue or a mistake of his company.

you know the buyer should take some responsibility in this did he test drive it? I am a pretty tall dude 6'3"- 36" inseam which is a very long inseam longer than a lot of people that are taller than me and my first experience in test driving a bike frame that small I could tell right away that it wasn't going to work out my center of gravity was way to high. This was when I was a novice rider yet I still knew it was wrong. and for someone who was into "serious off roading" should know better to buy a $199 cycle with a plastic crank. And if you have a problem with the dealer on warranty issues most of the brands that are mentioned here have web sites with customer service areas take the problem to them I bet it will get straightened out, at least in most cases

Hmmmm, new poster (14 posts) comes in and suddenly posts negatives about one company? I smell something fishy.

not just one company but I notice on his 14 threads one is trying to sell dura aces the rest are to trash companies including bikesdirect,moto,fuji and cannondale. I smell more than something fishy. Maybe he works for Schwinn?

hmmm, mad at everyone eh? Sounds like Eminem to me :)

I've never bought a bike at Cycle Spectrum, but I do have them do all the work on my bikes, which is a lot b/c they're all old, and I'm not very handy. The manager always does the work for free even though I rarely buy anything from him. How money hungry is that? I don't even buy parts from him, b/c my uncle works for a bicycle part distribution company, so I get it much cheaper through him, yet I still get free labor? I realize that labor isn't going to rake in the money that a bike sale will, but still...I've never had a problem. :confused:

Seems like maybe we have a disgruntled former employee here. Krafcik, you may want to talk to a lawyer before you bad mouth the business any more. But, of course, that is just my opinion.

RegGuy posts a warning at 10:16 am, Krafcik deletes his post at 10:43 am. RegularGuy for BikeForums Lawyer !!!:D

Originally posted by hillyman
RegularGuy for BikeForums Lawyer !!!:D

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Hilly. Unfortunately my law license is only valid in Philadelphia.

Originally posted by Krafcik
Sadly, regular guy, it had nothing to do with you. Furthermore, incase you really are a lawyer when one prefaces any comment with "in my opinion" one can not be sued. That my friend, is covered under the Freedom of Speech.



Nope. I'm not a lawyer. Don't even play one on TeeVee. I just know that there are limits to our freedom of speech, and I suspect that attempting to harm a former employers' trade may be beyond those limits. I also wonder about how much protection your protestations of "just my opinion" would really offer you. You were making statements of fact under the guise of opinion.

Originally posted by Krafcik
[B]Furthermore, when one prefaces any comment with "in my opinion" one can not be sued. /B]

Wanna bet??

Quit the sour grapes, Krafcik, JEEZ!

Originally posted by Krafcik
You've got to love the education one recieves from the Columbia University Law School.


Bragging, are we?

:rolleyes:

you must of chased him away with the lawyer thing it looks like he deleted all his posts on this thread

:beer: :beer: :beer:

Krafcik is a bloody coward! In my country, we call people like that ATRAS BAYAG. Orguasch, you should remember that :)

Altwegg, no name calling... :)

The fact that hunter replied, and agreed with the original post; is enough for me to think twice before dealing with the company.

Guys,

I'm sorry for trying to let everyone know about my personal experiences with the company . . .grant it they were negative, but if it makes you feel better i can relate some positive ones as well . . .Primal wear jereseys are priced really well . . . does that make you feel better. Excuse me for trying to look out for my fellow cyclists

Sorry, it's just that the way Krafcik accused bikesdirect was very shady. Didn't sound honest at all. Then he deletes the post.....

Although I bought my bike from Bikesdirect, I would highly recommend to anyone that they buy a bike from their local bike dealer. Most people need to have the service that goes with the LBS. But there are horror stories that go along with LBSs also. Then there are also buyers that expect the LBS to fix things they just flat out tore up themselves. Two (or more) sides to every story. Bikesdirect is the only U.S. dealer for Motobecane unless they added more since I bought mine.I liked the way my Motobecane was set up and I like to work on my own stuff and I got a GREAT DEAL. I just think its unfair to call Motobecane junk because someone took a lowend bike out and run it through the mill. A $199 bike is a $199 bike no matter who makes it.

i suppose i'm coming to this thread a tad late.

Christine, I don't mean to sound offensive, but that mechanic sounds likes he's trying to get into your pants. If you were a guy, I sincerely doubt that you would get free labor. Especially if you never bought anything from him!

Originally posted by christine
I've never bought a bike at Cycle Spectrum, but I do have them do all the work on my bikes, which is a lot b/c they're all old, and I'm not very handy. The manager always does the work for free even though I rarely buy anything from him. How money hungry is that? I don't even buy parts from him, b/c my uncle works for a bicycle part distribution company, so I get it much cheaper through him, yet I still get free labor? I realize that labor isn't going to rake in the money that a bike sale will, but still...I've never had a problem. :confused:

I’ve only taken my bike there a few times. was unimpressed. The older dude with the beard seemed to know what he was doing but the help was inexperienced and made rookie mistakes. (it has been a couple of years though)
I have gotten better service from other shops in the area. BikeBarn on kirby is the schizitz. Always top-notch service and they treat me well. For top of the line bikes and custom builds Pro cycles on Shepherd just north of 59 has a great reputation and is a top-notch wheel builder. Several others worth mentioning Northwest, Westside Bicycles (formerly Westside Schwinn) and WestEnd.

oops. I'm thinking of spectrum cycles.