http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/lt1000.htm

First off. no i dont get paid for this..and actually i dont even know anyone
associated with Bikesdirect.

I've never been a name brand for the sake of a name brand kinda guy, i got my E36 M3 because of its speed,handling and ability and when i was ready for a new car i didnt go with BMW becasue i felt the Chris Bangle designs sacrificed performace for style and luxury. So i went with something else.... what i'm trying to get to is its not always about the name its about how it performs for your Dollar or in general.

Ok.. so after much thought and examination i went with the Dawes LT1000
..i was going to go with the Fuji 3.0, Trek 1000 or Giant Sequioa.

I'm also not comparing this to $2000 dollar bikes.. i can only compare it to the price range of the bikes above ($600-$1000, i believe).

Well i'm happy i went with this bike... i do have to say i have only test rode the
other bikes. i've had the dawes for around 2 months and have around 500miles.

The bike feels seriously solid under my 365lbs, I took the bike to my LBS before
the Tour De Cure ride and he gave the bike a thumbs up.. i told him i was worried they wouldnt touch it and he said "no, its a good bike i'm happy you didnt go department store" , I did get the Alex R-500 Double Wall Aluminum wheels trued as they had a few loose spokes. Everything is holding up well
the only complaint is the seat but that is a matter of anatomy for each person.

The componets are holding up and working smoothly with me mashing on them.

i just wanted to let other clydes know that if your looking for a good bike at a great cost then you might want to check this bike out. Its very very easy to assemble! VERY!

I'd buy from bikedirect again, very smooth transaction.

This of course is still an ongoing review... i'd like to see how i feel after the seasons done.

Chris

chunkyd, thanks for sharing your information on the Dawes!

i was looking at the Dawes ads with some real skepticism to be honest, but i quess as the new latest and greatest come out, ie 27 & 30 speeds, carbon ect, everyone rushes in that direction and leaves some good deals behind!

i'm planning on buying in September and may consider a Dawes based on what your saying here, so really appreciate it if you could keep us up to date on how it's going with your Dawes!

Good riding!
BobK, Fairfax Va

Thanks for the info. I, like most, have seen that website and wondered. I'd love to see a followup down the road.

Those sure are some nice prices. I couple buy new instead of having to buy used.

Chunkyd, great write up!! Except for the part about getting rid of your E36, that made me a little teary.. ;)

Anyway, sounds like a great bike at the price. I have a friend/riding partner who picked up the Motobecane Campy Record and SRAM Force bikes (yeah, both of 'em..). He has yet to get them on the road, but sings praise about them already. I can't wait to see both of them on the road. In fact, I'm tempted to head over to his place tonight to check them out :).

Personally, I love supporting my LBS, and with the low margins with new bikes they have I'll instead keep 'em in business with maintenance costs. I was looking at the Motobecane Record (not the one with Campy Record, the model named record! :D) for a bike to use on an indoor trainer exclusively, but your review has me thinking differently. While I certainly appreciate quality components, I'd rather put money into my outdoor bikes as opposed to having a "bling" trainer bike :).

How is the drivetrain? Pretty smooth? That's pretty much the only thing I'm really concerned about

I have the Motobecane Mirage Sport. Very Satisfied. Just bought it about three months ago.

Anyone have any opinions about this Motobecane from BikesDirect?

http://bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/sprintour_carb07.htm

It lists:
Vuelta XRP PRO SuperLite Wheelset ($500 List)
Crankset List Price $400
TRUE FULL 30SPD Shimano Ultegra 6600 component package

Is this one of those if it sounds too good to be true deals?

Thanks
BobK

Bob, near as I can tell, BD is honest. They rely on volume of purchasing and lower overhead, Internet rather than Brick and Mortar sales.

One of the things that is holding me back, for now anyway, is i'm unable to find many reviews of the Vuelta XRP PRO SuperLite wheels, 24 spoke and from what i've read on a number of posts is that people in my weight class, 230, should try to get a wheel with 32 spokes, but i'm still digging on this particular recommendation and will post anything significant on this matter that i find.

BobK

Anyone have any opinions about this Motobecane from BikesDirect?

http://bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/sprintour_carb07.htm

It lists:
Vuelta XRP PRO SuperLite Wheelset ($500 List)
Crankset List Price $400
TRUE FULL 30SPD Shimano Ultegra 6600 component package

Is this one of those if it sounds too good to be true deals?

Thanks
BobK

OK, I give Mike and Bikesdirect a lot of leeway, and a buddy bought a Dawes from one of his ebay sellers that he's happy with, but this ad pisses me off. He has it listed as 'True, FULL Ultegra 30 speed', then goes on to indicate that the crankset is FSA (with a hugely inflated MSRP), and the brake calipers are Cane Creek. This is the exact opposite of 'FULL Ultegra'. The chain and cassette are 105-level. The only Ultegra parts on this bike are the shifters and derailleurs.

Not saying this bike is a bad deal or there is anything wrong with it, but that is bordering on false advertising IMO.

Jim

Seamus, thanks alot for pointing these facts out, helps greatly!

BobK

OK, I give Mike and Bikesdirect a lot of leeway, and a buddy bought a Dawes from one of his ebay sellers that he's happy with, but this ad pisses me off. He has it listed as 'True, FULL Ultegra 30 speed', then goes on to indicate that the crankset is FSA (with a hugely inflated MSRP), and the brake calipers are Cane Creek. This is the exact opposite of 'FULL Ultegra'. The chain and cassette are 105-level. The only Ultegra parts on this bike are the shifters and derailleurs.

Not saying this bike is a bad deal or there is anything wrong with it, but that is bordering on false advertising IMO.

Jim
The bikesdirect website correctly lists specs on the bike. The chikabike seller on ebay sucks. Do not buy from her. She's a reseller for Mike. But Mike himself is a great guy and tells you how it is. End results buy only from bikesdirect.com

I've been thinking about getting this I have a Gary fisher Hybrid but I need a rodie something to get me started

http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-NEW-ROAD-RACING-BIKE-SHIMANO-LARGE-w-Warranty_W0QQitemZ150143200102QQihZ005QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The bikesdirect website correctly lists specs on the bike.

Except for the 'TRUE FULL Ultegra 30 Speed' part...

The chikabike seller on ebay sucks. Do not buy from her. She's a reseller for Mike. But Mike himself is a great guy and tells you how it is. End results buy only from bikesdirect.com

Like I said, I don't generally have a problem with Mike now that he no longer uses shills to tout his wares, but that ad needs an injection of truthiness.

hey guys - just wanted to update you on the bike - i did pop a spoke 2 days ago.. had it replaced and rode again today flawlessly..

i can tell i am really pushing these rims now..especially on standing climbs when i'm cranking it out.. but thier holding up well...

this would have happened eventually on any machine made rims is what my LBS said.

Chunkyd - At our sizes with decent power output, popped spokes are just a common thing. I'm going to replace my first one myself today, as I don't want to wait for a shop to get it in. And saving $20 helps justify the new pump I'm off to buy :D.

How many miles did you have before you popped your first one?

bdinger - I'd say 550-600 miles - I need to learn how to true my own rims too! seeing that this is going to be an ongoing process hahah...

how did you learn? class? trial and error?

at the price you paid for the Dawes, you could eventually plan replacing your current wheels with some sturdy Mavics and you'd end up a pretty solid bike for under 1k!

Thanks for the update!

BobK

bdinger - I'd say 550-600 miles - I need to learn how to true my own rims too! seeing that this is going to be an ongoing process hahah...

how did you learn? class? trial and error?

A little combo of Sheldon Brown's site, and the classic T&E method! :D Once you figure out the concept, it's cake!

I have the Motobecane Mirage Sport. Very Satisfied. Just bought it about three months ago.

I saw a Motobecane cycle-cross bike on the Schuylkill River Trail this afternoon. I spoke with the owner, a cyclist in his sixties. He was very leery of ordering the bike, but the price was right, and since his 2K Giant road bike had too aggressive a riding position for him, he clicked and ordered. He's had the bike about five months, and he's very satisfied. His only problem was a dented wheel on delivery, which Bikes Direct replaced quickly. He said he'd buy from them again.