Fifty Plus (50+) - BikesDirect bike review for 50+

How many posts - and over what length of time - does it take for one to qualify as a "shill". I would imagine that the percentage of total posts dedicated to pumping the product would effect the equation as well.

For Example, here we have a new guy - "skikayaker". Most likely a genuinely good dude. BUT, he comes onto the BF here recently and pumps the heck out of his new Motobecane. His initial thread was deleted by the mods, but he hasn't been deterred, observe the following posts...you decide, "shill" or "no shill":

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7071189&postcount=73

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7071810&postcount=31

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7071938&postcount=7

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7048863&postcount=309

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7070991&postcount=8625

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7072351&postcount=7

I'm so tired of bikesdirect

I'm so tired of bikesdirect

Me too.

I hate to tell you dude. But once you go bikes direct you don't get back, assuming your looking for cost-effectiveness. I've ridden a Windsor for years, I always get comments on the bike...when they ask where and how much did I pay they are shocked. Whats nice about bike direct is they don't mark up there bikes like cannondale, trek, and all other big names. No I am not a shill :)....But seriously, unless or until you have tried one, don't make bikes direct sound bad.

don't make bikes direct sound bad.


They do that on thier own.

Me too.

Then why did you start a thread about it?

I love mine:
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeej440/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/bottecchia.jpg

All it takes is to start a thread with BikesDirect in the subject.

I hate to tell you dude. But once you go bikes direct you don't get back, assuming your looking for cost-effectiveness. I've ridden a Windsor for years, I always get comments on the bike...when they ask where and how much did I pay they are shocked. Whats nice about bike direct is they don't mark up there bikes like cannondale, trek, and all other big names. No I am not a shill :)....But seriously, unless or until you have tried one, don't make bikes direct sound bad.

OK, I am convinced - YOU are not a shill. But what about that other guy?

I own a Motobecane and I'm tired of it.

DC, I would say if not a shill, then I would say enthusiastic first-time bike owner who bought the whole BD marketing job hook, line, and sinker, and is now realizing that maybe, just maybe, they were just trying to sell him something.

Really, though, the BD website is riddled with little hints about how a Motobecane is the same bike as brand Y, how people who pay for LBS bikes are getting fleeced, etc. etc. And if a new/inexperienced buyer actually believes all of that unconditionally, you create a skikayaker. That's just my guess, though.

Well, it looks to be authored by the same person who does alot of the others first time posts, BD buyer that show up here.
What is a shame is that it is un-needed, it does look like a decent bike.

I hate to tell you dude. But once you go bikes direct you don't get back, assuming your looking for cost-effectiveness. I've ridden a Windsor for years, I always get comments on the bike...when they ask where and how much did I pay they are shocked. Whats nice about bike direct is they don't mark up there bikes like cannondale, trek, and all other big names. No I am not a shill :)....But seriously, unless or until you have tried one, don't make bikes direct sound bad.

If their bikes are so good, why do they have to resort to this pathetic crap to sell em'?

Then why did you start a thread about it?


Bored. YOU also, are NOT A SHILL.

who cares, hes happy about his bike.

who cares, hes happy about his bike.

YOU, are NOT A SHILL.

Great name by the way.

Not a shill - looking at his posts overall he seem like an enthusiastic newbie. It seems to me that many people who buy from BD are looking for what they perceive to be a bargain, get all pumped up that they have "scored", and want to tell the world about it. Of course looking to BF for validation for a BD purchase is a fool's errand at best :rolleyes:.

DC, you have 5 posts today about BD. I think that makes YOU a BD shill! :)

DC, you have 5 posts today about BD. I think that makes YOU a BD shill! :)

Why do you hurt me, Michael? I've always been loyal to you.

NOT A SHILL!

How many posts - and over what length of time - does it take for one to qualify as a "shill". I would imagine that the percentage of total posts dedicated to pumping the product would effect the equation as well.

For Example, here we have a new guy - "skikayaker". Most likely a genuinely good dude. BUT, he comes onto the BF here recently and pumps the heck out of his new Motobecane. His initial thread was deleted by the mods, but he hasn't been deterred, observe the following posts...you decide, "shill" or "no shill":

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7071189&postcount=73

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7071810&postcount=31

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7071938&postcount=7

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7048863&postcount=309

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7070991&postcount=8625

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7072351&postcount=7

You failed to list many other posts not realated to my new bike.

The (73) post was in response to a Moto bottom bracket report. Apparently my moto uses a different kind of bottom bracket.

The (31) post was posted in a thread "The Best Road Bikes for "true" first time road bike owners.
I'm a true first time road bike owner.

The (7) post was posted in a thread "looking for first road bike". I can truly recommend my first road bike that I purchased last week.

The (309) post was posted in the Sticky "Under $750" thread.

The (8625) post was posted in the "What Road Bike Do You Have" thread.

The (7) post was to help out in the "Newb" thread and make a recommendation like others also did in the thread.

You mentioned "Bikes Direct" in the title of a thread, so you must be a shill.

Other words that automatically qualify you as a shill include Motobecane, Mercier, and Windsor :D

You failed to list many other posts not realated to my new bike.

I know skikayaker - and this isn't a personal attack- the deeper question is did you post enough posts in your early days here to qualify you as a shill? If not, then what is the threshold?

It will probably never be possible to know with any certainty if someone is an "official shill" - so maybe we should set some sort of a standard.

You mentioned "Bikes Direct" in the title of a thread, so you must be a shill.

Other words that automatically qualify you as a shill include Motobecane, Mercier, and Windsor :D

"Performance and value" baby...

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u112/dcbikeguy/PostNazi.jpg

Not a shill - looking at his posts overall he seem like an enthusiastic newbie. It seems to me that many people who buy from BD are looking for what they perceive to be a bargain, get all pumped up that they have "scored", and want to tell the world about it. Of course looking to BF for validation for a BD purchase is a fool's errand at best :rolleyes:.
I am only trying to post what I've learned. I guarantee you that if I received legit responses rather than five posts telling me that I'm a shill, a BD rep, or a liar the initial thread that I created would have talked more about legit information and less about BD BS. I never bought my bike from BD. I bought it from Ebay and furnished pictures of the bike, and the box.

So then I'm informed that Ebay is in alliance with BD. I don't care. I paid by credit card, and have been riding my bike for over 100 miles and it's great.

Like I said, I'm more concerned about the ideal first timer road bike for those who want to get a bit serious, not to race. And I would recommend the features that came with my bike. Obviously, because that's why I chose it, after six months of research and test rides on expensive bikes at the LBS, and discussions with friends who have great bikes.

I know skikayaker - and this isn't a personal attack- the deeper question is did you post enough posts in your early days here to qualify you as a shill? If not, then what is the threshold?

It will probably never be possible to know with any certainty if someone is an "official shill" - so maybe we should set some sort of a standard.

That's just silly There is no such thing as an "unofficial shill".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shill

There is no threshold, no "standard". One is or isn't. If you think someone is being overly enthusiastic try giving them the more accurate "fanboy" label if that floats your boat.

Whats nice about bike direct is they don't mark up there bikes like cannondale, trek, and all other big names.

It's not so much that the big guys mark up so much, but that the big guys are just middleman BD has removed the middleman from the equation.

An example. Imagine Trek and BD imports a bike that costs them $100 landed in their warehouse. They both desire to make a profit and so double their money. That means that BD sells their bikes for $200 to the PUBLIC while Trek sells their bikes for $200 to the LBS as they don't sell to the public. Then the LBS wants to make a profit and so sells for say $400. See the "problem". It's the age old issue of cutting out the middleman. So effectively, buying from BD is similar to buying at wholesale. It would be truly wholesale if BD also sold to dealers and you could get dealer price. That's not the case here, so BD's price is probably a little more than wholesale. BD probably makes more per bike than Trek does since they're selling somewhere between wholesale and retail.

This scenario is prevalent all over the bike industry and every other industry on earth (think pre-retail-outlet Dell, pimpless hookers, ElJamoquio and his hub group buy!). Leader, Pedal Force, Habanero, BD and others all import directly from Asia and sell directly to the customer. The wholesaler = the retailer. What that means for us is generally good prices. Exception when an importer tries to sell for the same price as a retail and make a huge profit. There are those too.

What is unfortunate is BD's tactics (think used car salesman) when compared to their peers in the industry. Buying a Leader or a PF or a Hab is a better experience. And one that doesn't elicit the overwhelmingly negative BF responses usually associated with BD threads.

BTW, my Habanero Cross is the most awesomest cross bike evar.

DC my man, when you finish with this in-depth, pseudo-scientific research project I have another job for you. Your mission, if you decide to accept it, is to find out whether carbon fiber does or does not explode as has been rumored.

this thread = fail

I know skikayaker - and this isn't a personal attack- the deeper question is did you post enough posts in your early days here to qualify you as a shill? If not, then what is the threshold?

It will probably never be possible to know with any certainty if someone is an "official shill" - so maybe we should set some sort of a standard.

The threshold is one. BF requires a thick skin and a n00b that can't figure out how to do a search or =can= do a search and =still= posts a boilerplate BD "review" may as well learn to HTFU the hard way.

BF could help the issue greatly by disallowing anyone but senior members from starting threads. I'm sure the software supports such a configuration.

BikesDirect tastes like chicken!!!


Shill or no?

DC my man, when you finish with this in-depth, pseudo-scientific research project I have another job for you. Your mission, if you decide to accept it, is to find out whether carbon fiber does or does not explode as has been rumored.

I have just the guys for the job (this message will self destruct - like this thread - in five seconds)

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u112/dcbikeguy/039_42220Mission-Impossible-Posters.jpg

DC my man, when you finish with this in-depth, pseudo-scientific research project I have another job for you. Your mission, if you decide to accept it, is to find out whether carbon fiber does or does not explode as has been rumored.

Only if you fall on to a curb from a standstill and blame the manufacturer for your suck.

BikesDirect tastes like chicken!!!


Shill or no?

Hmmmm chicken - NOT a shill.

I'll post something you're really tired of.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/patentcad/FlyTiupgrdefront.jpg

I'll post something you're really tired of.

YOU USED to be a shill. There was a brief period where I was worried. Now I'm not so sure...

I sometimes wish I got that Diamondback Podium 2 REI closeout for $584.93. Truly a sweet deal. Exactly the same specs as my Moto, but without the baggage, and probably with a better paint job. They only have "small" sizes still available. I needed a 58cm and would have bought it in a second since I could have picked it up at an REI about 15 minutes from my location.

Then I could have posted my new bike without being called a Shill!

Check out this link ... Truly the best deal I've seen:
http://www.gearbuyer.com/products/diamondback_podium_2_bike.html

I'll post something you're really tired of.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/patentcad/FlyTiupgrdefront.jpg

holy seatpost!

An example. Imagine Trek and BD imports a bike that costs them $100 landed in their warehouse.

Trek and BD aren't importing the same bike.

It's not so much that the big guys mark up so much, but that the big guys are just middleman BD has removed the middleman from the equation.

They also cut out the salesperson, the shop mechanic assembling the bike, and the showroom space (which is very expensive in metropolitan areas).

They also cut out the salesperson, the shop mechanic assembling the bike, and the showroom space (which is very expensive in metropolitan areas).

and even if you do buy a BD bike, you end up paying for mechanic work in the end anyhow... assuming you fell for the "new bike guy BD marketing pyramid scheme" so really... the money you save, you end up burning in other ways.

^ Well, the exception to that is if you can assemble your own bike, in which case you did in fact pocket the labor costs by buying a BD bike.

I AM NOT A SHILL !

http://lh3.ggpht.com/DiabloScottsBikeBlog/SHu7zqtBXyI/AAAAAAAADHQ/5uTn1bqiZOc/s800/Hinault%20and%20Protester%20Combo.jpg

I'll post something you're really tired of.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/patentcad/FlyTiupgrdefront.jpg

Aw, Pcad, you ruined an otherwise great bike with those bar-ends.

I hate to tell you dude. But once you had a man with no legs, you never go back, assuming your looking for cost-effectiveness. I've ridden a Windsor for years, I always get comments on the bike...when they ask where and how much did I pay they are shocked. Whats nice about bike direct is they don't mark up there bikes like cannondale, trek, and all other big names. No I am not a shill :)....But seriously, unless or until you have tried one, don't make bikes direct sound bad.

Fixed.

http://waterstone.files.wordpress.com/2007/02/cap044.jpg

Can someone please explain to me, what's so bad about Bikes Direct? The specs on the Motobecane look very good for the price...

Can someone please explain to me, what's so bad about Bikes Direct? The specs on the Motobecane look very good for the price...

Their questionable marketing practices and the fact that every few days someone new to biking will come post on the forum either about how awesome their motobecane was for cheap that they've just assembled or asking about bd.

they do look good for the price, but they aren't really a better option than an LBS bike, particularly for new riders that don't understand bike fit or bike maintenance.

I'm a shill. http://www.steelmancycles.com/ Best frames in the world.

I'm a shill. http://www.steelmancycles.com/ Best frames in the world.

Damn dirty shill!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YRF4QJC4l8&feature=related

Can someone please explain to me, what's so bad about Bikes Direct? The specs on the Motobecane look very good for the price...

Nothing really. Just their website is annoying and condescending-Look! MSRP $5400, yours for only $595-
and there seem to be alot of reviews put here by brand new buyers who all use the exact same advertising style language. When somebody buys a Trek they oftn post about it, but they usually don't repeat the name, and price 10 times, then list the specs in bullett points. It just doesn't look natural.

What on Gaia is this thread doing in the 50+ forum? The only time we get this heated is when we start arguing about which bulk laxative works the best.

You whippersnappers go back to the roadie forum and carry on. Leave us miserable old gits in peace.

I've never bought from BD, but the disdain for them is remarkably similar to what I heard and experienced when I used to buy no-name computer upgrade parts for my IBM-PC. This was about 1986 or 87 when you had to pay extra for a math coprocessor and 20 meg was a big hard drive.

I purchased parts from a little shop off Research Blvd in Austin. It was owned by a college dropout named Mike Dell.

Just sayin.......a computer is a computer.

I've never bought from BD, but the disdain for them is remarkably similar to what I heard and experienced when I used to buy no-name computer upgrade parts for my IBM-PC. This was about 1986 or 87 when you had to pay extra for a math coprocessor and 20 meg was a big hard drive.

I purchased parts from a little shop off Research Blvd in Austin. It was owned by a college dropout named Mike Dell.

Just sayin.......a computer is a computer.

Oh
I remermber that well
and back then I had several shops in Austin and Kirby Lane Cafe was only on Kirby Lane
and that idea the Mr Dell had was excellent for those that were not hooked on IBM
[remember Round Rock before Dell ?
I think progress is good and I do not have a 'keep Austin Weird' T-shirt]

When I was in the Computer biz even before the 80s
everyone bought IBM even if they knew it wasn't the best deal
so that they could avoid any possible critisum for buying an 'off brand'

there are lots of similar situations in all types of products