Mr.McBeardson

Was just curious what kind of assembly is involved with a "bikes direct" bike. Have looked at some bikes on there and the prices look great. I know it is a some assembly required thing because of shipping and what nots, but how much is some and would i need any bike specific tool kajiggers?

dsbrantjr

I have had a couple of BD bikes and the assembly is not too difficult and there are no bike-specific tools required BUT due to the questions you ask I highly recommend that you consider having a local shop assemble and adjust the bike because 1) there are adjustments to systems such as the brakes and steering which are safety-critical and 2) the BD bikes I had badly needed their wheels trued and spoke tension adjusted. I also found that the shift and brake cables needed to be shortened and their housing ends cleaned up along with some other small stuff. Although this will cut into your savings versus buying local you will have some assurance that the bike is safe and properly-adjusted.

P.S. Don't buy the mini tool kit, they offer, it is junk IMO.

fietsbob

You can Pay the Local Bike shop to put it together for you .. if you are lacking sufficient tools .

HillRider

There are two reports about BD bikes. One says it came nearly perfectly adjusted and final assembly was a snap. The other says it was a mess and took almost complete reassembly to make it work properly, assuming some of the components weren't defective to begin with. The average is probably between these extremes but it can be a crap shoot. I agree that since you seem to have neither the expertise nor tools letting an LBS do the assembly is a wise move.

Andrew R Stewart 

I, just yesterday, assembled a Windsor sourced from BD. Other then the very low grade of components, and that they were far different then the spec list on line, the assembly went like most every Asian made bike I've built up. I never suggest that a total newbie do their own first time assembly. But some one who knows how to adjust hubs, build wheels, judge cable routing and adjust all should have no problem (proper tools not being part of this). The biggest issue I see with home assembly (and shop ones if not sold by the shop) is the need for the follow up tuning after a couple hundred miles of initial use. This follow up service is rarely done. After the assembly then the rider can move onto the bike's fit and deal with that need. Andy.

cny-bikeman

As noted above "assembly" is a misnomer. Putting on the front wheel, handlebar/stem, pedals and seat is not the challenge as much as making all the adjustments that may be needed. Yes you likely will need at least two bike specific tools - cone wrenches and a spoke wrench. Bikes almost always come with hubs adjusted too tightly, and rarely are the wheels right in true, let alone tension. I agree that if you don't know that there is more to an assembly than putting on parts it's best to hire someone to do it.

jyl

A co-worker bought a BD single-speed bike and assembled it at home. She doesn't know enough to adjust anything. The bike has been serviceable, but brakes barely worked and spoke tension is really low. I will be completely going through the bike for her this summer.

davidad

Friend bought a Windsor tourer some years ago. We had to replace the rear spokes because of breakage. I don't remember there being much to assemble. Some adjustments are inevitable.

wphamilton

I bought one of the cheaper MTB from Bikes Direct and I'd guess just about anyone could do the "assembly". I did adjust the DR's and disc brakes, and went through the whole "tuning" checklist. Greased the hubs.

To be perfectly honest, the BD bike needed less adjusting than my wife's MTB purchased from Performance and was a little better spec'd. YMMV.

bobbyl1966

How good is bicycles from bikes direct. i am interesting in road bikes. i have seen in the youtube the review for bike wellington windsor 2.0 and motobecane mirage slx which one is better or any other bikes