How do the Motobecane/BikesDirect bikes compare to Specialized and Trek?
08-24-14, 05:58 PM
#76
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Wrong way to think about it. You didn't pay more money for a lesser bike. You paid the right amount for something that "feels" good to you, a known quantity, and from a dealership that will stand behind their product. Have a problem . . . just go to your LBS. With a BD bike, if you have a problem . . . tough luck. You didn't get a lesser bike. You got a great bike! Bicycles are one of those things in life where "you get what you pay for", (usually).
12-08-14, 09:10 PM
#77
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I bought the fly Team 29er a couple of years ago and raced it very hard in Ontario Cup, Canada Cup and several multi stage cross country races fro two seasons. I did change out the fork as I am a Fox fan...But I can tell you that the bike is point and shoot and was ridden on some very technical trails and took a beating....never let me down and I will buy another as they are great bang for the buck.
12-08-14, 09:44 PM
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True, I've asked a couple of bike shops, and they are quoting maybe $80 out of box, perhaps a bit more if the process is a bit more involved, such as bleeding hydraulic brakes, for instance.
12-09-14, 12:57 PM
#81
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I think if you can do basic adjustments and minor repairs you will be far ahead of the game buying from BD that from some lbs.I discount the complaints of some guy who gets a bent fork as the same thing happens every day when a bike arrives at a lbs.Both party's get the fork replaced and I derive a bit of satisfaction in knowing that I installed it myself.This is a quote from someone I can't remember[when you buy from BD you are the middle man the lbs]. There are jobs that are best left to a lbs and some people that depend on everything from them I'm just not one in that group.
12-09-14, 02:14 PM
#82
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We don't put a surcharge on bikes with a RockShox internally routed dropper post, and those need to be disassembled, routed, and bled during the build process.
If it's an out of box build and the brakes need bled, we wouldn't do a bleed; we'd call the customer about an OOB issue and tell them to contact the company for warranty part replacement.
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12-09-14, 08:40 PM
#83
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A shop shouldn't charge more for a straight up out of box build, even if it requires a bit of extra work.
We don't put a surcharge on bikes with a RockShox internally routed dropper post, and those need to be disassembled, routed, and bled during the build process.
If it's an out of box build and the brakes need bled, we wouldn't do a bleed; we'd call the customer about an OOB issue and tell them to contact the company for warranty part replacement.
We don't put a surcharge on bikes with a RockShox internally routed dropper post, and those need to be disassembled, routed, and bled during the build process.
If it's an out of box build and the brakes need bled, we wouldn't do a bleed; we'd call the customer about an OOB issue and tell them to contact the company for warranty part replacement.
To clarify, one of the shops said they might charge a bit more if some extra work was involved, but they did not say that with absolute certainty.
12-16-14, 05:02 PM
#84
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Pleased With B.d.
I've bought a bike from B.D. and couldn't be more pleased. It's true what folks are saying. Most bikes are made in 2-3 mega factory. This line makes brand "X" and then brand "K" and so on. Why pay 30% more for the same bike with a big name brand? My LBS adjusted anything and made any changes I wanted without any complaint. They know the truth, Trek, Cannondale, etc. is all made in the same factory, so why pay more?
12-17-14, 12:01 AM
#86
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I went the BD route this October (though I actually purchased NOS from an ebay seller). Am very pleased and I have a very good LBS that works on it. I just posted 1,000 mile update here: https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...ne-sprint.html
12-17-14, 12:46 AM
#87
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So I bought a Roubaix 
2014 Roubiax SL4 Elite.
Digging it much. My average speed on my normal route went up 1.1 MPH just making the switch. And I don't even have it dialed in yet. Can't wait to grow into this bike.
It's certainly more expensive than an equally equipped Motobecane, but after riding a few road bikes and feeling how much I dug the Roubaix versus other manufacturers in the same price range, I couldn't get past that I might order a Motobecane, build it out, then test ride it and find out I didn't like it. So I went with what felt good even though it was more money for "less" bike.
I had them put my Shimano pedals on and that new Specialized CG-R seatpost. Digging it.
2014 Roubiax SL4 Elite.
Digging it much. My average speed on my normal route went up 1.1 MPH just making the switch. And I don't even have it dialed in yet. Can't wait to grow into this bike.
It's certainly more expensive than an equally equipped Motobecane, but after riding a few road bikes and feeling how much I dug the Roubaix versus other manufacturers in the same price range, I couldn't get past that I might order a Motobecane, build it out, then test ride it and find out I didn't like it. So I went with what felt good even though it was more money for "less" bike.
I had them put my Shimano pedals on and that new Specialized CG-R seatpost. Digging it.
Even with the cobble gobbler...
Unless you are buying "used" off the internet, always buy "new" local. You'll get the service and support not expected in the "used" market.
But most importantly, never buy a "new" bike on the "used" market. (you'll get "used" prices and "used" support... which means little to none...)
12-17-14, 10:25 AM
#88
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If you have any warranty problems, Trek, Specialized, Giant and other major companies have whole staffs for dealing with it. Trek and Specialized are particularly good at covering this stuff. The price difference isn't all marketing and racing teams--sometimes you really do get what you pay for.
12-18-14, 03:44 PM
#89
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I just bought a bike from BD and could not be more pleased.
click on me!
Last edited by Captlink; 12-18-14 at 03:51 PM.
08-29-17, 06:22 PM
#90
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BD vs. specialized and trek
Not sure anyone can place their finger "directly" on the reality.
However, the dealer is correct. Today's Motobecane bikes are not the same as vintage Motobecanes. The name sold years ago.
Basically you're getting the Motobecane name on a mass produced frame out of Taiwan. So then (at least to me) it becomes, what kind of components am I getting for what I'm paying. A lot of times those BD bikes are nicely spec'd at a tempting price point. I was tempted myself a year ago, when I was buying my CX bike.
In the end, I purchased from an LBS, but not even a Trek or Specialized. I ended up with a Kona, and I'm very pleased with it. The tipping point was my LBS's after the sale service package. Two years, free service (and actually I just went there today for a quick check on a noise the bike was making). Plus I didn't have to assemble the bike. And I also believe highly in supporting your LBS if you have a good one worthy of supporting. I do, and I don't want it to go away, so I definitely frequent it when I can. Unfortunately it doesn't always carry the things I want/need.
Me personally, I think you'd be better off considering the smaller brands (Kona/Jamis/Salsa, etc) rather than BD, because of the LBS factor. Plus you can generally get a better spec'd bike from brands like that than comparably priced Trek/Spesh bikes (at least that's what cursory research shows me). My Kona is a mix of Ultegra and 105 and I spent less than $1K on it (worth noting it WAS the previous year's model).
BTW ... it's worth noting I own two Treks, as well as my Kona, so I'm not against Trek/Spesh. In fact when the time comes to upgrade my road bike (hopefully next year) I'll definitely consider Treks/Spesh in addition to the others.
This is ALL just my opinion ... so take it for what it's worth
However, the dealer is correct. Today's Motobecane bikes are not the same as vintage Motobecanes. The name sold years ago.
Basically you're getting the Motobecane name on a mass produced frame out of Taiwan. So then (at least to me) it becomes, what kind of components am I getting for what I'm paying. A lot of times those BD bikes are nicely spec'd at a tempting price point. I was tempted myself a year ago, when I was buying my CX bike.
In the end, I purchased from an LBS, but not even a Trek or Specialized. I ended up with a Kona, and I'm very pleased with it. The tipping point was my LBS's after the sale service package. Two years, free service (and actually I just went there today for a quick check on a noise the bike was making). Plus I didn't have to assemble the bike. And I also believe highly in supporting your LBS if you have a good one worthy of supporting. I do, and I don't want it to go away, so I definitely frequent it when I can. Unfortunately it doesn't always carry the things I want/need.
Me personally, I think you'd be better off considering the smaller brands (Kona/Jamis/Salsa, etc) rather than BD, because of the LBS factor. Plus you can generally get a better spec'd bike from brands like that than comparably priced Trek/Spesh bikes (at least that's what cursory research shows me). My Kona is a mix of Ultegra and 105 and I spent less than $1K on it (worth noting it WAS the previous year's model).
BTW ... it's worth noting I own two Treks, as well as my Kona, so I'm not against Trek/Spesh. In fact when the time comes to upgrade my road bike (hopefully next year) I'll definitely consider Treks/Spesh in addition to the others.
This is ALL just my opinion ... so take it for what it's worth
08-29-17, 08:22 PM
#92
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Thanks for digging up a three year old thread. I'm sure @Jarrett2 will be mightly pleased to reveal to people he was once tempted by BikesDirect!
08-29-17, 11:18 PM
#93
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08-30-17, 05:52 AM
#94
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Thanks for digging up a three year old thread. I'm sure @Jarrett2 will be mightly pleased to reveal to people he was once tempted by BikesDirect!
Save Up To 60% Off Pro Level Steel Road Bikes FREE SHIP 48 STATES ON ALL BICYCLES FREE SHIP* Motobecane Gran Premio Elite New Shimano 22 Speed 5800 / 105 + Shimano Wheelsets Reynolds High Grade Steel Road Bikes
08-30-17, 06:15 AM
#97
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I feel a little bad because I've emailed them on a couple of occasions to build that bike and offer it for sale in the Premio line and they said no way, it won't sell.
Now they made one and I'm not buying it
Just found the email from two years ago:
"There seems to be a growing market currently for higher end steel bikes. Reynolds 853, 951, 953, etc. Is it possible to get one of those frames or bikes through BikesDirect.com? Possibly in the future? I think BikesDirect is in a good position to sell a model like that."
"Sorry, but no. The market is not nearly big enough and higher end Reynolds tubing now demands such premium pricing it doesn't leave us nearly enough margin to discount and be anywhere near as competitive as we like. Bikes like that just do not fit into our business model currently."
Now they made one and I'm not buying it
Just found the email from two years ago:
"There seems to be a growing market currently for higher end steel bikes. Reynolds 853, 951, 953, etc. Is it possible to get one of those frames or bikes through BikesDirect.com? Possibly in the future? I think BikesDirect is in a good position to sell a model like that."
"Sorry, but no. The market is not nearly big enough and higher end Reynolds tubing now demands such premium pricing it doesn't leave us nearly enough margin to discount and be anywhere near as competitive as we like. Bikes like that just do not fit into our business model currently."
08-30-17, 06:47 AM
#98
Senior Member
Come on man, they're waiting for your order.
08-30-17, 10:39 AM
#99
SuperGimp
Their whole "retail value" spiel is so tiring ...
"The wheels have PRO level Ritchey WCS Vantage wheels. The MSRP of the wheels alone are about $800."
Go to the Ritchey website and those are 29er wheels that retail for $346. I mean c'mon.
"The wheels have PRO level Ritchey WCS Vantage wheels. The MSRP of the wheels alone are about $800."
Go to the Ritchey website and those are 29er wheels that retail for $346. I mean c'mon.
08-30-17, 10:51 AM
#100
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