NOS88

I clicked on the link https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ensington8.htm from another thread where unaleona was considering a Linus or a Public. These seem to be a remarkable bargain. Of course, that raises the "skeptical" flags for me. Do any of you have any experience with these or thoughts about hidden issues/problems. My wife as been looking for an "around town" bike, and at this price, it seems hard to pass up.

fietsbob

Direct mean you bypass the LBS .. good luck ... its between you and the seller ..

mconlonx

The bike will ship to you in the same state of disassembly as bike shops receive bikes from manufacturers. If you are handy with bike repair and maintenance and know what size bike you need, it can indeed save you money. If not, figure another $75 into the cost of the bike in order to have a shop build it up for you, and cross fingers hoping that you ordered the right size.

I've purchased BD bikes twice, and both times no issues, no problems; I've seen bikes come into the shop from people who thought they could put a BD bike together and make adjustments correctly, but actually couldn't...

NOS88

Years ago I spent three summers pulling Schwinn bikes out of their cartons and putting them together for the LBS in my neighborhood. I've also done several builds starting with just a frame. So, I think I'm good in that department.

When you say "no problems" I'm assuming everything was as they advertised?

no motor?

I think kookaburra has had one of those for a few years, and likes it.

Wanderer

In answer to your question....... yes, they are a reputable dealer.

e0richt

true, but bike shops around here will put it together for you for a fee... I would be surprised if there were many shops that wouldn't do the same.

ItsJustMe

I bought a Windsor Fens last year. It's fantastic. I will use BD any time I can in the future.

I have never, ever used a LBS for anything mechanical, so YMMV if you aren't willing/able to wrench for yourself.

Assembly was a breeze. Quality is everything I want.

I spent $799 for that bike. By contrast, I spent > $1100 for a Giant Seek 0 from the LBS this fall. I'm pretty disappointed. It's an OK bike but they didn't spend an extra nickel on components that they couldn't put in a bullet list. I've broken 6 spokes in 500 miles. None of the replacement spokes (Wheelsmith) have broken yet, so I assume that they just used the cheapest garbage they could find in a back alley in China somewhere. I haven't bothered going to the LBS with it because they're 20 miles out of my way and I can put a new spoke in with the wheel still on the bike in about 3 minutes.

I only used the LBS because I couldn't find an acceptable winter bike from BD (required IGH and disc brakes)

mconlonx

Ah, then you are familiar with how it will show up and shouldn't have any issues getting it together. Go for it! Yes, everything was as advertised--I didn't sit down with their spec sheet, checking off everything to make sure every component matched catalog spec, but all the big pieces were there as advertised.

Did you miss the sentence before the one you quoted where I said to expect to pay about $75 to have a shop do the assembly?

e0richt

yeah, guess so...

megalowmatt

No experience with the Kensington but I've bought from bikes direct. Worked out great for me.

mtndragon

I have purchased three bikes direct bikes and been very satisfied every time. Two of the bikes arrived with damage from shipping/pre-assembley, and both times bikesdirect took care of the situation very quickly and with no hassles on my end. The one bike that was not damaged actually came with a better fork than was spec'd, and I have always been pleasantly surprised with any changes made to parts specs on BD bikes. With the exception of my bikesdirect bikes, I have built all of my bikes from parts for the last 20 years, and I anticipate this trend will continue. If you are a savvy shopper and know what you want, they are a great source for bikes. The wheels tend to be crap (I am a Clyde), but that is usually the case with any sub $2K bike.

RPK79

My wife and I both have BD bikes and we're happy with them.

e0richt

interestingly enough, I had no problems with the wheels on my bike (and I am most probably heavier than you...). However, I did have problems with the Trek 7100 I bought from the LBS... eventually, I had to buy another wheel for that to solve the problem.

rms13

My wife and I have BD bikes and I'm very happy with the money I spent there. Our bikes were at least 40% less then a comperable name brand LBS bike and we've had no quality issues. Of coure you do have to be comfortable with assembly and making adjustments because nothing is going to be set up perfect out of the box...but that also goes for a Cannondale out of the box at the LBS. I spend a lot of time on the SSFG subforum and it seems like everyone over there has at least one BD bike and I rarely here anything negative. From what I gather, their quality wasn't always great a few years back but they seem to be good now

ItsJustMe

I broke one spoke on my Windsor Fens in the first year. By contrast, both of the LBS bikes that I've bought (both from Giant) broke spokes like they were made of dry spaghetti until I finally replaced all the spokes with good ones. I'm really happy with only breaking one spoke in the first 2500 miles or so.

elemtee

another satisfied bikesdirect/bikeisland consumer three times over.

MEversbergII

I've also decided to get myself one of those. I like hub gears, and it's an inexpensive way in to the hub gear world. It was a toss up between that or the Linus Sport, due to the Linus having a smaller frame but the 51cm Windsor seems like it would do me fine enough.

M.

Dahon.Steve

I actually have the three speed version and it's fine. I removed the fenders and rack and to my surprise, the bike is fairly light for Chromoly 4130. However, I started breaking spokes in the rear wheel and had to send it to a bike shop for a complete rebuild with new spokes and nipples. I would do the same if you were going this way and it's only about 100 dollars and well worth the money. You're still far ahead from the bikes offered from Linus or Public.

I don't know why Public charges $600 dollars more for practically the same bike. I find if you upgrade the Bike Direct Kington8 tires to Schwalbe Delux, respoke rear wheel and install Kool Stop pads, you actually have a better bike than Linus or Public in my opinion. Also, you're still a couple of hundred dollars less than either bike.

Having said that, I do find the Public V7 with derailluer to be a solid buy at $449.00. I would purchase that bike over the 8 speed hub bikes from all three but that's just me.