Dc0505

Hello all, I'm interested in cycling and am in the process of deciding on my first bike. I know what I want and found it at a decent price on bicycleblowout.com, which apparently is the online store for Bicycle Bananas out of Reno, Nevada.

I would like to know if any of you have any experience with this company or have ordered from them before. I have done internet searches but can't find anything negative or positive, just that they exist.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

BetweenRides

IMHO if you are new to it and this is your first bike, don't buy it online. You would do good to go to several knowledgeable local bike shops, ask questions, get fitted and compare the results. Buying online when you don't know what you are doing is asking for trouble.

Just Sayin'......

Dave

Dc0505

I have actually tried the bike in person and love it, now I am going after last years model (cheaper!) and the only place I can find my size is this website. All the stores I have been to only have the 07 model. I guess I am just deciding if they are trustworthy.

dmotoguy

I ordered a dvd from bicycle bananas if that counts

CrimsonKarter21

Banana_Brain takes forever to ship anything on Ebay.

vpiuva

I've bought a few small items from B_B and it's actually been faster shipping than they advertise - ends about the same as waiting for Nashbar's standard delivery. (faint praise)

CrimsonKarter21

Bought two cages from him on the first, and I'm still waiting. A few months back I bought a Shimano 7 speed Uniglide cassette and he "forgot to ship it" for a month, said it was on his desk. He seemed nice enough the first time so I decided to give him a second try.

Avalanche325

I am not trying to be a smart a$$. But, if it is your first bike, how do you know the size is right? Most bike shops just have you stand over the bike, which is NOT how you size a bike. Check this out first, to make sure you are at least in the right ballpark.

https://www.coloradocyclist.com/BikeFit/index.cfm

CrimsonKarter21

Go to a Serotta dealer, and get measured there, and have them write down all of your measurements. There is a nice, fully adjustable bike they have at these shops.

:EDIT: They also should have a multitude of seats that you can try then buy when you're being fitted so you don;t have to go through the same predicament as me, which is buying 4 saddles before you can find one you like.

Ritterview

I dunno. Back when I started in road biking I just sauntered into my LBS, and they sold me a bike for around what I was willing to pay. I didn't learn much even riding it a lot for a couple of years. When it came time to upgrade last year, I bought a bike on the internet. I had to do a lot of research, instead of just getting whatever the bike shop wanted to sell me. I started perusing the Bike Forum and other forums, and I have learned tons more on the internet than the sales guys in the bike shop know. I am not sure that buying a bike at the LBS is the path towards knowledge.

Dc0505

The Jamis dealer outside of Cleveland; Fairview Cycles. They let me take it out for a ride that lasted probably 20 minutes and I thought the thing felt fine, I'm 5'11 and it was a size 19.5.

Thanks for all the responses!

oilman_15106

+10000

jrennie

Bicycle bananas is a local bike shop. the owner is Dan Brown and is a really nice guy. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them.

Lucky07

I bought a bike from them & was happy with the purchase. But I had also ridden the bike locally and knew what size I wanted.

That said, I wouldn't buy my first bike online.

Look at the local shops & find one that has a decent service plan to go along with your bike. If you don't know how to do basic maintainence (adjusting deraillieurs, brakes, truing wheels, etc) buying online can actually cost you more in the long run, since you'll have to take your bike into a shop for every small problem.

LenM

I was very satisfied with my purchase of an '05 Jamis Coda Elite. It was about 15-20% discounted. Shipping was included. Delivery was as promised. They also will heavily discount accessories if purchased at the same time. I think it was around 50% off . I bought shoes. They threw them right in the box with the bike. I'm no bike mechanic but assembly was easy.

I live in NJ and, although Jamis is headquartered fifteen minutes from my home, few LBS had any models to show me and none had my size. I had a pretty good idea what my size was and discussed it with my contact at Bike Blowout. It fits me fine and I love the bike for my 20 mile routes.

merlinextraligh

and posts on BF under the name Dc 0505?

Cyclist0383

Then why don't you buy it there? If they offer a service plan or discounts on accessories should make up the difference in price. Plus the online bike will not be ready to ride out of the box.

H1449-6

Does he have the body of Mary Magdalene in his back room?

Bnylo

I placed my order sunday for the 2005 16" coda elite after sizing it at the local ski barn. I"m also in NJ and found only ski barn carried any number of these bikes. I'll report on how they are.

Bnylo

Bike was delivered on 5/23 with all lines assembled. I put on handlebars, seat, front tire, pedals. Bike is excellent, one defect: dent in frame between the Jamis and Coda, but frame appears straight. I hid the dent with a half inch cute animal sticker.

Bike retailed at $1200 in 05 and I got it tax free at $750. I can live with a 38% discount!

jimx200

Dent? Dude file a claim, maybe you can get a few $100 from the shipper. I would not be to happy accepting a new bike with a dented tube.

DMF 

+100

That's major damage. You should get a new frame. (Shipper will claim cost from shipping company.) Be sure to save all the packaging.

Cyclist0383

Seriously. Dents on a new frame aren't okay.

old and new

I haven't bought anything there. I talked to the man there,he seemed fine. I'd buy there,I know what I need,the size and all. Besides,the man buys close-outs,I can find a 2005 or 6 model for hundreds less. '07 models are often protected by the territory rules set by manufacturers,in varied degrees. As well as a few models,the color's nicer or parts more sensible. Some brands are sold by LBSs a six hour drive from where I live,they ALL are except Trek, Specialized or Giant.