rjtokyo

I'm shopping for a friend looking for his first road bike. He lives in a remote area with no decent road bike shops nearby, so I'm thinking of buying online. Anyone have a good experience buying a full bike online? Budget is $1500 and I'm thinking of an alu frame with carbon fork and seat stays, hopefully 105 or better equipped. Recommendations? Thanks.

Cheers! - rj

thirdgenbird

i am not a huge shimano fan, but here is a full carbon bike with 105 components and carbon fsa cranks for $1500


they ship internationally too.
full specs

lesdunham

I like the Motobecane Sprint, 2010 is $4 more expensive than last years but with Ultegra 6700 for $999 total. https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...e/sprint_x.htm Some on Bikeforums like to slam Bikesdirect but mine is 4.5 years old with 12,000 miles on it. Better than many other owners have on their lbs purchases. Just know your size and know what you see is what you get (no customization).

Do what is best for you.

Yaniel

https://www.neuvationcycling.com/bicycles.html

1595 for carbon 105

1295 for aluminum ultegra 6700

bismillah

Walmart

KiuBWhy

lol.

With the Italian Mechanics right?

DXchulo

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...alforce_10.htm

Close enough.

rjtokyo

You know I was lol when I first saw, "walmart," but seriously, has anyone (real cyclist) ever ridden a Corsa like this?:

https://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...#ProductDetail

It looks like Ultegra shifters and derailleurs with 105 brakes, Shimano wheelst, and then some junky minor parts like seat clamps, etc., but if the frame is on par with, say, PF, might this be worth it for a first bike???

Cheers! - rj

thirdgenbird

his location is listed as Tokyo. bikes direct WILL NOT ship internationally. Performance Bike will

DXchulo

If that is the case, shipping will probably be expensive and turn into a headache. There are probably some pretty good shops in Tokyo, right? I would look there instead.

Hunt-man

+1 on this option. Performance bike is great. Wait for a sale!!!!

achoo

The aluminum Ultegra ships stock with FSA crank and Tektro brakes, maybe upgrade both to Ultegra for about $200. Full SRAM Rival is $1295.

Also, have to pay shipping for Neuvation. But it's not "what you see is what you get", like Bikes Direct. So if you need some customer service, even remotely, Neuvation is a LOT better than BD.

As for being in Tokyo, I don't think it's possible to be there and be remote from a bike shop, so I suspect the friend isn't in Tokyo.

rjtokyo

Sorry I didn't qualify it, guys. I am in Tokyo, but my friend will be buying his bike in the U.S., so there shouldn't be any shipping concerns. And yes, there are plenty of good shops in Tokyo with excellent bikes at the $1,500 price point.

Thanks- rj

DXchulo

See what happens when you assume?

rjtokyo

I've been away from BF for a while so I'm not too familiar with the slams. I tried to do a search, but it wouldn't go through. What are the most common "issues" with Bikesdirect?

- rj

thirdgenbird

and you were guilty of assuming he was in the us seeing as thats the only place bikes direct ships...

DXchulo

Does this link work? https://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=132464

If not, here's an old thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=Bikes+Direct

urbanknight

Questionable marketing. That's about it.

pdedes

you can get a neuvation alloy w/force for $1549. a pedal force zx3 w/sram rival could be completed for around the same.