BikingGrad80

I have 500 miles on my 2010 Immortal Force so I thought I'd write a review. I'll post pics later.

I decided I wanted a carbon fiber bike with a newer group set. My old bike is a steel 853 with 6500 series Shimano. Bikesdirect was the best bang for my buck on a 2k budget.

The bike was easy enough to assemble. However, I always have some issues with an internet purchase. I'd recommend setting aside $100 to have a shop go over it if you are not a competent wrench.

The channel on the right side of the rear dropout was not machined properly. It was too narrow and I had to pry the rear wheel out and was unable to get it back on. After consulting with BD I just filed off a bit of material with a needle file. It didn't take much. They sent me a new hanger in case that was the issue but It was the channel itself.

The wheels needed a bit of truing. The FD was a bit too high and dropped the chain on a ride. I lowered it a mm or two and have had no further problems.

The rear shifting wasn't great. I tried adjusting the housing run and criss-cross routing it. Finally I decided the problem was the plastic ferrules on the jagwire housing. I replaced all the shift housing and cables with Shimano SP41 Dura-ace which has metal ferrules and it made a huge difference. It was like going from 2200 to Ultegra. I am running Criss-cross style (left shifter to right stop and cross back on down tube).

Other changes:
Nashbar Carbon Seatpost (100g lighter full carbon and I like 0 setback.
Sette Lynx saddle (preference and also 100g lighter than the stock Ritchey comp).
Kool Stop pads better braking and the reduced wear on the rims is reason enough.
Look Keo Classic pedals
Wired Speedometer I got on sale at Jensonusa
Ebay carbon cages for $26

So far, I like the bike a lot. The frame handles very well, it gives a nice ride and feels stiff in terms of the power transmission. The group-set shifts and runs beautifully. It fits me very well. The FSA crank seems fine; I know some people hate FSA cranks. The handle bar I'm kind of so so on. It doesn't have much of a straight area after the drops. The wheels hold true. It looks nice, I got black btw because I decided white would be a paint to keep clean. The braking is also good.

added:
I've taken it on a century ride already

ptle

Post pictures!

ridethecliche

Do you have pictures of what you had to file?

That sounds mad sketchy.

NormanF

Uh oh. Just wait for the anti-BD posters to descend in force.

I say nice ride! Post your pictures!

deacon mark

I am thinking of the Immortal Spirit although would go with the Immortal Ice if they had my size. What does yours weight?

Genaro

I got the Force and love it. In hindsight, I wish I would have gone with the Spirit. Althought I like the FSA crank, you can't beat $200 for the Ultegra brakes and crankset. Those cane creeks will be the first thing to go!

achoo

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

You'll get actual customer service and you won't have to deal with wheels out-of-true, bottom-of-the-barrel cables, or bottom brackets sourced from some guy in Shanghai with a pickup truck. (Good luck finding it, but that showed up on one of the multitude of BD threads - no-name bottom brackets.)

BD ain't bad, per se, but IMO Neuvation is much better.

roccobike

BikingGrad80, thanks for an excellent, honest, complete review of a BD bike purchase experience.

BikingGrad80

here are some pics