Originally Posted by
happypills
From my and my guys experience, all bikesdirect bikes are as good as any typical LBS retail bike. All bikesdirect bikes are made at the exact same factories as many expensive LBS brands. Take for example kinesis who makes some of bikesdirect's road bikes also happens to make bikes for that famed british bike company called raleigh. bikesdirect bikes are cheap because you're not paying for the brand while you're getting the same exact quality.
No. Just because a frame is made in the same factory doesn't mean it's the same bike. Bikesdirect bikes are cheap because they use cheap components, cheap paint, have no R&D (they simply rip off other bikes), very minimal service, no phone #, and they get all the schmoes on this forum to do their marketing for them. Listen I'm really not trying to insult bikesdirect owners. If you're happy with it I'm happy for you. Just trying to point out that test riding bikes before you buy is a good thing, as is service after a sale, and there are some costs to BD bikes which people might not be expecting. (again: gearing it down, LBS inspection if you don't have tools/knowhow, new pedals (+saddle probably), wheel truing if needed, new stem if needed to fit you, etc). You get what you pay for. If you have the right expectations, go for it!