Originally Posted by
2ndGen
But you haven't been here arguing like the others right?
This is my point ijen...the biggest defenders of BD don't own a BD bike themselves.
I find it weird that some assume automatically that if a person doesn't like a particular bike, then they have to hate it.
Personally, I'm indifferent to BD bikes and can only base my judgments on the experiences of those who've owned them.
Again, to each his (or her) own I always say.
I felt the same way about my first RB (my Trek) that you feel for your bike.
It gets trashed a lot (probably the most trashed brand around).
For me, it's a recreational vehicle.
For some people bicycles are their LIFE.
Not worth me getting so riled up that I hurl insults or curse at others.
I've been keeping up with this thread, but yeah, haven't really felt the need to get into it much. I love my bike and really, that's where my concerns stop. Last I checked, no one else has ever ridden my bike
And a little background - I originally went out to the LBS armed to buy a Giant Avail (around $900). The LBS clerk could not have been more dismissive of me. I left completely bummed out because I wanted to get into the store and talk with someone about this purchase I was going to make (from $600-$4000, it's all money to me).
I ended up turning my frown upside down and checking out the BD store. The manager was the person who helped me, and he could not have done more for me. He explained the parts, the price differences, etc., etc. I think on my first trip I spent about an hour and a half in there learning. I actually bought a hybrid that day, a Motobecane.
I rode the MB for a few weeks, and while it was a great bike, I had serious road bike envy. I went into the BD store to look at some clipless pedals, and mentioned that I wished I had bought the road bike. The manager said bring mine back in and get the bike I want. By this time, I'd had the bike about a month and hadn't babied it. He gladly took it back and ordered my roadie.
When my Mercier came in, they spent about an hour with me fitting and explaining some basic riding techniques. Said come back in 30-60 days for my first (free) tune up. The process couldn't have been better. That being said,
I have no idea what a BD online order would be like.
My bike has been lovely and flawless from day one. And when I go back and look at that Giant I had originally been considering, I'm much, much happier that I ended up with my BD bike.
There's my life story
Edit to add, the store manager even helped me get my bike rack out of the box and onto my car. And just think, the LBS guy wouldn't even talk to me
