Originally Posted by
livedarklions
Is it a matter of the competitors getting better or BD getting worse or some combination of both? Serious question, I think you have a really interesting perspective on this.
Originally Posted by
Paul Barnard
I can't say for certain, though it seems like Bikes Direct has elevated their prices while lowering their spec. Back then I'd look at one of their bikes and think comparatively it was a heck of deal. Now when I pick one of their bikes and compare it to what's out there, I think "why bother?"
I think Paul hit the nail on the head. When I first heard of BD, their prices would be many hundreds to sometimes a grand less than comparable name brand bikes, making it well worth the $100-150 you would pay a shop to assemble it and scoff at you. Now you're just saving a few hundred at most, which barely covers the cost of assembly and leaves you with a bike that is usually a little heavier, a little uglier, a little less hi tech, and has a much lower resale value.