Originally Posted by
BlazingPedals
Bikes Direct: I think the complaint is the way they represent the product. An old respected brand gets bought out & becomes their store brand, which they label as "Ultegra" or something similar even though it might only have one or two parts on it that are the advertised level. I have no idea whether or not the accusation is true, but that's the gist of what I hear there.
Recumbents: I just like going fast. I got my first 'bent for comfort, but I got the second one for speed. It's comfortable, too.
BD seems to be using brand names from defunct manufacturers - Windsor, for example.
I've seen a BD Motobecane up close. Ugly welds. The owner said the bike was mechanically sound, but there was a defective wheel he had to replace - from what I've heard a common complaint with BD bikes.