Originally Posted by
bigvegan
I'm not that stoked on the raw, but I'm ALL FOR bikes direct offering more bikes without the decals, or at least putting decals OVER the clearcoat.
Speaking as a Motobecane Messenger owner, if there's one thing that makes the bikesdirect bikes a hard sell, it's the ABYSMAL aesthetics, ESPECIALLY the decals/branding.
If they were easier to remove, so you could get a no-logoed frame in some simple colors, I'd think you'd sell a lot more bikes.
The STRIPPER is a great idea. It would be even better if you'd make that an option across ALL product lines. I'm considering a road bike, but the Motobecane/Windsor/Mercier branding is so tacky that it's going to be tough for me to buy one from bikesdirect even if I'm saving some money by doing so.
There are always taste differences; but there are limits on how many variations can be built.
Reaction on Road bikes to Motobecane, Windsor, Mercier, and Dawes has been great. But we also sell Kestrel and Bottecchia bikes. And we sell some frames that are 'naked'. Plus there are some new designs on Motobecanes coming this spring / summer that have gotten very good reaction. Like this:
and a lot of people like the simple look on the Ti bikes:
Of course, I am open to all sorts of options:
My main goal is to keep prices really good and quality really high.
I do not know how to measure 'tacky' vs great looks; but I know I think an Ultegra road bike that is $3500 is tacky and DuraAce at $6000 is beyond tacky. I like lots of performance for the buck.