Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Hybrid Bicycles
Reload this Page >

Looking to buy new bike

Notices
Hybrid Bicycles Where else would you go to discuss these fun, versatile bikes?

Looking to buy new bike

Old 09-06-09, 02:28 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Florida, West Palm Beach
Posts: 2

Bikes: Cannondale, Fiorelli

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Cool Looking to buy new bike

Is Bikesdirect.com a legit co. ? They advertise here and in many web sites or related areas.
frogmanc is offline  
Old 09-06-09, 02:33 PM
  #2  
Mrs. DataJunkie
 
Luddite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,527

Bikes: Asama "Luddite" and Kuwahara MTB from the 90s

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I think there's some debate over their services. I'm leery of buying stuff like a bike online, personally.
Luddite is offline  
Old 09-06-09, 04:18 PM
  #3  
Great State of Varmint
 
Panthers007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dante's Third Ring
Posts: 7,476
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times in 15 Posts
1. - If you are not a skilled bike-mechanic and have a full compliment of tools and a working knowledge of how these things work - and you have built a bike up from just a frame before - add at least $200 to the price of their bikes. The $200 is around what a shop would charge to build it for you.

2. - You will not have a warranty behind the bike. So after it's built, expect to pay for a tune-up from a bike-shop shortly after you get the bike built for you. Things like cable-stretch and derailleurs needing adjusting are normal. If you bought your bike from a bike-store, this service would be free. Buying your bike off the internet means you are on your own.

It's your money to spend as you wish. I hope you have lot's of it.
Panthers007 is offline  
Old 09-08-09, 10:59 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: NY state
Posts: 1,311

Bikes: See Signature...

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I think they do come mostly assembled, but its a good idea to check torque on all of the components and tune them up good.

The first major bike work I EVER did was taking my old mongoose mountain bike down to a bare frame and putting on about $500 in parts I had ordered. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, that's for sure. I didn't rush it, and I think it took me a few hours. Never had a problem with that bike, either. Anyone who puts their mind to it, has the proper tools, and some mechanical ability should have no problems with bikes from bikesdirect.

However, if you don't have the tools, mechanical ability, or time...go to a bike shop and spend more. Someone with the tools and knowledge can get pretty good deals though...

Last edited by nymtber; 09-08-09 at 11:07 PM.
nymtber is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 06:19 AM
  #5  
aka Phil Jungels
 
Wanderer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North Aurora, IL
Posts: 8,234

Bikes: 08 Specialized Crosstrail Sport, 05 Sirrus Comp

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 202 Post(s)
Liked 86 Times in 60 Posts
To answer your question - yes, they are a legit business.

If you are a competent bike mechanic, and are prepared to disassemble everything, lubricate, and adjust, and reassemble - you can get a decent bike for a very reasonable price.

And, they do have warrantees, and offer reasonable customer service for an internet company.
Wanderer is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 08:15 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
sh00k's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Vacaville, CA
Posts: 947

Bikes: 2011 Trek FX 7.3 | 2015 Trek FX 7.4 | Lotus Classique

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 171 Post(s)
Liked 22 Times in 16 Posts
Originally Posted by Luddite
I think there's some debate over their services. I'm leery of buying stuff like a bike online, personally.
cosign. god forbid the company accepts returns but at the customers expense.... shipping a 20-30pound bike in a huge box surely cant be cheap... and that eats into the savings you'd get anyway - sort of negating the savings....

if you have looked high and dry at local bike stores, and have not found what you want, and you've also scoured craigslist, i'd say this would be the best route to go... but be very knowledgable about the company's return policies, timeframes, etc.
sh00k is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 11:56 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
meanwhile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,033
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Panthers007
1. - If you are not a skilled bike-mechanic and have a full compliment of tools and a working knowledge of how these things work - and you have built a bike up from just a frame before - add at least $200 to the price of their bikes. The $200 is around what a shop would charge to build it for you.
Unless b-d are being VERY deceptive, no. Looking at the example of their site (https://www.bikesdirect.com/instructionhelp.htm) all you'd need would be a pedal spanner and a set of hex keys, and assembly. They sell an assembly tool lit for $20 - this is not "a full set of bike tools" - it's not what I'd carry on a bike on a tour - and the process they show would take about 10 minutes. Screwing on the pedals would be the worst part. (Btw - you should use "assembly paste" when you do this or they may be unremoveable.)

2. - You will not have a warranty behind the bike. So after it's built, expect to pay for a tune-up from a bike-shop shortly after you get the bike built for you. Things like cable-stretch and derailleurs needing adjusting are normal. If you bought your bike from a bike-store, this service would be free. Buying your bike off the internet means you are on your own.
It's easy to tweak a derailer yourself, and if you fail a local bike mechanic should do it for a few bucks.

And b-d do provide a warranty, at least on the bike I looked at. Obviously it will be a pain to use.
meanwhile is offline  
Old 09-09-09, 12:04 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Timber_8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: South East Massachusetts
Posts: 1,090
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts
With all the different kinds of Bikes out there it would be in your best interest to try several brand & models. Be ware of anything that says free shipping too, It will wind up on the cheapest carrier they can find. I am in the trucking business & there is a lot of loss & damages on the docks.
Timber_8 is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.