hello! from a Milwaukee newb
 

New to the site. 1 year into riding. Currently riding around the Milwaukee county area on a hand me down 1982 schwinn le tour. Looking at upgrading on a budget. I have been hearing about bikes direct. I probably would like to purchase there and upgrade over time through a LBS. Any ideas for bikes? I like the motobecane mirage s.

Also in SE Wisconsin. Welcome. Go check out some of the fine LBS before going the internet route. You might find a deal on a 2013 model. What are you looking for? Road? Cyclocross? Touring? What is your budget?

Cory the Bike Fixer on the East Side has some fine bikes. Surly, Kona, Jamis, for example.
Bikesmiths on Locust has some tremendous deals on Cannondale cyclocross bikes, if that is your thing.
Erik's in Whitefish Bay sells Specialized.
Wheel and Sprocket and Rainbow Jersey sell Trek.
North Shore Wheels in Shorewood sells Giant.

Maybe just me, but I would much rather go with any of these brands, serviced by a LBS, than deal with bikes direct.

Thanks for the reply. I'm looking for a road bike entry level. My fiance maxed my budget at $600. Haven't been to any of the LBS's around here but will definitely take a look before making a purchase local or online. Do you know what a CAAD 7 2013 is going for? Or any other ideas for my price range. Any input is appreaciated. I would like to stay local and get brand name if possible but my budget is tight.

This sight will give you a good idea on pricing. Bicyclebluebook.com. Ck it out its cool.

Welcome to BF!

$600 is just below what you can get a basic road bike for, but you just might find a 2013 model on sale. If you want Cannondale, go to bike smiths on Locust. They had a few 2013s and maybe even 2012s a few months ago for sale in your price range.

Cory the Bike Fixer had a couple of used road bikes for sale for less than your budget. No idea if it would fit you. Head down there and look for yourself. Bike smiths is just a couple of Miles north on Locust. North Shore wheels and Rainbow Jersey are is just a couple of Miles north of there in Shorewood. Erik's is just north of there in Whitefish Bay. Go do some looking around.

Welcome from Milwaukee! While I agree that there are some great LBS in the area (Cory's being my preference just because of the awesome atmosphere and great staff, followed by The Bikesmiths because they've got some pretty darn good prices on parts), I ended up going the Bikesdirect route. Granted, the size selection (which is where a good LBS will always win over the internet) was easy for me since there was only one size that had a low enough standover for my stumpy legs, but for the money I couldn't find a better deal than the Gravity Liberty 3. Equipped the same as my buddy's Trek 1.5 (though with a triple instead of a compact crankset), but at half the price. And hey, it just happens to be $600!

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../liberty_3.htm

North Shore Wheels in Shorewood has a used full carbon Fuji road bike for under $600.

Thanks for the follow ups. Its much appreciated. I will check out the LBS for deals and post what I get. Ill have to look at the Gravity as well Hopefully the weather starts warming up around here so we can all get out and put some miles on. I went out Tuesday and it was cold!!!

Looking for a decent priced road bike too!!
 

I am new here too!
I also have been looking for a road bike for the past 2 weeks. I have a long story about my experiences but I think I might blog that; but for now... I purchased a 2011 Specialized Crosstrail in 2012 on sale. The only LBS in town; price was right at $375 but the treatment by the owner was terrible! then had a spoke on the rear cassette side replaced there for $60 bucks!
The next closest bike shop is in a 40 mile radius; so no more LBS for me! Too expensive! I even contacted a few in a 50 mile radius re: a road bike for just under $400 and was told the lowest price for a new 1 would be around $600+!There were no used bikes in yet that might be close but I could check back later in the season!
I had been searching the internet like Amazon, Walmart and other online stores. On Amazon & Walmart some may have caught my eye but when I did more research 1 had a split handlebar (yeah crazy, eh) and some other had a fork that reminded me of real low end bikes with the fork resembling a split washer welded to an angled cut tubing, :eek: yuk. I am used to those tapered forks, or like on the Crosstrail, a suspension fork.
Anyway I sold my hybrid and wanted a road bike; I didn't like my long rides on the road while in the hybrid upright position... felt strange to try and get tucked for aerodynamics and hand changing positions was minimal.
I did find BikesDirect.com and was really impressed with the specs and components on some of the bikes but when it mentioned carbon fork I was intrigued.
The Motobecane Mirage S popped out as right for my little pocket book and components. It took me almost an hour to click the order button because I was doing research on the Motobecane, the company and Kinesis Industry who owns Motobecane USA. They also own, and get this, Diamondback Bicycles, Felt Bicycles, GT Bicycles, Schwinn, Jamis, K2, Raleigh, Trek, Kross and Kona — as well as the brands marketed by the U.S. company Bikesdirect.com: Motobecane USA, Dawes USA, Cycles Mercier, Windsor America!
So, I did order it and it's suppose to be here in 4 days! I am actually excited! I do have a repair stand that works well for me for assembly, which is the Confidence on Amazon; it is portable and the bike clamp works well. It may not be the professional repair stand but it's better than having the bike hanging from the floor joists in the basement and swing every time you try and do something to the bike. It also holds my wife's cruiser with fenders and rear carrier!
I'll update with a review on the bike after I have it and ride it for a time. I usually do 30+ miles per day x 4 days/week; so, when the weather gets better and all the snow is gone I'll be on it! Good luck!
Keep the Roll going!:)

Have you received your Mirage S yet? If so initial impression?