Bikes direct...good value?
I have recently become interested in buying a REAL mountain bike as I have only ever had cheap X-mart bikes. I have been doing my research for about a week now and originally had been set on getting a rock hopper from my LBS.
Today I ran across an apparently well know online bike shop called bikesdirect.com. It seems that they have crazy good deals, however I have read both good and bad reviews. The bad ones mostly steaming from their poor costumer service. As a novice I was wondering if I should spend $600 for a rock hopper or invest my money in a bike with much better specs from bikes direct for the same price? Feel free to post other good rigs in the $500-$600 range as well. |
BD is a great place if you don't mind a few things: 1) Having to do some basic wrenching when the bike comes to put it all togther; 2) Having no direct route within driving distance like a lbs if there is a problem.
I have no idea how BD customer service is but I assume pretty good or they would not have been in business all these years! But to answer your question is "yes", BD is a great place to buy if you don't need a name on the bike like Trek; Specialized; Kona; Gary Fisher; Cannondale; and well, youget the picture. I bought my first road bike from them many years ago and was pleased with it. It was low end componetry but it sufficed until I was ready to upgrade. |
Thanks, I am seriously considering it. Here is the bike I am thinking about purchasing.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...700HT_2010.htm |
As you are already able to go to a forum and ask questions, you wont need a bike shop as much as a more helpless beginner would. You eventually need to be able to break down your whole bike to be a well rounded rider. Better to learn sooner instead of spending your first year or two driving back to a shop for every little noise or replacement.
The bike you posted is a really good deal, imo. |
im not a big fan of bikes direct for newbies. big learning curve on how to work a qr skewer, install pedals, true wheels, adjust hubs, adj brakes, derailuers, headset. bikes out of the box are nut just slap on the bars and pedals. they need adjustment
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I feel that I am pretty mechanically inclined, plus my dad said he would help with the disk breaks, which I think will be my main problem.
If anyone finds a good step by step for installing and adjusting disk breaks that would be great. |
Yes that bike has some great components for a beginner at $500. There are online sites that let you plug in your measurements to get a better gauge on a fitting.
It will suggest stem length and bar width from measurements. The measurements are like being measured for a custom suit. Try looking to that to get in the ballpark. The advantage to a great lbs that cares like where I go they will switch out stems and cut the steerer tube if need be to fit you to a bike! That is where a lbs bought bike has great advantages. To do wrenching might I suggest a book called Zinn Mountain Bike Maintenance, here it is: http://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Mount.../dp/B000CC2GTY Good luck! |
My size is sold out in the bike I wanted, but the DS is only $100 more, should I go for it?
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ne/700ds_x.htm |
Originally Posted by nmubiker
(Post 10787598)
My size is sold out in the bike I wanted, but the DS is only $100 more, should I go for it?
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ne/700ds_x.htm |
Originally Posted by nmubiker
(Post 10787598)
My size is sold out in the bike I wanted, but the DS is only $100 more, should I go for it?
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ne/700ds_x.htm |
i think as long as someone is present who is comfortable with torkin down small metal parts and a source like a good book or the park tool site to get heads up on the reverse threads and other general bike idiosyncrasies then you are in the clear. and you learn the skills.
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All this talk about no LBS support is BS. I bought a road bike on BD and took it straight to my LBS and had them put it together for me for a small price. A good LBS is going to try to keep you as a customer anyway. Your gonna always need the other stuff that they sell.
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I was thinking bout getting a specialized stumpjumper 2010 comp bike and thought about BD myself. Are there any bikes on this website that are somewhat equal or able to match up with a specialized stump jumper? My budget is 1500 and I'm looking to get a bike that requires little or no serious upgrades.
I just really need a bike with full suspensions but lockouts in the front and back as well. |
Originally Posted by magic-conch
(Post 10833282)
I was thinking bout getting a specialized stumpjumper 2010 comp bike and thought about BD myself. Are there any bikes on this website that are somewhat equal or able to match up with a specialized stump jumper? My budget is 1500 and I'm looking to get a bike that requires little or no serious upgrades.
I just really need a bike with full suspensions but lockouts in the front and back as well. Shimano XTR 27 Speed Full Suspension 2010 Fantom PRO DS $1599 Remote Lockout 120mm Rockshox Reba Race, Vuelta XRP PRO SL wheels, Avid Hydraulic Disc Brakes http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ompro_dsIX.htm http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ds_blk_600.jpg |
Originally Posted by spoke50
(Post 10789266)
All this talk about no LBS support is BS. I bought a road bike on BD and took it straight to my LBS and had them put it together for me for a small price. A good LBS is going to try to keep you as a customer anyway. Your gonna always need the other stuff that they sell.
If someone has the ability and is inclined you could cut out a LBS altogether. I am not saying that a LBS is bad in any way. They are great places to shop and I even continued to shop my LBS even when I was building my own custom builds. Did I have to use them? No, but I just liked every so often going around to talk bikes and stuff. So I am no saying to cut out a LBS or BD. I am saying to the OP that if you feel confident in your abilities then go for it. If not the LBS is the only way if you have a qualified and competent one you deal with. |
spoke50, "good" is the operative word. And, there's definitely something to be said for supporting the local guy, but if the OP's LBS is anything like mine, I wouldn't blame them for doing all their business online.
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I'm now leery of purchasing online bikes, the last bike was a mtb that came with a broken front spoke, chain pinched between the BB and triple rings(assembled from the factory that way), a front suspension fork that was too soft, requiring someone with more than entry level skill and tools to fix. After fixing/upgrading the problems, my online bike ended up only being less than 100 dollars than a similar LBS version without any of the hassles. Nothing like being able to physically check out a bike beforehand than having to toss the dice and see what you end up with.
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Originally Posted by dynodonn
(Post 10834466)
I'm now leery of purchasing online bikes, the last bike was a mtb that came with a broken front spoke, chain pinched between the BB and triple rings(assembled from the factory that way), a front suspension fork that was too soft, requiring someone with more than entry level skill and tools to fix. After fixing/upgrading the problems, my online bike ended up only being less than 100 dollars than a similar LBS version without any of the hassles. Nothing like being able to physically check out a bike beforehand than having to toss the dice and see what you end up with.
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Originally Posted by FlatSix911
(Post 10836131)
Based on your description of the condition ... you should have sent the bike back ... :thumb:
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Originally Posted by FlatSix911
(Post 10833303)
You can do much better than the Stumpjumper at BD plus no tax and shipping ... :thumb:
Shimano XTR 27 Speed Full Suspension 2010 Fantom PRO DS $1599 Remote Lockout 120mm Rockshox Reba Race, Vuelta XRP PRO SL wheels, Avid Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
There are some compromises to think about either way:
If you buy a bike online, you need tools, and at least the understanding of what, and why you're wrenching on it. The internet is a great resource, and there are a plethora of people that can, and will offer you information. But that information can always be tainted. There is nothing that says you can't walk into your LBS if you have a problem beyond you and get them to help/advise. Know up front that they're not going to like you generally, and you may not get the best price for parts/labor. Is that enough to deter you from buying online? /shrug If you buy locally, know upfront that your $500 pricetag is really getting you into a $300 bike and that the overhead is going into the LBS owner's pocket. Is that a bad thing? No, that's business. But your not getting what you want, technically. Add in taxes, and you're really potentially looking at buying an A-1 Xmart bike with the perks of a LBS attached. Yes, it is a piece of junk. In the price range you've set for yourself, the LBS route only garners good karma, and the potential to see a lower price set on later purchases. Personally, I'd buy from BD with your financial limit - or try to scrounge up enough to move up to a more costly, but longer lasting piece of equipment. |
Originally Posted by magic-conch
(Post 10838199)
Looks awesome! Sorry but I'm new to the mtn biking terminology, so does this thing have rear and front lockouts and the three switch setting like the stumpjumper? And will I have to upgrade anything other than the pedals and saddle on this bike? I'm looking for a bike that's good to go off the stock build (excluding all the adjustments).
Try out the stock saddle and pedals before you switch ... you may like them :thumb:
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http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...tom_comp08.htm
The Fantom Comp seems like a pretty solid deal. I'm thinking about it myself. |
Originally Posted by FlatSix911
(Post 10840292)
Here are the specs on the Front and Rear Shocks:
Try out the stock saddle and pedals before you switch ... you may like them :thumb:
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Originally Posted by Stanger
(Post 10840611)
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...tom_comp08.htm
The Fantom Comp seems like a pretty solid deal. I'm thinking about it myself. |
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