nmubiker

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.

BurnNotice

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.

nmubiker

Thanks, I am seriously considering it. Here is the bike I am thinking about purchasing.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...700HT_2010.htm

TwinCam

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.

reptilezs

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

nmubiker

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.

BurnNotice

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: https://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Mount.../dp/B000CC2GTY

Good luck!

nmubiker

My size is sold out in the bike I wanted, but the DS is only $100 more, should I go for it?

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ne/700ds_x.htm

Cyclist30907654

No. You'll want to look for the Fantom dual suspension bikes, if you want full suspension.

Cyclist30907654

No. You'll want to look for the Fantom dual suspension bikes, if you want full suspension.

TwinCam

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.

spoke50

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.

magic-conch

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.

FlatSix911

You can do much better than the Stumpjumper at BD plus no tax and shipping ...

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

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ompro_dsIX.htm

BurnNotice

I love my local bike store. Great guys and very personable. However, if you are very mechanical and have built up a few bikes and are comfortable like myself doing so I then disagree with your statement. The internet has revolutionized how we shop and deals we find. Many times I get the same product for much less and even with shipping. At one time I had more bike mechanic tools than my LBS. I read many books and applied the learning to building up bikes from the frame. I have found my time has become less and less so I chose to buy the last time from my LBS and let them worry with fit and finish. But I still do basic tuning and adjustments because I know how and have become very good at it.

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.

4evrplan

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.

dynodonn 

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.

FlatSix911

Based on your description of the condition ... you should have sent the bike back ...

dynodonn 

No way, then they would not only have my money, but the bike too, then I would have to go back and forth via email with them, which proved limited and timely on earlier attempts on a previous purchase. Personally, I'm now staying local when it comes to purchasing a bike, at least I can do a hands on test before I give someone my money, not after.

magic-conch

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).

Santaria

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.

FlatSix911

Here are the specs on the Front and Rear Shocks:

• RockShox Reba Race 120mm(80/100mm capable) Remote Lockout + Motion Control damping
• Rockshox Monarch 3.3 with 3 position FloodGate Platform Damping (up to 5" of travel)

Try out the stock saddle and pedals before you switch ... you may like them

• Pedals Gravity DualStage Clipless/Platform
• Saddle WTB SpeedV

Stanger

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...tom_comp08.htm

The Fantom Comp seems like a pretty solid deal. I'm thinking about it myself.

magic-conch

alright cool. thanks a bunch man. So I'm guessing the 3 position floodgate thing is complete lockout, unlock, and that smart lock thing right? The thing that only locks when you're pedaling?

magic-conch

It looks pretty awesome, but I'm new to mtn biking (I'm a roadie/fixie) so I'm not too sure bout this one yet.