Bottecchia
 

Hmm. While browsing eBay for a Trek 2100, I came upon a BOTTECCHIA SPRINT BZ 66 PRO for $1195. I've never heard of Bottecchia, but the seller claims most components are Ultegra, while the Treks are 105. Also, is the MSRP really $2,500? I'm confused!

Can someone just tell me if this is worth it over the 2100, or is the seller just pulling the wool over my eyes?

Sounds like a bikesdirect offerring.

You pretty much lost me there.

Are you saying that its a scam?

yeah, this is a bikes direct brand...or re-brand to be honest. i assume you know about bikes direct?

Minimally.

I just read a thread on a different forum anyway about Bottechia.

I'll just go with the 2100.

alright. well, it's not a scam so i don't think you have to worry about that. lot's of people have BD bikes. if you do buy it, you'll need to assemble some of it yourself or take it to a shop.

Bottecchia...

Lemond won a Tour on one of those.

;)

most likely you will get exactly what is described in that ebay listing...

most likely that ebay seller is associated with other ebay sellers who are associated with bikesdirect.com who buy frames manufactured in taiwan, label them with names of more-or-less defunct bike makers like motobecane, mercier, and bottecchia for which they have bought usa rights, and then put a good mix of components on them and sell directly to you...

if you search motobecane and bikesdirect in this forum you will find many many threads on the subject...

bottom line: i would guess that most bf members who have actually bought such bikes (me included) believe they have gotten great bikes for terrific prices... probably the best 'candidate' for a bikesdirect bike is a person who knows exactly what they want, knows the frame size and geometry that is best for them, and either wants to do the final assembly themselves, or will not mind taking the box when delivered to have it done at the lbs...

Oh yes, Bikedirect some people love them, and some people hate them. I have two Motobecanes from B.D. and I also have Cannondale. I am not saying that my Moto’s are better, but I can not feel a $1,400 Difference in the Cannondale. Like the previous post says; you will have to partially put them together, and if you are not a good wrench then expect to pay anywhere for $80 to $200 dollars to have it assembled. But other than that I have never had any problems with my B.D. bikes.

Wait wait wait wait wait. Don't be so hasty. A lot of people here on BF have a "beef" with bikesdirect.com for no other reason than a poorly designed website, and arguably misleading ads (stress the word "arguably"). Keep in mind also that a lot of the people here are wrapped up in riding around on bikes with well-known or high-end name brands. In other words, many people here are willing to pay extra just to advertise for companies that never did anything for them. The bike they bought might be the best fit for them personally, but what's best for some Cat 3 racer might not be best for me. What's best for one Cat 3 racer won't be best for the NEXT Cat 3 racer. What's best for YOU won't be best for someone else.

Bottecchia, Motobecane, Dawes, Windsor, etc., are going to have decent frames, most likely with decent components - considering their prices on eBay or bikesdirect.com. It's at the point where you're looking at components that you just need to compare apples to apples though.

I'm not familiar with what the Trek 2100 comes with, but chances are you could actually save quite a bundle with the Bottecchia, Motobecane, etc. Don't buy a Trek just because it's a Trek. That's buying out of ignorance to the exact same extent that buying a bike on eBay just because it's cheap is an ignorant purchase.

Check out the 2100 at a bike shop near you, ride it around, get a feel for it, and see how it generally fits you. Compare that against the bike you're looking at on eBay (frame geometry being MOST important as everything else is 100% adjustable) and make your decision based on that.

Just as an example, I want to build up a cyclocross bike for this fall. As much as I can't believe I'm admitting it, THIS MOTOBECANE is a deal that's ridiculous. Ridiculously spectacular, that is. Building this same bike up from scratch even when hunting around for the best of deals new/used on eBay/Craigslist would cost well over the purchase price.

All this rambling to say that just because some folks on here discount BikesDirect as being lame (build your OWN opinion on that), the bikes themselves are frankly and honestly spectacular deals that you MIGHT be a fool to ignore.

And no, I'm not associated with BikesDirect in any way at all - just as a prospective customer (see the bike I linked to above).

I did. the 2100 is a pretty good bike considering it only costs $1,300. It's very stable downhill, but turns quickly on flat ground. My only complaint is that they only have double rings at my LBS.

I'm just not comfortable buying off the internet becuase I can't test it, I don't know how it feels, and a couple other things. However, I guess I won't rule it out right now.

Smoothride if there is a cyclespectrum around your area, you can ride this bike there.

No. As far as I'm concerned, Raleigh doesn't have one.

And when I say Raleigh, I mean the city.

I purchased a Bottecchia from Ebay for $695. It came equipped with 105 components and Tiagra shifters. I took it to the LBS and had them 'tune-it-up' for $30. I asked for their opinion and they said it was an excellent bike for the price. The tech said it rode really well also. I've put 550 miles on it so far without any issues! Sure, a better brand would've been cool, but for a beginner in road biking, I wanted to get the best components for the lowest cost. I'd definitely do the transaction again if I had to. All I've upgraded is the pedals, from SPD to SPD-SL. Not sure why they put spd pedals to begin with, but still ridable. If you're concerned about having the top-brand, go with the Trek. If you don't care what others think, I say try the Bottecchia. I based my purchase on the feedback a good bit, and they were pretty accurate.

I have a Bottecchia I bought from Ebay this spring.

Overall, it's a great bike. The aluminum frame is very strong and nice clean welds. The paint isn't the greatest though.

The carbon fork is pretty stout and I couldn't notice any flex in it.

The saddle is cheap but I was going to replace it anyway.


The BD bikes will have similar geometry to the Trek you rode.

waiting for ABH to chime in......

Here's a beef: BikesDirect can say the MSRP is whatever they want because they ARE the manufacturer (sort of) and also the retailer. The MSRP in this case is meaningless except as a tool to make the buyer think he's getting the bike for half off, when really none of these bikes have sold for anywhere near MSRP.

I'd have no problem if they stuck with phrases like, "Compare to bikes costing twice as much!"

I am a huge bd.com fan . . . but I too wish they would drop the MSRP. Just say - a similar bike at LBS would cost you this much. No one has ever paid MSRP at bd.com

Interestingly, while browsing this year's TdF information, I saw that Ottavio Bottecchia, who I assume the bikes are named after, was a TdF winner and was found dead in a vineyard, possibly killed by a farmer for stealing grapes.

I think it is worth it. I also think that the MSRP really is based on a comparably equipped bike and similar frame, unless they sell them at their Texas store front at MSRP. My first road bike was one of these BottecchiaUSA bikes.

They really arent that bad a deal. I would have kept mine if I had gone down one size-wherein lies the this purchase type's achilles: You are spending money for the most part blind. You buy this bike online and you really dont know how it fits until you put your leg over it. It was a great experience for me as my first bike since I couldnt see my self spending more than I did for a comparably equipped bike. I upgraded components as I went along and eventually got a better fitting frame. I hope this helps.

A guy I work with just bought a Mercier Serpens from bikesdirect. I went over to his house and helped him put it together but it didn't require much assembly actually.

The bike is made of Reynolds 853 tubing (supposedly), it is quite light and came with full Ultegra 10 speed group. I think he paid about $1200 for it which is a bargain if you ask me for what he got.

In fact, a couple months ago I stopped in my LBS and they were assembling a Motobecane LeChampion from bikesdirect and they couldn't believe what the guy paid for it. It looked pretty good IMO.

I have one of the original BD Bottecchia frame sets (the AL frame from the Record bike that cost $1600 in the spring) and it is a decent frame. I don't think this specific frame is worth of Record but I guess I am a snob that way...LOL I have mine built up with Centaur and that is about as good as you need on it. Stiff as all get out...quick...looks fine. No reason to shy away from them IMO.

If they Dropped the MSRP, they would probably lose a big chunk of sales...

Well, they do say that as well.

Do you think JEEP's are really "trail rated?" Or that GMC trucks are "industrial grade?" Almost all advertising is deceptive. I see nothing wrong with their marketing, just try to be an educated consumer and you can make wise decisions when it comes to purchasing relatively expensive items such as this.

OMG! I just posted twice in a BD thread and my comments were all positive...I must be a shill. :p