View Poll Results: Do you do your own maintenance?
Yes (BD bike owner)
34
22.37%
No (BD bike owner)
8
5.26%
Yes (High\Brand owner)
94
61.84%
No (High\Brand owner)
16
10.53%
Voters: 152. You may not vote on this poll
BD Owners vs. BD Bashers
08-22-07, 02:13 PM
#26
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Your phrasing gave a very strong implication. Doesn't matter what your intentions were, you put together a post that did that precise thing - I spent a little bit of money but I'm a big time wrench vs. all the other that spent a lot of money and "do not know what many of the parts are that make up their fancy ride."
If you're feeling insecure about your purchase ("Our bikes are as good as or better than the bikes around us in group rides") venting it on a public forum is almost certainly not the way to get over it.
If you're feeling insecure about your purchase ("Our bikes are as good as or better than the bikes around us in group rides") venting it on a public forum is almost certainly not the way to get over it.
The same can be said about your insecurities and implications, for whenever there is a BD thread you chime in on how they are "consumate waste of time". So I guess you need to validate your bike by putting down others on a public forum.
Good for you!
08-22-07, 02:25 PM
#27
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Nah, that's not what I said. I said seeking out a BD frame and building it up was a waste of time. And not because it's bad, but simply because it's cheap enough to buy it whole. Plus there are far more attractive frames for peanuts than one that is labeled with some defunct brand which is supposed to give the impression of a lofty heritage.
Also, I don't chime in "whenever there is a BD thread." Pretty sure this is the 1st one I have ever played in. And that's because I am not a BD hater.
On the whole, I think BD bikes are great - good value for someone budget minded. Decent parts, solid frame. What's not to like about that? Heck, not everyone wants to or is able to spend a ton on a bike. And they shouldn't have to.
What I do find funny is the constant "us vs. them" that comes from both sides on this forum. Yours is especially poignant, I don't understand why anyone needs to defend their purchase. It works for you, and that's all that matters.
Equally, I don't understand the need to bash them as a product. Aside from the "spam" angle which I think is overplayed.
Also, I don't chime in "whenever there is a BD thread." Pretty sure this is the 1st one I have ever played in. And that's because I am not a BD hater.
On the whole, I think BD bikes are great - good value for someone budget minded. Decent parts, solid frame. What's not to like about that? Heck, not everyone wants to or is able to spend a ton on a bike. And they shouldn't have to.
What I do find funny is the constant "us vs. them" that comes from both sides on this forum. Yours is especially poignant, I don't understand why anyone needs to defend their purchase. It works for you, and that's all that matters.
Equally, I don't understand the need to bash them as a product. Aside from the "spam" angle which I think is overplayed.
08-22-07, 02:28 PM
#28
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Nah, that's not what I said. I said seeking out a BD frame and building it up was a waste of time. And not because it's bad, but simply because it's cheap enough to buy it whole. Plus there are far more attractive frames for peanuts than one that is labeled with some defunct brand which is supposed to give the impression of a lofty heritage.
Also, I don't chime in "whenever there is a BD thread." Pretty sure this is the 1st one I have ever played in. And that's because I am not a BD hater.
On the whole, I think BD bikes are great - good value for someone budget minded. Decent parts, solid frame. What's not to like about that? Heck, not everyone wants to or is able to spend a ton on a bike. And they shouldn't have to.
What I do find funny is the constant "us vs. them" that comes from both sides on this forum. Yours is especially poignant, I don't understand why anyone needs to defend their purchase. It works for you, and that's all that matters.
Equally, I don't understand the need to bash them as a product. Aside from the "spam" angle which I think is overplayed.
Also, I don't chime in "whenever there is a BD thread." Pretty sure this is the 1st one I have ever played in. And that's because I am not a BD hater.
On the whole, I think BD bikes are great - good value for someone budget minded. Decent parts, solid frame. What's not to like about that? Heck, not everyone wants to or is able to spend a ton on a bike. And they shouldn't have to.
What I do find funny is the constant "us vs. them" that comes from both sides on this forum. Yours is especially poignant, I don't understand why anyone needs to defend their purchase. It works for you, and that's all that matters.
Equally, I don't understand the need to bash them as a product. Aside from the "spam" angle which I think is overplayed.
08-22-07, 02:36 PM
#29
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I do a lot of my own maintenance for several reasons... some being that I'm impatient and don't want to leave my bike at a shop for an extended period of time, I like doing my own stuff just like working on my own cars..., find it less expensive to learn how to do things myself and if anything goes wrong I feel confident enough to not worry and try to fix it myself.
In other words... I'm cheap and I'd rather do itmyself.
In other words... I'm cheap and I'd rather do itmyself.
08-22-07, 02:45 PM
#30
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I find it relaxing. Unless I mess something up; then, of course, a flurry of pejoratives, screaming and kicking usually ensues.
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08-22-07, 03:00 PM
#32
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08-22-07, 03:41 PM
#33
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08-22-07, 04:14 PM
#34
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08-22-07, 04:18 PM
#35
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Bicycle mechanicing (sp?) can be frustrating, but is a long ways from rebuilding the engine in your car. If you have the money to take it in, or buy from your LBS and don't mind leaving it for a period of time, more power to ya brotha. But I take satisfaction in doing my own work, whether it be shoddy, or exquisite. I have time for it, and I enjoy buying tools. I like staying up late and having a few beers with Disco on the tube and the bike on the stand.
08-22-07, 04:20 PM
#36
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Don't ever insult someone's wife, children, or parents. Besides, it makes you look like you don't have the vocabulary or intelligence for a proper debate. Sit down. You have been served.
08-22-07, 04:49 PM
#38
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Humph, nothing for me. I have a high end bike (okay, high end hardtail) but the LBS doesn't work on it, neither do I.
Our mechanic does. (we have a business with cars, trucks, weedwhackers, chainsaws, you name it - so we have a full-time mechanic)
Okay - he doesn't yet, but he is about too.
Our mechanic does. (we have a business with cars, trucks, weedwhackers, chainsaws, you name it - so we have a full-time mechanic)
Okay - he doesn't yet, but he is about too.
08-22-07, 04:51 PM
#39
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By the way, this survey is serious skewed. The reason is that people who obsess enough about riding bikes to spend all their time debating whether BD is okay to buy from or not on the Internet will probably not be able to stand if some LBS grease monkey touches their precious baby. I think the results bear this out.
08-22-07, 04:53 PM
#40
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08-22-07, 04:56 PM
#41
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Another Black and White poll. The world is made of shades of gray, man.
I do some of my own maintainence, but bring it to the LBS for others. For example, I recently had the LBS replace a bent derailleur hanger. But, I change my own chains and cogs, adjust my brakes and derailleurs, fix my own flats and a bunch more.
I do some of my own maintainence, but bring it to the LBS for others. For example, I recently had the LBS replace a bent derailleur hanger. But, I change my own chains and cogs, adjust my brakes and derailleurs, fix my own flats and a bunch more.
08-22-07, 05:15 PM
#42
Let your bike be the tool
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My grandfather showed me how to repair and maintain my 1961 Raleigh Colt. My 1966 Raleigh Carlton has never been in the shop. My 1970 Ron Cooper went to the shop once to have the BB threads chased. My 1997 Bianchi went into the shop for derailleur hanger alignment (the shop owner said I'd done an almost perfect job using my vise). My BD Bottecchia w/Record went into the shop because the owner wanted to see it. All of my bikes ride great. Let your bikes be the tools.
08-22-07, 05:23 PM
#44
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+1. When I started riding, I need a nice bike that won't force me to resort to prostitution. So fully ultegra equipped Windsor for 1049 USD is the pretty good. I have since upgraded to many, IMHO, nice rides including ongoing build with a BMCSLT01. Because of buying a DB bike as my first ride, I also have to learn a lot about repairs myself. There's Zinn and the art. Read it diligently and you'll save lots of money. Indygreg said it all for a lot of us.
I think this poll is bad because it continues the us v them (BD owners - I am one). I do not like it when they say BD owners do not know anything about bikes and I assume they do not like that either.
I was new to cycling and got a BD come bike. I do believe that much of their customer base is this way, so it is easy to say we do not know anything. However, I think many folks that buy from them do a ton of research before they make a purchase like this and then focus on getting up to speed.
I will say this, doing it myself and most stuff on my bike has made one thing clear to me: This is not rocket science. This is not anti-LBS, I love LBSs. But putting a boxed bike together is not hard. Basic to somewhat advanced bike fitting is not hard. Figuring out what you need in a bike is not hard. I have an issue with people who make these things out to be much harder than they are - like there is no way to fit without an LBS, or if you build it yourself the bike will fail and you will smash your face.
Why cannot we just agree BD is just another brand?
I was new to cycling and got a BD come bike. I do believe that much of their customer base is this way, so it is easy to say we do not know anything. However, I think many folks that buy from them do a ton of research before they make a purchase like this and then focus on getting up to speed.
I will say this, doing it myself and most stuff on my bike has made one thing clear to me: This is not rocket science. This is not anti-LBS, I love LBSs. But putting a boxed bike together is not hard. Basic to somewhat advanced bike fitting is not hard. Figuring out what you need in a bike is not hard. I have an issue with people who make these things out to be much harder than they are - like there is no way to fit without an LBS, or if you build it yourself the bike will fail and you will smash your face.
Why cannot we just agree BD is just another brand?
08-22-07, 05:37 PM
#45
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I did not intend for this to be an us vs them post. I intended to try and demonstrate that many BD owners know enough about bikes that we made a informed decision when buying our bikes. Our bikes are as good as or better than the bikes around us in group rides (including welds and paint jobs), so we can be just as proud of our bike as the next person.
I'm fairly handy mechanically. My mechanical skills make me tend towards picking up a used bike in good shape rather than something from BD.
08-22-07, 05:45 PM
#46
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Your right it was unkind. And so was your remark about me wasting my time building something I bought and paid for and enjoy very much. I only corrected your remark, that no one buys a BD frame and then builds a bike out of it. Well I did! Sorry for your personal loss. You accept my apology and I'll accept yours.
08-22-07, 06:49 PM
#48
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Your right it was unkind. And so was your remark about me wasting my time building something I bought and paid for and enjoy very much. I only corrected your remark, that no one buys a BD frame and then builds a bike out of it. Well I did! Sorry for your personal loss. You accept my apology and I'll accept yours.
Think about it. Dude says something bad about your bike and you call his conception a waste of time. That might hint at a little bit of hypersensitivity.
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08-22-07, 08:14 PM
#50
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It seems that BD customers are more likely to insult the families of members who don't like their bikes than any other single demographic.
Think about it. Dude says something bad about your bike and you call his conception a waste of time. That might hint at a little bit of hypersensitivity.
Think about it. Dude says something bad about your bike and you call his conception a waste of time. That might hint at a little bit of hypersensitivity.
On the other hand, if you want to call me out and expect me to turn and run, you are mistaken. Stop with the analysis of BD customers. Thats like me saying all Doctors are egotistical and rude. I dont think all of them are, just you. OK, do you see how the game is played. You either can see the slight poke I just took at you and realize it was in jest or you take it personal and try to get me back with your superior intellect and education. Another poke! I have nothing against a little back and forth banter, it's what makes life fun. I'm sure your a great guy, if you had any friends I could ask them. Damn, thats gonna leave a mark! See this could go on forever but why.
I just dont understand why so many people on here who ride some expensive brand of bike have to try and make us that choose a more inexpensive brand catch so much crap. Are we all not roadies? Dont we all love to ride and dont care who we ride with? It sure sounds like some people around here wouldnt ride with someone who rides on a BD bike. What's next? Not gonna ride with a newbie, no gays or lesbians, no african americans, pretty soon some of you are going to be riding alone. Lets stop with the snobbery and start being thankfull that you can ride, no matter what type or brand. I know my brother and sister would trade places with any one of you. Any one want to have a brain tumor or anurisim?