Please voice your opinons on this bike/company...
 

So I was just browsing around on the web today and looking for a good deal for my girlfriend ( wants a full carbon bike ) and possibly myself and stumbled across these Motobecanes on bikesdirect.com. They have a full carbon with full ultegra sl groupo for 1730 bucks! Now, I dont know much about this brand and I know I wouldnt really be hesitant if it was just a fixed gear ( what im used to ) or something like that, but this is a full carbon race bike ( something im not used to). I really like the new ultegra sl groupo, but what of the frame?

Why does your girlfriend want a full carbon bike? What kind of riding (and how much) does she do?

This company excels at their marketing efforts. They employ "shills" who post pseudo-questions about their products on bicycle-related forums. As a result, Motobecane is among the most talked about bicycle brands out there, even surpassing Trek and Giant in their online "buzz". It's an amazingly cost-effective strategy, though many would complain that it's a highly unethical way to do business.

As far as their products go, I have no idea.

Because she races on a team and wants to upgrade from her old trek 2200 which isnt even a female specific bike. And yes she does ride a lot.

Its actually a stellar deal if it fits, though some have a difficult time accepting this for whatever reason.

Coffee's for closers.

I actually bought from them twice. My first 700c tired bike ever, a windsor hour. And a fixie for base training for my girl, another windsor hour (but much better-looking in matte grey) is on its way.

This past winter I almost bought their fly team mountain bike—for the price it can't be beat—but settled for a more modestly equipped on-brand bike that weighs 4 lbs more because I was looking for steel.

They're a good deal in my opinion.

I've never owned one of Bike Direct bikes, but I can't recall ever reading where an owner said the bike they purchased from them was substandard. I don't like their marketing technique where they say a bike is "105" equipped when the shifters and front DR are nine speed Tiagra and only the rear DR is 105. That's slimey along with their slimey claim that a bike they are selling for $1000, "retails for $2200", when a comparable bike actually sells for around $1400. But if you're handy and can assemble the bike, sometimes you can save some dollars.
I won't buy from them because I can't demo the bike ahead of time. Because I make stem changes to any new bike I purchase, I search the LBSs for the best deal. You'd be surprised how close some LBSs get to a Bikes Direct price once you break away from the most popular brands and consider brands like Fuji, Raleigh or Giant. How about a full carbon Giant with 105 10speed leftover for around $1500.

This is a shilly thread.

It's not bad of a price for the bike!.......But why not support our own economy and buy a bike from your local bike shop! Plus they can help you w/the rite size for your body type.

Liar.

Hmmm, I smell something stinky here.

I kid you not, I remember I was going to buy a cheap fixed gear bike from them and was looking at them because a friend wants one and I had never looked at the top of the page at the road bikes haha, so yes I "stumbled" upon them. But I just read the other forum about this whole site so please feel free to disregard this thread now, it's useless.

The only BS you smell must be what's coming out of your mouth because she does race, she's the one looking for a bike, not me. I also mentioned in my first post that I MAY BE interested in one, but at the moment im about to buy my second surly, so a carbon fiber pretty bike must wait.

Troll warning.

One of my buddies had one of those bikes and it snapped on him going over a railroad track. Turned out that the newspaper they lined the inside of the carbon with caused a crease and the frame failed right there.

See that's all the info im looking for, not smartass remarks from stuck up people that have nothing better to do that spew bull****.

Do a search if you're seriously looking for info on bikesdirect. It's discussed ad naseum on this forum.

Yes I know that now, as I stated in an earlier post that this thread is useless.

if your GF races she should know what to buy, save yourself time and do something more useful.

Filtering through the post..

If your girlfriend is serious about racing, buying a cheap carbon bike probably isn't the best idea. It is never a good idea to get the low end of the high end instead of the high end of the low end. (like say buying a stripped down merc c230, vs. top of the line accord , or a BMW 1 series instead of maxed out mazda 3)

If she wants a carbon frame, she needs to be willing to pay for it...

if you are looking in the 1700 dollar range, there are many GREAT aluminum/carbon bikes... I've been moderately happy with my Fuji, and fuji generally puts a higher end group set on their bikes (like my 1300 dollar Roubaix RC has ultegra components) Giant has some great bikes in that range, but usually it's all 105 stuff.

soooo... yeah.

You guys that sit around to pounce on BD threads are complete numbskulls.

You have to think that it is highly probable that a newb will inquire about BD on one of the most popular forums. If you are a newb google around to find super inexpensive bike online, you are going to end up at BD period. You guys are are complete knee jerk idiots. Way to tick off another potential roadie. You are like Barney Fife sniffing the trail for shills. You end up shooting a potential roadie in the foot.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...arney-Fife.jpg

Ignore those that likely paid too much for their bikes. The minute someone new comes on these boards and mentions BD a small but vocal segment of the community here call them a shill then start attacking BD. The same happened with me. Truth is, I started out in local bike stores myself when I decided to make to switch from a guy putting in 20 miles a day on a hybrid to a full on roadie. One store didn't take me seriously and the other was staffed with teenage kids who's answers to my technical questions bordered on the comical. Still determined to buy a bike I jumped on google and starting looking for "road bike deals." BD was like the 3rd link. I surfed the site a while then came here (also found on google) and asked about the particular bike in question. I was promptly labeled a shill.

Long story short, I bought the BD bike anyway and I love it. Everything was just as described and the bike really exceeded my expectations. However, I knew the features I was looking for, the size and components. Also, I was frustrated by my local bike stores. The internet route worked for me; I agree it won't for everyone.

Prove it!!
At least the last statement is true!