Probably wanted to be like Pcad's bike.

I owned a Wellington 1.0 for almost 2 years, and put about 1,750 miles on it.

I wouldn't say it was a "horrible" bike, but I would never recommend anyone to buy one. I'm pretty sure the Al tubing is filled with lead, it's the only way to explain how much the damn thing weighs.

I sold it for $190. Does that make me a bad person?

I don't know if it makes you a bad person...but it makes you a heck of a salesman!

Thanks for the objective riview. (yes I can see the shoddy work in the pics)

Good job!

Oh and dont forget.....

I know raging on BD is a fun pastime for some here but I don't think you have a leg to stand on, at least regarding this OP bike, if you can't find another $300 road bike that is better. Marketing is all a bunch of nonsense designed to get us to part with our money and only sometimes is there a substantial factual basis behind it that is true.

So why Caveat Emptor for this $300 road bike? Looks like a decent POS for $300 to me. I wouldn't ride it but that is just me.

People who say, "unless you can uncategorically prove me wrong, you're an idot" drive me nuts.

https://www.craigslist.org/about/sites

https://sporting-goods.shop.ebay.com/...lo=0&_udhi=300

https://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ROAD-RACING-...%3A1|294%3A200

There ya go. One of their own bikes. Has a better frame, a better rear derailleur.... everything else looks the same.

Maybe I should work for BD?

Since Caveat Emptor translates to let the buyer beware - it makes sense.

Platy was pointing out significant problems any buyer should be aware of, especially when looking over the pretty, shiny, new paint. - again, good job.

This is the first real evedence I've seen that BD has some 'issues'. I know you can't expect much for a $300 bike, but the copy says the welds are quality and not crappy. I'd be mad if I'd ordered one, but hey, you can't SEE the thing or RIDE it first and the price would make me be really skeptical. I assume they have a good return policy if the level of 'quality welds' isn't your cuppa tea?

Here you go:

$219.99!!!!
CLICK

Still got those endorsement checks rolling in, huh.

I was thinking about getting a road bike (since I converted all my others ... blah ...) ... was looking at the Vent Noir as I am pleased with my Kilo TT Pro. Haven't really looked at non-BD bikes since I feel like they generally have the same quality bike/parts as branded bikes, but do you have any non-BD suggestions?

So, you're looking for bikes in the $700 price range? Or what is the amount you want to spend?

Hmm what size should I get....

Doesn't have to be in that range, but I am not wanting anything too expensive coz I won't be riding that bike much. Just something to have when I want to ride with other people on a longer trip.

Or https://www.target.com/22-5-700C-Dena...28&pf_rd_t=201

Then definitely used. Check craigslist or some other local classifieds. I have seen MANY 105 equipped (or better) road bikes going for $300-$500--Spec. Allez, Trek, Felt, etc. Actually, in my local classifieds, there is a Spec. Allez Comp w/ full Ultegra listed for $700. Could probably even pick it up for cheaper.

Because it's falsely advertised as being comparable to a $795 bike. No $795 bike that I know of (possibly except the Kona ***** Tonk) has stem shifters (and the HT has DA downtube shifters), and no $795 has extremely shoddy welds.

Forge, a budget sister company of Giant, makes better frames at approximately the same price.

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Well, all they say (see following) is that it uses the same tubing. They don't say the same frame. That is, it could be the same tubing in a crappier frame.

==========================

Anyway, as an approximation.

$300 bike == $5,000 car.
$700 bike == $14,000 car.
$1000 bike == $18,000 car.
$1500 bike == $20,000 car.
$3000 bike == $40,000 car.
etc

It costs something to provide basic quality and that something is probably about $500 for bicycles.

The profit margins at the low end (and $300 is pretty low). It's almost guaranteed that you aren't going to get something worthwhile at the really low end regardless of the source.

If I wasn't so short (I ride a 49 or 50), I likely would have bought a walmart road bike as my first bike.

I checked them out and I am dubious. I'm a big guy, and I'll assume one of the bikes with 64cm frames would work for me. I know I would have to upgrade the wheels soon. Don't know if you can have them put on different handle bars, seat posts, long cranks, etc before shipping. Also, the "ultegra" bikes I looked at were not 100% ultegra. I don't know if the substitutions are better or worse. But that would be another set of parts one would possibly have to upgrade/repair soon. And I would still have to take it somewhere to get it adjusted for my fit.

I'm so thankful for the advice I find on BF. I was just fixing to pull the trigger on the BD's Fantom Uno, a single speed that caught my eye. It' s about in the $300. range. Guess I better look around more.
Ernest

The BD fixed gear and single speed bikes seem pretty popular, and I doubt they would be so popular and widespread if they were as crappy as their cheap geared bikes.