Hi,

I have read many threads in the archive about bikesdirect.com, and am definitely confused.

Let me summarize what I have discerned:

1. Some people love their bike from BD - though they might be part of the company
2. Some complain about having to tune or pay for tuning their bike which they bought online
3. Some ppl are just against Shimano Sora parts in general which to them means the bike is crappy.
4. From what I can tell, the frames on the $400-$500 bikes are decent quality aluminum.
5. This site seems to be one of the only that sells "decent" bikes between 3-5 hundred bucks. Something which LBS do not cater to.

So that leaves me with a few questions:

1. What's so wrong about Sora shifters? Will it matter to me being a beginner/intermediate rider?
2. For anyone who bought from them, are the parts they list accurate?

3. Does anyone want to tell me what they think of this bike?
https://bikesdirect.com/products/moto...e_pro_sale.htm

4. Has anyone had problems with their bike which came from Bikesdirect?

Thanks for everyones opinion - with evidence. I don't need a rehash of "I hate them" "cheap bikes don't buy" or "I love them they're great!"

For that I can just re-read the archives.

IBShill

I didn't buy my bike from BD, but I do have Sora shifters, and I absolutely hate them. The inability to shift from the drops is a good enough reason to avoid them, and I wish I had known that before I bought the bike.

1. see above. but no one can know how well you will like them.
2. not always.
3. i think it's cheap. i think (up to a certain ceiling) you get what you pay for.
4. yes. but others haven't.

Evidence?!? With your claim of reading the archives, evidence would not be apart of the equation. They are all opinions, hence the term...opinions are not usually backed by evidence that is why it is called an opinion. When one claims SORA sucks, what evidence would convince you that they suck? When one or few claim that they shift poorly, what makes it shift poorly, what is your baseline?

Bikesdirect is a shining beacon of hope in the darkened, lost world of bike shops. Their service is unparalleled, and their ownership is kind and gracious to all employees. They have been known to save puppies from certain drowning, even when it involves putting their own lives in certain peril.

As far as sora shifters go, they're crap. I'd stay away.

The BD bike you linked to is a decent entry-level bike. Some folks have complained the wheels are flexy, so if you're a heavier or stronger rider they might not be for you. The Sora components are fine for what they are*, and the bike would probably work well for shorter rides, commuting, knocking around, etc.

*obviously not everyone agrees, but most folks who ride this type of bike probably aren't spending a lot of time racing or in the drops anyway. You'll get opinions all over the place on this stuff.

BD has a few the best threads threads in BF.
Comedy,name calling,intrigue,anger,jealousy,the whole 9 yards.

Just on entertainment value alone you owe it to BD to take a look and see what the big brooha is all about.You won't get an answer here,just a barroom brawl.

Hey, it's been awhile since we've had a sora thread. Until someone starts a new one just dedicated to the sora drivetrain, I'll have to chime in here:

There's nothing wrong with Sora. Sure, the thumb shifter is hard to get at in the drops, but it's not impossible. I shift with them just fine and my hands are abnormally large. They are reliable and get the job done. They are heavy, feel cheap and don't look cool. This is mostly why people rag on them.

nothing says "ready to race" like a GMC Denali

You don't want to hear "I hate them", "cheap bikes don't buy" or "I love them they're great!"

What exactly would you like to hear then? I do have solid, incontrovertible evidence their pedals turn, usually.

I can't address your concerns with the components you've asked about. My first roadbike came equipped with a 105/Ultegra mix.

However, I do own a BD bike. I purchased a Kilo tt Pro to use as my daily commuter. I'm 230 pounds and both the frame and wheels have stood up to my poundings without fail.

The initial purchase was a smooth and easy transaction. The bike was shipped quickly and arrived when promised without damage.

Based on my experience, I would not hesitate to purchase through BD again.

I'm no shill, just a satisfied customer.

1. Sora shifters aren't the best. If you keep your bike well tuned they will do their job perfectly fine for casual riding and easy group riding.
2. Usually. I read somewhere how the Ritchey stuff is not actually the real deal?
3. It's a cheap bike, you get what you pay for. If you can save $200 I'd suggest the Vent Noir because of the 'upgraded' wheelset.
4. I was perfectly happy with my SS 29er I bought.

You're kinda below the price range where Bikeforums snobbery begins to dissipate. As you can tell, Sora on any bike will get you flak here. BikesDirect always draws it too. The alternative is to buy a "better" used bike, but you need to know what you are doing there too.

The teenage son of a friend rides a Sora equipped Specialized. He's a tremendous athlete and has never complained about it as he whips the rest of us.

There are three BikesDirect bikes at my house and I have been very happy with them. In new bikes, they are consistently about the best deals going.

Your best bet is to find a knowledgeable friend that can help you make the right choice for you.

These have been getting pretty good reviews, but check the size:
https://www.target.com/Forge-1000-Roa...ywords=bicycle

pay the $200 more and get the Knight with full ultegra. I have a Knight and enjoy it, no problems with my BD order, although in the future I'll be getting my next bike from the LBS (nothing against BD, just would like a different frame).

Link? If you mean this one, just the shifters and derailleurs are Ultegra, the crank, bb, brakes, chain and cassette aren't. It's also $300 more than the Mirage Pro.

bikesdirect.com bikes are only a good deal if you have your own tools and ability to tune and repair a bicycle.

I rode the Fly Ti MTB in the woods today as a matter of fact. Fughedaboudit. That bike friggin ROCKS. Plushest bicycle I have ever ridden, period, the friggin END.

Incorrect.

Yes and if you're willing to accept last year's or older non-best crank, wheels etc.
The frames aren't first-rate either. Sora happens to be OK and not the focus of a bike's inferiority. Those frames though are simply not up to name brand standards, period !

Some of you choose to call it snobbery, that's OK to. All of us have tastes and oppinions. It doesn't begin and end with facts. Again, pertaining to the frames and a few key parts, the attractively priced bikes ain't all that, that's a matter of fact . LBS bikes are better.
I suppose that the OP needs hand-holding therapy, that's OK too, he'll get it.

OK, OP I have 2200 shifter which are sub Sora on one bike and 105 on another. For cruising around, I actually PREFER 2200/Sora. Call me crazy. I also have zero problems shifting with 2200/Sora from the drops. Maybe I have freaky strength/balance to pull off the very difficult task of quickly removing my right hand out of the drops to hit the thumb trigger and put my hand back in the drops.

As far as bikesdirect, I have not actually dealt with them. I have read many reviews though. A recent one mentioned how bikesdirect does do a switch a roo on some parts though. Also consider that the tires and seat are probably dumpster quality.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=corvus+review

The OP even returns months later for a post review.

That is absolutely not the case with the Fly Ti. $2K bike that competes very directly with $5K+ bikes all day long.

I know something about this, I own 4 other bicycles that are all $5K+ retail bicycles, and I've owned such bicycles for 20 years, including a couple of Ti bikes. BD got it right with their outsourced Ti frames.

Why?

I highly recommend buying from bikesdirect.

OK, I'll grant you that. Not talking about Ti frames either, they can be an exception. You know as well as anyone that there are back-stories in Ti frames.
Comparing the steel or aluminum, I believe that the safer bet's others. Carbon..well........