LBS verses Bikes Direct
10-20-10, 10:21 AM
#1
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LBS verses Bikes Direct
Hello all
I will be in the market for a new road bike in the next few months with a budget of around $1500.00 +/- $200.
I have looked at the CAAD10-5 and was able to test ride a 9-5 which I liked very much. I'm not going to be racing or anything competitive just exercise and recreation. I would like to increase my ride length to maybe 50 miles or so. At present I have an 80's steel frame GS and am riding around 100 miles a week.
My question is, am I better off going with a CAAD10-5 or similar from a LBS or something like this https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...alforce_10.htm .
I'm not a mechanic but I don't think I would have any problems putting the BD together.
I'm sure this question has come up in the past but if anyone has any input either way or some experience with BD I would be interested.
I will be in the market for a new road bike in the next few months with a budget of around $1500.00 +/- $200.
I have looked at the CAAD10-5 and was able to test ride a 9-5 which I liked very much. I'm not going to be racing or anything competitive just exercise and recreation. I would like to increase my ride length to maybe 50 miles or so. At present I have an 80's steel frame GS and am riding around 100 miles a week.
My question is, am I better off going with a CAAD10-5 or similar from a LBS or something like this https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...alforce_10.htm .
I'm not a mechanic but I don't think I would have any problems putting the BD together.
I'm sure this question has come up in the past but if anyone has any input either way or some experience with BD I would be interested.
10-20-10, 10:23 AM
#2
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**** .......
I guess you haven't read any of the 10,000 posts (pro & con) about BikesDirect ?
They will keep you busy for weeks ... give it a try.
I guess you haven't read any of the 10,000 posts (pro & con) about BikesDirect ?
They will keep you busy for weeks ... give it a try.
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FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Last edited by Homebrew01; 10-20-10 at 10:32 AM.
10-20-10, 10:33 AM
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carbon is too light
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CAAD10 all the way. You will have MUCH better resale if you ever sell in the future to upgrade, get out of the sport, etc. It's about as solid a bike as you can get.
10-20-10, 11:27 AM
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"I'm not a mechanic but I don't think I would have any problems putting the BD together."
The mechanical issue isn't if you can put it together initially. That will be easy.
The issue is what are you going to do when it isn't shifting right in a couple weeks after the cables stretch, etc. etc. etc.. That is when you will find out if you are a good enough bike wrench to go it on your own (or if you will be willing to haul it into a LBS and watch them shake their heads).
The mechanical issue isn't if you can put it together initially. That will be easy.
The issue is what are you going to do when it isn't shifting right in a couple weeks after the cables stretch, etc. etc. etc.. That is when you will find out if you are a good enough bike wrench to go it on your own (or if you will be willing to haul it into a LBS and watch them shake their heads).
10-20-10, 11:43 AM
#11
well hello there
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I wonder what the list price is on the Bikes Direct bike that you're considering.
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10-20-10, 11:43 AM
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In Google:
bikesdirect site:bikeforums.net
The signal-to-noise ratio in this thread is going to be low, and your question probably deserves it. While we all have our fun, you could be reading something useful.
bikesdirect site:bikeforums.net
The signal-to-noise ratio in this thread is going to be low, and your question probably deserves it. While we all have our fun, you could be reading something useful.
10-20-10, 11:48 AM
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In particular the level of components for the same price are 1 or 2 grades above the caad 10-5.
10-20-10, 12:26 PM
#14
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In particular the level of components for the same price are 1 or 2 grades above the caad 10-5.
BTW, if you're fast, you'll manage to piss off the guys in 3K+ bikes that you pass up even more
10-20-10, 02:51 PM
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10-20-10, 03:03 PM
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It seems there is a difference of opinion on this forum. Folks on SS/FG like BD but roadies give them a pass.
Although some models have been favorably reviewed on here.
My advice for what its worth, is to ignore both the shills and the flamers and decide what you want.
No one will care you're advertising some company's name when you ride your bike.
Although some models have been favorably reviewed on here.
My advice for what its worth, is to ignore both the shills and the flamers and decide what you want.
No one will care you're advertising some company's name when you ride your bike.
10-20-10, 03:06 PM
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10-20-10, 03:19 PM
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i was going through the same debate a year ago and ended up with option C: craigslist/ebay. got the bike i want, in used condition of course, for about half the price of what a new bike would have cost.
10-20-10, 03:19 PM
#21
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Hello all
I will be in the market for a new road bike in the next few months with a budget of around $1500.00 +/- $200.
I have looked at the CAAD10-5 and was able to test ride a 9-5 which I liked very much. I'm not going to be racing or anything competitive just exercise and recreation. I would like to increase my ride length to maybe 50 miles or so. At present I have an 80's steel frame GS and am riding around 100 miles a week.
My question is, am I better off going with a CAAD10-5 or similar from a LBS or something like this https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...alforce_10.htm .
I'm not a mechanic but I don't think I would have any problems putting the BD together.
I'm sure this question has come up in the past but if anyone has any input either way or some experience with BD I would be interested.
I will be in the market for a new road bike in the next few months with a budget of around $1500.00 +/- $200.
I have looked at the CAAD10-5 and was able to test ride a 9-5 which I liked very much. I'm not going to be racing or anything competitive just exercise and recreation. I would like to increase my ride length to maybe 50 miles or so. At present I have an 80's steel frame GS and am riding around 100 miles a week.
My question is, am I better off going with a CAAD10-5 or similar from a LBS or something like this https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...alforce_10.htm .
I'm not a mechanic but I don't think I would have any problems putting the BD together.
I'm sure this question has come up in the past but if anyone has any input either way or some experience with BD I would be interested.
You will end up with a great bike with free shipping and no tax.
Shimano Ultegra, 20 Speed Road Bike 2011 Motobecane Immortal Force $1595
Full Carbon Frame, FSA Carbon Cranks, Mavic Aksium Race Wheels, Ritchey PRO Bar and Stem FSA Carbon Seatpost
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...alforce_10.htm
Last edited by FlatSix911; 10-20-10 at 07:27 PM.
10-20-10, 03:20 PM
#22
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Just buy your BD bike, then take it to your LBS and pay full price to have them tune it up when you fail, and to fit you properly, and to tune it up again when you break it in.
Or, be the wrench you think you are and be happy.
Or, be the wrench you think you are and be happy.
10-20-10, 03:21 PM
#23
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"I'm not a mechanic but I don't think I would have any problems putting the BD together."
The mechanical issue isn't if you can put it together initially. That will be easy.
The issue is what are you going to do when it isn't shifting right in a couple weeks after the cables stretch, etc. etc. etc.. That is when you will find out if you are a good enough bike wrench to go it on your own (or if you will be willing to haul it into a LBS and watch them shake their heads).
The mechanical issue isn't if you can put it together initially. That will be easy.
The issue is what are you going to do when it isn't shifting right in a couple weeks after the cables stretch, etc. etc. etc.. That is when you will find out if you are a good enough bike wrench to go it on your own (or if you will be willing to haul it into a LBS and watch them shake their heads).
If that is the real issue, then go with BD. There are videos on youtube that show how to adjust shifters.
The approval of my LBS is not worth the hundreds of dollars more I would spend on lower grade components.
To the OP, if you are the kind of guy that can change the oil and brake pads on your car, then assembling and adjusting a bicycle is not that hard. Just read up on them and watch youtube videos. Don't listen to the people who say it is hard. They probably never turned a wrench in their lives and wouldn't know the difference between a cresent wrench and an impact wrench.
If all else fails, read the instructions that came with the bike. All of the instructions for the components that came on the bike should be with it. Believe it or not, Shimano's instructions are not that hard to follow.
10-20-10, 03:24 PM
#24
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Some people like being their own mechanics. With tools on hand, it takes them awhile to figure out how to put it together.
And if they don't feel competent, any good LBS will do a build-up for around $100.
And if they don't feel competent, any good LBS will do a build-up for around $100.
