wvueers

Thinking about buying a bike from this online vendor. has anyone ever bought from these guys before or heard of any positive/negative experiences? thanks!

manutd

those bikes are pure garbage

Juan Foote

Looks like the same stuff, and prices as Bikes Direct, which I know to be a stand up retailer. The bikes you are looking at are knock offs and copies of other brands as well as "2nd" type brand names. As a starting bike to see if you like the sport, or a knock around bike that will stay chained in front of a school, etc. they will do fine. I would suggest your taking it to a LBS with a reputable shop to have things adjusted and safety checked before you ride it.

a1penguin

Lots of people at this forum have experience with Bikes Direct. I see few complaints about bad service and I would not hesitate to purchase a bike from BD. The pedigree of BD web site (BBB rating, Norton Secured) and the very specific warranty information seem more professional to me. I also like the way BD displays bikes by component level.

wvueers

well they do have GT roadbikes, series 2-5, which dont seem like garbage bikes.....

illdthedj

ive never heard of this website, but ive definitely heard allot about bikes direct...and mostly all good.
but if you are looking at a specific bike, i would look up reviews on the bike, probably a little more important than who is selling it.

manutd

well, you're wrong. they are garbage

Juan Foote

And by what standard or expertise are you making this blanket statement?

GT was purchased by one of the larger corporations some years ago, but that doesn't necessarily make them any better or worse than say, Cannondale, whom the same thing happened to. GT bikes are a pretty good value when you come down to what they offer for the price, and I have not heard of anyone having any particular quality issues with their frames.

Take these opinions with a grain of salt.

ravenmore

No, you're wrong. They're not garbage.

I could keep this up all day.

ravenmore

In all seriousness this looks like one of the BD sister sites. I've done business with them multiple times and have been happy for the most part.

manutd

OK, how about this then....

IMO, they are garbage.

better?

Juan Foote

Sure.

Why do you feel this way about them?

manutd

because basically they are generic frames made in china. sure they do the job but they are basically knock offs and the subtle differences between them and a truly R&D'd bike frame from a top company would make all the difference.

These bikes are not high end. Although some of them are worth buying just for the components and then you can strip them and have a crap frame you can build as a commuter etc.....

BillyD

Well the score so far is several "yay"s and just one, lone, solitary "nay".

Nuff said.

Hiro11

Just another DBA for Bikes Direct. I had a great experience with the main site, wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Juan Foote

Thanks for taking a moment to express your opinion on it, rather than a blanket statement. It is much more helpful with a bit of detail.

I don't disagree with part of what you say. They are mid range bicycles, and on a tier typically reserved for REI and such rather than a boutique store carrying "higher end" brands. My personal experience with their frames has been quite positive, both in the past, as well as what I have come across recently. The welds seem well (machine) done, and the paint is good. Considering that almost every frame out there is Chinese made, with few typically pricey exceptions, I don't really see that as a mitigating factor in quality. The knock off part, I am not sure I agree with specifically, but really haven't looked into it. I know Gravity Bikes are a pretty heavy copy of Giant, and are of a well lesser quality overall, but personally haven't seen that out of GT bikes.

With that said, I ride a Felt...another Chinese bike...and have no particular stake or interest in GT. Just mention it as a point of discussion. Thanks for playing along.