1. i am looking at FLAT BAR ROAD BIKES.
2. the hybrid guys all say why do you want that?
3. they all say buy a used bike. but I can't seem to find good deals on used bikes in my size so I am getting tired of looking. and they are biased against bikes direct.
4. I have been fitted to a specialized secteur, and I need a 54 cm bike and a trek 7.2fx ( a fast hybrid 20")
5. I feel i am a competent enough mech to support a mail order bike.

i find that a flat bar would be better until I can lose my gut. the road position has my legs brushing it. I can always convert to a road bike in the future by changing to drops and brifters and stem maybe. the first 2 bikes below are road bikes that moved towards hybrids. so as I look at bikes i keep cross checking specs against the secteur (base model) and the 7.2 fx

so here are what I am looking at.
gravity avenue fb https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../avenue_fb.htm $300
i think this is a flat bar version of the avenue c it looks like a steal

mercier galaxy tour https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...alaxy_tour.htm
similar drive train to the above. carbon fork, the frame looks less modern. is that a problem $350

motoebecane cafe latte https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...fe_latte_x.htm
the geometry is more hybrid, and mtb bike components slightly wider gear range. (deore but not sora) 400 this is only in the running because of the price.


so I can tell about components for the drive train but I know nothing about

• the wheels / hubs (my second concern)
• the brakes (my third concern)

also if i chose one of the first 2 bikes what should be upgraded first. example the avenue fb + a nashbar carbon fork is lunch money away in price from the galaxy is that a better plan do I end up with a better wheels and frame.

if I had more money I would spend more money but I would be willing to hear about other options in the $400 max

This set of facts does not add up. For the price range you are looking at, you have been given the right advice. If you know some things about keeping a bike running and what a good condition bike is like, you should definitely be looking at used bikes. The hybrid guys were right for once!!

thanks, but that advice is not helpful. I have as of yet been unablel to find a decent bike in my size. I am trying to find the alternative to a used bike.
also almost all of the hybrids I do find are comfort bikes or converted mtb bikes. if I find a decent road bike I will still have to buy parts to convert it to flat bar. (granted I will have the parts to reconvert it back to drops)

[h=2]help me evaluate some bd bikes[/h]
I've heard BD stands for "Bad Decision".

+1

So its just a coincidence that one of the very first bikes on our local craigslist is exactly what you say you need right?

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/3204664256.html

Not to mention the many many many choices for good road bikes for 200-300 that you could easily convert to being flat bar and stay under 400. Just saying...

Just cause I couldn't stop myself from looking once I pulled up the page, here are SIX more choices all posted within the last day, most of which will likely be exactly what you need:

https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/bik/3217338382.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/nos/bik/3217313036.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/3217127211.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/3168132275.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/3216808621.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/3216373969.html

It is quite obvious you haven't even looked on craigslist. We have an extremely active biking community around here and craigslist here is a goldmine for used bikes. Don't squander that opportunity.

too small I am a 5'10"

I am not. i have been looking I see 8 - 10 decent adds each time i look, but most end up being too small or too big. I am getting frustrated. each of of those you posted looks about right (or can be made right with small effort) except of the size. I assume that is the one place I cannot compromise.

there is secret option number 3 buying a used bike for its components and buying a frame, but I don't see how that is better or worse than the bd bikes

for a hybrid type i need a 19 or 20 inch frame (think trek fx)

1st unknown size. email sent
2nd too small
3rd too big
4th too big I like this one a lot but ...
5ht too small
6th too big

I say the Mercier from BD is a good buy for $350 shipped. Specs look good for that price range. I had a good experience getting an entry level road bike from BD.

If you can't find the good deals off craigslist, BD is a solid bet for getting good bang for your buck when buying new.

I'm not sure why all the hate for BD or their bikes. High end their not, but unless you intend to either pay well over a grand or cycle competitively, they are a good bargin. The Mercier Galaxy Tour looks pretty good. Aluminum frame, carbon fork, and Sora make for a good combination (despite what some people say, Sora works plenty well). As for having to put it together yourself, do it! There is nothing magical about putting a bike together out of the box and if you intend to keep riding, you should learn to do the adjustments yourself. Running to the LBS every time something needs tweaking can (and does) get expensive. Even truing wheels that are a little whack is a skill that every cyclist needs. In any case, good luck!

5 month old post guapo...

Do we think guapo is on Mike's payroll?

Or one of his employees?

Same difference, yes?

haha. yeah only half read what you wrote.

Any of those BD bikes will work for you, scooterfrog. Just pick one and ride. Over thinking your purchase at this price level is a waste of time.

Five months now, at least he's not making a hasty decision....

LOL! Who's Mike and how do I get on his payroll?

Mike is the owner of BikesDirect.

Several years ago, allegedly, he gave discounts to some BFers in exchange for posting favorable reviews.

5 months...then another two week revival?

Wow that's such outdated news. At least 4 years old by now, if not older. He hasn't been heard from on BF for about that length of time if not longer.

I feel cheated. I've been giving them out for free!

Not a shot at BD, I own two. But when they say "Sora" it implies Sora group. And that they are not. My Wellington 3.0 is equipped with "Sora" but it's only a rear deraileur. Not a bad first bike, but you have to read the specifications to understand what they are really selling.