My MAIN objection to BikesDirect has to do with their use of hugely inflated, imaginary "list" prices, and their attempts to imply that even their cheapest bikes are directly linked to the best bikes sold thirty years ago under the same names.

But, BD DOES provide one valuable service to the cycling community. There is a gap in both price and quality between the $79 bikes sold at Wal-Mart and the $700 road bike that may be the cheapest bike available at a good LBS. There is a need, especially among young riders, for a decent $300 or $400 road bike. To the extent that BD fills that need, they are performing a good deed. I just wish BD would advertise "this is an okay bike well worth $300", rather than saying "This bike lists for $1,100 and is on a BIG, BIG sale today for just $300".

The Schwinn Varsity was the first road bike for a lot of young riders in 1965. Not fancy, but reliable. Nothing wrong with selling affordable bikes, as long as no customer is misled about what they are getting.

I'm looking to replace my Bontrager RaceLite road bike this year. I've had it since 94 (back when Bontrager meant something) I know if I hold my breath long enough, Trek will sell the name to BD and I'll have my dream! A NEW Bontrager road bike. By my math that baby will only put me back 40 or 50 bucks! WITH RECORD!!! Keith would be so proud.

Because it is usually the reason of bicycle failure...

I have a motobecane mirage that I bought for like $325 when I first started riding again and was poor as hell. I've upgraded it since the stock parts were crap but the frame is still kinda heavy. even so though it was still a nice bike to start on and the frame is still pretty decent.

I have a motobecane mirage that I bought for like $325 when I first started riding again and was poor as hell. I've upgraded it since the stock parts were crap but the frame is still kinda heavy. even so though it was still a nice bike to start on and the frame is still pretty decent.

In my opinion, that Dawes bike is the fugliest of the 4, by far. Monstrous ugly fork ends...

The Kilo has a nice looking fork. I'm curious what the Windsor fork looks like too.

For those of us that simply just don't know, what is wrong with a bike like this one:
"Motobecane". And do note that I put Motobecane in quotes.

does anyone know where to go to look and see what bike companies are still "real"? does that make sense? Like, I know Fuji is still fuji, trek is trek.. what other companies are still out there putting out good quality ****?

Excellent question Moximitre.

I have been riding a fixed gear folder (some of you may laugh, I am cool with that) for about 5 months now. It was my cheap way of testing out the concept and using my folder which I needed. Now that I am hooked on the fixie, I am looking to get a normal sized one.

I would like to make sure it is not like some of the junk we get warned about on this forum, but at the same time I don't want to break the bank. I know I probably have to give somewhere in either quality or price, but hopefully a good middle ground can be found.

Speaking of walmart i went in there today on a whim and i saw the 53 dollar roadmaster with the horizontal drops and they have a single speed coaster brake bike with curved top tube, unfortunately its aluminum, for like 85 bucks i think.

I have been looking for a replacement frame for my aluminum cruiser that is about beat to crap and i was thinking of taking one of those 53 dollar roadmasters and pulling everything off it, dropping my parts from my cruiser including the 3 speed onto it and driving down the road. But then i thought even better to find one of those 53 dollars roadmasters in a dumpster someplace. How hard could that be?

bikesdirect poll
 

Hey,
If you go to the bikesdirect page you'll find only the Winsor and Motobecane listed. The other bikes are on ebay. I recently purchased a Motobecane messenger for my son. If you can true wheels and set cones the bike is a good value. I put a 42 tooth rocket ring on it to get the gearing into a range that is street friendly. I'm not certain that paying over $500 for any of the brand bikes really buys you that much. Toodles,Frogge.

i got no problems with my mercier. i've traded out everything but the frame at this point...but i like the frame

none of the above

i'd go with the windsor the hour. i'd like to "beat eddy's time."

Virtually no company, bike or non-bike, that has been around for long is still "real" in the sense that companies, company names, rights to this and that, get bought and sold all the time. So at what point does some brand name cease to be "real"? There are a great number of bike companies that used to manufacture in the USA or Europe, but now do all their building in Asian factories made, obviously by totally different people. These are no less "real" than anything BD is selling?
Redline, for instance, sold out the Seatle Bike Supply years ago, and some (or perhaps all?) of there stuff is manufactured in China...but its still Redline and no ones screaming that monocogs and 925s are not "real" Redlines. Its not that different from what BD is doing with Mercier, Motobecane, etc. If you understand this all that really matters in the end is getting something that is priced right for the level of quality, and, if you have principles, that was manufactured ethically. Who really cares what name is stamped on it? Brand names are basically artifical constructes, and often have little to do with who is actually making the products.

If you get the one with the MESSENGER decals you gain 5mph top end.

I knew it!!! When I bought mine the shop owner adamantly refused that fact; he said that the frames were totally different, but they are obviously the same
btw, it's a pretty good bike, but I don't have a whole lot to compare it to
and, no, I am not a shill, I just wanted to get a lot of bike for my $

Or, you can build it up to a time trial machine ;)

http://www.teamroadmeister.com/

fwiw, the windsor has the same horrible quando hubs as the fuji has, so that might account for the guy whose friend stripped the hub.

the thing i dont get is, what's wrong with buying the BD bikes just for the groups and kits? it's not like the parts are used or anything. aside from that, the frames are made in taiwan by 10 year old slaves or whatever, same as the fujis and almost anything lower-end put out by the majority of mainstream bicycle manufacturer. where else is a person without connections going to get an ultegra 6600 group, shim r550 wheels, and ritchey cockpit for $1200? the frame is just, like, a freebie that comes with it. i'm not saying that sort of componentry is the bee's knees or anything, but that does seem like a good price for ppl who want such things.

i'm certainly not shilling for BD. i think the whole thing smells of deceit, and i recomend that anybody who lives near a decent local bike shop should feel duty-bound to support that shop whenever possible. but, it's not like BD is selling absolute garbage that is bound to break on ya. they're selling the same garbage as the local fuji dealer is (or, was last year) but without the service or the benefits to the local economy. i work at a shop on weekends, and i tend to razz guys who come in with a 'motobecane', but the bikes arent really that bad.

-rob

i would buy a kilo TT or a windsor hour. but, hey, i ride a langster comp...

who cares? just ride the bike. if you can break it, you need better parts. the end.

I'd get a Kilo TT, Clockwork, and SST in that order

Wal-mart mountain bike test courtesy of Dirt Rag:

http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/arti...gory=features/

Kinda tired of people bagging on Bikesdirect. They offer decent bikes at a very good price. I say that's not bad. In fact, it's good: it allows people to enter into cycling without going over a tight budget. Make sure the bike is assembled well, if not, correct it. Then go ride and be happy.

Nice zombie thread, sport. :rolleyes: