Goodbye Dawes SST, Hello Gravity Attack
 

I just visited the bikesdirect track bike page, and noticed that the Dawes SST (steel frame with bullhorns) is no longer listed, and in its place is a new model, the Gravity Attack, which has the same $299.95 price but a totally different design. The frame is aluminum and the fork is carbon like the Dawes SST AL, but it appears to have a more relaxed riding position with a taller head tube and sloping top tube in even the larger sizes. It comes with both a fixed cog and single freewheel, 2 sets of bottle mounts, platform pedals and a chainring guard. Clearly, it's intended for casual riding in normal clothing.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/trackbikes.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...rack_bikes.htm

Oh darn and I really wanted the dawes sst to death.... o well, I guess it's nice to see some changes to BD stock... :rolleyes:

Seems pretty good for 300.

I wonder how many QC issues that one will have.
http://www.lethalwrestling.com/upload/rollbarf.gif

Looks alot like my langster frame.


http://www.fixiefiend.com/wp-content...las-vegas1.jpghttp://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...wht_xi_600.jpg

cousions has this road frame for commuting, It came with a scratch on the TT and the rear drop outs where pretty bad.

Idk about this years model. He got it early 2010. Around feburay?

Awesome.

I just found out that the Gravity Attack is also sold on the chicabike (Mrs. BikesDirect) eBay store for the same price, but shipping is an additional $39, whereas it is free from bd.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ALUMINUM-CAR...420979#vi-desc

The name is kind of stupid.

Kind of.

i thought someones dawes broke in half cuz of gravity

Like the frame snapping in half?

lol that's a good one~

They should change it to Gravity Bong, imo.

It doesn't seem too bad, I wonder what the quality is like on it.

Probably similar to the other $300 bd bikes. I have a Moto Messenger, which has the same wheels, cranks, brakes etc as the Gravity Attack, and they are ok. Expect the welds to be sloppy but adequate and the paint to be fair. I've had no durability or reliability problems with mine, but discarded the stock pedals, which are crap.

i've been out of the loop and looking at a gravity attack, what's the deal with gravity and QC ?

PS you can still get to the SST by clicking here:

http://bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst.htm

There have been some QC issues with some bd bikes (bad forks on Kilo TTs), but not all of them, so it's idle speculation as to whether there might be any with this new model. The main issue IME has been many cases of errors in specifications and poor build quality that can lead to failures such as stripped hubs due to improperly tightened cogs from the factory. For the most part, the bd bikes are reliable, durable and safe, provided the owner assembles, tightens and adjusts them properly. I am not aware of any catastrophic failures, except maybe the PK Ripper, which I believe occured prior to their being sold by bd. The Dawes SST AL frame has a good reputation for durability.

Looking at BD's BBB rating and complaints, I would say it's safe to assume that BD bikes don't have any real QC issues. All the ads say have the bike assembled and checked by a professional before riding.

oh good, i was wondering if the QC issues were specifically with the gravity bikes. I've had several BD bikes and i've been happy with all my purchases so far. Sold all of them to fund my move to LA, and now it looks like i'll be buying a gravity attack.

The gravity bikes seem to be pretty popular. I see a lot of them around campus. I really like that they seem a little more modern than BD's other lines.

oooooh and it is sized for people up to 6'6''. I am in the green light, no doubt about it, mmmhmmm

Just saw a black one on campus today. Rode past the guy going to take pictures of my leader; recognized the headtube logos and the giant headtube.. meh no frills.

geometry chart?!
 

annoyed that they don't seem to have a geometry chart - anyone have a 54 who can tell me the head tube length, seat tube length center to top, and virtual/horizontal top tube length (all in cm)?

thanks in advance if so....

Go here and click on Geometry >>> http://gravitybikes.com/specialty/attack.html

funny, I emailed them yesterday and they just replied saying that they just put up the geometry - guessing they happened to be putting it up there when i emailed them - if not that is pretty good customer service!

We have been selling Gravity branded bikes for about 12 years or so. However, we are now going to stock and sell a lot more in 2011 and 2012; especially the new Gravity 29ers will be super strong sellers. Liberty level road have also sold really well.

lots of new models at http://gravitybikes.com/ and for 2012 there will be a bunch more and graphics will be updated and look rather nice I think.

But it should be noted that with Gravity and most other brands; some models come from factory a, and some from b, and some from c -- so with any bike it is hard to say that quality on any given model can be inferred from the Brand name.

All that said; Attack [which maybe a poor name] has sold in large numbers and we are not hearing of any issues.
I think it is a good deal if someone wants a 'road' type geo SS/FG in Aluminum - and certainly the price is right when compared to many AL SS/FG that you see.

Ordered a white 54cm last Friday, will update everyone when I receive the bike.
This is my third BD bike. I've owned a 50cm Kilo TT, a 54cm SST, and a 54cm Hour (back when the SST and Hour had FSA cranks).

First off I must say I was eying the SST also, may possibly get one in the future. I ordered my Gravity Attack back in October on eBay from seller chicabike, as one of you noted. Fortunately, for anyone interested now Bikes Direct doesn't have the extra $39 shipping. I like to think I paid more for getting it so early. The seller has had the bike in stock at least since August. I'm new to biking, but now I ride almost everyday on my college campus. I haven't replaced any parts just b/c i'd like to see how long this holds up stock. I'm very satisfied with the quality. If worse comes to worst I'd still have a decent set of wheels and a very nice fork.

The first things I'll replace are the tires. Wish I could give you miles, but I'm getting weary. I was certain i was gonna get a flat in downtown l.a, but all went well. Cog looks cheap to me, but it does the job and finally, i always wonder about the Bottom Bracket.(no idea whats in there). Despite these minor concerns i've been pushing up hills and bombing some with ease.

Like I said I'm just getting into biking , but I recommend this bike. Created an account just to help you guys out. and i do have friends that spend far more than I do on bikes. they approved after it came in. peace =]