Yeah sort of, I guess thats a way to phrase it. I mean the honest to god facts are 80% of riders dont need more then a budget bike that only has to function at low speeds and look good. Both offer bikes at that price point and equal those needs (though State is offering higher end bikes now, and I dont think they compare to anything on BD). One does warranty pretty much everything and the other doesn't.

So uh, when has BD failed to warranty something?

Furthermore, when has BD even questioned a warranty claim?

Thats a valid point. I guess I just have never seen any good or glowing reviews of BD's customer service. I have seen quite the opposite on State though.

My point in the end is different business models, but both will sell bicycles that work. Some feel better buying from "real" people though. In no way was I trying to say one is better than the other. They are just really really different.

The people at bd have treated me well, the only issue I ever had was I ordered green and it was out of stock so they offered me other colors and I said I don't care it's just a color. They replaced a for for me, that was completely functional, just wouldn't fit a 28 up front, and grape coolade sucks

Bikesdirect is run by real people too, his name is mike and he used to post on these forums.

Not trying to argue. Just again look at the differences and I think you can understand what I mean. Im well aware a robot doesn't own BD.

State Sponsors races and events
State sponsors riders.
State has physical stores. (correction no positive about this just know their bikes are sold in shops and have dealers)

I havent really seen BD do anything... They are just a bicycle seller. State is involved in the bicycle community. Was that more clear? Again im not saying one is better then the other. They are just different.

I can't believe this thread wasn't locked after the OP said 'thank you' to the first responder.

BD and State are completely different companies, and they focus on completely different areas of the market.

One company is selling a lifestyle of originality and free-spirited bro-hugging on the beach while sipping High Life and wearing tank tops. The other company sells bicycles over the internet.

I'm not going to argue the merits of either business model, but I can certainly tell you which one offers more value for my money. I can also tell you that both companies have obviously stood out as market leaders by focusing on what's important to them. It's really just a question of where the purchaser derives the most value: bro-hugs or bicycles.

I just want state to make a frame with a 1" steerer

So do a lot of bicycle manufacturers. They do it primarily to advertise the brand and create a loyal customer base. Nothing wrong with that, but as an objective consumer the only thing that interests me is a quality product that represents good value and meets my needs.

As an "objective consumer" you should also see the value of a company that works with the community, that you can buy from your local bike shop where you can get fitted properly, with the convenience of going to them for warranties etc.

Most people that post here probably wrench...but the other 99.9 percent of the population will take their bike to get fixed.

Not if I am an experienced rider who doesn't need to be fitted, and knows how to assemble, adjust, maintain and repair my bikes. I have in fact referred several friends to good local bike shops in my area, but none of them carry bikes like State. So if my friend wants to get something of that type that also represents good value, I'll definitely choose BD over State.

Again im really not trying to argue here. Im just not sure if im communicating my point clearly.

To your first point. Yes it is advertising, but your product has to be good enough to be raced. Also their racers are doing pretty well in some pretty big races.

To the second point, I dont think their lower end line of bikes are aimed to "experienced riders". I think they are aimed at people that want to cruise and have a bike that looks good at the same time. Its sort of a gate way drug to cycling. On the other end I would ride their premium bikes. I think those are more aimed at "experienced riders"

Im glad this thread is staying relatively civil. Again, im not talking crap on either company. Im also not trying to be a dick to anyone. Just saying what I think. Hope you all understand that.

Their Undefeated model does looks good and would be a great value if it is race worthy. I have been looking at some track bikes and am pretty amazed at the undefeated specs for under 1k. A cinelli mash frameset alone is 1k...and that undefeated model comes with omnium cranks and is basically a ready to ride bike. If it was double butted steel with drop bars I might of gone in on that.

I got an email today from state that showed a contender with an aerojoke, which is my main problem with state is that they are just more or less fashion accessories.

I've been racing bicycles for 40 years and if there's one thing I've learned it's that the most important component of a bicycle is the human engine. I've seen young really powerful and athletic kids come to the track with some pretty basic equipment, one guy had a pretty much stock $280 Motobecane track except for the clipless pedals, and beat all the guys with their $3000 carbon wonders. So, it doesn't surprise or impress me that State riders are being successful on their bicycles. It just means that they've got some strong riders, not that their bikes are especially good. There was one Cat 1 dude who raced the first two years on a steel Bianchi Pista, which is about the same quality as a Kilo TT, and it didn't affect his results at all.

Jelly?

Completely agree with you. I would say most people on this level don't want their name attached to bad products though.

BD is a good value if you want to assemble your own bike, tune your own bike, true your own wheels...mail parts back to bd for warranty, etc.

I think lots of people value their time and want someone else to do that for them. That is the advantage of buying at an lbs. What works for you does not work for the other 99.9 percent that do not work on their own bikes besides easy stuff likes flats etc.

And the kilo tt has pretty generic parts. The kilo tt pro seems to be the one with some name brand parts according to their site. But that is 449....

Macaframa already made a video about them biking like ******** in traffic back in like 2008. Not sure what I should be jelly about, maybe the omnoms?

I agree, but I also think that it's great marketing and that's what a company like State is all about. I would argue they aren't very different from Leader who most people here have a different opinion of. Leader bikes may be better quality but both company website are just as much about high quality produced videos of strong riders riding their bikes and looking cool as much as they are about their bikes. They are selling a lifestyle more then a bike and they seem to be doing a great job of that so I have to commend them. And at least they are trying to add some higher end models for their customers to move up to since most of the customers are probably new to bikes, new to fixed gear/track bikes and maybe never owned a bike in their lives.

What's wrong with sipping high life?

Nothing at all, if you're into that sort of thing. I just happen to prefer gin & tonic on the back patio.

Wow, this thread totally sucks now.

Mhm