Yeah i get it. Personally, i'd rather have 2 really nice bikes, (classy, soul, patina, whateverthe****youwannacallit) instead of a whole stable of "value" bikes. But that's just me. You might ride more than i do, and need more to choose from than i do.

They're decent bikes for the money.
I'd ride one. Even though I have bikes heaps "better" than it.
#catchmeridingdirty

I gotcha. But OP wants the bike cause he's heard so many people raving about it. I think it is a good quality bike, but mostly for people who can't afford better. I was pointing out that he already had bikes that were better so I'm sure he won't be Wow'd by it like he is expecting.

But, you said you have one and you ride it even though you have better bikes. So it looks like I gotta trust your opinion.

As with any retailer you have to be aware of the marketing ploys used to draw attention. BD offers the same thing any and every spec item bike shop does...they are just not tacking on a premium for the name brand aside from where you buy it, in the components. They offer as good an item as you are willing to pay for. In many cases folks find it worthwhile to buy an entire bike there for nothing but the groupset to swap and resell, and still worth the trouble. I think that, in itself, says a lot about the value.

The thing to understand about discount online bikes is that they are worth it only if you have the tools and skills necessary to properly assemble and adjust them, replace some crappy or defective parts, and make modifications to items like gearing to suit your personal needs. By the time you factor in all these added costs, the difference between something like a Kilo TT Pro and a Wabi Classic is not all that great. If you are really strapped for cash, they represent a good way to get started with a decent frameset as a foundation, before spending additional money on upgrades.

I agree that if you are going to see the highest value from your online purchase there are quite a few things you take for granted. Ability to assemble, tinker, figure out sizing charts that are often erroneous without a bike to try...it's a risk to some degree. Even at that, for the uninitiated this is a WAY better value as well as safer than buying from a BBS. Even factoring in pro assembly (if it's even an option near where you live) it's still a better deal in many cases than paying for the name on the downtube.

I'm pretty sure a Kilo TT wouldn't be as fun as my Vigorelli, but I wouldn't mind having one, nonetheless. A Kilo TT , in my opinion, is one of those things you have to try, just once. You know, kind of like smoking, drinking, gambling, and any other vice one can think of. It doesn't mean you'll do it the rest of your life, but at least you tried it and can honestly say, either, it is or is not your "thing."

Having said that, if I did have $399 dollars just burning a hole in my pocket I'd get one.

WHAT!? You mean the name "Mercier" on the downtube isn't reason enough to buy a Kilo?

Looks like I gotta head to Walmart today to buy the Thruster. Gotta make sure it's not my "thing". Also, I might try some heroin.... while riding brakeless with no foot retention.

Haha BD sells more Mericier-less kilo strippers more than decaled ones.

Psh ain't got anything on kabutos

Sounds like a good idea. However...from my understanding heroin would probably rob you of any ambition to even get on the bike. Maybe try crystal meth, instead. Just a thought...

No idea what kabutos is, but I trust you.

Won't need ambition. I'll already be on the bike when I shoot up. We'll see what happens from there. Will report back later.

By the way, I just now learned the multi quote feature on this site. Leuky, your last post motivated me.

AWESOME!!! Evel Knievel's got nothing on you. Maybe try doing it while jumping through a giant hoop of fire, over the Grand Canyon.

Cool. I wanna learn that, too.

Good luck! Muh hahaha!

Never by any stretch of the imagination did I mean for my comment to be interpreted as that manner of sacrilege.

Clearly, Sir, you don't have a business card. You put it into the bowl and then they pull said card out of the bowl and you get free lunch! Though sometimes they don't pick your card and that sucks.

A good way to go sometimes especially if you know what you are doing. There is something about vintage bikes that you won't find ever again in modern bikes.

Also similar goes for a custom built frame by someone who has been doing it for some time. Watching videos of older frame builders especially and seeing the attention to detail they put in it is amazing.