A lot of forum members here will scoff at the idea of a BD bike in general... favoring a "big name" brand from the LBS. I am all about supporting my LBS (shout out to Ben's Cycle in Milwaukee WI.)
I do part time wrenching as a side gig and buy most all my parts from them as well as parts and accessories for my own bikes..so yeah, I get the support the little guy thing. Truth be known, I live pretty frugally... that's where the fine folks at BD come into play.
Those of us that own BD bikes know that there is a lot to like about them.. even the sub $500 models! I currently own 2 with another on the way. I love being able to tear a bike down to bare frame and build it back up better than it was outta box. Wrenching is therapeutic for me and to get paid to do it is just icing! I love BD bikes! I have 2 as of the time of this post.. by tomorrow, I will have my third in less than 6 months.
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Last edited by fattybikejones; 01-30-2013 at 09:48 PM.
LOL, Sorry mate, my fault, i think im a bit slow on some of these things lol, yes ive heard a few good things too about BD, seems like a great alternative to spending big bucks, cheers
PARRAMATTA EELS R.L.C Life member- BLUE AND GOLD NEVER FOLDS..
'Lifes not about winning or losing, lifes about choosing'
LOL, Sorry mate, my fault, i think im a bit slow on some of these things lol, yes ive heard a few good things too about BD, seems like a great alternative to spending big bucks, cheers
Haha.. no worries my friend, Just a little editorial blathering-on about my love of things BikesDirect.
I live in Jacksonville....we have THREE Bikes direct retail locations here.....so for me...BD is a LBS....nice shops, good service and good staff.
I'm currently looking for a new bike and have it down between three...a Motobecane, a Trek and a Cannondale.....for the value , right now Motobecane seems to be edging the other bikes out.
One of my LBS is within a short walk from my house (about three blocks) and is a Cannondale only dealer here in the Riverside area of Jax....and they are jerks...terrible service when I've walked in..( I'm a Clyesdale...a big guy and was ignored for about 15minutes...then offered a catalog and a price list...NICE).....another LBS about 10 minute drive carries both Cannondale and Trek and has a really good staff... knowledgeable and very willing to answer questions and help custom a bike to fit my needs ( I'm mostly a urban and paved trail rider)
The BD location at St. John's town center has a really good staff...and the bikes are set up and assembled very well....so I keep reading and learning more...but these BD bikes are really starting to impress me for value. I can see why the OP has an addiction....
I have yet to hear anyone complain about Bikes Direct and it seems that if you want to find a god deal on a bike online they are the go to place.
That being said, I have 3 bikes.
One is an old full rigid 26er that I bought used just to have something to tinker with so we won't count that.
My hard tail is a sub $500 bike that I love and I bought it new at an LBS.
It is a Marin Bolinas Ridge 29er that was on close out at REI for $499.93 (so barely sub $500). The bike is simply brilliant for the price.
My full suspension bike was an online special from Giant Nerd. It is a GT sensor Elite 9r. The MSRP was $1999 but I picked it up for $1035 plus I got $65 "nerd cash" to spend in the store. So I guess you can figure that as a sub $1k bike.
Again, it is brilliant at that price point.
My next steed in the barn will most likely be a rigid single speed and bikes direct is on the top of my list of places to get one as I feel it should be sub $500 and none of the local places have a SS for under $1k.
Sorry, not meaning to hijack this thread but I am new and can't create my own tread yet. Anyone has suggestions about the Motobecane Fantom29 Comp between the "Comp" and "Trail" versions on Bikes Direct? I am a beg to intermediate, 6'5'' 195 lbs, in reasonable shape. I am riding an old 26' and ready to getting into MTB more seriously but also need to watch my expenses : )
Sorry, not meaning to hijack this thread but I am new and can't create my own tread yet. Anyone has suggestions about the Motobecane Fantom29 Comp between the "Comp" and "Trail" versions on Bikes Direct? I am a beg to intermediate, 6'5'' 195 lbs, in reasonable shape. I am riding an old 26' and ready to getting into MTB more seriously but also need to watch my expenses : )
Thanks in advance,
Stefano
Biggest difference between the two are the forks, derailleurs, and brakes.
The XCT fork on the Fantom Trail is a pogo stick. I had it on an old bike and it is pretty much worthless. However, Suntour does have an upgrade program where you could get the Raidon for as little as $175 which is a slamming deal. The Rockshox on the Comp is a bit nicer, but if you are going to get in to serious riding you will probably want to upgrade that anyways.
Although the SLX on the comp is a nicer derailleur, either will do you fine and most people seem to just upgrade derailleurs when they brake.
Then it comes down to brakes. Do you want hydraulic or mechanical brakes.
If you think the brakes and derailleurs or worth the extra $200 then get the comp because IMO you will most likely want to upgrade either fork anyways.
I posted the question on whether or not to get the Elite Adventure, or the Elite Trail X4 the other day. Got a couple of responses. I ended up going with the Elite Trail which was $399 when I ordered it, but today has been marked up to $419 now. My budget was in the $300-400 range, so the Elite Adventure fit right in there. Now I just shopping around for some gear. Figure I'll need a spoke wrench, rack, light, helmet, and a few other things So I'm pretty pumped.
When I was looking around at the local shops, most entry level bikes started in the $600 range, a little more than I wanted to spend. So I don't feel I could have gone wrong.
I posted the question on whether or not to get the Elite Adventure, or the Elite Trail X4 the other day. Got a couple of responses. I ended up going with the Elite Trail which was $399 when I ordered it, but today has been marked up to $419 now. My budget was in the $300-400 range, so the Elite Adventure fit right in there. Now I just shopping around for some gear. Figure I'll need a spoke wrench, rack, light, helmet, and a few other things So I'm pretty pumped.
When I was looking around at the local shops, most entry level bikes started in the $600 range, a little more than I wanted to spend. So I don't feel I could have gone wrong.
Awesome!
Just make sure you take care to assemble the bike correctly. If there is anything you are unsure of, you may be best served taking it to someone who knows bikes. I recommend checking headset bearings and wheel hubs for lack of factory grease and proper adjustment. Eiher way.enjoy!
Awesome!
Just make sure you take care to assemble the bike correctly. If there is anything you are unsure of, you may be best served taking it to someone who knows bikes. I recommend checking headset bearings and wheel hubs for lack of factory grease and proper adjustment. Eiher way.enjoy!
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I've read that about making sure it is greased properly. I'm a pretty mechanically inclined person, and very willing to research how to do something correctly. It may be a learning process and take me longer than others, but at least i learn something new.
I've read that about making sure it is greased properly. I'm a pretty mechanically inclined person, and very willing to research how to do something correctly. It may be a learning process and take me longer than others, but at least i learn something new.
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Originally Posted by Tone's
