Bikes Direct, anyone? - The Chainlink2024-03-28T13:51:40Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bikes-direct-anyone?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A127199&feed=yes&xn_auth=nowig [ isaac ] said:I road a k…tag:thechainlink.org,2009-10-20:2211490:Comment:1277192009-10-20T04:45:33.375ZFred Noinajhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/FredrickNoinaj
<cite>wig [ isaac ] said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bikes-direct-anyone?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A127713&x=1#2211490Comment127713"><div>I road a kiloTT for year with out a problem ..... in fact I loved the bike. best 325.00 ever spent</div>
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I built a bike for a friend of mine with the exact same frame as the kilo tt. Its a real nice frameset.<br />
…<p style="text-align: left;"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35230848?profile=original"></img></p>
<cite>wig [ isaac ] said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bikes-direct-anyone?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A127713&x=1#2211490Comment127713"><div>I road a kiloTT for year with out a problem ..... in fact I loved the bike. best 325.00 ever spent</div>
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I built a bike for a friend of mine with the exact same frame as the kilo tt. Its a real nice frameset.<br />
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/35230848?profile=original" alt=""/></p> I road a kiloTT for year with…tag:thechainlink.org,2009-10-20:2211490:Comment:1277132009-10-20T04:23:57.749Zwig [ isaac ]https://thechainlink.org/profile/isaacgrigsby
I road a kiloTT for year with out a problem ..... in fact I loved the bike. best 325.00 ever spent
I road a kiloTT for year with out a problem ..... in fact I loved the bike. best 325.00 ever spent For what it's worth, I work a…tag:thechainlink.org,2009-10-17:2211490:Comment:1274022009-10-17T13:46:19.336ZJhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/J
For what it's worth, I work at a bike shop and refer folks to Bikes Direct all the time. There are other decent shops: Leader, Tommaso, etc. I think there are a couple of circumstances where buying from an online retailer really makes sense.<br />
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For someone with a budget of <$400 looking for a fixie in the height of the season -- its tough to find something cool and used in the right size, and you'll be bottom feeding at brick and mortar shops. (But if you're patient, and can buy in the off…
For what it's worth, I work at a bike shop and refer folks to Bikes Direct all the time. There are other decent shops: Leader, Tommaso, etc. I think there are a couple of circumstances where buying from an online retailer really makes sense.<br />
<br />
For someone with a budget of <$400 looking for a fixie in the height of the season -- its tough to find something cool and used in the right size, and you'll be bottom feeding at brick and mortar shops. (But if you're patient, and can buy in the off season, great used bikes are plentiful and cheap.)<br />
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The other case is for would-be roadies with a budget of <$700. (For the same reasons as above.)<br />
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(Actually, there's a third case: difficult customers that you'd rather not have!)<br />
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For many customers, the premium one pays by buying locally is just not worth it. But in my experience, if a shop is open and honest about the online purchasing options, folks will generally be loyal and supportive in the future. Especially for road bikes, there are many hidden costs, and as others have mentioned, swapping stems/bars/wheels/tires can negate any savings. Many customers come back to buy custom bikes after a year or two with their online purchases. I too have bought a bike from…tag:thechainlink.org,2009-10-17:2211490:Comment:1273952009-10-17T11:39:23.002ZAndy K>https://thechainlink.org/profile/asdta4ewt32tawet43t54egdegayt
I too have bought a bike from Bikes Direct, my ss/fixed commuter. I've been riding for a while and can comfortably read a geometry spec sheet and know how the bike will fit. That was pretty much key for me. Saddles and tires get so personal those are replaced no matter where or what I buy. Definitely give it a good tune when the bike arrives, including checking spoke tension. There's almost never a good reason to use WD-40 on a bike so ignore that bit and I really didn't have to mess with the…
I too have bought a bike from Bikes Direct, my ss/fixed commuter. I've been riding for a while and can comfortably read a geometry spec sheet and know how the bike will fit. That was pretty much key for me. Saddles and tires get so personal those are replaced no matter where or what I buy. Definitely give it a good tune when the bike arrives, including checking spoke tension. There's almost never a good reason to use WD-40 on a bike so ignore that bit and I really didn't have to mess with the hubs to BB. Overall I'm happy with the bike I got and the customer service as well.<br />
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My rule of thumb is the more high end the bike I'm buying, the more I want to see it, hold it, ride it first. I wouldn't buy my dedicated race bike off BD largely because I wouldn't know exactly how it behaves when I, personally, take it through a high speed corner or climb out of the saddle. With my commuter bikes I'm looking more just at fit then fit & handling. The paint schemes can be pretty bad, occasionally a nice one will appear but they sell fast.<br />
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Summary:<br />
1) Know your measurements<br />
2) Know a little more than bare bones wrenching<br />
3) Know the category and your needs in it<br />
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Have answers to all these then don't let the internet and prices scare you, they're reputable. First and foremost: Don't use…tag:thechainlink.org,2009-10-17:2211490:Comment:1273872009-10-17T06:50:38.543ZBailey Gene Newbreyhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/BaileyGeneNewbrey
First and foremost: Don't use WD-40. Just don't do it. Secondly: Market expression? You can't be serious. I'm certain you understand a bit of economics, since it's most peoples favorite subject currently. How many people on here have bought a bike from Bikes Direct? Probably quite a few as this forum has seemingly shown. When you take that and many more potential sales away from a shop, their prices are driven up so they can pay rent. Also, many bicycle companies (and even some component…
First and foremost: Don't use WD-40. Just don't do it. Secondly: Market expression? You can't be serious. I'm certain you understand a bit of economics, since it's most peoples favorite subject currently. How many people on here have bought a bike from Bikes Direct? Probably quite a few as this forum has seemingly shown. When you take that and many more potential sales away from a shop, their prices are driven up so they can pay rent. Also, many bicycle companies (and even some component companies) have price points that they will not allow a shop to sell below, or at least until a certain point in the season. They do this to keep competition up. When face-less and soul-less internet retailers and big box stores sell bikes they are not in competition with too many people because of the bulk they are able to buy in. Obviously when you buy in large amounts you pay smaller prices. The bike shops you go to more likely than not will have a much smaller stock due to issues of funds, space, and their clientele. If they are able to lower prices on their bikes the results could be; 1. Prices on labor goes up. 2.Prices on parts and accesories go up. 3. They go out of business. Yes, there are some local shops large enough to bring prices down and without these effects, but not most. Another thing to consider is the amount of money the employees at local shops make. This can range between enough to scrape out a living to not crap. (Most) Bike shop employees work there because they love bikes and want to keep people rolling while getting new people ready for the road. I'm glad you (as well as others) do use local shops for parts and service. All the shops will gladly help you even if they see you're on an internet bike because they need to eat and at least ya ain't driving.<br />
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This could go on for a long time, and if you or anyone else would like more discussion on it, I'd be glad to talk. One last thing, XV, this ain't a personal attack on you. There are many people with that mentallity and I'd just like to bring my side to the discussion.<br />
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<cite>XV said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bikes-direct-anyone?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A127152&page=2#2211490Comment127293"><div>I Have a kilo TT, as well. I think the wheelset is decent. Has stayed true pretty well for me--I got mine about 2 years back though so I don't know if theyve changed anything. The only part I can recall being utter garbage was the saddle, but my roomate just got a dawes sst and that one seems to be a little better. I would definitely tune up everything on it though, including overhauling the hubs if they need it. also spray it down with WD-40 I started getting some rust in my tube/headset.<br/><br/>Don't feel guilty not buying local--consider it a market expression that you think they need to price them more competitively. I endup using local places for parts/service so I don't feel bad at all that I am not buying their overpriced bikes.</div>
</blockquote> I Have a kilo TT, as well. I…tag:thechainlink.org,2009-10-16:2211490:Comment:1272932009-10-16T20:54:24.963ZXVhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/XV
I Have a kilo TT, as well. I think the wheelset is decent. Has stayed true pretty well for me--I got mine about 2 years back though so I don't know if theyve changed anything. The only part I can recall being utter garbage was the saddle, but my roomate just got a dawes sst and that one seems to be a little better. I would definitely tune up everything on it though, including overhauling the hubs if they need it. also spray it down with WD-40 I started getting some rust in my…
I Have a kilo TT, as well. I think the wheelset is decent. Has stayed true pretty well for me--I got mine about 2 years back though so I don't know if theyve changed anything. The only part I can recall being utter garbage was the saddle, but my roomate just got a dawes sst and that one seems to be a little better. I would definitely tune up everything on it though, including overhauling the hubs if they need it. also spray it down with WD-40 I started getting some rust in my tube/headset.<br />
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Don't feel guilty not buying local--consider it a market expression that you think they need to price them more competitively. I endup using local places for parts/service so I don't feel bad at all that I am not buying their overpriced bikes. No need for asbestos Daniel.…tag:thechainlink.org,2009-10-16:2211490:Comment:1272832009-10-16T20:26:47.625ZRonhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Ron
No need for asbestos Daniel. You are on point. Well said<br />
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<cite>daniel brown said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bikes-direct-anyone?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A127152&page=2#2211490Comment127261"><div>OK - I feel compelled to chime in here : the coolest thing about buying a bike from a LBS : some (many ?) will do free lifetime tuneups and adjustments. and you don't feel like a schmuck bringing a new bike in there<br></br> either.<br></br> <br></br>
Reminds of runners who…</div>
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No need for asbestos Daniel. You are on point. Well said<br />
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<cite>daniel brown said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bikes-direct-anyone?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A127152&page=2#2211490Comment127261"><div>OK - I feel compelled to chime in here : the coolest thing about buying a bike from a LBS : some (many ?) will do free lifetime tuneups and adjustments. and you don't feel like a schmuck bringing a new bike in there<br/> either.<br/>
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Reminds of runners who get fit at a local running store for shoes...then bail and buy that exact model on-line.<br/>
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OK - I am donning my asbestos gloves and helmet now....flame away</div>
</blockquote> OK - I feel compelled to chim…tag:thechainlink.org,2009-10-16:2211490:Comment:1272612009-10-16T18:08:01.432Zdan brownhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/danielbrown
OK - I feel compelled to chime in here : the coolest thing about buying a bike from a LBS : some (many ?) will do free lifetime tuneups and adjustments. and you don't feel like a schmuck bringing a new bike in there<br />
either.<br />
<br />
Reminds of runners who get fit at a local running store for shoes...then bail and buy that exact model on-line.<br />
<br />
<br />
OK - I am donning my asbestos gloves and helmet now....flame away
OK - I feel compelled to chime in here : the coolest thing about buying a bike from a LBS : some (many ?) will do free lifetime tuneups and adjustments. and you don't feel like a schmuck bringing a new bike in there<br />
either.<br />
<br />
Reminds of runners who get fit at a local running store for shoes...then bail and buy that exact model on-line.<br />
<br />
<br />
OK - I am donning my asbestos gloves and helmet now....flame away Everybody loves to buy local…tag:thechainlink.org,2009-10-16:2211490:Comment:1272582009-10-16T17:56:07.259ZBailey Gene Newbreyhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/BaileyGeneNewbrey
Everybody loves to buy local until they're faced with a better deal. I'll be most of ya'll don't shop at Wal-Mart, prefer that corner coffee shop to Starbucks, & are proud to own SRAM components. Carry that community pride.
Everybody loves to buy local until they're faced with a better deal. I'll be most of ya'll don't shop at Wal-Mart, prefer that corner coffee shop to Starbucks, & are proud to own SRAM components. Carry that community pride. I bought my current ride from…tag:thechainlink.org,2009-10-16:2211490:Comment:1272092009-10-16T16:14:27.806Zanthony nicholsonhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/AnthonyNicholson
I bought my current ride from them... a Dawes-branded road bike for around $495. It serves my purposes b/c it's for commuting, not racing, and so I don't care if it has lower-end components that get beat up a bit. The wheels do seem pretty crappy (AlexRims R900s). Not sure if it's the rims or just the abuse it takes, but I've had a lot of broken spokes on the rear wheels.<br />
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I'd go into it with the mindset that you'll immediately toss and replace the saddle and tires, and you should be fine. Oh…
I bought my current ride from them... a Dawes-branded road bike for around $495. It serves my purposes b/c it's for commuting, not racing, and so I don't care if it has lower-end components that get beat up a bit. The wheels do seem pretty crappy (AlexRims R900s). Not sure if it's the rims or just the abuse it takes, but I've had a lot of broken spokes on the rear wheels.<br />
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I'd go into it with the mindset that you'll immediately toss and replace the saddle and tires, and you should be fine. Oh and has been noted, the color and decals are just hideous and embarassing.