Bikes Direct, anyone?

I have known of the site for several years but they just started posting more bikes(ss, fixed, and w/Sram) for sale. Has anyone every purchased a bike from them? Does anyone know how they can sell bikes for so cheap?

The Motobecane team track has Dura-ace cranks,chainring, bb, and cog. 6066 Aluminum frame w/ carbon fork. Its $800 for the complete bike. All the components alone would be around 800, but you get a frame, fork and wheels with it.

There's also a Dawes sst al for $370! Its aluminum w/ carbon fork

Then theres the Sram bikes. $2700 for a bike with full Sram RED?! Once again the components are around $2000 alone! comes with carbon frame and fork, ritchey stem and bars, aksium rims, and carbon seat post. This bike actually looks really nice too!

Anyone know whats up? I'm thinking of getting the ss cross bike they have or getting the kilo tt with reynolds 520 frame and sugino cranks and putting some cross tires on it for winter comutting.

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

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Permalink Reply by Bailey Gene Newbrey on October 16, 2009 at 6:56am

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.

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on October 16, 2009 at 7:08am

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
either.

Reminds of runners who get fit at a local running store for shoes...then bail and buy that exact model on-line.

OK - I am donning my asbestos gloves and helmet now....flame away

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Permalink Reply by Ron on October 16, 2009 at 9:26am

No need for asbestos Daniel. You are on point. Well said

daniel brown said:

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
either.

Reminds of runners who get fit at a local running store for shoes...then bail and buy that exact model on-line.

OK - I am donning my asbestos gloves and helmet now....flame away

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Permalink Reply by XV on October 16, 2009 at 9:54am

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.

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.

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Permalink Reply by Bailey Gene Newbrey on October 16, 2009 at 7:50pm

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.

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.

XV said:

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.

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.

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Permalink Reply by Andy K> on October 17, 2009 at 12:39am

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.

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.

Summary:
1) Know your measurements
2) Know a little more than bare bones wrenching
3) Know the category and your needs in it

Have answers to all these then don't let the internet and prices scare you, they're reputable.

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Permalink Reply by J on October 17, 2009 at 2:46am

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.

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.)

The other case is for would-be roadies with a budget of <$700. (For the same reasons as above.)

(Actually, there's a third case: difficult customers that you'd rather not have!)

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.