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Main
Date: 24 Oct 2007 16:57:53
From:
Subject: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
Its hard to ignore their good prices!
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Date: 29 Oct 2007 06:50:58
From:
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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On Oct 24, 5:57 pm, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
>
> Its hard to ignore their good prices!
I bought a Fantom 29 from them about a month ago, and aside from the
awful setup job it was a good deal. If I had taken it to a shop for
assembly, I think at least $100-$150 would be reasonable. It took me
two hours to set up, and I still haven't gotten around to re-dishing
the wheels. The component spec is pretty mixed up, but I don't think
it's deceptive since all of the info was on the web site. The only
things they really seem to have cheaped out on are the seatpost, bars,
and stem.
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Date: 26 Oct 2007 08:14:47
From: landotter
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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On Oct 26, 9:58 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> >I like the Surly, but if I was pressed for cash, I'd get the
> >Motobecane with no regrets.
>
> Thanks for your help!!!
>
> If going for the Surly brand, would you personally get
> the LH touring bike over their cross check model?
> Especially if you want to do "some" touring maybe once
> or twice a year?
>
> Or...would that Cross check 9or any cross bike)... be a
> better choice for daily schlepping around town,
> exercise, commuting, etc?
I'd give you a different answer each time ya asked that question
depending on the kind of coffee I was drinking.
Cross-Czech is going to feel a wee more nimble and the LHT more stable
as it's designed to haul big loads.
Today I like the color of the LHT better than plain black, but
tomorrow I might be a proponent of the Cross-Czech and more sporty
handling.
Either is a great deal for a nearly perfect spec bike if you're buying
the complete version and not the frame.
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Date: 26 Oct 2007 10:35:49
From:
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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>
>I'd give you a different answer each time ya asked that question
>depending on the kind of coffee I was drinking.
>
>Cross-Czech is going to feel a wee more nimble and the LHT more stable
>as it's designed to haul big loads.
>
>Today I like the color of the LHT better than plain black, but
>tomorrow I might be a proponent of the Cross-Czech and more sporty
>handling.
>
>Either is a great deal for a nearly perfect spec bike if you're buying
>the complete version and not the frame.
Yep I would be buying complete bike
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 09:45:31
From: landotter
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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On Oct 25, 11:04 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> >Anyway the wheels on the more expensive bike really are the deal
> >breaker for me. Low spoke wheels with heavy rims are not an "upgrade"
> >in any way.
>
> Ahh yes.... now I see....and agree!
>
> I wouldn't want any proprietary wheels of any kind on a
> bike.
>
> Thanks so much for bringing that to my attention.
>
> BTW... bike direct also sells the Surly Cross check
> cross bike. Any thoughts on it vs the Motebcane model?
>
> I'm strapped for cash big time right now...so price and
> value per dollar is an issue
The Surly Cross-Check and even their LHT touring bike are just about
perfectly specced with smart durable componentry. Can't go wrong with
either for the dough, especially if you hanker for a traditional steel
frame.
However, for near half the price, that Motobecane is a heck of a deal
and in some ways an even better value.
If the Surly "speaks" to you, save up and get it--it's got plenty
going for it, like the gorgeous crowned fork, ability to run fixed/
single, and the bar-end shifters for those of us that like such
nonsense.
However, if you're just looking for a bike to beat around on and
aren't hip to or don't care about the nuances, $500 for a do
everything bike is a deal.
I like the Surly, but if I was pressed for cash, I'd get the
Motobecane with no regrets.
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Date: 26 Oct 2007 09:58:08
From:
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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>I like the Surly, but if I was pressed for cash, I'd get the
>Motobecane with no regrets.
Thanks for your help!!!
If going for the Surly brand, would you personally get
the LH touring bike over their cross check model?
Especially if you want to do "some" touring maybe once
or twice a year?
Or...would that Cross check 9or any cross bike)... be a
better choice for daily schlepping around town,
exercise, commuting, etc?
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 08:51:16
From: landotter
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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On Oct 25, 10:34 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> >On Oct 25, 10:06 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> >> >Actually, if I'd seen that "Motobecane" crosser for $500 that
> >> >they now are offering--I'd have bought it
>
> >> That's what I'm thinking of buying form Bikes
> >> Direct.... the Motebecane cross bike
>
> >> Any opinions on it?
>
> >I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Add some fenders and ya got the perfect
> >fall/winter do it all bike. 8spd rear cluster is fine--stop worrying
> >about winter grime and replace it and chain as needed, as 8spd stuff
> >is cheeep.
>
> >As I mentioned before, I'd repack the hubs and tension/destress those
> >wheels before it went out the front door. Those are great rims if
> >tensioned right, the wheels should be care-free.
>
> OK
>
> They have two versions tho..... more expensive one with
> Ultegra components. Would you go for that one over the
> Tiagra version?
Like I said in the other post *I* would go for the cheaper one. The
wheels, for one, promise to be more reliable if serviced initially--
and if you break a spoke, you can still ride home. Consumables are
cheap for 8spd--and it's also got a metal fork, which is nice if you
wipe out this winter or want to mount low riders for a weekend tour.
Tiagra and Sora shift great--as good as any slob that's not racing
needs. The only reason to even consider the more expensive model IMHO
is if you absolutely hate Sora shifters and the inability to drop to a
smaller cog in the drops. I'm not a big fan of brifters to begin with,
but having ridden both Sora and the higher up groups, I sorta like the
Sora the best. It's a matter of personal taste.
$300 buys you a little less weight, one more rear cog, proprietary
wheels, and increased consumables price. Yeah--the rear mech might be
a little more durable--but what's a replacement Tiagra mech these
days? $30-50?
Anyway the wheels on the more expensive bike really are the deal
breaker for me. Low spoke wheels with heavy rims are not an "upgrade"
in any way.
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 22:40:33
From: Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ®
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
"landotter" <landotter@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1193327476.611453.249320@d55g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> On Oct 25, 10:34 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
>> >On Oct 25, 10:06 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
>> >> >Actually, if I'd seen that "Motobecane" crosser for $500 that
>> >> >they now are offering--I'd have bought it
>>
>> >> That's what I'm thinking of buying form Bikes
>> >> Direct.... the Motebecane cross bike
>>
>> >> Any opinions on it?
>>
>> >I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Add some fenders and ya got the perfect
>> >fall/winter do it all bike. 8spd rear cluster is fine--stop worrying
>> >about winter grime and replace it and chain as needed, as 8spd stuff
>> >is cheeep.
>>
>> >As I mentioned before, I'd repack the hubs and tension/destress those
>> >wheels before it went out the front door. Those are great rims if
>> >tensioned right, the wheels should be care-free.
>>
>> OK
>>
>> They have two versions tho..... more expensive one with
>> Ultegra components. Would you go for that one over the
>> Tiagra version?
>
<snip >
>
> Anyway the wheels on the more expensive bike really are the deal
> breaker for me. Low spoke wheels with heavy rims are not an "upgrade"
> in any way.
>
>
Amen to that.
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 11:04:11
From:
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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>Anyway the wheels on the more expensive bike really are the deal
>breaker for me. Low spoke wheels with heavy rims are not an "upgrade"
>in any way.
Ahh yes.... now I see....and agree!
I wouldn't want any proprietary wheels of any kind on a
bike.
Thanks so much for bringing that to my attention.
BTW... bike direct also sells the Surly Cross check
cross bike. Any thoughts on it vs the Motebcane model?
I'm strapped for cash big time right now...so price and
value per dollar is an issue
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 08:33:26
From: landotter
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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On Oct 25, 10:06 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> >s. Actually, if I'd seen that "Motobecane" crosser for $500 that
> >they now are offering--I'd have bought it. It's Tiagra with Sora
> >shifters and a 8spd cluster.
>
> They have the Motobecane cross bike with Ultegra
> components now
105 ya mean? IMHO, it's not worth $300 more. Stupid wheels to boot.
The $500 Sora/Tiagra model can be dialed to be ultra reliable--and if
you want to change out a couple bits, you've got money to play with.
My next road/touring/cross bike will be an 8spd model if I can still
get one in the next year or two--because as I mentioned in the other
post, it's cheap to run, and more than enough gear ratios.
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 08:27:29
From: landotter
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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On Oct 25, 10:06 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> >Actually, if I'd seen that "Motobecane" crosser for $500 that
> >they now are offering--I'd have bought it
>
> That's what I'm thinking of buying form Bikes
> Direct.... the Motebecane cross bike
>
> Any opinions on it?
I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Add some fenders and ya got the perfect
fall/winter do it all bike. 8spd rear cluster is fine--stop worrying
about winter grime and replace it and chain as needed, as 8spd stuff
is cheeep.
As I mentioned before, I'd repack the hubs and tension/destress those
wheels before it went out the front door. Those are great rims if
tensioned right, the wheels should be care-free.
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 10:34:17
From:
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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>On Oct 25, 10:06 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
>> >Actually, if I'd seen that "Motobecane" crosser for $500 that
>> >they now are offering--I'd have bought it
>>
>> That's what I'm thinking of buying form Bikes
>> Direct.... the Motebecane cross bike
>>
>> Any opinions on it?
>
>I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Add some fenders and ya got the perfect
>fall/winter do it all bike. 8spd rear cluster is fine--stop worrying
>about winter grime and replace it and chain as needed, as 8spd stuff
>is cheeep.
>
>As I mentioned before, I'd repack the hubs and tension/destress those
>wheels before it went out the front door. Those are great rims if
>tensioned right, the wheels should be care-free.
OK
They have two versions tho..... more expensive one with
Ultegra components. Would you go for that one over the
Tiagra version?
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 10:18:33
From:
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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Actually I wish Bikes Direct sold a few folding design
bikes.
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 12:11:11
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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<me@privacy.net > wrote in message
news:ktc1i3dm2n64i9t8fj110c082vqmuvbdl8@4ax.com...
> Actually I wish Bikes Direct sold a few folding design
> bikes.
I suspect they could do very well there. It's a market that's under-served
by the traditional bike companies, which just don't seem to quite get them
figured out.
--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 07:14:07
From: Ozark Bicycle
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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On Oct 24, 10:29 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky" <mik...@ix.netcom.com > wrote:
> >> > Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
>
> >> > Its hard to ignore their good prices!
>
> >> You mean their artificially-inflated suggested retail prices? Like this
> >> one?http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington1_08.htm
>
> >> Says it "lists" for $670. On "sale" for $299. Trust me, you won't find a
> >> bike at $670 with those specs in a bike shop. At that price, you'll find
> >> bikes with carbon forks (the bike shown has a chrome-moly fork... nothing
> >> wrong with that, but they're quite a bit cheaper and rarely found on
> >> "road"
> >> bikes unless it's made for touring) and STI shifters (where the shifting
> >> is
> >> in the brake lever). The bike in question has stem-mounted shifters, last
> >> seen on a road bike in a bike shop maybe 10 years ago. That bike, if sold
> >> in
> >> a shop, might reasonably fetch $399 or so. And, of course, it would be
> >> fully
> >> assembled, with a local warranty, and hopefully properly fit by the
> >> dealer.
>
> >> I love this line- "Windsor lists this bike at $670 bikesdirect.com sells
> >> for
> >> $299 delivered to your door SAVE OVER 50% OFF!"
>
> > Who cares, really? Should we go to the various Trek Empire sites and
> > nitpick the many forms of hype found there?
>
> Sure, be my guest. Look over the Trek websites and find me something
> similar.
Hype comes in many flavors; Trek flings alot high tech BS instead of
focusing on discounts. Is the illusion of a big discount any more
deceptive than the implied promises of "going faster" due to lighter
weight, increased stiffness, better aerodynamics, etc.? From this
neutral perspective, the answer is "no".
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 17:23:14
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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>> >> I love this line- "Windsor lists this bike at $670 bikesdirect.com
>> >> sells
>> >> for
>> >> $299 delivered to your door SAVE OVER 50% OFF!"
>>
>> > Who cares, really? Should we go to the various Trek Empire sites and
>> > nitpick the many forms of hype found there?
>>
>> Sure, be my guest. Look over the Trek websites and find me something
>> similar.
>
> Hype comes in many flavors; Trek flings alot high tech BS instead of
> focusing on discounts. Is the illusion of a big discount any more
> deceptive than the implied promises of "going faster" due to lighter
> weight, increased stiffness, better aerodynamics, etc.? From this
> neutral perspective, the answer is "no".
"Neutral perspective." Really. Guess you win, I lose then!
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com
"Ozark Bicycle" <bicycleatelier@ozarkbicycleservice.com > wrote in message
news:1193321647.424350.287260@o38g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> On Oct 24, 10:29 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky" <mik...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>> >> > Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
>>
>> >> > Its hard to ignore their good prices!
>>
>> >> You mean their artificially-inflated suggested retail prices? Like
>> >> this
>> >> one?http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington1_08.htm
>>
>> >> Says it "lists" for $670. On "sale" for $299. Trust me, you won't find
>> >> a
>> >> bike at $670 with those specs in a bike shop. At that price, you'll
>> >> find
>> >> bikes with carbon forks (the bike shown has a chrome-moly fork...
>> >> nothing
>> >> wrong with that, but they're quite a bit cheaper and rarely found on
>> >> "road"
>> >> bikes unless it's made for touring) and STI shifters (where the
>> >> shifting
>> >> is
>> >> in the brake lever). The bike in question has stem-mounted shifters,
>> >> last
>> >> seen on a road bike in a bike shop maybe 10 years ago. That bike, if
>> >> sold
>> >> in
>> >> a shop, might reasonably fetch $399 or so. And, of course, it would be
>> >> fully
>> >> assembled, with a local warranty, and hopefully properly fit by the
>> >> dealer.
>>
>> >> I love this line- "Windsor lists this bike at $670 bikesdirect.com
>> >> sells
>> >> for
>> >> $299 delivered to your door SAVE OVER 50% OFF!"
>>
>> > Who cares, really? Should we go to the various Trek Empire sites and
>> > nitpick the many forms of hype found there?
>>
>> Sure, be my guest. Look over the Trek websites and find me something
>> similar.
>
> Hype comes in many flavors; Trek flings alot high tech BS instead of
> focusing on discounts. Is the illusion of a big discount any more
> deceptive than the implied promises of "going faster" due to lighter
> weight, increased stiffness, better aerodynamics, etc.? From this
> neutral perspective, the answer is "no".
>
>
>
>
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 06:56:32
From: Ozark Bicycle
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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On Oct 24, 10:29 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky" <mik...@ix.netcom.com > wrote:
> >> > Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
>
> >> > Its hard to ignore their good prices!
>
> >> You mean their artificially-inflated suggested retail prices? Like this
> >> one?http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington1_08.htm
>
> >> Says it "lists" for $670. On "sale" for $299. Trust me, you won't find a
> >> bike at $670 with those specs in a bike shop. At that price, you'll find
> >> bikes with carbon forks (the bike shown has a chrome-moly fork... nothing
> >> wrong with that, but they're quite a bit cheaper and rarely found on
> >> "road"
> >> bikes unless it's made for touring) and STI shifters (where the shifting
> >> is
> >> in the brake lever). The bike in question has stem-mounted shifters, last
> >> seen on a road bike in a bike shop maybe 10 years ago. That bike, if sold
> >> in
> >> a shop, might reasonably fetch $399 or so. And, of course, it would be
> >> fully
> >> assembled, with a local warranty, and hopefully properly fit by the
> >> dealer.
>
> > Just curious - do you offer a bike like that for "$399 or so"?
>
> It's been tried; so far, doesn't seem to be any demand for such machines.
> It's often debated at product meetings. Do you see much demand for that sort
> of bike in your area? Just curious.
>
IMO, the demand for a viable $300-400 "road bike" is obvious. I can
see where Trek, etc., would see it as siphoning off the sales of more
expensive models. At present, the big makers (C'dale, Giant, Trek,
Specialized, etc.) have sucessfully perpetrated the illusion that
entry level "road bikes" are in the ~$700 range. That's a disservice
to the end users.
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 03:01:15
From:
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
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Even upgrading the no name bottom bracket and better brakes etc still
puts you well below what a comparable bike shop bike would cost.
Cassette? Any shimano cassette will shift fine so level doesnt
matter.
On Oct 24, 10:23 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky" <Mi...@ChainReaction.com >
wrote:
>>
> Buying the bike from their shop would be great! Then you could test ride a
> fully assembled bike, test ride it, have them fit you and change the stem
> height/reach (or both), handlebar width, alter gearing to make it more
> appropriate if need be... all the usual stuff. Things difficult to do by
> mail.
>
> Their $895.95 bike but has, as you point out, Ultegra shifters only, not
> brakes, not cranks, not cassette. Of course, their ad says "Shimano Ultegra
> 30 speed road bike." Still inexpensive, but hardly a full Ultegra bike (the
> cranks alone are a $250 upcharge from the TruVativs shown... and hugely
> superior... the brakes, no big deal, Ultegra brakes cost quite a bit but if
> you put KoolStop pads into the Tektro brakes, they'll work just fine). In no
> stretch of the imagination is it a $2095 "list" price bike. Well, I guess it
> is, because they can say whatever they want, since it's their house brand.
> But they'd be hard pressed to claim anyone, at anytime, ever sold one for
> anything near that price, calling into question what it is.
>
> --Mike Jacoubowsky
> Chain Reaction Bicycleswww.ChainReaction.com
> Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 12:09:56
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
> Even upgrading the no name bottom bracket and better brakes etc still
> puts you well below what a comparable bike shop bike would cost.
> Cassette? Any shimano cassette will shift fine so level doesnt
> matter.
As I mentioned in my post, it's not the bottom bracket (they're cheap), it's
the cranks (they're *not* cheap). And yes, a Shimano cassette will shift
just fine. But you're beginning to describe a Frankenbike, not a "Shimano
Ultegra 30-speed road bike." My point is that the bikes, good deal that they
may be, are misrepresented as far as comparable values would be elsewhere.
--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
<bigjim@backpacker.com > wrote in message
news:1193306475.486837.216870@z9g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Even upgrading the no name bottom bracket and better brakes etc still
> puts you well below what a comparable bike shop bike would cost.
> Cassette? Any shimano cassette will shift fine so level doesnt
> matter.
>
> On Oct 24, 10:23 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky" <Mi...@ChainReaction.com>
> wrote:
>>>
>> Buying the bike from their shop would be great! Then you could test ride
>> a
>> fully assembled bike, test ride it, have them fit you and change the stem
>> height/reach (or both), handlebar width, alter gearing to make it more
>> appropriate if need be... all the usual stuff. Things difficult to do by
>> mail.
>>
>> Their $895.95 bike but has, as you point out, Ultegra shifters only, not
>> brakes, not cranks, not cassette. Of course, their ad says "Shimano
>> Ultegra
>> 30 speed road bike." Still inexpensive, but hardly a full Ultegra bike
>> (the
>> cranks alone are a $250 upcharge from the TruVativs shown... and hugely
>> superior... the brakes, no big deal, Ultegra brakes cost quite a bit but
>> if
>> you put KoolStop pads into the Tektro brakes, they'll work just fine). In
>> no
>> stretch of the imagination is it a $2095 "list" price bike. Well, I guess
>> it
>> is, because they can say whatever they want, since it's their house
>> brand.
>> But they'd be hard pressed to claim anyone, at anytime, ever sold one for
>> anything near that price, calling into question what it is.
>>
>> --Mike Jacoubowsky
>> Chain Reaction Bicycleswww.ChainReaction.com
>> Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
>
>
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Date: 25 Oct 2007 00:10:33
From: Hank Wirtz
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
On Oct 24, 9:57 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky" <mik...@ix.netcom.com > wrote:
> >> Sure, be my guest. Look over the Trek websites and find me something
> >> similar. Bikesdirect is borderline fraud. Nowhere do they tell you that
> >> they're the only outlet for their bikes; they imply that you'll find them
> >> somewhere else for the "list" price.
>
> > Not true. I know of at least one LBS in Seattle that sells
> > Motobecanes.
[snip]
>
> Which shop in seattle is selling them? Inquiring minds want to know!
>
Alpine Hut.
At least they were three years ago when I was thinking about getting a
500HT from Bikedirect (I wound up getting a GT Avalanche 1.0 instead)
and I wanted to see what one looked like in real life. They only had
the 700HT in stock, and that was more than I wanted to spend at the
time. I just now checked their web site, and they're only listing
Raleigh and Felt now, so maybe that changed. Sorry if my contradiction
came off as jerk-like.
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| | |
Date: 29 Oct 2007 00:16:55
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
>> >> Sure, be my guest. Look over the Trek websites and find me something
>> >> similar. Bikesdirect is borderline fraud. Nowhere do they tell you
>> >> that
>> >> they're the only outlet for their bikes; they imply that you'll find
>> >> them
>> >> somewhere else for the "list" price.
>>
>> > Not true. I know of at least one LBS in Seattle that sells
>> > Motobecanes.
>
> [snip]
>
>>
>> Which shop in seattle is selling them? Inquiring minds want to know!
>>
>
> Alpine Hut.
>
> At least they were three years ago when I was thinking about getting a
> 500HT from Bikedirect (I wound up getting a GT Avalanche 1.0 instead)
> and I wanted to see what one looked like in real life. They only had
> the 700HT in stock, and that was more than I wanted to spend at the
> time. I just now checked their web site, and they're only listing
> Raleigh and Felt now, so maybe that changed. Sorry if my contradiction
> came off as jerk-like.
Hank: I sent an email to Bikesdirect.com regarding dealers in Seattle; they
replied fairly quickly (about a day later, which is often better than I can
manage). Here's the reply-
==========================
We currently do not have a local bike shop to serve your area.
Please go to our authorized online source, they offer free shipping and a 30
day satisfaction guarantee:
www.bikesdirect.com
If you would like to see Motobecane bicycles in your area, please contact
your local dealer and ask them to contact us at:
info@motobecane.com
==========================
Same reply that I got back in 1999 from them. I did ask back then about
becoming a dealer, but I'm not going to right now, as that wouldn't be
honest (I have no intention of becoming one).
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com
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| | |
Date: 25 Oct 2007 17:25:02
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
"Hank Wirtz" <hank@wirtznet.net > wrote in message
news:1193296233.720826.32410@q5g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> On Oct 24, 9:57 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky" <mik...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>> >> Sure, be my guest. Look over the Trek websites and find me something
>> >> similar. Bikesdirect is borderline fraud. Nowhere do they tell you
>> >> that
>> >> they're the only outlet for their bikes; they imply that you'll find
>> >> them
>> >> somewhere else for the "list" price.
>>
>> > Not true. I know of at least one LBS in Seattle that sells
>> > Motobecanes.
>
> [snip]
>
>>
>> Which shop in seattle is selling them? Inquiring minds want to know!
>>
>
> Alpine Hut.
>
> At least they were three years ago when I was thinking about getting a
> 500HT from Bikedirect (I wound up getting a GT Avalanche 1.0 instead)
> and I wanted to see what one looked like in real life. They only had
> the 700HT in stock, and that was more than I wanted to spend at the
> time. I just now checked their web site, and they're only listing
> Raleigh and Felt now, so maybe that changed. Sorry if my contradiction
> came off as jerk-like.
No problem; I could have come across a bit less stridently myself. More
often than not I can look back at one of my posts and think, y'know, I could
have gotten my point across a bit better without polarizing things.
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com
|
| |
Date: 24 Oct 2007 21:16:27
From: Hank Wirtz
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
On Oct 24, 8:29 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky" <mik...@ix.netcom.com > wrote:
> Sure, be my guest. Look over the Trek websites and find me something
> similar. Bikesdirect is borderline fraud. Nowhere do they tell you that
> they're the only outlet for their bikes; they imply that you'll find them
> somewhere else for the "list" price.
Not true. I know of at least one LBS in Seattle that sells
Motobecanes. And while nowhere near the "list price" at BD, the prices
charged are more than BD but only slightly less than the comparably
equipped bikes by other manufacturers. BD has also occasionally
carried Fujis, which are widely available at retail.
And as many others have said, there are other sellers of those lines.
It may be that SportyMama on ebay is the same entity (both are in
Texas), but I don't know that for sure and I'm 85% sure you don't,
either.
|
| | |
Date: 25 Oct 2007 04:57:09
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
>> Sure, be my guest. Look over the Trek websites and find me something
>> similar. Bikesdirect is borderline fraud. Nowhere do they tell you that
>> they're the only outlet for their bikes; they imply that you'll find them
>> somewhere else for the "list" price.
>
> Not true. I know of at least one LBS in Seattle that sells
> Motobecanes. And while nowhere near the "list price" at BD, the prices
> charged are more than BD but only slightly less than the comparably
> equipped bikes by other manufacturers. BD has also occasionally
> carried Fujis, which are widely available at retail.
>
> And as many others have said, there are other sellers of those lines.
> It may be that SportyMama on ebay is the same entity (both are in
> Texas), but I don't know that for sure and I'm 85% sure you don't,
> either.
That's interesting, and here's why. Just for kicks, we sent them information
regarding becoming a dealer. It was quite clear they had no interest (no
returned email, no returned phone call). Nothing's changed on their dealer
locater since then; it still requests that you contact bikesdirect directly.
If I were an LBS carrying their bikes, that wouldn't make me very happy.
Which shop in seattle is selling them? Inquiring minds want to know!
(As far as carrying Fuji, they've gone through many changes in distribution
over the years, but were never a "house" brand. Bikesdirect likely carried
them when they were primarily sold through various mail-order outlets. There
was a time when the Fuji warehouses were quite full of product and bikes
were quite cheap.)
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com
|
| |
Date: 24 Oct 2007 19:04:53
From: Ozark Bicycle
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
On Oct 24, 7:16 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky" <Mi...@ChainReaction.com >
wrote:
> > Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
>
> > Its hard to ignore their good prices!
>
> You mean their artificially-inflated suggested retail prices? Like this one?http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington1_08.htm
>
> Says it "lists" for $670. On "sale" for $299. Trust me, you won't find a
> bike at $670 with those specs in a bike shop. At that price, you'll find
> bikes with carbon forks (the bike shown has a chrome-moly fork... nothing
> wrong with that, but they're quite a bit cheaper and rarely found on "road"
> bikes unless it's made for touring) and STI shifters (where the shifting is
> in the brake lever). The bike in question has stem-mounted shifters, last
> seen on a road bike in a bike shop maybe 10 years ago. That bike, if sold in
> a shop, might reasonably fetch $399 or so. And, of course, it would be fully
> assembled, with a local warranty, and hopefully properly fit by the dealer.
Just curious - do you offer a bike like that for "$399 or so"?
>
> I love this line- "Windsor lists this bike at $670 bikesdirect.com sells for
> $299 delivered to your door SAVE OVER 50% OFF!"
Who cares, really? Should we go to the various Trek Empire sites and
nitpick the many forms of hype found there?
>
> Never mind the fact that bikesdirect *owns* the Windsor name; you won't find
> it anywhere else.
Do you sell any bicycles which are not part of the Trek Empire?
BikesDirect has captive brands, and Trek has captive stores. BFD.
>
> They could be honest about their values and still sell bikes. But they
> choose instead to be deceptive about what they're selling. I guess it sells
> more bikes; maybe we'd sell more if we artificially inflated the "list"
> price of our bikes to double their actual selling price? But I don't think
> so; I think our customers are smarter than that. I hope they are.
>
> --Mike Jacoubowsky
> Chain Reaction Bicycleswww.ChainReaction.com
> Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
|
| | |
Date: 25 Oct 2007 03:29:35
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
>> > Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
>>
>> > Its hard to ignore their good prices!
>>
>> You mean their artificially-inflated suggested retail prices? Like this
>> one?http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington1_08.htm
>>
>> Says it "lists" for $670. On "sale" for $299. Trust me, you won't find a
>> bike at $670 with those specs in a bike shop. At that price, you'll find
>> bikes with carbon forks (the bike shown has a chrome-moly fork... nothing
>> wrong with that, but they're quite a bit cheaper and rarely found on
>> "road"
>> bikes unless it's made for touring) and STI shifters (where the shifting
>> is
>> in the brake lever). The bike in question has stem-mounted shifters, last
>> seen on a road bike in a bike shop maybe 10 years ago. That bike, if sold
>> in
>> a shop, might reasonably fetch $399 or so. And, of course, it would be
>> fully
>> assembled, with a local warranty, and hopefully properly fit by the
>> dealer.
>
>
> Just curious - do you offer a bike like that for "$399 or so"?
It's been tried; so far, doesn't seem to be any demand for such machines.
It's often debated at product meetings. Do you see much demand for that sort
of bike in your area? Just curious.
>
>>
>> I love this line- "Windsor lists this bike at $670 bikesdirect.com sells
>> for
>> $299 delivered to your door SAVE OVER 50% OFF!"
>
> Who cares, really? Should we go to the various Trek Empire sites and
> nitpick the many forms of hype found there?
Sure, be my guest. Look over the Trek websites and find me something
similar. Bikesdirect is borderline fraud. Nowhere do they tell you that
they're the only outlet for their bikes; they imply that you'll find them
somewhere else for the "list" price.
>
>
>>
>> Never mind the fact that bikesdirect *owns* the Windsor name; you won't
>> find
>> it anywhere else.
>
>
> Do you sell any bicycles which are not part of the Trek Empire?
No. That matters because?
>
> BikesDirect has captive brands, and Trek has captive stores. BFD.
Trek has a very small number of concept stores, probably fewer than 20.
Those stores are under contract to sell "x" percent Trek product, but are
allowed, I believe, up to 20% sales in 2nd-tier bike lines (not Giant or
Specialized, for example, but something fitting into a market niche of some
sort, rather than another broad line such as Trek is).
We're a bit of an anomaly. We are not, and never will be, a "concept" store.
Chain Reaction Bicycles has its own way of doing business, its own name,
something I've worked on for 29 years. Our name will never change from Chain
Reaction Bicycles to "Trek store Redwood City" & "Trek store Los Altos." And
yet it's true, we sell 100% product from Trek (as far as bicycles; entirely
different situation in all other categories).
I'm wondering where you feel that our being 100% Trek bicycle inventory is
similar to grossly misrepresenting the value of a product. We make no
inflated claims about the retail value of our product. When we have
something on sale, it's truly on sale, a markdown from pricing that we did,
in fact, sell the product for. That is not the case for bikes.
>>
>> They could be honest about their values and still sell bikes. But they
>> choose instead to be deceptive about what they're selling. I guess it
>> sells
>> more bikes; maybe we'd sell more if we artificially inflated the "list"
>> price of our bikes to double their actual selling price? But I don't
>> think
>> so; I think our customers are smarter than that. I hope they are.
>>
>> --Mike Jacoubowsky
>> Chain Reaction Bicycles.ChainReaction.com
>> Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com
|
| | | |
Date: 25 Oct 2007 00:52:14
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
>>>> Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
>>>
>>>> Its hard to ignore their good prices!
>>>
>>> You mean their artificially-inflated suggested retail prices? Like
>>> this
>>> one?http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington1_08.htm Says
>>> it "lists" for $670. On "sale" for $299. Trust me, you won't
>>> find a bike at $670 with those specs in a bike shop. At that price,
>>> you'll find bikes with carbon forks (the bike shown has a
>>> chrome-moly fork... nothing wrong with that, but they're quite a
>>> bit cheaper and rarely found on "road"
>>> bikes unless it's made for touring) and STI shifters (where the
>>> shifting is
>>> in the brake lever). The bike in question has stem-mounted
>>> shifters, last seen on a road bike in a bike shop maybe 10 years
>>> ago. That bike, if sold in
>>> a shop, might reasonably fetch $399 or so. And, of course, it would
>>> be fully
>>> assembled, with a local warranty, and hopefully properly fit by the
>>> dealer.
>>
>>
>> Just curious - do you offer a bike like that for "$399 or so"?
>
> It's been tried; so far, doesn't seem to be any demand for such
> machines. It's often debated at product meetings. Do you see much
> demand for that sort of bike in your area? Just curious.
>
>>
>>>
>>> I love this line- "Windsor lists this bike at $670 bikesdirect.com
>>> sells for
>>> $299 delivered to your door SAVE OVER 50% OFF!"
>>
>> Who cares, really? Should we go to the various Trek Empire sites and
>> nitpick the many forms of hype found there?
>
> Sure, be my guest. Look over the Trek websites and find me something
> similar. Bikesdirect is borderline fraud. Nowhere do they tell you
> that they're the only outlet for their bikes; they imply that you'll
> find them somewhere else for the "list" price.
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Never mind the fact that bikesdirect *owns* the Windsor name; you
>>> won't find
>>> it anywhere else.
>>
>>
>> Do you sell any bicycles which are not part of the Trek Empire?
>
> No. That matters because?
>>
>> BikesDirect has captive brands, and Trek has captive stores. BFD.
>
> Trek has a very small number of concept stores, probably fewer than
> 20. Those stores are under contract to sell "x" percent Trek product,
> but are allowed, I believe, up to 20% sales in 2nd-tier bike lines
> (not Giant or Specialized, for example, but something fitting into a
> market niche of some sort, rather than another broad line such as
> Trek is).
> We're a bit of an anomaly. We are not, and never will be, a "concept"
> store. Chain Reaction Bicycles has its own way of doing business, its
> own name, something I've worked on for 29 years. Our name will never
> change from Chain Reaction Bicycles to "Trek store Redwood City" &
> "Trek store Los Altos." And yet it's true, we sell 100% product from
> Trek (as far as bicycles; entirely different situation in all other
> categories).
> I'm wondering where you feel that our being 100% Trek bicycle
> inventory is similar to grossly misrepresenting the value of a
> product. We make no inflated claims about the retail value of our
> product. When we have something on sale, it's truly on sale, a
> markdown from pricing that we did, in fact, sell the product for.
> That is not the case for bikes.
>>>
>>> They could be honest about their values and still sell bikes. But
>>> they choose instead to be deceptive about what they're selling. I
>>> guess it sells
>>> more bikes; maybe we'd sell more if we artificially inflated the
>>> "list" price of our bikes to double their actual selling price? But
>>> I don't think
>>> so; I think our customers are smarter than that. I hope they are.
>>>
>>> --Mike Jacoubowsky
>>> Chain Reaction Bicycles.ChainReaction.com
>>> Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
>
> --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
> www.ChainReactionBicycles.com
Mike, could you PLEASE start identifying who the heck you're addressing in
your posts? How is it that your newsreader deletes all the attributions in
the first place? It really gets confusing and somewhat frustrating...
Thanks.
BS (no, really)
|
| |
Date: 24 Oct 2007 17:46:26
From:
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
Sprtymama charges shipping bijkesdirect does not
n Oct 24, 6:26 pm, sh...@panix.com (Melinda Shore) wrote:
> In article <ltfvh3d4lsaso84he33uveg5cdrc27e...@4ax.com>,
>
> <m...@privacy.net> wrote:
> >Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
> >Its hard to ignore their good prices!
>
> I haven't bought from them, but "Sporty Mama" sells the same
> bikes for less money on eBay and I have bought from her. It
> was fine - the price was good (actually, the price was
> great), the bike arrived quickly and as described. It was
> missing the seatpost clamp, though, and when I emailed her
> about it a new one arrived very, very fast.
> --
> Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis - sh...@panix.com
>
> Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community
|
| | |
Date: 24 Oct 2007 21:43:38
From: Melinda Shore
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
In article <1193273186.341435.191730@z24g2000prh.googlegroups.com >,
<bigjim@backpacker.com > wrote:
>Sprtymama charges shipping bijkesdirect does not
I know, but it still came out cheaper (I can do arithmetic).
Remember, there's no such thing as "free" - those guys are
folding shipping charges into the price. Same basic
ballpark, though. For $30 difference or whatever it was on
the bike I bought if you're more comfortable with
bikesdirect.com it's not a huge deal.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis - shore@panix.com
Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community
|
| |
Date: 24 Oct 2007 17:45:22
From:
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
Better to inflate their list prices than sale prices like bike shops
do. A Trek 1.2 will sell for $760 or so with sora crap. For $100
more you get Ultegra 30 speed der.amd shifters, vuelta wheels, carbon
stays etc. I've yet to see a comparable bike to the Motobecane Sprint
in a bike shop for <$900. So avoid the ripoff of many bike shops and
buy froms bikesdirect. I bought a bike from them and feel it was a
deal. NO shop could sell a bike with the same spec for the same
price. If you in TXyou can buy these bikes from their shop.
On Oct 24, 8:16 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky" <Mi...@ChainReaction.com >
wrote:
> > Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
>
> > Its hard to ignore their good prices!
>
> You mean their artificially-inflated suggested retail prices? Like this one?http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington1_08.htm
>
> Says it "lists" for $670. On "sale" for $299. Trust me, you won't find a
> bike at $670 with those specs in a bike shop. At that price, you'll find
> bikes with carbon forks (the bike shown has a chrome-moly fork... nothing
> wrong with that, but they're quite a bit cheaper and rarely found on "road"
> bikes unless it's made for touring) and STI shifters (where the shifting is
> in the brake lever). The bike in question has stem-mounted shifters, last
> seen on a road bike in a bike shop maybe 10 years ago. That bike, if sold in
> a shop, might reasonably fetch $399 or so. And, of course, it would be fully
> assembled, with a local warranty, and hopefully properly fit by the dealer.
>
> I love this line- "Windsor lists this bike at $670 bikesdirect.com sells for
> $299 delivered to your door SAVE OVER 50% OFF!"
>
> Never mind the fact that bikesdirect *owns* the Windsor name; you won't find
> it anywhere else.
>
> They could be honest about their values and still sell bikes. But they
> choose instead to be deceptive about what they're selling. I guess it sells
> more bikes; maybe we'd sell more if we artificially inflated the "list"
> price of our bikes to double their actual selling price? But I don't think
> so; I think our customers are smarter than that. I hope they are.
>
> --Mike Jacoubowsky
> Chain Reaction Bicycleswww.ChainReaction.com
> Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
|
| | |
Date: 25 Oct 2007 02:23:49
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
> Better to inflate their list prices than sale prices like bike shops
> do. A Trek 1.2 will sell for $760 or so with sora crap. For $100
> more you get Ultegra 30 speed der.amd shifters, vuelta wheels, carbon
> stays etc. I've yet to see a comparable bike to the Motobecane Sprint
> in a bike shop for <$900. So avoid the ripoff of many bike shops and
> buy froms bikesdirect. I bought a bike from them and feel it was a
> deal. NO shop could sell a bike with the same spec for the same
> price. If you in TXyou can buy these bikes from their shop.
Buying the bike from their shop would be great! Then you could test ride a
fully assembled bike, test ride it, have them fit you and change the stem
height/reach (or both), handlebar width, alter gearing to make it more
appropriate if need be... all the usual stuff. Things difficult to do by
mail.
Their $895.95 bike but has, as you point out, Ultegra shifters only, not
brakes, not cranks, not cassette. Of course, their ad says "Shimano Ultegra
30 speed road bike." Still inexpensive, but hardly a full Ultegra bike (the
cranks alone are a $250 upcharge from the TruVativs shown... and hugely
superior... the brakes, no big deal, Ultegra brakes cost quite a bit but if
you put KoolStop pads into the Tektro brakes, they'll work just fine). In no
stretch of the imagination is it a $2095 "list" price bike. Well, I guess it
is, because they can say whatever they want, since it's their house brand.
But they'd be hard pressed to claim anyone, at anytime, ever sold one for
anything near that price, calling into question what it is.
--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
|
| |
Date: 25 Oct 2007 00:16:31
From: Mike Jacoubowsky
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
> Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
>
> Its hard to ignore their good prices!
You mean their artificially-inflated suggested retail prices? Like this one?
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington1_08.htm
Says it "lists" for $670. On "sale" for $299. Trust me, you won't find a
bike at $670 with those specs in a bike shop. At that price, you'll find
bikes with carbon forks (the bike shown has a chrome-moly fork... nothing
wrong with that, but they're quite a bit cheaper and rarely found on "road"
bikes unless it's made for touring) and STI shifters (where the shifting is
in the brake lever). The bike in question has stem-mounted shifters, last
seen on a road bike in a bike shop maybe 10 years ago. That bike, if sold in
a shop, might reasonably fetch $399 or so. And, of course, it would be fully
assembled, with a local warranty, and hopefully properly fit by the dealer.
I love this line- "Windsor lists this bike at $670 bikesdirect.com sells for
$299 delivered to your door SAVE OVER 50% OFF!"
Never mind the fact that bikesdirect *owns* the Windsor name; you won't find
it anywhere else.
They could be honest about their values and still sell bikes. But they
choose instead to be deceptive about what they're selling. I guess it sells
more bikes; maybe we'd sell more if we artificially inflated the "list"
price of our bikes to double their actual selling price? But I don't think
so; I think our customers are smarter than that. I hope they are.
--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA
|
| |
Date: 24 Oct 2007 16:02:28
From: landotter
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
On Oct 24, 5:32 pm, Ozark Bicycle
<bicycleatel...@ozarkbicycleservice.com > wrote:
> On Oct 24, 4:57 pm, m...@privacy.net wrote:
>
> > Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
>
> > Its hard to ignore their good prices!
>
> Keep the following in mind:
>
> 1) Ignore the hype and read the spec on each model carefully. Pay
> attention to the "small stuff", not just the "Dura-Ace!", "Ultegra!",
> etc., parts.
Ya--things like hubs and whatnot are usually pretty gimpy, but if
you're handy with a wrench, even cheap ones can be serviced to be
reliable.
>
> 2) Do your homework on sizing. Their info is pretty simplistic,
> although no worse than what many shops offer.
>
> 3) The bike will need to be set-up by a skilled and experienced
> mechanic. If that's not you, line up a pro. $50 -100 is a fair amount
> to pay, depending on your expectations and what stuff you may be able
> to do yourself.
I came pretty close to ordering a touring/cxcross bike from them
simply because my LBS doesn't sell any good all rounders short of
hybrids. Actually, if I'd seen that "Motobecane" crosser for $500 that
they now are offering--I'd have bought it. It's Tiagra with Sora
shifters and a 8spd cluster. Not fancy, but also not fussy. Cheap
consumables. Mounts for racks and fenders. Stealth grey. Put some big
flat mtb pedals on there, and ya got the functionality of a gRant bike
for peanuts.
>
> You can get a good bike for a great price from BikesDirect, *if* you
> do your homework.
Yeah--read those specs closely--and be prepared to pay somebody to
dial in the wheels if you don't know how.
sprtymomma on eBay is good as mentioned--neighbor got a simple fixed
gear from her. Cheap and as advertised on the tin.
|
| | |
Date: 25 Oct 2007 10:06:46
From:
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
>s. Actually, if I'd seen that "Motobecane" crosser for $500 that
>they now are offering--I'd have bought it. It's Tiagra with Sora
>shifters and a 8spd cluster.
They have the Motobecane cross bike with Ultegra
components now
|
| | |
Date: 25 Oct 2007 10:06:04
From:
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
>Actually, if I'd seen that "Motobecane" crosser for $500 that
>they now are offering--I'd have bought it
That's what I'm thinking of buying form Bikes
Direct.... the Motebecane cross bike
Any opinions on it?
|
| |
Date: 24 Oct 2007 15:32:58
From: Ozark Bicycle
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
On Oct 24, 4:57 pm, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
>
> Its hard to ignore their good prices!
Keep the following in mind:
1) Ignore the hype and read the spec on each model carefully. Pay
attention to the "small stuff", not just the "Dura-Ace!", "Ultegra!",
etc., parts.
2) Do your homework on sizing. Their info is pretty simplistic,
although no worse than what many shops offer.
3) The bike will need to be set-up by a skilled and experienced
mechanic. If that's not you, line up a pro. $50 -100 is a fair amount
to pay, depending on your expectations and what stuff you may be able
to do yourself.
You can get a good bike for a great price from BikesDirect, *if* you
do your homework.
"You get what you pay for if you know what you're doing; otherwise,
you get what you deserve" - Frank Berto
|
| |
Date: 24 Oct 2007 18:26:05
From: Melinda Shore
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
In article <ltfvh3d4lsaso84he33uveg5cdrc27eb4u@4ax.com >,
<me@privacy.net > wrote:
>Any caveats when buying a bike form them?
>Its hard to ignore their good prices!
I haven't bought from them, but "Sporty Mama" sells the same
bikes for less money on eBay and I have bought from her. It
was fine - the price was good (actually, the price was
great), the bike arrived quickly and as described. It was
missing the seatpost clamp, though, and when I emailed her
about it a new one arrived very, very fast.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis - shore@panix.com
Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community
|
| | |
Date: 25 Oct 2007 10:04:30
From:
Subject: Re: BikesDirect safe to buy from?
|
>I haven't bought from them, but "Sporty Mama"
Never heard of them but will check them out
|
|
