Biking gurus: What do you think of this bike?

[spacejamz]

Not knocking the BD bike at all, just be careful which one you pick. I'd much more trust the Motobecane vs. the generic alu. model the OP first picked....night and day between the two.

And you, spacejamz, are trying to compare one of Trek's highest end hand laid carbon frames, made in the U.S., to a Taiwanese semi-automated made carbon frame.....there is absolutely no comparison. The Madone frame on the Trek is considered one of the best carbon frames in the business----I doubt you'd get anywhere near the same senitments about the Motobecane. Nice components, though, esp. the wheelset choice. But the Trek's are no slouch, either, but more a direct competitor to the ones on the Motobecane.

If you were to ballpark how much a carbon bike with full ultegra would run at your local bike shop, what you would guess?

 

[Doppel]

I just KNEW this would be a BD thread. I got a bike from them some years ago. VERY pleased with it. It was about 60% the price of a similarly equipped bike locally, would definitely buy from them again. Ignore the FUD from local bike shops.

 

[_Rick_]

First of all, forget about a (full) carbon bike. Weight is secondary for most triathlons, as there are usually no major climbs.
What matters more is aero and stiffness. That means aero wheels (flat spokes, high rims) and a very stiff frame, so you lose no power at the crank. A mid-end group should be enough (say Shimano 105 or SRAM Force), going below that isn't disaster, but probably noticeable. Going for a real tri bike (not UCI compatible) is something you should consider, if you find something in your size on the used market. Otherwise they may be slightly beyond your budget.
Any decent bike will probably run (new) around 1000(entry level road)-2000(entry level tri) USD, depending on the components. Below that, it's better to buy used.

Edit:

http://www.canyon.com/_en/triathlonbikes/bike.html?b=2524

This is probably a good reference (I know, not available in the US, but that doesn't impact component costs) for a good entry level pure tri bike.
Price should convert to 1600 USD (VAT, conversion).

 

[preslove]

Here are the links on BD's website about sizing:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/roadsizing.html#road
http://www.bikesdirect.com/sizing.htm

You can confirm with them before buying your bike that you get the right size before you order...

Here is a forum that has a Motobecane sub-forum (which BD carries alot of)..
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/motobecane-mercier/

there are a bunch of threads there with people's experiences with BD...

some people have received damaged items and they were replaced quickly by BD...

My frame I ordered came in perfect condition so I have not had to deal with their customer service...

Thanks, I'll look through for the model and maybe make a post. That forum is slow as hell though

 

[spacejamz]

First of all, forget about a (full) carbon bike. Weight is secondary for most triathlons, as there are usually no major climbs.
What matters more is aero and stiffness. That means aero wheels (flat spokes, high rims) and a very stiff frame, so you lose no power at the crank. A mid-end group should be enough (say Shimano 105 or SRAM Force), going below that isn't disaster, but probably noticeable. Going for a real tri bike (not UCI compatible) is something you should consider, if you find something in your size on the used market. Otherwise they may be slightly beyond your budget.
Any decent bike will probably run (new) around 1000(entry level road)-2000(entry level tri) USD, depending on the components. Below that, it's better to buy used.

Edit:

http://www.canyon.com/_en/triathlonbikes/bike.html?b=2524

This is probably a good reference (I know, not available in the US, but that doesn't impact component costs) for a good entry level pure tri bike.
Price should convert to 1600 USD (VAT, conversion).

I brought up carbon to show the difference in price between a bikes direct bike and an LBS bike with the same groupings....sorry if I confused you....

 

[spacejamz]

Thanks, I'll look through for the model and maybe make a post. That forum is slow as hell though

here are a couple of threads on the gravity liberty:

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/bikes-frames-forks/gravity-liberty-1-a-286817.html

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/bi...ji-vs-liberty-gravity-x-road-bike-282501.html

 

[preslove]

here are a couple of threads on the gravity liberty:

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/bikes-frames-forks/gravity-liberty-1-a-286817.html

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/bi...ji-vs-liberty-gravity-x-road-bike-282501.html

Thanks. Is it running slowly for you? Maybe my work's internet connection just doesn't like the site for some reason :\

Have you seen any threads on the Mercier Galaxy Tour 2012?

 

[spacejamz]

Thanks. Is it running slowly for you? Maybe my work's internet connection just doesn't like the site for some reason :\

Have you seen any threads on the Mercier Galaxy Tour 2012?

Site isn't slow for me....I didn't see any threads that had this bike in the name....

 

[Ns1]

man, if I can't find my next bike on CL I'm definitely getting it from BD

 

[Ricemarine]

The problem with craigslist is that I live in a part of texas that doesn't have a lot of bikers. Cyclers do exist here, but not enough to stock craigslist.

I occasionally go on urban trips with a local biking group and have been helping some people learn to swim. One couple is training for this tri and also has been giving the periodical bike mechanical training session to the group. They want swim training, so I'm thinking of proposing a trade of some swim sessions for teaching me how to put the bike together.

I would pay the $80 at a local bike shop to assemble it professionally.

and has anyone noticed the tags? "schneider can't cycle?" lol

 

[RichieZ]

If you were to ballpark how much a carbon bike with full ultegra would run at your local bike shop, what you would guess?

$2,400. I just bought a 2012 Cannondale SuperSix 3:
http://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes/road/elite-road/supersix/supersix-3-ultegra-25362

I actually thought about buying from bikes direct but decided to buy from LBS and a brand I'm familiar with since all the 2012's are on sale.

That being said a friend has a Motobecane Titanium and highly recommends it.

 

[FleshLight]

Items relative to the bike portion of the triathlon in order increasing $/performance:

1. genetics (free)
2. fitness (free)
3. bike that fits (can be done under $800)
4. aero bars ($100)
5. aero helmet ($100)
6. TT specific bike fit ($200+)
7. TT/Tri-bike ($1000+)
8. aero wheels ($1000+)
9. aero brakes, cabling, water bottles, etc

I say you work on 1-5 before you shell out $ on a fancy bike

 

[spacejamz]

$2,400. I just bought a 2012 Cannondale SuperSix 3:
http://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes/road/elite-road/supersix/supersix-3-ultegra-25362

I actually thought about buying from bikes direct but decided to buy from LBS and a brand I'm familiar with since all the 2012's are on sale.

That being said a friend has a Motobecane Titanium and highly recommends it.

That is a sweet looking bike and I would by lying if I said I wasn't jealous :thumbsup:

Does the $2400 include sales tax? BD only charges sales tax in TX...

 

[preslove]

Items relative to the bike portion of the triathlon in order increasing $/performance:

1. genetics (free)
2. fitness (free)
3. bike that fits (can be done under $800)
4. aero bars ($100)
5. aero helmet ($100)
6. TT specific bike fit ($200+)
7. TT/Tri-bike ($1000+)
8. aero wheels ($1000+)
9. aero brakes, cabling, water bottles, etc

I say you work on 1-5 before you shell out $ on a fancy bike

Heh, thanks. I actually ended up pulling the trigger today on this one, http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/galaxy_tour.htm

Definitely not a tri bike, but it has roadbike wheels, is my size (I ended up trying out a Specialized Sirrus sport locally in medium, and it is comparable to the 54cm size bd bike), and much better than my small mountain bike. I'm going to put some bar ends, upgrade the tires, and put on a bike rack, so it will be more of a touring bike than a tri bike. I figure that my above average (for the area) swimming will counterbalance my low end bike.

 

[RichieZ]

That is a sweet looking bike and I would by lying if I said I wasn't jealous :thumbsup:

Does the $2400 include sales tax? BD only charges sales tax in TX...

doesn't include tax, but I figure thats offset by them assembling it and I get free tuneups and wheel truing for life. I'm fine working on my mountain bike but prefer not to wrench on my road bike.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I too have thought about getting a bike from BD but decided against it. When you go ride bikes at a local bike shop, you're always going to find subtle differences between manufacturers in terms of size and feel. For example, I had been looking at a 58" Cannondale frame road bike but wound up buying a 56" Specialized carbon frame (Roubaix) bike instead as it just felt so much better when I rode it.

I'd worry about buying any bike without being able to ride it first to get a feel for it. I'm not saying they're BAD bikes, but the derailleurs are the low end of Shimano's line (Sora) and some of the other components are the best either. It's probably good for the price, but if you're expecting a GOOD bike, it may disappoint.

I'd say you're better off riding some bikes locally and finding one in your budget that feels good to you.

Am I one of the only people left that willingly pay more to buy things like bicycles at a bike shop and not online? Sure it costs more, but you get to have a place that is open that can actually service your bike some day and/or repair it or get you that part on Saturday morning you need all of a sudden. Not to mention things like group rides.

FWIW: I just dropped $300-$400 getting my 10 year old mountain bike up to snuff. And yes it was worth it. My mountain bike was not a cheap one when I bought it.

 

[Sluggo]

I'm training for a triathlon, but only have a 9 year old Giant mountain bike that's a little small on me.

Curious what length triathlon you are doing?

 

[preslove]

I ended up getting this one: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/galaxy_tour.htm. I had a local shop put it together for $50. They said that they had to true both wheels, so I'd recommend a local shop assemble them.

It's slightly big on me, but not bad. It's super fast and seems well built. Now I need to find some bar ends and other odds and ends. I also had them put on a topeak bike rack and just bought this http://www.amazon.com/MTX-Trunk-rigi...ords=topeak+ex

Curious what length triathlon you are doing?

It's a short sprint. 400 yards swim, 11 mile bike, and 2 mile run.

 

[Ns1]

Am I one of the only people left that willingly pay more to buy things like bicycles at a bike shop and not online? Sure it costs more, but you get to have a place that is open that can actually service your bike some day and/or repair it or get you that part on Saturday morning you need all of a sudden. Not to mention things like group rides.

The LBS markup is enough to buy a +1 and several tune-up's.

 

[preslove]

The LBS markup is enough to buy a +1 and several tune-up's.

Yup. After assembly, mine cost $400 plus tax. The closest model to mine locally is $610, but mine has a carbon fork with narrower tires (700x28cm vs 700x32cm).

That gives me $200 to buy accessories. I'm going to upgrade the tires, already had a rack installed, get some bar ends and a mirror and some extra lights. Plus I bought a high end bike pump http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005X7IG7Y/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00.