#6184087 - 03/04/12 05:57 PM
Re: bikesdirect.com ...Anyone?
[Re: Lewis]
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gamby
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 11/01/99
Posts: 40865
Loc: RI
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That brand has been around forever. On my phone at the moment--I'll look at your example later tonight. Component group is most imp.
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___________________________________ gamby still have an EM1--go figure
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#6184273 - 03/04/12 07:32 PM
Re: bikesdirect.com ...Anyone?
[Re: gamby]
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JT
Post Master Sr
Registered: 08/03/00
Posts: 6849
Loc: Minnesota eh
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That brand has been around forever.
The BD Motobecanes are nothing like those of old. Motobecane and Mercier are old French marques that are no longer around, so there was no trademarks/patents/etc for those names. BD started using the names again because people might recognize them.
The frames themselves are all made in the same Taiwanese/Chinese factories as a some of the bigger brands, and they (BD) slap brand decals on them. This same tactic is done by a lot of companies, so it's no big deal. Read this: Who made your bike?
/tangent. OP, the bike you linked is a great value, it's well equipped. Just leave some money in the budget to swap out a couple things if the fit off, and you'll need to buy accessories at normal price. When you buy from a local shop, they'll swap parts for free and offer a discount on accessories. You can double check your fit here: Fit Calculator
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Jason
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#6184347 - 03/04/12 08:22 PM
Re: bikesdirect.com ...Anyone?
[Re: JT]
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gamby
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 11/01/99
Posts: 40865
Loc: RI
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@ JT--absolutely--and the vast majority of carbon frames, regardless of brand, are coming out of the same 3 factories in China these days.
Lewis--it's impossible to go wrong with this deal. 105/Ultegra is good stuff--I'm upgrading one of my bikes to that same spec (albeit with older, used parts).
Use that fit guide that JT posted and fuck around with it. If you're going to pay for a professional fit, wait 'til you know you're sticking with the stock saddle and a set of pedals you like. Fit is a big buzzword right now. No point in dropping $100-$150+ on a fit that you're going to end up tweaking anyway.
So much of it can be figured out on your own. Get the saddle level (with a level) and get your sit bones into the center of the widest part of the saddle. There are other places online to guide you with seat height--this is crucial for knee health. From there, it's figuring out if you want to run your stem upright or zero rise and if that stem is too long/short. A replacement stem can be had for $25.
Buy your accessories from your LBS. There's more markup in accessories, anyway. I try to support mine as much as possible. I wouldn't frown on you for going this route, though.
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___________________________________ gamby still have an EM1--go figure
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#6184353 - 03/04/12 08:25 PM
Re: bikesdirect.com ...Anyone?
[Re: gamby]
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gamby
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 11/01/99
Posts: 40865
Loc: RI
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Yeah, they're not going to refuse your money if you get it built/set up at the local shop. Tuning 10-speed stuff can be a little tricky if you don't know what you're doing.
They'll shut up if you get your seat pack, spare tube, bike shorts, shoes and pedals there.
Some shops also offer cleat fitting--I paid $15 extra on my shoes for this and it was well worth it in terms of getting the cleat at the right spot on the sole and at the right angle (I ride SPD mountain pedals, FWIW).
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___________________________________ gamby still have an EM1--go figure
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