Comments on: Undercut Online

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:53:11 +0000

I have seen a few bikes from BD.com in person. I’m sure the quality varies widely, but for their bargain basement single-speeds, here’s what I saw:

-Machine built wheels out of true by 3-4mm in either direction.
-Pedal bearings all messed up in one pedal causing a “pop” at the top of each pedal stroke.
-Brakes not centered or in any sort of adjustment
-Nothing else in any sort of adjustment either.
-No grease in lots of places that ought to have grease.

My recommendation is that if you are buying a bike from them, what you are really buying is a complete teardown/rebuild project and that you might want to budget to replace a couple of parts as well- not the ideal situation for the person who wants to, you know, ride their bike as opposed to investing in time/tools/energy to do the wrenching themselves.

My suggestion is that when somebody rolls into the shop with one of these, give them an estimate to tear it down to the frame, face/chase, reassemble/true and adjust. The customer will either pay up and appreciate a little bit about the true cost, or walk out (but they’ll be back in a year looking to replace the whole thing!)

By: 3sushis

3sushis — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:31:50 +0000

Anyone confident and capable enough to set up a bike purchased online is probably not going to be a service customer either. Yet, it is one more bike on the street and you will see them as they are resold to new owners. Hang in there…

By: dressedinvalue

dressedinvalue — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:01:04 +0000

This is a subject of deep concern for me, living in a society wherein the value of everything is measured in primarily monetary terms. It’s a hard life living with principles, with local values.

By: fuckgas

fuckgas — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:04:43 +0000

i concur

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:14:15 +0000

I’d doubt it was a mechanic at all that put it together.

By: fuckgas

fuckgas — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:08:48 +0000

hey now, nobody’s perfect. maybe the wrench that threw it together has one arm shorter than the other. give a guy/gal a break!

By: David Crowell

David Crowell — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:18:14 +0000

I have visited that site, but my two bikes came from two different (local) bike shops.

The prices are good, but there is something to be said about a test ride. Getting the bike serviced after the sale is important too. Good luck with that if you are buying online.

I read reviews of bikes purchased through that site. They generally fall into one of two camps:
1) ugh, it’s horrible
2) Great price, and I’m knowledgeable, so I put it together with no problem.

Yep, you’ll have to put it together and adjust everything yourself. A bike shop will tighten everything, air up the tires, and adjust the brakes and derailleurs so that you can ride right out the door.