Been on the phone with both --just wondering what everybody else thinks.
Bike buying: Beyond Bikes or Competitive Cyclist?
awai04
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
G
Guest
·Competitive Cyclist's business is to build and sell bikes
while Beyond Bikes is an online retailer who sells bikes along with a lot of other stuff. A friend of mine just purchased a high end road bike from Competitive Cyclist and was very pleased with the build and service.
While I've bought several items from Beyond Bikes and been satisfied with their service, I'd go with Competive Cyclist for a complete bike, unless there is a huge price difference.
while Beyond Bikes is an online retailer who sells bikes along with a lot of other stuff. A friend of mine just purchased a high end road bike from Competitive Cyclist and was very pleased with the build and service.
While I've bought several items from Beyond Bikes and been satisfied with their service, I'd go with Competive Cyclist for a complete bike, unless there is a huge price difference.
BeyondBikes generally gets a bad rap on MTBR.
However I have ordered about six lots of items from BeyondBikes and everything has been received in perfect condition. Delivery times can be a bit slow at times depending on the time taken to stock the goods.
A significant advantage is that they ship UPSS which is significantly cheaper than the DHL or FedEx when the delivery site is located outside the US. Also in Australia delivery by UPSS avoids tax and duties that incurred when using the big couriers. Not sure about the UK. Good Luck.
However I have ordered about six lots of items from BeyondBikes and everything has been received in perfect condition. Delivery times can be a bit slow at times depending on the time taken to stock the goods.
A significant advantage is that they ship UPSS which is significantly cheaper than the DHL or FedEx when the delivery site is located outside the US. Also in Australia delivery by UPSS avoids tax and duties that incurred when using the big couriers. Not sure about the UK. Good Luck.
Given the constant complaints about Beyond Bikes, why would you give them your money. There was a recent post by a person that bought a bike from them that was improperly assembled. Basically, they take your money and screw you. There are countless threads where the person posts "Beyond bikes quoted me this great price on a bike, but then it wasn't delivered as promised, or they charged my credit card more than they quoted."
If you want to buy a bike mail order take a look at some of the people on this site that deserve your business, Larry at Mountainhighcyclerly.com, Chad at Red Barn Bicycles, and Esq. at Botiquebikes.com are three that come to mind.
If you want to buy a bike mail order take a look at some of the people on this site that deserve your business, Larry at Mountainhighcyclerly.com, Chad at Red Barn Bicycles, and Esq. at Botiquebikes.com are three that come to mind.
I totally suggest saving yourself some grief and agony and buy from someone else. I learned the hard way that anyone can stuff some parts in a box and ship them out at a good price, but building a good bike does require some experience and attention. It has been my personal experience that you won't get this from beyond bikes.
I made a huge mistake by buying a $4,600.00 Ellsworth Moment from Beyond Bikes. The sales manager is a total slimeball. First, this guy took my order in early December for a complete build that included a Fox 36 fork. He told me that the fork would be available in late December and that I would receive my the bike in the first week in January. As the end of January rolled around, I called to check the status and was told that they were still waiting for the Fox 36 and that everything else was ready. The 36 would be in next week........ I called Fox directly and was told that March would be the earliest date that the fork would be available to the aftermarket. I called beyond bikes back and told them to switch the fork to a Bomber 150. Again another story, "we were screwed around by Chris King, and we don't have the hubs in stock" and then "we don't have the Juicy's". At that time I attempted to cancel the order and ask for a refund of my $1000 deposit. They would not cancel my order and they refused to refund my $1000 deposit. Magically, the hubs and brakes were now in stock and the bike would be shipped the next day. Yes the bike was shipped the next day, built like a total piece of crap ! Too many problems to list. It makes me sick to think about it. The bike was not even test ridden. It was not even rideable. I had to spend almost $200 to have most of the bike torn down and rebuilt. They did not lube a damn thing. When my credit card bill came in, I was overcharged. I am disputing this with Mastercard, who has taken my side on the mattter, I believe because of a history of other claims against beyond bikes.
Next, the DHX 5 delivered with the bike was a clunker. I called beyond bikes to inquire about what I should do to get the shock repaired. Basically I ws told to go to hell and that I was on my own. Same response when a part of the rear der was found to be breaking apart.
I hope that you find a good build, if so, post it and let everyone know.
On a side note, I actually received an totally unsolictied courtesy call from Ellsworth to check to see if I was satisfied with the frame. They offered several suggestions for proper setup and offered to help with the DHX 5 if I continued to have problems. It appears to me that they were trying to offer good customer support. The clunker was returned by Fox two days ago and the documentation indicated that they had to rebore it and do something with the piston. It also came back with a different sticker. So far ( 5 miles) so good.
I made a huge mistake by buying a $4,600.00 Ellsworth Moment from Beyond Bikes. The sales manager is a total slimeball. First, this guy took my order in early December for a complete build that included a Fox 36 fork. He told me that the fork would be available in late December and that I would receive my the bike in the first week in January. As the end of January rolled around, I called to check the status and was told that they were still waiting for the Fox 36 and that everything else was ready. The 36 would be in next week........ I called Fox directly and was told that March would be the earliest date that the fork would be available to the aftermarket. I called beyond bikes back and told them to switch the fork to a Bomber 150. Again another story, "we were screwed around by Chris King, and we don't have the hubs in stock" and then "we don't have the Juicy's". At that time I attempted to cancel the order and ask for a refund of my $1000 deposit. They would not cancel my order and they refused to refund my $1000 deposit. Magically, the hubs and brakes were now in stock and the bike would be shipped the next day. Yes the bike was shipped the next day, built like a total piece of crap ! Too many problems to list. It makes me sick to think about it. The bike was not even test ridden. It was not even rideable. I had to spend almost $200 to have most of the bike torn down and rebuilt. They did not lube a damn thing. When my credit card bill came in, I was overcharged. I am disputing this with Mastercard, who has taken my side on the mattter, I believe because of a history of other claims against beyond bikes.
Next, the DHX 5 delivered with the bike was a clunker. I called beyond bikes to inquire about what I should do to get the shock repaired. Basically I ws told to go to hell and that I was on my own. Same response when a part of the rear der was found to be breaking apart.
I hope that you find a good build, if so, post it and let everyone know.
On a side note, I actually received an totally unsolictied courtesy call from Ellsworth to check to see if I was satisfied with the frame. They offered several suggestions for proper setup and offered to help with the DHX 5 if I continued to have problems. It appears to me that they were trying to offer good customer support. The clunker was returned by Fox two days ago and the documentation indicated that they had to rebore it and do something with the piston. It also came back with a different sticker. So far ( 5 miles) so good.
Joined
·
42,883 Posts
wow beyond bikes was cool with me.
First off they were the only people who had 36 hole Mavic EX823's (Most shops only had the 32 spoke). So I bought my rims from them and they shipped them. I went over with the salesman many times to make sure they were 36 and not 32 spoke rims (I heard stories how they were supposed to be bad/whatever). I got my rims exactly what I ordered (and great price). I purchased my hubs somewhere else because I got them at cost. My rim builder couldn't build my rims for 2 weeks. So I called beyond Bikes. They told me ship it down and they would ship the wheel back all laced up. I didn't want to wait (new bike ...want to ride disease) so I asked them what would happen if I just drove down and handed my rim and hubs to you and then waited around...they said no problem. I arrived and handed them my rim and parts. They went over the nipple color and everything. I asked a lot of questions. Well I brought my bike with me to so I ask them about a local trail "Fed Swilliams" they gave me directions. I rode for 2 hours and when I came back the rims were done. I drove out of my way 4 1/2 hours that day and they made it worth it.
I would recommend this place....here is my completed bike...BTW best pedaling DH Bike I have ever owned...friends call my bike the Gazelle...tubeless rocks with UST rims from Beyond bikes. Too bad the few bad stories spread faster than the good stories.
First off they were the only people who had 36 hole Mavic EX823's (Most shops only had the 32 spoke). So I bought my rims from them and they shipped them. I went over with the salesman many times to make sure they were 36 and not 32 spoke rims (I heard stories how they were supposed to be bad/whatever). I got my rims exactly what I ordered (and great price). I purchased my hubs somewhere else because I got them at cost. My rim builder couldn't build my rims for 2 weeks. So I called beyond Bikes. They told me ship it down and they would ship the wheel back all laced up. I didn't want to wait (new bike ...want to ride disease) so I asked them what would happen if I just drove down and handed my rim and hubs to you and then waited around...they said no problem. I arrived and handed them my rim and parts. They went over the nipple color and everything. I asked a lot of questions. Well I brought my bike with me to so I ask them about a local trail "Fed Swilliams" they gave me directions. I rode for 2 hours and when I came back the rims were done. I drove out of my way 4 1/2 hours that day and they made it worth it.
I would recommend this place....here is my completed bike...BTW best pedaling DH Bike I have ever owned...friends call my bike the Gazelle...tubeless rocks with UST rims from Beyond bikes. Too bad the few bad stories spread faster than the good stories.
Joined
·
9,133 Posts
I've never dealt with Competitive Cyclists, so of the two I'd say go with CC hands down.awai04 said:
If your after a Turner or Ventana I'd say go to Boutique bikes or Mountain High Cyclery. Both of these places give great customer service and are excellent people to deal with.
Joined
·
1,161 Posts
Thanks for all the responses so far.
Like I said, I've talked to a few online bike retailers. Beyondbikes is the most puzzling as all the guys I spoke with there seem pretty cool. That's in stark contrast to some of the comments mentioned in this thread and in some others. Are any other folks who bought a whole bike from them around??
I also toy with buying just the frame and taking it to complete at my favorite LBS, which is not a dealer of the frame I want. ...Sure, not the cheapest option but it seems like a "right" one.
Like I said, I've talked to a few online bike retailers. Beyondbikes is the most puzzling as all the guys I spoke with there seem pretty cool. That's in stark contrast to some of the comments mentioned in this thread and in some others. Are any other folks who bought a whole bike from them around??
I also toy with buying just the frame and taking it to complete at my favorite LBS, which is not a dealer of the frame I want. ...Sure, not the cheapest option but it seems like a "right" one.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
