After digesting tons of info online, and visiting the LBS, ordering and canceling a BD Windsor Cliff 4900, and almost ordering a DB Overdrive 29er that was too big for me, I have been looking at components rather than names.
All things aside, it appears to me now, that component vs. component, the BD bikes in the $400- $500 price range, compare very well, even better than any $400-500 big name brand.
I'm certainly no mark for BD, but, the value is more appealing now. Even if the bike needs assembly or a tune, and you add $50-60 to the price for that, it appears that you still come out ahead.
Yes, I agree that customer service is tops at the LBS, but, my LBSs' are an hour away. I believe that it cannot be difficult to learn to work on your bikes, and, maybe, everyone should know the basics.
I'll get killed here for writing this, but, has anyone else looked at bike vs. bike, and thought the same?
All things aside, it appears to me now, that component vs. component, the BD bikes in the $400- $500 price range, compare very well, even better than any $400-500 big name brand.
I'm certainly no mark for BD, but, the value is more appealing now. Even if the bike needs assembly or a tune, and you add $50-60 to the price for that, it appears that you still come out ahead.
Yes, I agree that customer service is tops at the LBS, but, my LBSs' are an hour away. I believe that it cannot be difficult to learn to work on your bikes, and, maybe, everyone should know the basics.
I'll get killed here for writing this, but, has anyone else looked at bike vs. bike, and thought the same?