Anyone have experience/stories about these guys? They seem to have some smokin’ deals, but I’ve seen less than 100% positive reports from them floating around and because I don’t have a US-issued credit card, they require a bank wire transfer to complete the sale. I have seen them recommended a lot as well on various message boards, however. I’m sort of torn between unbelievable pricing and “sounds a little sketchy”.
Input/opinions would be appreciated.
I got a bike from them this fall. The whole thing was a bit of an ordeal. I did the order with my brother’s address and credit card because he lives in the US and I don’t. The first bike I ordered came in the wrong size so it got sent back. Then I had to order a different bike because the first one was sold out. That bike never showed up because it didn’t exist. The warehouse is in FLA and they had a bunch of hurricanes… whatever. The fact that the bike didn’t show didn’t stop them from charging the card. So I odered a third bike, I got it, it’s good, it’s just what I wanted in an off season road bike. It took an extra month and a half and a complaint to Visa to get the charge off my brothers card. So in the end, the bike is good and the service is OK as long as the weather is good.
They are very reputable. The owner has several ‘brick and mortor’ stores throughout the US. Some in Texas and Atlanta and other cities. They received some bad PR about a year ago when they sold bikes based on inventory they didn’t have in the US. Almost all their bikes are imports and the California dock worker issues last year stopped their supply dead in its tracks. They had numerous customers waiting on bikes for weeks on end. Make sure they are selling you a bike they have in their US inventory.
The bikes come about 95% assembled. But, that doesn’t include truing and stressing wheels, and dialing in a position on the bike, or setting the headset tension, etc. Also, be careful that you are getting the right component sizes. I believe they are a little inflexable on component sizes. You might end up with a 170mm crank arm or a stem that is too short for your position. Handlebar width might not be the size you want. These are the risks you would need to accept if you go mail-order vs. LBS. Your choice, just wanted to make you aware. But, the company is legit.
Very good, very fast, I would definitely trust them.
They may even take paypal since they sell on ebay a lot.
jaretj
I bought some tires from them once. Cheap and very fast.
I purchased my 2002 Fuji Team from them two years ago. The bike arrived one month later then indicated. Personally, I hate companies that do not post their phone numbers on their websites. This was one problem I ran into, its just not good customer service. Overall I would say that my experience was fair but I’ll never buy a bike online ever again.
Dave from VA
I bought a Fuji steel frame road bike in 2001. Got a really good deal, full Ultegra for less than a grand.
Not any trouble at all doing business with them. I’d buy another bike from them if I were in the market although I’d rather buy from my LBS but the LBS didn’t have anything in stock at the time.
another option (and a shameless plug) is Danny @ Criterium USA: critusa@ ao-hell.com (it’s an AOL address, of course). he stocks Michelin, Conti and Veloflex, tubies and clinchers. I know he takes checks, and he also gives reasonably good prices on Campy gear. I’ve bought from him before.
Thanks everyone. I dropped in on my LBS and talked to the owner for a little while about what he had in stock, and decided to go with them instead. I was shocked that he was able to come close(ish) to what I was looking at online. I know I’ll end up paying a little more, but the lack of potential hassles and service/support I’ll get is definitely worth my money. That and I just plain like this guy.
Another bonus is that I get to spec my new ride exactly how I want it (which will undoubtedly push me into the next price bracket, but c’est la vie)