Are you familiar with bikesdirect.com or sprtymama on ebay? What are your thoughts on the brands they sell and the prices? Some bikes seem to utilize fuji frame sets with great components at unbelievable prices.

For some reason I think I just pissed off every guy that works in a bike shop by asking these questions.

Yes, Ray, you know you did. But just don't try to bring the bike into a local shop for service. I know of at least one that would for sure throw you out on your ear. That's probably not a concern for you since you've been working on bikes since you were a wee BMX punk.

If you don't mind bike snobs (who know where you got your bike) looking down on you when you pull alongside at the stoplight or the trailhead, then go for it. You'd probably only encounter a few of these such snobs per season anyway. Most of the hardcore riders are too busy riding to know what brands come from ebay.

Notice how many of those frames end up for resale on ebay. Lots of people are buying the bikes just for the parts, stripping them and building up their own frames with them. I've got a Salsa MTB frame that I have thought about building up that way. Those prices are unbelieveable.

I have to take a different stance.

Ray, you shouldn't feel like you can't take it into a shop. IMO, it's a good opportunity for the shop to gain a customer. M.O. will not eliminate the need for shops. Then again, mail order / web isn't going away anytime soon. If I had a shop, I would put up a sign that states "we assemble bikes purchased elsewhere" or something similar (as long as the bike is of good quality, of course).

A shop that treats you poorly because you DIDN'T buy your bike from them is a bad business practice and I would find a different shop.

I was just faced with this same situation. sprtymama and I exchanged a ton of emails before I finally was comfortable with taking the plunge on a 29" single speed. You really cannot beat the prices, but again, I found it very helpful to ask all of the questions that I did before pulling the trigger & getting the story from the source.

I see repeat purchases in the future.

I bought a road bike from bikes direct.com. I got a good deal, less than $500. I replaced The wheels/tires and pedals/derailiur gears and upgraded to ceramic sealed bearings for less than one grand. It's a shame what one grand gets in a bike store these days. Truth is bikes direct etc are importing these bikes from the same factories about all bikes are made in these days(kinesis etc.) and the savings comes from cutting out the middle men ie. the bike shop etc. If you can build and repair the bike yourself than the more power to you.

Bikes Direct has great prices, but naturally you dont get to try out the product first. I have a friend who bought a high end mtb from BD, and its as well spec'd as most bike shop bikes costing a grand more. But, there are some great close out deals at local bike shops too, and a good shop will get you fitted, which has value also. I got a USA made 2008 cannondale r5 caad 9 with Ultegra rear d and shimano 105 group, for 1299 retail, from my local bike shop. Even at retail I think it was a good price. They also changed out the stem for a better fit, and it comes with lifetime adjustments, another added value.

SPRTYMAMA is quite simply, a tip top person to deal with. I have one of her road bikes that i bought for myself for xmas and i can not say enough positives about her, her customer service attitude and what i got for my money! I had a minor problem with my bike and her resolution to my issue went far beyond my expectations. SPRTYMAMA: KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!

Best regards,
A new and soon to be repeat customer! (and Fan!)

Raybeard-

Most bike shops have an understanding of economics and the good ones have outstanding customer service. So, we don't persecute you simply for buying a bike somewhere else. We service any make/model and can help address any concerns you encounter. However, warranty issues are money losers for us (ie-shipping & labor), so it is not practical to expect warranty coverage at no cost for units purchased elsewhere.

If you have a local bike shop that will not service your bike purchased out-of store or exhibits a surly attitide, ask around and you will most likely find another LBS that will be happy to have your business. You may want to check out your LBS for closeouts & last year's models for good discounts. If not in stock, we can often special order your choice from the manufacturer's closeout lists & save you a ton, so it's a win-win. BTW, there are a lot of Fuji dealers around.