Bikesdirect Labor Day special arrived today

[MrQuackers]

Gravity Basecamp LTD27: $240

Took it for a spin, need to do a little dialing in.

Main concern is the threadless steering, how to adjust the bearings, I can't seem to tighten it enough, I do not want to strip threads!

I will be doing some YouTubing I guess.

 

[CKN]

Can you actually get a quality bike for $240.00??

 

[MrQuackers]

Can you actually get a quality bike for $240.00??

That is subjective, for me it's fine.

When I was a kid I purchased a Schwinn Sports Tourer from a pastor and used it with the elite riders of the PWTC and after my initiation months later I was nicknamed HAMMER. I don't concern myself much with the steed, just the engine that powers it.

 

[853okg]

You adjust the headset by first loosening the two pinch bolts on the stem by the steerer tube. The Allen bolt on the top cap is then used to adjust the headset bearings. You tighten this bolt only until there is no more play in the headset and the fork turns freely. Then tighten the pinch bolts on the stem to spec (usually about 6 nm) while ensuring the bar is at a right angle to the front wheel. It shouldn’t require any effort to adjust one the pinch bolts are fully loosened. If the bolt at the top cap won’t get the cups adjusted and seems to bottom out you likely will need another spacer on the steerer tube.

 

[853okg]

Oh, here’s a handy rule of thumb: if you can turn the headset spacers by hand, the headset is too loose.

 

[853okg]

It also looks as if the front derailleur is a little bit high. Once dialed in be sure to remove the red sticker on it.

 

[853okg]

BTW, that’s an incredible value!

 

[Number_35]

It also looks as if the front derailleur is a little bit high. Once dialed in be sure to remove the red sticker on it.

Good catch - I agree.

 

[MrQuackers]

Got out my Weight Watchers scale and weighed in without and with the bike.

34.6 pounds. Not quite as heavy as an old school Schwinn Varsity

 

[wander2039]

Looks like my Al Comp.. I highly recommend putting in a sealed bottom bracket. Adjusting the headset is pretty easy.

 

[supton]

Nice. I thought about getting their touring model a few times, whatever that was, but always chickened out.

 

[MrQuackers]

Looks like my Al Comp.. I highly recommend putting in a sealed bottom bracket. Adjusting the headset is pretty easy.
View attachment 178062

The Gravity came with a Formula freehub/cassette wheel, does the al comp?

The Basecamp also came with a cartridge bottom bracket.

 

[bovine1]

We got my wife one of those 2 weeks ago. She likes it. I did get a handlebar lift for it which made it more comfortable for her. I like bikesdirect.

 

[MrQuackers]

Nice. I thought about getting their touring model a few times, whatever that was, but always chickened out.

Schwinn or Gravity?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Can you actually get a quality bike for $240.00??

The frame of just about any bike under $5K is welded up in a factory in Tianjin China. The design is likely a copy of a higher end bike from years past. From there it’s about the component package and the mechanic adjusting everything.

So the short answer is yes you can if your willing to change some parts and check all the assembly yourself.

 

[supton]

Schwinn or Gravity?

Motobecane I think.

I’ve thought of Gravity a few times, to try out fat bikes.

 

[CKN]

The frame of just about any bike under $5K is welded up in a factory in Tianjin China. The design is likely a copy of a higher end bike from years past. From there it’s about the component package and the mechanic adjusting everything.

So the short answer is yes you can if your willing to change some parts and check all the assembly yourself.

OK-Our Specialized bikes are not made in China. I am not going to disagree-as I don't know. I do find it hard to believe hundreds of thousand of cheap bike frames come our of a singular location.

 

[PF52]

OK-Our Specialized bikes are not made in China.

Taiwan, most likely.

 

[UG_Passat]

Can you actually get a quality bike for $240.00??

Road bike... yes. Mountain bike, no.

Will it be comparable to the latest technology on bikes? Of course not.

Road bike won't have to worry about having a really crappy front suspension fork like you would on a hardtail MTB, it would be a steel fork instead of a carbon fork.

Even with an "expensive" bike, there is still some level of customization afterwards to fit your needs better.

Buying Bikesdirect means you get the bike in the same condition as the middle man (your local bike shop), in a box. you do the last assembly and fine tuning. A LBS takes care of that for you.

Actually, Canyon's model is to avoid the middleman LBS, you order their bike, it arrives in a box, like BikesDirect and how your LBS recieves a bike from the manufacturer.

 

[MrQuackers]

Motobecane I think.

I’ve thought of Gravity a few times, to try out fat bikes.

I had Motobecane on my watch list but the Labor Day special swayed me. The Gravity Basecamp is a surprisingly good bike for the $$$