Road Cycling - New Internet bike assembly

If I buy a bike over the net, how much assebly will need to be done? and can it be done with basic workshop tools?

At most putting on pedals, seat post and stem and wheels. Which can all be done with normal tools. So yeah, basic workshop tools will cover it.

Don't forget about adjustments. Most of the time the bike needs tuned up before riding. No big deal if you know what you are doing. If you don't know what you are doing then check out Park Tools (www.parktool.com)for help.

I've purchased two BD bikes in the past. Neither needed tuning of the drivetrain components upon arrival. However, they did require some slight adjustment after some mileage as cables stretched and components broke-in.

I think the answer is "It depends". I "bought" - actually used frequent-flyer miles - a bike from a "fulfillment center" in Conn. I live in Kentucky. When the bike came in and I put it together, it was more work removing all of the packing material than it was actually assembling the bike. Basically putting on the handlebars and pedals, putting the skewers in the hubs, and mounting them on the dropouts. However, they (the "fulfillment center", which is actually a bike shop) maintained that they fully assembled and test-rode the bike, then just broke it down and packaged it for shipping.

From what I gather from the 'net, a BD bike may be that easy, or it may require additionally chasing the BB threads, truing the wheels, and who knows what. Like I said though, this is just what I hear on the 'net. I guess what I'm saying is that BD doesn't test ride the bikes. I guess they're in the same state shipped to you as they would be if they were shipped to an LBS to go on the sales floor.

Before I bought my newest bike at an LBS, I was actually thinking of trying the BD route myself.

I just got mine from BD. You can put it together, but please take it to a good bike mechanic to tune it up. Everything will need adjusting.

See thread in general cycling forum about this and BD.

How hard can this be? I transferred all the parts from one frame to another, except the BB, and had no problem at all. It didn't even take that long. This was over a year ago and I've only tweaked the cables for stretch/wear and it rides silently. It helped that they were quality parts (Chorus). I hadn't worked on a bike in at least 15 years before that, and things have changed alot. RTFM.

If you're not confident in your tech skills (or your toolbox), it sure couldn't hurt to have a good local mechanic go over everything with you. For the few additional dollars you'd spend, you might learn something about the specific parts on your bike that may be new to you.
Better yet, spend the cash for them to ship it in a crush proof bike box. Your best bike makes a great traveling companion...