Hello everyone. Due to a hip injury I cannot exercise (weightlifting, running) as I used to. My doctor told me cycling would be ideal and I am now set on obtaining a road bike and riding it into the horizon.....

As a poor college student I have saved up $500 in the last month to go towards my dream. Upon road bike research I unfortunately learned how sad and pathetic this amount is to obtain a quality RB. I have looked on Craigslist and ebay but found nothing of interest...until I came across the site bikesdirect.com...

If anyone could lend me their knowledge and help me make a choice I would GREATLY appreciate it. I know I want to ride, images of racing down an open road have been stirring through my head for the last month....help me decide how to make this dream happen.

The bikes that fit my budget are as followed:

http://bikesdirect.com/products/wind...ington3_IX.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/ltcross_x.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...galaxy_al8.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/lt1500.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../orion_al8.htm

Any advice that would help me would be great. Is this site legitimate? Are the parts on these bikes really as good as they (the site) claim? About how heavy are these bikes?

These are just a few questions that would help me on my path. I thank you all for your help and look forward to joining the cycling community!