To the OP - I say go for it! I purchased two bikes from BD.com and have been very satisfied. One of the bikes had a defective front derailleur. I contacted BD and they sent me out a new one as a replacement.

A lot of people on here overlook the fact that some LBS suck. The ones that are in my area certainly suck. I wish they were better and, if they were, I would have probably bought from them and never delt with bd.com. However, when I went to my local shops to look at cyclocross bikes - shop A.) did not stock any cross bikes and told me that I would be happier with a road bike.. even though I had already told them my preference was for a cross bike because I wanted something that I could take on fireroads, single-track, and still enjoy it on pavement as well. They even suggested I buy both a mountain bike and a road bike. LOL.. Ka-ching! $$$ No thanks.

So I go to shop B.) and they also do not stock cross bikes. They wanted to gladly order me one at more than the MSRP for a Fuji brand bike.. After researching online, I found out that the Motobecane cross bikes are basically re-badged Fuji bikes at a huge discount.. I saved over $1000 by buying from Bikes Direct. I would not hesitate to buy from them again.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for supporting a GOOD LBS, but the "good" ones seem few and far between.