Originally Posted by
revchuck
I'm not trying to start a flamefest, and have no experience with BikesDirect. I'm just pointing out that much of the potential savings of buying online can be eaten up by costs usually not incurred when buying a bike from an LBS, such as assembly, fitting, break-in adjustments (cables, etc.) and minor maintenance. If the OP has no experience with this work, it's not such a good deal. OTOH, if the OP were an experienced rider with practice maintaining a bike, it'd be a better deal for him.
Chuck, you have a point, however the assembly is basic and consists of installing the front wheel, seat and bars on the frame.
I try to help new riders purchase a nice bike from the start rather than going through the painful process of buying another bike 6 months later ...
YMMV