I certainly agree that it would be better to buy a bike from nearly anyplace BUT Walmart (or Target or K-mart, etc.) You will get a poor quality bike assembled by someone likely to be incompetent and there will be no after purchase service or help. Cancel your order NOW.
As to Bikes Direct, yes they have excellent prices on decent bikes but they arrive as a partial do-it-yourself kit and you better have at least moderate mechanical skills to complete the assembly. They are not for the complete novice. A bike shop can set one up but will charge a fairly high price for the work.
If you aren't sure you can evaluate a CL bike, either find a friend who can or bite the bullet financially and buy a new bike from a real bike shop. Both your satisfaction and safety depend on having a properly adjusted bike.
As a parting thought, good quality multi-speed bikes can be durable, reliable and shift wonderfully if set up and adjusted properly so don't let past experience determine your choice.
Last edited by HillRider; 07-03-11 at 06:54 PM.