Originally Posted by
nymtber
My next bike will likely be a bikes direct bike. Why? Value. I don't take my bike to LBS for ANYTHING anymore. I have the tools and equipment I need to repair the bikes I own, and if I buy a bike that requires another tool (bb removal, etc) I will just buy it. I also know what size frame I like, which helps.
However, if you don't have a bike repair stand (sorry, they make life easier), a wheel truing stand, and all the tools, as well as the knowledge to get the bike set, go with the Fischer. So you might save $400. I have about that into tools....
I only pay infrequent visits to the LBS since I used to work there. But I was assembling bikes there when I was in my late 20's as a hobby, I also had years of wrenching experience before that but we always had a check list to do when assembling a bike and it normally took me a couple of hours to assemble each one. We lubed everything that had bearings and trued and tensioned the wheels and adjusted everything.
I now perform most of my own work but there are a few things that I won't buy the tools to do since the tools are too expensive for the infrequent use. Frame adjustment tools and facing tools are too expensive, I have only had to face one bike and I have only had to bend one fork to straighten it. The only frame tool that I do own is the dropout alignment tool.
I general I agree with the above comment but there are a few exceptions. Also most people won't own a truing stand unless they are experienced at wheel building.
Back to the OP, I wouldn't buy a bike online unless I were very sure of my size, I also like to try out the bikes to see if that bike is a the style that I want to ride. When I purchased my touring bike I tried four or five different touring bikes before deciding that I really wanted a touring bike and the style of touring bike (flat bars vs drop bars) that was fit for me. It is nice having the two years of free tune-ups but I didn't use them since I maintain my own bikes and it is a good idea to maintain your own touring bike incase you have problems in the middle of nowhere.
But I was thinking of getting a cheap BD bike for my kid, when she goes to college in the fall. If the bike gets stolen at school it cost less than her Bianchi or Giant bikes.