To The OP:

I can identify with your concerns. I've always been one to be concerned with getting the best bang for my buck, too; and not being rich, I like toi get the best possible stuff, even when shopping at the lower end of the trough.

I started out with a $300 BD bike. I do think you are wise to avoid the bike shops, as all you will likely find there for $450 are department-store bikes at inflated prices, or used bikes.

My experience with the BD was very good. It was easy to assemble (it came 90% assembled) and for $300 was better than anything I could buy locally. Go for it! Like the others are saying, don't obsess too much over the various details. For $450 you are getting a low-end bike. Better than a department-store bike, for sure, but still low-end; and at that price point, everything is a trade-off. One bike may have higher level shifters, but a steel fork instead of carbon; Another may have better derailers, but crappier wheels, so in the end, it all pretty much equalizes out, but basically, any of their road bikes at that price point are going to be similar enough that if you were to ride several of them, you would not be able to tell the difference between them. Pick one that appeals to you, and RIDE IT!

Now, that being said, if I had had the opportunity, i would have started with a used bike, as you can get a much higher quality used bike for $450 than anything new. I didn't go used because it is rare to find ANY used road bikes for sale in my area; much less in my size. But here's the thing: Your first road bike is just really a learning experience. With me, after 9 months with the BD bike, I moved up to a used bike that I bought from afar online; and then to an expensive late-model used one I found locally(a real fluke!)- and while the BD bike was great to get started on, it was pretty heavy, and the geometry wasn't aggressive as I found that I liked (I'm an old fart, but I prefer a stiff ride with an aggressive position), and after riding a better bike, i didn't care to ride the BD anymore.

Problem is, when you sell a lower-end BD bike, you do not get much for it. If you buy a higher quality used bike, it will likely be of high enough quality that you'll want to keep it as a back-up bike even after you move up to a better one; or, even if you sell it, you'll likely get back what you paid for it. Win/win.

Yeah, I know you don't want to sit where someone else's bung has been. Have you ever used a public toilet? Ever ridden a bus? I'm squeamish about such things too, but considering that there was likely a nice thick chamois pad between the previous owner and the seat; and there will be such a pad between your doody-machine and the seat (or you could disinfect it with Lysol, or just buy a new seat), what's the problem? For $450 you could get a fairly light bike with at least 105 components, which will kick the crapola out of any BD bike or anything that you could get new at a bike shop for that price.

As others have said, don't obsess over the components. Everything from Shimano 2300 and up is reliable and durable. My BD bike had 2300/Sora. Know what? It worked just fine, and i never had one problem with it. When I moved up to Ultegra, what did I gain? The front derailer shifts in 3/4ths of a second instead of 2 seconds and makes less noise shifting. Big whoop! It's a few ounces lighter, and looks and feels more high-quality. That's it.

On ANY new bike you get, the cable housings will stretch over the first 1000 miles or so, which will mean that you'll have to adjust the FD a few times before it stays put for many thousands of miles. Doesn't matter if it's Sora or Dura Ace. You can learn how to make the adjustment by watching a video or two on Youtube. It's easy; you just need to turn a screw. But if you're a new rider, you likely wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a $10K bike and a $450 bike right now. The $450 BD will be just as relaible, and actually tougher (will take a lot more abuse) than an expensive bike, so don't worry about it.

It's not as if you're going to pick the wrong one and end up with a piece of junk. All the $450 BD bikes are basically the same. Make sure it's your size; and the type of bike you need/want, and get one and get out there and ride, because in the end, how much you ride is more important than what you ride! Or look for a nice used bike, if you really want bang for your buck. Which ever way you go, make sure it's a bike that you LIKE, and that you'll want to ride, because that will motivate you to ride even more.

Hope this helps.

Best of luck.