Originally Posted by RNS
thanks for all the replies, I think my biggest hang up is that he seemed to make a big deal about my weight, he seemed worried that crappy components and a weak frame just wouldn't work and might even break for me. I do like the thought of buying from a shop because of the fact that I'm a newb and could go there for advice, help, etc. It does seem like most bikes that have 105/Tiagra components are in the 800+ range and I'm really not looking to spend that much.
Nah. 230 pounds is definitely fine. Trust me, it won't break bikes or whatever. Frames and components these days can handle a lot. Where you may want to go is the wheelset - lighter wheelsets with lower spoke counts spell disaster for people who weigh more. Besides that, you'll do fine.
Buying from a bike shop is always good, if you have a helpful and friendly one who won't sacrifice honesty or concern for the customer in exchange for making a great sale. I'd advise you to really stay away from Sora-equipped bikes. They're off in a happy land of their own. While almost every road bike you'll find these days has a 9 or 10 speed drivetrain, Sora has 8, making for messy compatibility in case of future upgrades. Sora's also got shifters that are really designed with beginners in mind. I can say this because I rode a Sora bike for a while. It's just a better idea to shell out a little more and save the trouble.