Originally Posted by bikesdirect_com
This bike is a lot of bike for a starter road bike
looks and rides great
Easy to pick correct size due to compact frame & adjustable stem
Nice workmanship by Ideal [who owns Fuji and makes bikes for Trek, Specialized, Motobecane, and lots of others]
For $369 delivered with no sales tax; it is better than most used bikes for many reasons
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/lt1000.htm
As with most things about "Bikes Direct", take their claim of "no sales tax" with a grain of salt. Buyers who live in Texas are required to pay 8% sales tax. If "Bikes Direct" fails to collect the 8% sales tax, the buyer is required to obtain tax payment forms from the State tax office, and pay the sales tax directly.
Many buyers may be tempted to "cheat", and not pay the sales tax. But, periodically, "Bikes Direct" will be subjected to a tax audit. The State tax office will obtain a list of customers who failed to pay sales tax. Those customers will get a bill from the State for the sales tax, PLUS a penalty, PLUS interest. They will owe far more than the original 8% tax.
And, the same thing is true of "Bikes Direct" customers who live in other states that have a sales tax. If "Bikes Direct" fails to pay the sales tax, the customer is required to pay it. "Bikes Direct" sells bikes cheap because they cut corners. But, if customers "cut corners" by evading paying sales taxes that are owed, they may soon be very sorry they ever heard of this company.