Originally Posted by
Hachi
or go with a LBS on the promise of good service (Assuming I can find one that gives good service around here) and just accept that I'll have to ride a name brand bike with sub par brakes and SRAM derailleurs or shifters.
I would not call SRAM sub par.
In my opinion, if this is your 1st bike, you want to go to an LBS. There are lots of people who love BD (I own a Windsor the Hour myself) and who like to buy used and have great experiences.
However, if you have no idea what kind of bike you like, what size you want, what geometry works for you, what good parts are/aren't, etc., you can figure all that out at the LBS by riding the bikes and talking to the people at the shops. There is no better advice than riding several bikes back to back to back and figuring out what you do/don't like.
You'll pick up the wrenching part quickly if you're so inclined, and then can order on-line next time around if you're comfortable with that.