The reason Bikes Direct bikes are 20% cheaper than the ones at local shops is that the local shop assembles and adjusts their bikes. BD bikes are not assembled of adjusted. I've seen couple dragged into our shop. No worries, however, we fixed and adjusted everything for $100. Of those BD owners could have just come in and we'd of hooked them up with a great fitting bike for a little more than Bikes Direct and it have a warranty and a free tune up after a few hunderd miles (that's another $60 for all you BD shoppers)

As an industry guy, only a sucker would buy a bike mail order, sight unseen.