As a bike shop guy, you expect me to rag on BikesDirect. I'll be the first to admit, though, that some of their bikes are actually a really good deal. This one, however, is not.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ington1_IX.htm
The bike in question is the "Windsor Wellington 1.0"; an entry-level road bike. It sells on BD for $300. A GMC Denali "road bike" from Wally World sells for around $200. You're better off with the Wally World bike.
Here's why...
One of my jobs for today was a tune-up on a Windsor. I got the bike, put it in the stand, and started checking it over, since I'd never seen that model before. It's made by Kinesis, as are most/all of the aluminum BD bikes that I've seen (as well as Raleighs and others.) So, I figured at least the frame was okay. Wrong answer.
Next I look over the frame itself. Huge welds, of course. At the bottom bracket, however, they are only PARTIAL, huge welds. Yes, there are big gaps in the welds, the beads stop and start, and it just generally looks like something I wouldn't want to ride more than 20 miles.... one mile ride x 20. Next I notice that at the headtube junction, there's welding rod sticking out of the paint. Well done. The pics are kinda crappy, but you can sorta see what I'm talking about.
So, I start looking at the components. Stem shifters? Really? And notice the Pro, over-the-bars cable routing!
So, I start the tune up. It being a BD bike, I decide that I'd better check the bottom bracket. Bad choice. It will never, ever, ever be removed from the frame.
On to the wheel truing.... Can you say "Completely de-tensioned"? Yes, you can. Both wheels had to, essentially, be rebuilt. I could squeeze pairs of spokes and they would almost touch. Is this really a bargain at $300? Considering the fact that the $45 tune up turned into a $90 overhaul (disassemble and rebuild), that brings the total to $390. For $399, you can buy the low-end Fuji Newest 4.0 (with Downtube shifters...also old-school, but at least Retro) from a dealer, get a free tune up or two, and have a guy near you who will fix it if it breaks.
My suggestion... if you MUST buy from BD, at least get the Motobecane Vent Noir for $699. It's a helluva bike for that price. Avoid the Windsor Wellington like the plague.