I'm looking to buy a new bike. I've looked in stores and online and found it so intimidating to purchase a new bike. I currently have a walmart bike that I received as a present a year ago so anything would be an upgrade to what I'm riding now. I commute to work and school daily and am looking for something that'll get me to and from quickly and comfortably. My commute to school is about 5-6 miles each way.

I know how most people feel about bikesdirect on here but I'm pretty set on one of their bikes. I'd appreciate it if you kept the "better to buy at lbs" comments to a minimum. I know the drawbacks from getting a bike online. I'm just asking for your opinion as to which bike online I should purchase. I have no qualms with working on my own bike and putting it together.

My budget is preferably $500 or less. Although if there is one a little more expensive but much better quality, I would consider it.

I am female standing at 5'1. I'm looking at the road bikes on bikes direct and was wondering which one would be the best value for what I get. Again, my budget is around 500 or less. Thanks!!!

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm

First, is the $500 for bike only or bike and whatever stuff you need to get going? That will make a difference. A friend bought the Dawes Lightening Sport ($260) from BD when she started college last fall and it has served her well. The reviews on it seem pretty solid for a low end bike. As you move up in price, the components get better and will most likely last a bit longer.

If there is a Performance Bike Store near you, I'd suggest checking there. If you catch a bike on sale, it can be priced close to a comparable BD bike. Plus you can test ride it as well as having a place to take it if you have issues. I bought my Schwinn Le Tour GS there for $500 on sale (list was $750). It is a Sora/Tiagra mix similar to the Mercer Orion Al on BD. I joined the buyer's club for $25 got $50 in extra merchandise (ended up buying a couple of nicer road bikes later in the year so the club really paid off).

I looked at a Uno from their site for a while, but decided I wanted something I could do more with and continued my search - ending in buying something outside of the $500 range.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm

Single-speed is the way to go, imho, for commuting. You get the simplicity of a functional bike without the concerns of dialing in gearing as cables stretch, etc. It also limits the maintenance-able parts of the bike making it easier for you in the long run. Avid 3 brakes are pretty solid, imho and modulate well. You can get wider tires on it, meaning you can absorb most of the harsher road conditions and you still get a drop bar for when you feel like letting the freak flag fly and burning along.

No, it doesn't have an internal hub, nor a rack. But, imho, those things which are considered almost mandatory by many here are outside of the price range on a new bike, imho.

Lots of people will suggest buying second-hand through craigslist.org and the likes. I've talked with my wife, a non-commuting neophyte cyclist, and she wouldn't want me to buy her used because people tend to not take care of their stuff. Especially if they are going to sell it. So its a crap shoot she isn't interested in, and I can assume you're not either.

You should check out the women specific models at BikesDirect: https://www.bikesdirect.com/primalstuff1.htm

At 5'1 even the smallest men's bike on the main page you listed will to too big for you.

Looks like there's two bikes in your price range: Windsor Willow and the Dawes Sheila. The Dawes Sheila looks like it would fit better on paper since you will be in between sizes on the Windsor Willow. But everyone's body proportions are different.

Spec wise, they are entry level as you may know. Looks like both bike have rear eyelets for a rack which is important if you want to use panniers to increase your carrying capacity and/or get weight off your shoulders and back.

I know southern california can be hilly. Do you need a wide range of gears??? If not, consider the Kona "Bike" https://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=bike At $449 it will come right under $500 with tax. Has eyelets for a rear rack. Has an internal 3-speed drivetrain so little to no maintenance required. I personally never seen one in person, but it is made of aluminum so I am guessing it looks more heavy than it really is. You would want the smallest model.

The Mercier Elle at $600 seems to be a very good value and the fact that they are almost completely sold out of that model proves it. It might be worth giving them a call to see if they are expecting more soon. My second choice would be the Windsor Willow as it seems to have a few better components than the Dawes Sheila for only $10 more. I think it is a good thing that you want to work on your bike yourself. It is too bad you had a bad experience at some bike shops. Hopefully you at least got a chance to test ride a couple of bikes they had to feel how a nice bike should ride. That experience would be helpful when you get your bikesdirect bike and need to assemble it. Good luck.

+1
I have purchased two bikes from BD and am very pleased with the value they offer. The assembly is pretty straightforward and gives you an opportunity to have a better understanding of how the bike works and functions. That "Elle" is a great deal, if it is available.

If you live in a pretty flat area, the singlespeed bikes would be a great option if you could find the right size.

It is good to measure your inseam to get an idea of the maximum standover height you can comfortably straddle. There are many resources on this, but the Colorado Cyclist site gives a good overview of fit: https://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit

Does it have to be a full size bike?
Folding bikes lends itself very well to short riders.

https://www.downtube.com/ss-index.html

https://www.citizenbike.com/

Happy shopping!