Motobecane Mirage - BD.
 

Two BD threads on the main page at the same time today!
I'm leaning heavily towards the following bike:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...e_xi_steel.htm

The reasons are:
1. I love the way it looks!
2. CroMoly frame
3. Down tube friction shifters. I don't see myself racing, ever. These shifters should be easier and cheaper to maintain.
4. I disliked almost all the LBSes I went to so far. They are snooty and stuck up, and have way more attitude than I want to deal with on a regular basis. I'd rather get something cheaper and simpler, and learn to fix it myself - only using the LBS for stuff that I absolutely cannot fix myself. And if I don't learn to fix it myself, well - I'll give in to the attitude then.
5. I love the way it looks :)

So my question is - is there something terribly wrong with the bike I've chosen, that I cannot see? I'm willing to slowly upgrade the bike, but if there is something fundamental that I have missed, then please let me know!

After reading Sheldon Brown's comments on friction shifters, the other option is:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...gesport_xi.htm

Craigslist and some patience..

Nothing really. Just make sure you get the right size.

Any comments about using friction shifters against indexed? I've used friction shifters when I was small (and I'm not as young or as adaptable now), and only used crappy indexed shifters - so I have no real basis for comparison.

I like properly adjusted indexed shifters, but I also like friction shifters for reliability. Lucky you, the shifters on that BD bike can be set up for both.

Yes, I just hit the Sunrace SLR63 page and saw that :)

My preference is 'properly adjusted' indexed for the rear and and 'ratcheting' friction for the front. My wife has an old Specialized Crossroads w/twist grip set up this way. It's nice to be able to vary the the 'trim' up front when the chain rubs in certain gear combos. Velo Orange website has a stem mounted set-up that's way better than anything from years past.

Afa as the lbs snootiness goes, it's one of the reasons I learned to do all of my own repairs. Learned to build wheels after posting an ad on a local bike board. It's very gratifying to ride on a bike you've built up yourself completely, including the wheelset.

DT friction shifting is a great place to start learning how to do your own repairs, adjustments, etc. Before cartridge bottom brackets became standard one could take the bearings/spindle assembly apart, clean the cups and re-pack the bearings. That was another great learning experience.

I'm building up a '96 Softride Traveler and will have modern stem ratcheting friction shifting in addtion to top-notch hubs, spokes, rims, tubes, tires, etc. Indexed is nice, but when one is 50 miles from nowhere in a country where no one speaks your native language the lower tech the better. :p