We've looked at Ebay and Craigslist and found a few good deals, but the BikesDirect bike looks nicest, components wise. What do you guys think about this bike?

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/lt2300_x.htm

What am I overlooking here? Can he put his $600 to better use?

To me frame>components. I would put my money elsewhere. Two of my friends got BD bikes and both of them hate them.

What don't they like about them? I don't disagree with your frame>components, I'm just wondering if it was geometry, fabrication, finish, etc. that they didn't like.

Don't listen to the naysayers and snobs ...

What type of riding and distance is planned?

I'm guessing similar riding to what I've been doing. Hilly Ohio routes, going at least over 40+ miles eventually. I imagine even further than that once I've been riding for longer and know what I and my friend are going to be capable of.

Frame size availability on that bike is slim, are you sure you're friend wants to be put on a waiting list? I've heard people wait forever for bikes that are out of stock on bikes direct.

If he uses a 58 cm frame, he's lucky, otherwise look at other models on BD!

Does the low stock mean waiting list? We're looking at the 50mm

All of the frame sizes are available except the 54cm.

I would also check out the 2011 Gravity Liberty 2 $499
Semi-Compact AL Frame, Carbon Aero Fork, Aluminum Rims
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../liberty_2.htm

Avoid those Sora brifters if you can....well, according. The Tiagra, next line up, has the shift up and down "integrated" with the brake lever with the paddle behind like the higher end stuff does. The Sora line has a little thumb lever on the inside of the hood. You cannot reach these to shift when you are in the drops. If you always ride in the hoods, like I do, it isn't a really big deal but later on if you do decide to ride that way you could easily spend a large chunk of the cost of that bike on new brifters.

Any bike equipped with Shimano 600 that is vintage can really give modern stuff a run for the money. I'd suggest a basic Shimano 600 equipped bike from the mid 80's to early 90's. They are not hard to find but you might have to look awhile. Good luck. Don't let downtube shifters discourage the new rider.

Today's modern shifters make things so easy but if you compromise a bit your dollar will really stretch far in terms of quality.

https://westky.craigslist.org/bik/2520712362.html

Nice bike, but out of his range. We've spent way too many hours browsing all the surrounding craigslist and Ebay the past week.

I have the 2300 and have around 1000 mile on it. I love it. I've learned how to adjust my own bike and its gotten me into the sport. I've found the wheels to remain true and overall I feel its a good value. I just purchased new wheels to shave 1/2 pound off of it, but no other upgrades thus far!

If I were to go at it again, I'd get the Gravity Comp 20 instead though. 105 setup and a better looking (IMO) frame https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...omp20_gold.htm

is this guy a leprechaun?

Dude, you have to pay for the ability to advertise. Pay your money, post in the marketplace and stop posting in every looking for a bike thread.

ive only posted it a couple of times and they were looking for a bike that matched the description so piss off. im trying to help, what are you doing other than being a troll? GTFO.