With the choices of bikes rattling my brain and bikesdirect having some phenominal prices.... Do most lbs put together the bike? If so, how much you think? I'm getting my first road bike and wouldn't know here to start... Also anything besides pedals that I would have to buy?

Thanks! If I can get a deal on there which it seems almost absolute to get a deal I can get a bike a bit better than entry level and in a color scheme I want for a price in my budget...

What should I know about buying bikes on there.

Call and ask them.
Probably just pedals. Check the specs on the bike
You need to know what size you need. It's a bad deal if it doesn't fit.

I'd see how much your LBS will charge you to put the bike together. The added cost of the assembly might not be cost effective.

Bikesale seems pretty good as well... And for giant defy 5 I was on a m/L frame and I'm guessing beig 5'11 and 250 that a m/l or 56cm frame

Your going to get bombarded with love and hate for bikes direct. I bought a name brand bike from my LBS and the service they provided me was excellent! They even took my original road bike that I bought from them first (and rode for 2 weeks) back and gave me full credit toward a cyclocross bike that ended up fitting my needs better. That being said, one day I do plan on buying a bicycle from bikes direct just to have a second bike and to see for myself if they are worth the low price. Good luck!

edit: O yea, make sure you know what size frame to buy if your ordering a bike online.

it's 80% assembled out of the box. What can possibly be so difficult about putting together a bike? Maybe fine tuning the shifters would take a little time, but nothing you can't learn from the internet.

My LBS will maintain my bicycle for as long as I own it since I bought from them. Basically their complete tuneup that they charge $60 for is free to me anytime I bring the bike in. That's a huge deal for me. I don't have to go try and figure out how to fix things by watching YouTube videos. I drop it off and a pro does it right- for free.

He asked about assembly in his original post.

The one and only bike i have bought from bd needed no fine tuning. I havent touched a shifter cable on it ever, and i bought it 1.5 years ago. Still shifts perfectly. However, YMMV.
If you are a basketcase when around tools, bd is not for you. Otherwise go for it. Bikes aren't that complicated.

I started working on my own bike when I was 12 (I'm 56). Nobody ever taught me anything and by the time I was 16 I was building wheels and gluing tubulars. I think that working on your own bike is one of the joys of biking. I have 3 BikesDirect bikes at my house and think of them as being very good values, but not the latest/greatest. The amount of assembly required is pretty minimal, and is of the kind that you should learn just to be safe out on the road if something breaks. Good luck!

The caveats I've heard about Bikes Direct have been bearings and wheels. Sometimes, not consistently, the bearings don't come properly greased. Also, the wheels are machine-made, and almost always need to be properly tensioned and trued.

I bought a bike recently from them. There seems to be plenty of grease on the bearings on this one, but the spokes can play a pretty tune (need to be tensioned and trued). I'm taking it in to a coop or maybe a friend who knows a few things. I still also need to adjust the derailleurs, as should be done on any new bicycle, but that'll be done when I have the wheels taken care of.

Assembly wasn't so bad to me, but I can't say it will be so easy for everyone. I'm sorry to sound like a braggart about this, but I do have a somewhat above average mechanical and spatial aptitude. If you choose to assemble yourself, be aware the instructions will be very general, and finding videos online for individual component installation and adjustment may be necessary.

Overall, I would still recommend taking it to a knowledgeable mechanic after assembly, if not for assembly.

I had mine shipped directly to an LBS. Something like $60 to assemble, had it the next day. It has barely needed anything since. I am glad I had the LBS assemble it, as it was my first road bike, but today I would assemble it myself without hesitation.

I emailed them careful measurements and they quickly replied with a frame size recommendation that turned out perfect.

All in all, my experience was positive - but if the frame had been the wrong size, or if something needed returning, or I really wanted to talk to someone in person, I might feel differently...

I have bought three bikes from Bikes Direct, a road bike, mountain bike and cyclocross bike. I only had one issue with the mountain bike and that was due to the chain. It was would skip gears no matter how much I adjusted the rear derailleur. I replace the generic chain with a Shimano chain and the problem was solved.

As far as the maintenance and fitting of a bike, I feel the same as the Bike Snob. There is nothing magical about bikes. As far as machines go, they are very simple. If you can loosen and tighten bolts, then you can adjust your bike to your own comfort level. If you saddle feels too high, then lower it. If it feels to low, then raise it up. This is not rocket science although the bicycle fitters that use lasers would want you to think it is.