Anyone ever bought a bike online?

From what I've read, you'll need help at the bike shop with getting the bike fit to you. Others will definitely have more info for you about that.

I've bought a lot of things online -- big, heavy, expensive things like a TIG welder -- but I wouldn't buy a bike online. For one, I'd want to have help with the fit. Second, I will buy from a shop that offers lifetime tuneups. Considering my lack of mechanical prowess, the service alone more than makes up for it.

How about you print out the web page with the bike and price listed on it and see if your local bike shop will come down in price?

I just havent seen anyone else that sells the brand. I agree about the service though, I am not too handy myself .

What is the model of the bicycle you are thinking of buying. It may be $300 cheaper than anything else but if you look at the parts list, sometimes you are not getting a full 105 (or whatever component) grouppo. As for buying from Bikesdirect, a lot of the guys on the www.bicycling.com forum site have bought there and have had good service from them. You might consider asking this same question on the "buying" forum there; you will get a lot of feedback. Once you have the bike, you have to set it up to fit you; you will need to find a reputable bike shop that can do that. You might have to pay for this service, but it will certainly not cost you $300!

Thanks Mach, the one I am looking at is a Windsor Fens...I have never heard of the brand but the parts and price seem to be right in line with what I am looking for.

Here's a link to it if you want to give an opinion: http://bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/fens_04.htm

jos, the Fens has its pros and cons, the worst cons being that is has a lot of lesser components in the mix. On the other hand, it does come with clipless pedals. My opinion...for all its worth... is that between the Windsor Fens and the Fuji Roubaix, the Fuji is the better buy (even if it is $100 more)...and it looks nicer also. Before you decide, at least take a look at the components on the Roubaix.

Well then this is going to sound like a stupid question, but......is there any good site or mag I can buy that kinda tells you what is good and what isnt? I know a lot of you have more experience with all this stuff than I do but I just figured it was a good deal for a 105 series bike. I really liked the Trek 1500 I rode, but its 250$ more. I was also looking at the Cervelo One but the only LBS here is a place I liken to hell so I refuse to buy one from them.

It is not that the bike that you are proposing to purchase is not good; it is a good enough buy. The Roubaix, however, has all 105 components and is a better buy. In order to reduce prices, manufacturers will substitute some of the components for lesser priced ones. The substituted components, like the crankset, hubs, and brakes on the the Fens may or may not be as good as 105.

Take a look at the buying forum at http://forums.bicycling.com/bic/forum.jsp?forum=6
Also http://www.sheldonbrown.org

Ahh I see now, thanks a ton Mach. I am going to research this stuff for a while and buy a bike in the fall when the LBS are trying to move old stuff. Whats a good time frame to start looking into that? I figure October-ish?

Yes, around here October is about the time that bike shops starts to slash their prices in order to move their stock. It depends on where you are though; if it is still warm where you are, the sales may not start until later. Still, your plan to wait until the end of the season to buy a new bike is a sound one. By that time you will know if you want to continue with triathlons and if so, you might opt to buy something that will be better suited to tri's than a standard road bike. The best place to look at the difference between road and tri bikes is at Cervelo (for me anyways). Take a look at this site: http://www.cervelo.com/prices/usa.html And, ask questions; anything that pops to mind, no matter how trivial it may seem...ask! Like I have said before, bicycling.com is a good forum to get info although sometimes you will get a multitude of opinions rather than good data. Keep trying and good luck.

Jos,
One word of caution would be comfort. Machiavello has pretty much covered any other topic of concern I would have about buying a bike, particularly your first one, online. Will you be able to ride the bike - and I mean a comfort thing. Bike geometry is a variable in the frame. If you were to end up with something that is not adjustable, that would be a bummer. If there is a model like the one you are looking at, try it out. I would never shun buying online, but this is your first one. So be cautious.
Vanessa

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I am going to spend the next few months riding everything I can and then start looking for deals locally when the tmie comes to get rid of the 04 models.