Any Bicycle Experts Here? Help me pick out a road bike

[AznSensation]

I'm interested in buying a road bike. My budget is around $400. I came across these models that seem pretty nice, but I do not know much about the bikes or the parts:

Choice 1: http://bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/liberty_1.htm

Choice 2: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington3_IX.htm

Choice 3: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/galaxy_tour.htm

Choice 4: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/galaxy_al_xi_sc3.htm

Choice 5: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/lttour.htm

Choice 6: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/cafe_latte_x.htm

Choice 7: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/liberty_cx.htm

Out of these choices, I like option 4 and 7; however, I do not know much about bike parts. So, which one of these has the best parts?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Bikes direct sells some decent quality bikes. A friend of mine bought one with Shimano Ultegra for about $1000. Be aware that some assembly and adjustments will be required.

 

[Ms. DICKINSON]

I bought "Choice 1" September last year. By far it was the best purchase of the year and my first road bike too. I love mine. People will tell you to stay away from Microshift but I can handle it even if you slap mtb shifters on it. I've added Thudbuster ST and put about 450-500 miles on it.

 

[Doppel]

I bought a bike from bikesdirect.com some years ago and would again.

 

[TecHNooB]

pm ricemarine

 

[FleshLight]

I suggest going to Performance Bike as there is a small learning curve with setting up and tuning a mail order bike. Plus they'll do a basic fitting and swap out parts to fit the bike to you.