Originally Posted by TimSmith

As pilots I know we are cheap, but this one really stretches the imagination. To save $500 or so on a $5000 bike you are going to subject it to shipping halfway across the world at your liability for any damage? And when you get it home you still have to do the build on it or pay the local bike shop mechanic a $100 to do the build. I really think it better to deal with a bike shop you trust and get the bike you want. That way they stand behind it and you have a good relationship with your local bike shop. That is very important on a top level road bike as you will inevitably need help on getting the perfect fit, will probably want a quick tune up each year (quick being the operative word,) may want to swap components or rims, etc. If you have a reputation for trying to stick it to them over a few dollars (and we really are talking a few dollars here) then they will do the bare minimum for you or put yours at the bottom of the list.

The relationship with your local shop is important on these bikes. This is not a Chevy or Ford you beat to death. It is a Porsche or Lotus that has unlimited potential and seemingly in constant need of adjustment to realize that potential. Bike shop owners generally do what they do because they love it. Most of them make about what a regioanal airline captain does. Few if any are getting rich off their customers.