Not a bad bike for the price, about what it's worth IMO.
I bought a bike from Bikes Direct a few months ago. It is shipped to your house in a manufactures box, like direct from the factory. You have to put on the pedals, handle bars, front wheel, and any other accessory(reflectors). Then you have to be able to adjust the shifting and brakes. In addtion to that, I found that the bearings did not have an adaquite amount of grease, so I went through the headset, BB and, wheel bearings.
This is fine for me, but it's something to be aware of if he has a shop assemble the bike. Also, if this is his first road bike, or first new bike in a long time, he would be better off with getting a bike from an LBS. They can determine the correct size, assemble it, and make adjustments if any are needed. Most LBS's will make adjustments for free for a period of time. And many will give a discount on stuff when you buy a bike, like a helmet, gloves, rack, bottle cages, etc.
Last edited by leob1; 09-23-11 at 08:05 AM.