my friend is purchasing his first road bike. he's been riding an old huffy for a couple of months. he recently took a beach trip with his brother and rode a road bike for several days in a row and now has been bitten by the bug.

i've emphasized to him a number of things ad nauseum such as test ride a number of bikes and that fit is the most important thing, etc.....

he road a trek 2.3 (full 105 alum. with usual carbon parts) tonight and really liked it plus as a 2010 model it was on sale.

however, he is more inclined to buy a bike online and wants to get as much bike as he can for his money. i don't think he is really interested in test riding a bunch of bikes. he is looking at a motobecane full carbon with ultegra and 105 mix. the trek and the motobecane are almost identical in price.

i've compared the geometry on the two bikes and i think the motobecane will fit, but i for one just could not bring myself to buy a bike that i have not test ridden, nor one that i have never heard very much about. i think that he would be better served to buy from the local bike shop and get a good fit plus would get a bike with name recognition that he could more easily sell if decides to upgrade.

i guess what i am looking for here, is to see if any of you have an opinion or any experience with Motobecane that might lessen my concern about his buying online.