Advice

Websites that are put up by authorized Cervelo and BMC dealers.

Cervelo and BMC (as many other brands, too) have been de-authorizing internet dealers, to support brick-and-mortar shops and the services they provide. So, the chances are that if the dealer says it can ship the bike to you, it is not an authorized dealer.

Hey, tx, I just got a newsletter from R&A Cycles of Brooklyn, NY (racycles.com). It looks like they can ship BMC and Cervelo bikes and frames. Happy shopping..

I've never ridden either but I suggest that you do if you can to figure out which one you like the best.

I did find a comparison site it that'll help: road-bikes.gearsuite.com2015 BMC TeamMachine SLR03 105 vs 2015 Cervelo R2 105Open ↗ If you have a lot of mountains where you'll be riding the BMC has better gears suited for that, the Cervelo has more sizes in their frames which means you could dial in a better fit, the BMC uses a Press Fit bottom bracket which is something you should read about so see this: http://ballbearingadventures.kogel.cc/2015/04/22/listing-the-most-common-problems-with-bottom-bracket-standards/ Personally of the two I would go with the Cervelo due to the more fit options, you can always change gears but you can't always change a frame cheaply, the bottom bracket thing seems to be a problem with either brand, but read the site about that.

Depends on where you're from. I know a good site here in Germany, but if you're from the US then I doubt I could help you. What I'll like to advice though is to take into consideration going around and checking out a bike in person before buying it. Websites can give you characteristics, but in person you can see much better for yourself in my opinion.

For that sort of bike I would strongly suggest that you buy from a real bike shop. The Internet "deals" are often outfitted with components that are what no one else wants such as the Shimano Ultegra electric shifters. There's nothing wrong with that stuff if that's what you want. But not a lot of people want to worry about keeping their bikes plugged in.

After a member of the group telling me how his battery would last a month. the following ride it went dead. There are emergency methods of operating the derailleurs but it was good for a horse laugh at his expense.

And again I have to say that fit is everything. You're going to want to be able to do a century and you don't do that with a poorly fitting bike that you got as a steal off of the Internet.

I'd have to agree here with [USER=224138]@cyclintom[/USER] and say you'd be better off ignoring the websites and going to an actual shop instead.

While there's nothing wrong with buying a bike online, you have to be 100% sure exactly what you want, and if you've any doubts at all I'd not even contemplate buying online. Not before I'd spoken to somebody face to face first.