I have been bitten by the custom, hand-built wheels bug. More specifically, I have been bitten (or stung) by the Chris King "angry buzzing bees" bug.

I have pretty much decided what hub-wheel-spoke combo I want.

I have already priced the wheels. The price at my LBS is about $100.00 more thant the price at a popular mail-order cycle store located in a Rocky Mountain state (hint hint). The price differential already takes into consideration shipping to me from said store. (Many years ago I bought a set of hand-built wheels from the same mail-order outfit and those wheels have been bomb-proof, so I know they turn out a quality product).

Am I crazy for choosing to spend the extra $100.00 and buying the wheels from my LBS?

The people at my LBS are great. Although their prices are a tad higher (on some items, not all) than the bike super-stores, the service is great and their two wrenches are just fantastic. I can't even begin to count the number of times that I have dropped at their shop after a ride to have some adjustments made to my bike. Within minutes, I am on my way home with a smile on my face and no charge for the adjustment.

So, am I crazy to spend the extra $100.00 for the wheels, just so that I can keep my LBS in business?

I would like to hear from other fellow BFers who have made the same decision (to spend the extra money) and/or from BFers who would choose to save the bucks.

Thanks.