I can't answer for 1-3. On 4 I agree Fit is very important. Test rides around parking lots have never told me much, but they're better than not riding the bike at all. See if they'll let you take a longer ride. Also, unless you're a really unusual body build, a proper size frame can be adjusted (seat height, stem length, etc.) to make the bike fit you. I'd say find a shop that will work with you the most - test ride, spend time fitting it to you, making adjustments; one you'll want to come back to later on for more purchases or mechanical work. Through the years I've found that there are some really good shops out there, but I've also noticed that if I'd just walk into three different shops that didn't know me, and ask a somewhat detailed or technical question, I'd get three completely different answers. Also, beware the shop where they treat you like an idiot. I've frequently had that happen anyplace that doesn't know me. The best example of this is the time I walked into a shop with my tire and rim and asked for a tube that would fit. The clerk insisted that I couldn't use that tire on the rim, that it was too loose fitting, that the tire would blow off the rim, etc. I just quietly nodded and said Oh. I figured that there wasn't any point in telling her that I'd had that tire on that rim for the last 4 years with no problems, and that I had any identical front wheel tire/rim combination also which had had no problems. Find a good shop, get to know them, and let them get to know you.