Here is an interesting monologue, with several buried hints at what we are observing to be wrong with the LBS.

First is the suggestion that the average person cannot know anything about bikes, and only the guys in the shop can save him from himself:

"My questions here are the same dumb questions I ask them each time I go in."

These chaps hold cycling's Golden Egg in their fingers. One must wait his turn to speak to them, even though they see Mr. Fred as one of them.
They may beat their wives, be Republicans or be as dumb as stones about anything else, but they enjoy Olympian status because they have chain lube under their fingernails.

Then there is this, when talking about a shop across town:

I just don't know the people as well and I don't ride with their groups. It sounds snobbish but it's like a clique and you stick to your own.

Here, Mr. Fred admits to not riding with *their groups*. In fact, one can surmise from his comments that, as cyclists, you are expected to *stick to your own.* Don't show up uninvited, dude.

By comparison, *his* store is a place of comfort and familiarity.

Without realizing it, DropDeadFred is bolstering the exclusive snobbery one finds in LBS's all over. These things come from Fred himself, too. He accepts them as normal.

Certainly, not every LBS has this fault. But curiously, it may pervade any of them and we think that is acceptable.
If you got that same attitude from Best Buys, for example, you'd tell them to kiss your @ss and hit the internet in a minute. But, if you get it from the folks in the bike shop, well... that's okay. You should still give them your money.

In fairness, Mr. Fred is eclectic. He knows that others should be allowed to form their own opinions. In the end, though, I imagine it is expected they will form similar opinions about *their* chosen shop.

This is not meant to degrade anyone, least of all you, DDF. I give you thumbs up for the entirety of your comments. They are enlightening.