I really like Bicycle Connection and Performance, and really don't like Village Cycle Sport. Here's my experience with Village. Shortly after I resumed riding I took the seatpost in to Village in search of a taller replacement. I was unaware that the correct size was marked on the post, and trusted the "mechanic" and the store manager to have determined the correct size after measuring 3 times with a micrometer. After being told they would have to order the part for me and it would be delivered a few days, I paid for the part and waited for them to call as they said they would. The promised day came and went without a call, and when I called the following day I was told the part had been delivered as originally estimated but they hadn't called because they were too busy. That didn't bother me too much, but getting the new post stuck in the frame because they ordered the wrong size did, and I hoped they'd be able to get the new post out for me after I dropped the bike off. A couple days later I came back and found out they'd made a half hearted attempt to get the post out, and just left me bike sitting off to the side. Bicycle Connection pointed out the size markings on the seat post for me, sold me the correct part from their inventory, and said they fixed a lot of mistakes made by Village. I've bought a few other parts from Bicycle Connection since then, and their employees have always been knowledgeable and competent. They have good prices there too.

Performance is where I usually shop now, their larger selection, better warranty and longer store hours make it hard not to. They've got an excellent mechanic (Bob) that's helped with some of the maintenance I can't do at home, and when I walk in with some old parts wrapped in a rag they can usually tell me what I need to do and have the part I need. Performance has a big selection of bikes on the floor; I'm not sure how it compares to the number they have on line. I'm still riding the same bike, and haven't upgraded yet. They've got a flat bar road bike in the catalog that some people were liking earlier in the year that might fit your definition.

I would imagine you'd be able to walk in a ride out at either Bicycle Connection or Performance with a decent bike and accessories at a decent price, and with 2 good choices so close to each other wouldn't recommend going out of your way to annoy yourself at Village. But that's my opinion, YMMV.