Originally Posted by
matimeo
Except a bike shop is only going to try to sell you something they have in stock (nothing against that- I try to support my LBS as much as possible)- but what if there is a better option online, at a different shop or on Craigslist? They certainly aren't going to help you evaluate the quality of a vintage bike you find on Craigslist.
I think you're going to the wrong bike shops. Or maybe you're just not asking questions you think you know how they'll answer. Or maybe I'm fooling myself.
Anyway, treebound is right. It's been done. Here are a couple of links:
http://bikeportland.org/2009/12/02/p...urchases-26643
http://www.wtfbikes.net/