The process here is something to really take note of. Instead of going to the bike shop to check out the frame, then ordering off the internet, I reversed the process. Of course, the bike shop in question has a strong internet presence, a small shopfront, and a huge warehouse out the back. The shop just does sales, no servicing.

One of our other favourite LBS haunts doesn't sell bikes or shoes, but has a whole host of goodies, and does a huge amount of business in servicing bikes. The shop has an internet presence, but doesn't sell anything that way (but will do phone orders).

the two shops are examples of how the operators have identified where they sit in the marketplace and are very successful at what they do.