Originally Posted by Road Fan

This also tests some very important things: how well the LBS will work with you, and how much skill they have at getting you set up properly. For a newbie (and maybe for an oldbie too!) these are very important things. You should be able to have a relationship with the bike shop folks. It'll pay off as you grow.

If you're going to spread your wings and fly, they are your ground crew, at least until you can do your own adjusting and wrenching.