Originally Posted by blanqui

What is the issue? Supporting a local business vs. a global conglomerate? Well, the $2000 bike at the LBS is also made by the same global conglomerates. I've looked at several bikes online and at the LBS. In general, the LBS is $500-$700 more expensive for what I'm looking for: an ultegra equipped aluminum frame with carbon seat stays. Where does that $700 go? The owner of my LBS has a nice house,a boat, and goes to France to watch the Tour de France, but he doesn't offer health insurance or a 401k to his employees. In fact, as a small business owner, he enjoys a number of subsidies and breaks from the local, state, and federal governments.