Originally Posted by Amesja

Ir doesn't help that bicycles are such simple machines to operate and repair for many serious owners that a "dealership" model where the buyer comes back for repeat service and help does not really make much sense much of the time. For many bike-owners the LBS is unessential. They can buy the bike new or even used elsewhere themselves, set it up themselves, work on it themselves, buy wholesale parts for it themselves, and purchase accessories at big-box stores or Amazon.

Many bicycle enthusiasts have more skill and knowledge with working on bike (especially the vintage ones) than the typical shop mechanic. The LBS focuses on the "latest and greatest" as folks above have mentioned -but bicycles can and do last for decades. They are pretty much putting themselves out of the game here.

I feel for the LBS -but they are becoming irrelevant and much less needed in today's market reality. Perhaps with more new riders coming in with less knowledge and fewer skills they will be able to survive for a while longer.