No. At least not choosing a brand for brand's sake. There are many other factors I would consider way before brand. Fit, feel, components, etc, are all way more important than brand. I have a Trek hybrid and a Raleigh road bike. I have had other Treks and a Specialized also. All have plusses and minuses, and none of them have to do with the brand. I would even say the LBS is more important than brand if it is a good one. I love my LBS and while I don't limit myself to their stock, I will always look at it first.