Originally Posted by seely
I'm just thinking, if you don't have the headset adjusted right, and ovalize the head tube, you're out a frame... 75mi to me would be worth it to make sure its built right so you have a good starting point, but its your call.
I do appreciate it, but working on my own equipment is as much fun to me as riding it. I just rebuilt a 1971 Harley Davidson superglide from the frame up a few summers ago, and I try to do all my basic auto mechanics work as well. I teach at a vocational school and love to wrench on my own toys.
Resources like parktool.com are a lifesaver for me.
That 75 mile shop is a mountain climbing/kayak/rafting/running/skiing/bike shop with a couple of floor salespeople who are great folks, but not exactly who I would want setting up my bike. They pretty much stock a few mountain bikes, and the occasional roadie. I'm not sure who puts theirs together, but honestly I don't think its much better than the average Walmart assembler.
I wish I did have a nice shop locally so I could take your advice...