I have been in the market for a tandem for a 1.5 yrs. I went into a LBS, the only which deals with tandems in my area. When I asked about renting for a couple hours so the wife and I could try it out, I got a no. I asked about moving a larger model up from another store so the wife and I could ride circles in the parking lot, they acted bothered. When I asked about sizing details, costs, different models etc, they told me they didn't have any b/c most people buy custom anyway. Ironically, I just ordered a tandem yesterday, and it isn't buying the custom that bothers me (and it's potentially a road I may go down), it's when they try to sell it to you right off the bat. Nonetheless, my $7k went elsewhere. One argument for "supporting" a LBS is the service you get. I have a hard time understanding what people are talking about. Perhaps it's just me....