You just have to find a good bike shop. I used to hate LBSes until I went to Go Green bikes in Burbank. The worker there (Christian, I think his name was) schooled me and my friend on the industry and was more interested in getting us on the perfect bike than selling the stuff he had.
I think a lot of bike shops deal with so many high end customers that they lose sight of us little people who also bike. In my town, the three shops won't do anything for older bikes (pre 2000), one just flat out telling us to get our bikes out of there. I guess when you have Freds buying new $5000 carbon bikes every year and not minding to pay hundreds in services and parts you can afford to treat others like crap. But I hop over the mountain and hit Los Angeles, the shops are so nice and so helpful. Also bike Co-Ops are awesome. I wish they would return my emails about volunteering because I'm on unemployment and would love to get bike experience!