Lol no, I didn't have a piece of PVC pipe that would fit into the steerer that I could use to drive it in. Considered putting it in with a ratchet extension, but didn't want to accidentally damage and cock it slightly in the steerer tube. Local shop put it in for free anyways

Those decals are awesomely priced. I think I might just have to order some now!

That's a pretty sweet ride, looks like you definitely stepped it up over the stock CrossCheck. I especially love the shifters!

I don't think I'd buy a new bike from an LBS, but I can't find any way to beat bikesdirect prices component-wise. I tried and tried to piece together a comparably equipped bike before I broke down and bought my Liberty 3, but my cheapest build would have cost about $150 more while taking a component quality hit in some areas. Considering what I paid for it, I have a whole ton of room to upgrade things like wheels and brakes before I even come close to what a comparably equipped ride woulda cost me at the LBS.