Originally Posted by Frreed

Why is there so much love for the LBS? I get supporting shops in the area where you ride, getting good service when it comes to repairs, fitting and all the usual arguments. For those things, online will never meet the need. However, I am increasingly tired of going into the LBS and finding employees who have no clue about the product they carry and more than a few who don't even ride bikes.

I found this to be the case earlier this year when I bought a new Giant Defy. I had been away from cycling for a few years and wanted to get back into training for a week long, cross state, ride. I did my research before shopping and had narrowed it down to 3 Aluminum/105/Endurance bikes: Gianty Defy, Cannondale Synapse, Specialized Secteur. The Secteur was being discontinued so I dropped it.
Two different shops with a similar experience. Both showed me bikes with carbon frames and Ultegra. I get it, always try to upsell. One shop was just not interested so I left. Next shop had the bikes I wanted to ride. They pushed the Synapse. It was faster, lighter and had the oh-so-cool disc brakes. Rode both and really liked the Defy. The 'Dale was nice, but a bit more upright and the brakes sucked. I asked about the brakes and was told that they would get better. Asked about gearing. I was told the Synapse had a 53/39 and an 11-26 or 28 (both of which were just wrong). Still pushing the Synapse they could get me fit better to overcome the upright issue. Fair enough. "You really should get the Synapse, it is a better bike and is a bit lighter." We put them on the scale. The Defy was TWO POUNDS was lighter. I decided on the Defy. I paid and they told me to have a nice day.

I asked about getting the fitting they offer for all new bikes. Well, their fitter was not on location and wouldn't be available until after the weekend. "Can we at least get it close?" Sure, come on back. Put on shorts and shoes. Things felt pretty good on the trainer when the guy finished. During the fitting, he tells me that he doesn't ride bikes except for messing around on his mountain bike. Took the bike home and went out for a ride. It felt aweful. I was slow and my quads/knees were dying after 10 miles. Finally got back for a real fit and the seat was almost 2 inches low and was too far back.

The shop made it right, but my initial experience was not great. To their credit, they know me when I come in and I have had great service since. And no, I didn't have a screaming tantrum. I did talk to the manager about the experience and he was appreciative.

Today I went into another shop to look at bikes. I am considering giving my Defy to my son and upgrading for myself. I am much more into cycling than I thought I would be. I also think I would like a bike with a bit more agressive position. I have an older Schwinn Paramount production bike and really like the road racing geometry. I explained what I was looking for to the salesman at the shop and he had no clue what I was talking about. The Roubaix was a good racing bike and the Madone was an endurance frame. I am happy with 105 and he kept showing me bikes with DA and Sram. I left.

For those of us who are serious about cycling, we walk into a shop with some idea about what we want and what we need. I would hope that employees at the LBS would be able to fill in the blanks. I'm just not finding that.