Originally Posted by
jade408
I have to disagree with you on cycling being a buffet of goodies. While in the entire universe of cycling there is something for everyone. But at the LBS level, all the buffets have the same stuff. Unfortunately when you see the same stuff everywhere, you assume that is all there is. You only know there is whole array of other options if you spend all sorts of time obsessively researching (and of course if you have found your way to this pocket of the Internet - you are likely the type to do so).
I'd love it if I could show up to the buffet and find something classic-ish looking that gives you the best of both worlds combo of a Rando bike with a townie bike. Unfortunately that isn't available and I have to make it myself. But I can definitely find many flavors of carbon, gravel and crappy commuter. And I have to find the secret club and password for the people who have or are adjacent to what I want.
Honestly it feels like in my local shops there is even less choice than there was 3 years ago. And I live in a place with lots of shops and lots of choices. Regular old USA has even less options than I have.
My last bike shop bike was 2007, and it wasn't a great experience. They spent zero time on fit. I had to go back several times to get the front derailleur adjusted, and finally went to a different shop to get it properly adjusted to keep the chain from jumping off the big chainring. Every following bike has been direct from builder, Craigslist, or from swap meet parts and a frame I rescued from a scrap pile. Bike repair and maintenance is not that hard to learn. I don't feel too sorry for some disappearing bike shops. The good ones who truly care about their customer and product, will hopefully survive. If not, there are all kinds of ways to find, buy, or build the exact bike to fit your needs. Its not that hard. I enjoy the research, the hunt for parts, and making it all come together. If not, there's always Walmart, for carbon free shopping. 😉