REI gives you a year return policy as long as you have a membership (And a 10% yearly dividend you can use on a purchase a year later)........The DC REI is much bigger than the one near me in Timonium.

The DC store has much more inventory, and is three floors.

Race Pace when it was in Towson was catering to the I want to buy a thousand dollar plus bike buyer, and Trek is probably doing the same. (Not that most new quality bikes aren't in that price range, they are)

My experiences with private shops is marginal, and I am sure there are good private shops, but it's tough to compete with REI.

My only problem with REI is they still need more of a selection, but the DC store is one of their best performers.