I have to admit that I am a bit jealous of some of the co-ops posted here. While I am thrilled to have Working Bikes in Chicago, I struggle to find anything I ever need when I go there. I do usually find something to buy, but in all of my trips there, I have never found what I went there to look for. For example, I am looking for some bolt-on wheels in 700c with alloy clincher rims. When I go in, all I ever see are mismatch wheels, and nothing but the cheapest derailleurs/brakes. I'm not opposed to paying a fair market value for items, but I suspect they get stripped out by resellers who take the better items to Ebay.

I've been to one of the co-ops up in Minneapolis once and was very impressed that they have a section with nicer parts at fair prices, just a little below Ebay prices. I so wish we had that locally.