i think it must be said that there's something about the LBS that's akin to the totally out of touch record store guys in High Fidelity.

I was just looking at an 03 Fuji Roubaix at an LBS and it was taken as a personal insult when I pointed out that they were charging $1099 for last years model that Performance is clearing out for $699. The LBS has my size (a 64cm) but that's about all they have that i want to deal with because this attitude of bitterness is nothing to do with me.

I know this isn't totally on topic, but I think it relates in the way the LBS ppl think you have to come to them and deal with them on their terms because they know more about bikes. How about knowing something about business and service?

My advice is to do like I do with fancy car stereo stuff - use the LBS for what they're good at: advice and tune-ups and then use the internet for shopping because the LBS can't compete and it doesn't seem like they even want to.

Sad situation admittedly, but I'm not in good enough shape financially to let this guy put me on last years bike for more than this years model plus the promise that I'll get a new helmet and some shoes at the same time so I can do them the favor of getting their profit margin back up for the total sale. Wait 'til I tell them how much their helmets are really selling for outside the cave....