Originally Posted by
bizzz111
as I've said before, your average bike shop hates commuters. They want you to buy a $3k roadbike and a $250 jersey, not a $400 hybrid bike and a $30 basket.
Around here, the attitude which some shops fronted has changed. One shop in particular used to cater specifically to the high-end racing crowd (whether it was road or off-road.) Now they have a wide selection of mid-priced bikes for everything from recreational cruising and errands to all-weather serious commuting along with their previous selection of carbon fiber featherweights and long-travel full-suspension dream machines.
Even my favourite LBS is starting to carry more "reasonably priced" commuter gear and ready-to-roll commuter bikes (floor stock with fenders, dynohub, rack, etc.), not just the high-end custom randonneuring items.