Originally Posted by
Torrilin
QBP is one of the largest bike parts distributors in the country. Most bike shops have an account with them, and thus can get anything in their catalogue. Since Surly is part of QBP, their stuff is of course in the catalogue... so damn near every shop in the country can get their stuff.
Now that doesn't mean that all shops will be helpful about doing a special order... but they *can* do one.
I had never seen a Surly at my LBS, but when I asked, they were very glad to order one for me. Almost every bike shop is considered a Surly dealer, but few stock these bikes in their showrooms. They had it in less than a week, and made me a good deal as well. They knew what I could get it online for, as I had told them. I was glad to order locally, as they help me accessorize it with fenders, blinkies, aerobars, and even swapped tires and brake pads to get me the ones I wanted (Schwalbe Marathons and KoolStop salmons). Once the owner witnessed the quality and value, he was talking about stocking one or two in his shop. Several had asked about my Surly hanging up before I had come in, and he already had the tires sold that he had removed from my LHT complete.