I'd like to weigh in on Empire. I live in Poway and use them frequently. I like the shop and have always got very good customer service from them. I would recommend them. They are small with limited inventory, but they always help. One time I took a Nashbar frame into them to ream and face the headtube and they charged a very reasonable amount. Even though the frame was mail order, they we very friendly about it without any of the attitude that I have had from other bike shops.

They do cater to casual cyclists, and consequently you don't get any of the primadonna attitude you get from shops that like to cater to racers/triathaletes.

Thumbs up on Empire in Poway.