I'm all in favor of supporting the LBS but when they ignore you and dismiss you because you're older (55) and just getting back into riding, you tend to get turned off. I went to three shops to buy a new bike and they all tried to sell me a hybrid commuter bike which I didn't want. I saw a cyclocross bike on BD and fell in love, ordered it ,and got it in three days and I didn't have to put up with the snottiness. After more research, I don't think these bikes are half price but are about a third less than the comparables I looked at. I am enjoying the bike. I still try to buy all my accessories form the local bike shops.