In my area there's only one performance LBS that sells tri-bikes, but I'm finding they really don't know much about them, especially in regard to fitting. The bulk of their business is mountain and road bikes. That's true of the LBS's in neighboring towns as well. When I do purchase my new bike it will likely be an internet purchase, but that also has its share of stress. It's not that I don't want to buy from the LBS, but they only carry two brands which don't really interest me. And even if they did have preferable brands, it's unlikely they'd have the size and model I'd want for a test ride. To be honest, if BD came out with a tri bike I liked, I'd probably jump all over it. (at 73° in an aero position I'd be miserable).

Do triathlon shops exist out there? That would be ideal, a local shop that sells triathlon products from all three sports, and has trained fitters. Maybe it's too narrow of a market though. (Yet we have these running shops that do nothing but sell running shoes and seem to do just fine.)

Just curious what y'all think about this market, where you prefer buying, and where you think the industry is headed.