We have a semi-local bike co-op. They have lots of things that are almost impossible to find in the "big name" LBS's. Better yet, they have bins of used stuff that they are willing to give you for a fraction of ordering and waiting.

In an older part of town there is a nice little shop that deals in used bikes, I try to buy what I can there. My main problem with the mainstream LBS's here is that they are either indifferent or just plain rude, as I have experienced many times when looking for both modern or vintage parts.

Recently I needed some silver brake cable and STI housing for my Litespeed. I went into a high end LBS, told the clerk what I needed and he promptly tried to get me to buy a complete packaged cable set for a ridiculous price. I neither needed or asked for that, I asked for cable housing. Finally he relented and let me speak to the mechanic, who gave me what I wanted. I resented being steered toward a higher priced item as they ignored my request for a lower priced item.

I am in the process of doing a new build, so far nothing has come from the LBS, though I do need some more cable housing........

There are some bike shops nearby here that do a pretty good job of knowing, and servicing their customers.

Unfortunately, I am not one of those customers, or I would patronize them more.

I understand that these shops need to stock the stuff that moves, and brings in the bucks - like the carbon fiber and comfort bike stuff, but for me, shopping there is like shopping at the liquor store for my groceries.

Suddenly I feel very lucky to have worked at the shop I did, working on the bikes I worked on. It was very common for me to overhaul a cottered BB in the morning, clean and adjust NR at noon and spend the evening overhauling an AW and relacing it into a new alloy rim. I tried hard to accommodate our customers, but the owner's chaotic shop "skills" and his hit-and-miss approach to paychecks eventually drove me out. I'd love to buy the business from him and run it right, it is a cash cow waiting to happen.

I think also that for C&V folks, bike shops aren't going to be as helpful as we'd like. They are a dwindling crowd in terms of sales in comparision to the newer and fancier models. I would guess that more C&V people are more knowledgeable and able to repair their bike than the newer crowds. C&V is a less profitable and business sustaining model than modern bikes in my opinion.

I wish it wasn't so, but I think it's closer to reality on this. It's probably easier to sell the newest and greatest with a higher percentage of chance to sell than it is an older part that fewer and fewer need each year.