12XU

Yeah, in some cases our wholesale is close to what some people are selling things for online. The Bell/Giro rep keeps calling us and begging us to restock the line, but when you can get EVERY 2007 helmet in the line at nearly wholesale prices...umm why would we do such a foolish thing?

That's why we most often go with brands that protect vendors against online sales. Trek, Nike, Bontrager, etc all forbid online sales. Also, in general, their products are definitely comparable if not far beyond competitors in R&D and value.

Telix

Your first mistake was going into Bikeworks and thinking you were going to avoid ridicule. The guy is opinionated and pretty crazy, but he knows his **** and does NOT LIKE the current trend of converting old road bikes into single speeds. That's his opinion and he's entitled to it.

However, his usual state of mind is prick mode and you are best served learning from him by attending workshops or simply avoid him altogether. I've pieced my knowledge together, as rudimentary as it is, from the Internet and repair manuals. There isn't anything Bruce is going to do for you that you aren't going to eventually be able to do for yourself with the patience and practice and tools. (By the way, the bike co-op in Chambana offers usage of tools with membership. They have workshops as well.)