Quote Originally Posted by pooks View Post
ETA: Just as Indy's friend thinks she's getting good service at that horrid shop. When you first start out, you simply don't know. It's possible that I've found an LBS I can trust -- the one that likes my Brooks and told me my bike is too small, which I've "known" for a long time but nobody had actually told me that, so I figured I was wrong.
Pooks, that's why I go back to my original comment--that it pays to have some independent knowledge. While I love my friend to death and think she's a strong cyclist, she doesn't know a whole lot about bikes. In her defense, she is in school full time and works part-time. She likely doesn't have as much time on her hands as I do. But the fact remains that she has not put herself in a very good position to make an educated decision about the quality of the shop.

I agree with the comments, too, that it takes time to develop a relationship with a shop, but you'll be able to figure out relatively easily whether a particular LBS is even interested in developing a relationship with you. Ironically, I loved the guy I bought my bike from. He spent a lot of time with me finding a good bike and in tweaking it so it was speced to my liking. Unfortunately, however, I have found it difficult to develop any rapport with the store's maintenance staff and I don't particularly like the owner. So, while I stop in every once in a while to say hi, I don't bring my bike there for repairs and, consquently, I don't buy much gear there either. I don't feel obligated to shop there just because it's where I bought my bike.

Instead, I have a better relationship with two other shops--one of which is where I had my fitting. Great guys; great atmosphere. The other shop is where I bought my hybrid. I've since gotten to know the manager and maintenance guys. While I can't commend them for their fitting and sales, I do like them for repairs.

I know some people are so loyal that they only go to and buy from one shop. However, I have found it more helpful to be a self-described "bike shop flirt."