KnottedYet "I second what Trek said. "Buy" the bike shop before you buy a bike. I chose my LBS first. Then I chose a bike they carried. My relationship with my LBS has made all the difference in the world for my cycling."

I didn't say that, I should have thought of that but I didn't

I *heart* my LBS, both of them. One small shop that does all the work on my bkes but they carry very little in the way of "stuff" and nothing ever really goes on sale. Chris and Tims advice has saved me big bucks and time and they are great guys to hang around, more like a local pub than a bike shop, but without booze.

The other is closer to home, huge really. They stock everything and it's where I go if I need lights, tubes, energy drinks....