Quote Originally Posted by moderncyclista View Post
Agreed.

Motobecane used to be a good name in the 1970's, can't say much for the manufacturer that bought out that name. You are safer going with the Trek and more likely to get quality components, which really frickin' count. Seriously.
The components on the Montebecane are not low end or appreciably different than what you would find on a Trek. That doesn't mean I think there are no pros to buying a bike at an LBS, but I don't subscribe to the belief that local shops are the end all be all. It SO depends on the shop and the customer. We do most of our maintenance at home, so getting a free tune up isn't a selling point. Fittings are valuable, but they don't come for free in my neck of the woods.