This is interesting, not least because my incoming bike is from a bike shop that I'd never used before (well not for bikes).

LBS1 - very local, my first bike came from there, but I never really felt much of a connection with the staff. I think their main target market is youth and mens road bikes.

LBS2 - rather less local, but hugely female and family-friendly. Go out of their way to help, and won't sell us something that isn't right. We've spent a lot of money there. On the negative side, it's too far/hilly to ride a bike there, and I can't always fit a bike into my car. They help us with that though by offering a collect/deliver service which is great for getting all the bikes serviced at the same time.

LBS3 - actually a hardware store with a bike shed out the back, within easy walking/riding/pushing distance. I knew they were a Dawes dealer so went to see if they had the mixte I wanted. They did. I had a test ride of a similar model (the mixte had cream tyres, it was raining...). They remembered the bike I liked when I went back in to put the deposit down 3 weeks later, and I get to pick it up on Friday (their wrench is part-time with another store). And their price was better than anywhere online, even with the various online sales. So we'll see, so far so good. I think there's a lot to be said for a good bike shop within walking distance.

I'm committed to shopping locally whenever I can, I really don't want to see bike shops disappearing from our High Streets. In return for that I expect good levels of service, stock and friendliness and I don't mind travelling a short distance (probably up to 45minutes).