I am a big supporter of small local businesses. It makes me sad when chains come in and drive my favorites out of the market. That said, there is a line between store loyalty and settling for something that is not right solely because it is carried at the local store.

When I bought my road bike I bought it at a store about 15 minutes away rather than at the store 2 blocks away. They aren't a specialized dealer and they do not have as much selection as the road bike specialty store I went to. They have good products, just limited selection due to space contraints.

I do try to throw as much business to the local shop as I can. I bought my campus peddles and my kickstand from them (for my hybrid), my kids' bikes, probably my dh's bike will be from there, and we use them for service on everything except for my road bike.