Tiff: You will learn that Performance is not a shop for the uninformed. If you know what you need and they have a good price, good go there, otherwise no reason to darken their doors. Not certain which Performance you went to - I'm assuming Huntington Beach. Try Discovery Cycle next door. They don't have all that much either but the Staff is friendly. Also have you been to King's Cycle in Seal Beach?

Performance is basically a big (in fact the biggest) catalog store. Employees are very low paid and not particularly knowlegeable. For me - its a place to find deals on tires, clothing and gear. There are lots of nice little bike stores out there I rather give my money to.