-=> Quoting Ray Shannon to Ken Peck <=-
 KP> Probably the best clue though is to see who hangs out in the shop and
 KP> has is been around for a while.  If you see a bunch of racers
 KP> frequenting the place, the folks probably know their business and are
 KP> fair and honest.  Those who aren't won't last and the racers will avoid
 KP> the place like the plague. 
 KP> Granted, you may be treated like a total nerd . . . but they will take
 KP> your dollar and give you fair return.
 RS> Most of the Cycle shops around the San Antonio area are small,
Surely there are some good, reputable shops in San Antonio.  Why don't you go
to one of the many rallies or club rides there and ask around?
 RS> unknown, and usually located in small strip malls and maybe have one or
 RS> maybe two people working there. I have seen a couple of the proprieters
 RS> that seem to be knowledgeable on the subject and will take time to
 RS> talk to you at least. The Fancy competition style bikes are never
Sounds a bit like Bicycles Outback.  A small bike shop will usually not have
either low or high end bikes in stock.  In either case, they lack the volume
of sales of those bikes to warrant the inventory cost.  Even in a big bike
shop like Richardson Bike Mart in Dallas, the inventory of high end bikes
will be limited because typically those end up being special order anyway to
get the best fit for the customer and the exact components the customer
wants.  (If you're spending a few grand for a bicycle, you're not going to
settle for what happens to be on the floor.)
 RS> there. I guess the owners can't afford to keep their finances tied
 RS> up in the multi-million Dollar Pizzaz types.
Right.
 RS> There is a multitude of Department type stores or whatever that have
 RS> lots of the ToysRus type Bikes but I haven't seen any that cater to
 RS> the Racers or competition Riders. They may be out there somewhere
 RS> but in my feeble travels I haven't seen them.
Stay away from the department type stores.  They are bad news.  You won't
find any that cater to racers or competition riders; and you won't find any
such riders patronizing them.
    ===  ==== =   _@
    Ken Peck +  _ \<._
    =========  (_)/ (_)   Kenneth_Peck@clr.com
... Let your stewardship define your work.  S. Ignatius
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