I see room for both to thrive.
For each one of us mega-enthusiasts, there are one hundred recreational type riders. These are people either just getting into the sport or the type that need to have someone else do their wrenching. In my opinion this is where a good LBS can have its niche and get a piece of the pie. I'm sure that the internet has hurt LBS business substantially, but businesses have to be able to adapt to ever-changing market conditions.
I see the online retailer business growing particularly with those of us that know exactly what we want and just need to find the least expensive way to get it. We don't need to sit on a bike with 3 different stem lengths and ask a shop employee a bunch of questions to know that we need a 70mm stem. I can find the exact stem that I want and have a comprehensive price comparison in about 30 seconds online.
Where I've found LBS's lacking in my area is the selection. I would way rather buy something in person at a bike shop, but the "I don't have it, but I can order it" routine gets old. I needed a crown race setting tool for a 1.125" fork today and after going to 3 shops I just decided to go to Home Depot and try using a 1.25" diameter piece of PVC pipe. I'm not expecting a LBS to have everything, but after a few times of not having something that I'm looking for I'm going to go to the place where I know I can get it.
FYI: PVC pipe doesn't work well as a crown race setting tool.
For each one of us mega-enthusiasts, there are one hundred recreational type riders. These are people either just getting into the sport or the type that need to have someone else do their wrenching. In my opinion this is where a good LBS can have its niche and get a piece of the pie. I'm sure that the internet has hurt LBS business substantially, but businesses have to be able to adapt to ever-changing market conditions.
I see the online retailer business growing particularly with those of us that know exactly what we want and just need to find the least expensive way to get it. We don't need to sit on a bike with 3 different stem lengths and ask a shop employee a bunch of questions to know that we need a 70mm stem. I can find the exact stem that I want and have a comprehensive price comparison in about 30 seconds online.
Where I've found LBS's lacking in my area is the selection. I would way rather buy something in person at a bike shop, but the "I don't have it, but I can order it" routine gets old. I needed a crown race setting tool for a 1.125" fork today and after going to 3 shops I just decided to go to Home Depot and try using a 1.25" diameter piece of PVC pipe. I'm not expecting a LBS to have everything, but after a few times of not having something that I'm looking for I'm going to go to the place where I know I can get it.
FYI: PVC pipe doesn't work well as a crown race setting tool.