[Wonder Warthog]

"Thanks to republicans and democrats alike, in many communities, a Walmart may be the only opportunity available to some people after the local bicycle shops closed due to pricing competition."

Yeah, SUUURRREEEE they did. Bike shops serve a completely different (upscale) market than Wal-Mart. They have faced exactly the same "price competition" from Sears, JCPenny and numerous other "el-cheapo bike" retailers.

[razorback-bert]

Just think of all the wreaks that were ridden in the 1950's. I and my friends all rode Sears(some from the catalog),Western Auto,Montgomery Ward and other discount stores of the time. Not one ever saw the inside of a bike shop, if something broke, our fathers or brothers fixed them.

[Havoc]

Yeah, SUUURRREEEE they did. Bike shops serve a completely different (upscale) market than Wal-Mart.

Oh bunk! Bike shops don't serve an "upscale" market. The shops in my community served everyone on bikes from entry level to absurdly expensive. The one remaining bicycle shope in town stays alive on repairs and replacement parts for models not in stores any longer.