Attention all customers!

One of the reasons we try not to be too self-righteous around here is that we're chronic backsliders ourselves. Among the many minor transgressions is shopping for bike parts by catalog. Say what you will about finding the best price for the best parts, it's a zero-sum moral argument. You either support your local bike shop or you don't. The fact is, we think it's all-in-all a more companionable thing to hang at the local shop, learn some names, trade stories, pay full retail. With enough investment of time and cheap lager, you may eventually luck out and begin getting the "buddy" deal. (Do not ever request the buddy deal; that is bad form).

Anyway, we bring this up, because earlier this week Performance Bike was sold for untold tens of millions of dollars to a private equity firm. The little bike catalog company in North Carolina has grown to include more than 70 retails stores in 14 states, with revenues upward of $100 million per year.

We offer no judgement per se. We just want you to know where your money goes, when it doesn't go to that grungy but charming little LBS.