Bike Shop, Fantasy vs. Reality

Hey All:

Time passes slow when you are stuck in your house covered by a stroke and 18 inches of new snow...so I got to thinking about work, when would I go back, could I ever go back etc. etc. Then I started writing a business plan, a real live business plan for my very own bike shop for women, and their spouses, and their kids. My question what would you put into YOUR very own bike shop??? For bikes I am thinking about carrying a Bianchi line, a Trek line, (although they might compete very closely), hubby wants Colnago, and possibly Felt. How about clothing??? Shoes??? Bags??? Anything that would go into YOUR shop would be welcome in mine.

Since I live in New England I would have to open a winter sports line so I am thinking about cross country ski and snowshoe equipment. Not mention healthy parkas and the likes. This to help pay the rent when bike sales dive in the fall!!

This has always been a dream of mine, but lately it seems like it could be a possibility...any takers???


karen

I would carry Sheila Moon clothing - made by a cyclist for cyclists.

Can I get a job????
Seriously, I am looking for a retirement job as of June 07. Other than that, make sure your shop has a range of clothing sizes. I am frustrated when I can't find my size in a shop, even though I know the company makes it. And the x country ski thing is a perfect complement. Snowshoes, too.

Robyn

I'll take a job too. I was a damn good bike mechanic 1973-1976. I've only got 30 years of progress to catch up with! Great ideas, Karen. Keep dreaming and planning.

Your both HIRED...

Surlygirl does not know it yet but she is going to be my HR rep. Although she calls herself Surly she is by far the nicest person I know!! ;)


I had already thought about snowshoes...does anyone know how to fit them? If I remember right it was a long process when I bought mine.




karen

I can even fit the old 13x30 flat bearpaws. Used to make the bindings myself. The new ones are just a matter of fitting your boot size to the binding and getting the proper flotation for your body+pack weight. And knowing where you'll snowshoes.

I know ya'll may laugh - but make the stuff easy to find. There are times at my LBS I can't tell if I'm looking at women specific, men specific or unisex clothing, shoes, whatevers. oh - and the changing room to try stuff on: is the same room the guys use as their toilet.....could we have a seperate changing room? and a website so those of us out here at the other end of the country can support our SCA!!

so: you're covered in 18" of snow?? aren't you cold??? or is it those awesome mitts from SK keeping you warm?



oh oh oh oh oh.....I think you should carry some of those Assos Bib Tights for women too!! ;)

and an AWESOME return policy on seats!! and my LBS offers lifetime free maintainence on any bike purchased from them. It's just the basic maintainence but what a selling tool for mechanically challenged or single women! plus they'll come to you for all their other mechanical needs since ya'll are already taking care of their bikes.

for a lifestyle section, try if you can retail Rapha.

http://www.rapha.cc/

never bought any of that stuff but it looks sooo classy.


also, the ultimate decoration object: a vintage bike store just opened close to my house. I believe it is the current fashion among the "really cool people" hereabouts to ride vintage road bikes.
saw this very shiny vintage road bike with campagnolo record (!) gruppo, hanging in their window.

Apart from the major retail chains (REI, etc.), I have had a devil of a time trying to find XC ski equipment in the Greater Boston area. Even the chain stores had sold out of most of their merchandise by Christmas, and of course, none could offer any expertise at all in selection or fitting.

As for bike stuff, an extensive selection of women's clothing is always a plus. I would also be interested in a store that could cater to women's informational needs (sort of like this board): for example, links to mtb and road skills classes for women, perhaps bike maintenance clinics, bike fittings, etc.

The notion of a bike store catering (wholly or partly???) to women's bike lines sounds like a riskier proposition to me. While I own one WSD bike (my mtb), I was not entirely sold on the concept initially, and even now I might hesitate before buying from a shop that was too narrowly restricted to the 'women's-only' segment of the market. I have the luxury of an exceptionally well-stocked LBS in my vicinity (Belmont Wheelworks), and while I don't always love the attitude I seem to pick up from many of their employees (actually, I rather hate it), I do value their selection and expertise.

In terms of bikes, I do love the pizazz of Specialized (my mtb) and Cannondale (my road bike). Both have women's lines, although I have never tried the C'dale in a women's frame. If you do go the WSD route, at least stock plenty of bright, flashy colors! No dainty pastels, please.:cool:

From someone who has done a bit of research here let me tell you.. You may WANT to carry a certain brand, but that doesn't mean they will sell to you or let you become a dealer. It's very political out there. Sort of a nightmare actually. "well if your gonna carry so and so then you can't carry us".. I think it's gotten worse the last few years. I've notcied that the new shops have a harder time picking up multiple brands, but the older shops seem to carry multiple brands? That may also have something to do with a long term reputation as well.
There is a great shop in the San Fran area that caters to women. It's called See jane Run. You might want to check out their website.
I'd say the one thing I'd like to see beside a huge selection is a NICE welcoming staff. A staff that makes you feel comfortable when you enter the store. There is a big local chain here in the Phoenix area that I avoid like the plague because they are so arrogant. They seem to look down their nose at me. Thats why I love Trisports in Tucson so much. Even though they carry high end stuff they are nice and helpful! I actually drove 2.5 hours to buy my bike, and didn't mind in the least bit. It's all about service! Provide it and a decent price and you'll be golden!

Running Mom...

The competition to get brands around here will also be very tough. I know you have to play the you- can't -sell -that -because -so -and -so -sells- it game et. nauseaum. I think I would have to research the western part of the state some more...hence the plan:D It sure is great to get all the feedback tho, something is missing in every shop fer sur!!

I don't think I'd lock into specific WSD...but that would be a big part of the shop. I do like the Cannondale, people are very loyal to it...don't tell my DH
but I think LeMond is also a good female line and I hear rumor they are going to do a carbon frame for next year?!?


karen
ps-Corsair, you are in charge of all things tights and how one wears 'em!

If I setting up a DREAM SHOP, I would carry Specialized road and mountain bikes, Cannondale, Colnago, Lightspeed, but I would also want to be an authorized dealer for custom bikes like Landshark, Kish, Caffey, Holland, Seven, Serrota, Niner, Gunnar etc. I would carry a number of different clothing lines - for different price ranges and sizes - Nema, Pearl I, Sugoi, Assos, Fox, and all sorts of components and equipment....

The reality? Unless I have millions of dollars to spend so I can buy and carry the product, it's never going to happen. Plus I agree there is this whole political thing abut what bikes shops can carry. Where I live shops are now force to be Trek only or Performance Only. Only the little shops can carry the other brands but then don't have the money to do that. Specialized is not really carried anywhere in the OC/CA area so they are going to open their own shop. Nema (my favorite brand of MTB clothing) had to open a warehuse shop as well. What's happening out there????

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Originally Posted by massbikebabe

Your both HIRED...

Surlygirl does not know it yet but she is going to be my HR rep. Although she calls herself Surly she is by far the nicest person I know!! ;)

karen

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Wow, I just tuned in and I'm in HR. So I think you ought to open the shop on the future bike trail. The Worcester to Providence. Somewhere where you get the road traffic and the rail trail traffic too. Then you also get the cross country skiers too in the winter. Is Brian going to be the mechanic? I think CorsairMac should come out to the opening and do the modeling for the Assos bibs. She can be our runway model! :D :D :D
Count me in woman!

And if you decide to carry a tri line I'd carry Elites. That is my dream bike, well besides the oh so sexy looking Orbea's. Elite is a smallish company in Philly and they are FAB w/ their customer service! In my next life I'm going to have one custom made for me w/ a sweet little aloha themed paint job. :D
I think it was Cervelo that said they "aren't currently looking for new dealers" ( insert snooty guy w/ nose in the air).

How about some of those funny bike jerseys and the socks that you can only find on the internet? I seem to see the same styles in every store.

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Originally Posted by luv'nAustin

How about some of those funny bike jerseys and the socks that you can only find on the internet? I seem to see the same styles in every store.

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Yep luv'nAustin is right - most bike shop apparel for women = boring.

Hmmm, I think a tri-line might work...

don't recall seeing much tri stuff in this area. I too am "hoping" for Specialized but I think that may be unrealistic as there are many Specialized dealers close to me. I do like there products, especially clothing and mtn. bikes. I would love to open a shop that has fashionable clothing and not having a team name splayed across my bosom...that would be cool:D I think I would also offer larger sizes for large size riders, and limit the European size clothing to those who ask.

Anyone who has offered to work for me is hired...see Surly!!!

Corsair: Runway model...you go woman:p

Surly your location choices are awesome...we will have to get out there and ride soon as possible to find a site!!:D

karen

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Originally Posted by Trekhawk

Yep luv'nAustin is right - most bike shop apparel for women = boring.

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That's surely the case here. Not only is it boring, but the selection is teeny. I have this wild idea that if women knew they could look a-ok while riding, they might put more time on their bike. Moreover, even tho I have to change once I get to the office, I think that when my bike clothing is nice-looking that it confers more legitimacy, maybe not the best word, or something to my choice to commute by bike, which isn't common here, esp. for women. I just find that management and others seem to respond more positively when I'm wearing nice looking bike-specific gear than when they see me in grungier street/commuting gear.

/s

Hey Karen,
How about TE east coast division? See if Susan wants to expand her horizons! I do all my shopping here because there isn't anything in the bike stores around here.

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Originally Posted by massbikebabe

Corsair: Runway model...you go woman:p

Surly your location choices are awesome...we will have to get out there and ride soon as possible to find a site!!:D

karen

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more like "run-a-way" model! ;)

I think having a bike shop right on a bike path is an Awesome idea!!

Lemond bikes are made by Trek so if you're going to carry Trek, you should have no problems carrying Lemond.

Specialized changed their "sales" tactic this year just as an FYI. My LBS was a Trek/Specialized dealer but no more. Spec is requiring all their dealers to maintain a certain amount of inventory and is dictating the type of inventory the LBS can carry. For some of the little guys like mine, it was too big a inventory to have on the books and Spec wouldn't work with them so they dropped the line and picked up Gary Fisher instead.

[QUOTE=CorsairMac]more like "run-a-way" model! ;)

ROFLMAO. As always you made my day. My kids are always asking me what I'm laughing at and I usually say, It's CorsairMac giving me my daily funny. :D

One thing I'd like to see is a more varied selection of sizing. It always seems that when most people think bike clothes they think of small svelte women. :rolleyes:

We all come in different shapes and sizes. I have friends who are short but stout who won't wear bike clothes because they can't find any... then there are those like me who are tall and big who also have a hard time finding stuff... And ordering online doesn't always help since you never know if what you're ordering will even fit. There are return policies but making sure things are repacked correctly and shipped back can take up valuable time when there isn't alot available already.

Unfortunately there isn't always the option for those who are not common sizes being able to drop by the LBS and grab something if you forget it for a ride. :p

Mel

Karen,
Here is the link for the bike path.
www.blackstoneriverbikeway.com/about.php
Now all we have to do it place markers on all the existing bike shops and pick a hole in the route.

Trek/Lemond/GF/Klien is one vendor. If you're a trek dealer, you're going to have trouble carrying anything else (bike wise) other than perhaps a custom brand like Seven. Not to mention the margins on bikes aren't that great.

The best idea I've heard of is a everything but bikes store. Components, pedals, clothing, etc, but no bikes. Way more profit, and more fun.

You can buy so many things cheaper on eBay now - you wouldn't want to compete with those items that do well there. I bought my clipless pedals, there, for example. But, the clothing I bought has been less succesful - I would have like to actually seen it and tried it on first. Another thing - a bike saddle rental, or check out, so we wouldn't all end up with a bunch of seats that we didn't like. You might offer an "on comission" rack.

Jamis bikes--woman-owned company.

And Breezers, to get women out on bikes who are afraid of dropped bars and the fast scene.

First I'll agree with Sydney_B: "I have this wild idea that if women knew they could look a-ok while riding, they might put more time on their bike." I did a 15-mile ride in Lancaster three years ago with my close friend and my husband's bike partner (hubby's knee was wonky, friend's wife didn't bike). She was surprised by the "cute" outfits in fun colors for women. Two years ago she rode a six-mile ride in Lancaster with me. We're getting her there!

Back to bike shops! What I like about my LBS:
* Friendly, informative, helpful, pleasant, respectful (vs. condescending). They make change for the meters; they adjust seats.
* Location: They are a mile or so from Forbidden Dr., one of the most popular trails in Philly (forbidden to traffic, that is), a block from the Valley Forge Trail, and across the street from a soft serve ice cream place.
* Three years of free (or cheap) annual tune-ups (or, three annual tune-ups) when you buy a bike.
* Local guide books for sale
* Bike rentals (or they used to)

They are also half ski shop, which probably pays the bills in winter! For a while they partnered with a local chain, now they do it themselves.

Even if this is a woman-oriented shop, some men's apparel might be good. Men's gloves fit me better than women's. Another woman poster mentioned she prefers men's jerseys because of her shoulders. Plus, it would give the men something to do.

I also wish my LBS had a wider selection of kid trailers, because we're in the market for one. I've seen good and bad about Burley, but would really like to compare. On the other hand, I don't like equating women and children. Every day in and out of my building I pass a portrait of Dr. So-and-So, Professor of Women's and Children's Diseases, 18XX. :confused:

Lots of accessories, to encourage customers to keep spending money -- men and women!

--SJ

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Originally Posted by tulip

Jamis bikes--woman-owned company.

And Breezers, to get women out on bikes who are afraid of dropped bars and the fast scene.

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Or the Trek Navigator or commuter series. Also good when your knees hit your tummy on the upstroke!

This is just such a cool idea!

--SJ

It is very competitive out there.

I'd suggest emphasizing fit and customer service. Fit the odd balls tall, short, fat, thin, short legs, long bodies, long legs, short bodies. It is easy enough to find a bike that fits if you are in the middle of the bell curve... Maybe partner with a local frame builder. And cool bikes for kids: road bikes and fs mtbs. Although my LBS doesn't stock many bikes that fit me, I do appreciate that they have women working there. I feel comfortable dealing with the women in the shop. The guys are ok, too.

Clothing for women! and the big guys! Don't we all like looking good when out on the road or trail! Most LBSes have a small inventory and yes I've got a lot of PI shorts already.

Allow demos of bikes. You might go far in winter renting the xc and snowshoes, as well as selling.

Best of luck with your dream. Hope it becomes a reality.

SKM

In the area of percentage of certain make bikes, Trek is talking about wanting their dealers to carry 80% of "Trek" in their store. They also own Gary Fisher and as mentioned Lemond, but I am not sure if they are included in the 80%. Plus they are beginning to open up Trek Concept stores even if it is near a Trek dealer. Besides the fact that Trek takes a nice percentage of sales from their dealers.

Some might call it good business but ideas like this would kill a smaller dealer and for that I call it greediness on the companies part. Just my opinion.

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Originally Posted by Jo-n-NY

In the area of percentage of certain make bikes, Trek is talking about wanting their dealers to carry 80% of "Trek" in their store. They also own Gary Fisher and as mentioned Lemond, but I am not sure if they are included in the 80%. Plus they are beginning to open up Trek Concept stores even if it is near a Trek dealer. Besides the fact that Trek takes a nice percentage of sales from their dealers.

Some might call it good business but ideas like this would kill a smaller dealer and for that I call it greediness on the companies part. Just my opinion.

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I totally agree!!! I don't see this as a good thing at all! Because of that I refuse partonize Trek (even though I own a Lemond and a Fisher - both bought before the "evil empire" acquired the companies).

Agree - I wouldn't want to *narrow* things to only women... the idea is that you're *expanding* the market to reach the people that the regular LBS isn't going to reach.
Trying to think like a marketer here: you want people to think they will be the special, individual customer and whatever their "special" situation - you will work with them.
To me, what's going to bring me back to a shop is listening to what I want and not filtering that through "this is how *I* define cycling." Don't inform me that I will want a road bike in six months so I might as well get one now; perhaps suggest that I try one, perhaps mention that this is what happens to many people... but if I want a hybrid, don't keep telling me I don't (especially if you haven't even asked me where I'm planning to ride!).
A bike shop simply can't compete with Wally World price wise so you have to offer something they can't.

Maybe TREK is a Starbuck's wannabe!:p :p :p :p :p :p :p

Oh lordy, a Trek store on every corner and still nothing in one I want to buy!

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Originally Posted by CorsairMac

more like "run-a-way" model! ;)

I think having a bike shop right on a bike path is an Awesome idea!!

Lemond bikes are made by Trek so if you're going to carry Trek, you should have no problems carrying Lemond.

Specialized changed their "sales" tactic this year just as an FYI. My LBS was a Trek/Specialized dealer but no more. Spec is requiring all their dealers to maintain a certain amount of inventory and is dictating the type of inventory the LBS can carry. For some of the little guys like mine, it was too big a inventory to have on the books and Spec wouldn't work with them so they dropped the line and picked up Gary Fisher instead.

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As I ride a Specialized and that is what my dealer carries among many others to cater as well as he can to the market, I asked a few questions. Maybe it is different in other areas or maybe they are getting down on the dealers that carry Trek but my dealer does not have any problem at all with them. He does not carry Trek, mainly because he wants the best selection he can give to his customers needs and Trek would not allow him that so his offerings in road, mtn, hybrid, & comfort bikes are: Specialized,Cannodale, Raleigh,Diamondback (a Raleigh Co.) Kestel, Lemond, Gary Fisher, Schwinn and maybe Univega for Hybrid.

In his honest opinion, with a Trek vs Specialized, he feels for the money you will get more value with the Specialized and from a catalog, he showed me a few examples.

Again, my research fell with this one dealer and it may be different elsewhere.

~ JoAnn

My DH and I are in the process of opening a shop and let me tell you, spend a lot of time on that business plan! A lot of small business go under because of a poor business plan. Either they don't create a good one or they don't follow it. It's extremely important to create a solid plan, one that is achievable.

I'm not sure how far along you are in your plan, but once you start putting $$ on your dreams, you'll quickly earn a whole new appreciation for your LBS. A lbs is NOT cheap in inventory, you need a decent amount of money to start with. You most likely will not be able to stock as much as what you initially plan.

Be sure you are not opening a bike shop just because you like to ride. You amount of time riding will drastically decrease because you'll be working 6-7 days a week, possibly 12 hours a day. You need to be a huge self starter, have a high drive for sales, ready to make a ton of sacrifices in your personal life for the business, also be prepared to failure. It sounds sad to say that, but you have to consider the ramifications if your business fails and decide if you're ready to accept that.

Here is a good site to read about starting a bike shop:

http://nbda.com/page.cfm?PageID=70

Man Trek sounds like a PITA to work with! I'll second the Jamis recommendation, they are nice bikes. I'd also like to add a Fuji rec. Okay, okay, I'm biased since I ride one, but honestly they make nice road bikes and in a stellar variety of sizes. I agree with the fun apparel crowd and also, make sure you have some cold weather stuff! It bites walking into a store that only has one style of tights for instance.

I think having a women's only store is a good idea, and I would definately frequent one. It would be far less intimidating for beginners and refreshing for the rest of us. I bet ladies would be willing to travel long distances to visit such a store too. Another men's item to stock would be shoes for us wide webfooters out here. ;-)

Offer classes on bike repair and riding.

And for the higher end, become a Luna shop, where women can check out the Lunas and order them if they get the bug (www.lunacycles.com)