LBS question

[li10up]

He's already doing the most important thing - actually talking to the women. I'll bet a lot of women are basically ignored in LBSs until they walk up to a cash register with item in hand.

Also, sponsoring a Women's Clinic would be a good idea. The LBS here did that last year and it was a HUGH success. They expected about 40 people and ended up with about 200. It was a mtn. bike clinic. They had you rotate through stations. There were bike handling skills, ie. learning how to bunny hop over logs, maintenance skills, etc. Even had a pro racer at the clinic who gave a talked to us and did trail rides with us. It was very cool. They are doing it again this year.

[SouthernBelle]

He's already doing the most important thing - actually talking to the women. I'll bet a lot of women are basically ignored in LBSs until they walk up to a cash register with item in hand.

Also, sponsoring a Women's Clinic would be a good idea. The LBS here did that last year and it was a HUGH success. They expected about 40 people and ended up with about 200. It was a mtn. bike clinic. They had you rotate through stations. There were bike handling skills, ie. learning how to bunny hop over logs, maintenance skills, etc. Even had a pro racer at the clinic who gave a talked to us and did trail rides with us. It was very cool. They are doing it again this year.

Very cool. I'm a roadie but would like to learn some of that stuff as my old bike would do well on trails if I fatten the tires a bit.

[pooks]

I'm wondering if some of the women who are uncomfortable are uncomfortable about their size. That has been brought up in other discussions on this site -- larger women worrying that people will think they're crazy/stupid to want to get on a bike at "their size," whatever that size is. Offhand I can imagine that a display of photos of people on bikes (possibly people in that area if possible) that shows all different kinds and sizes of people riding might be reassuring.

Also, I'm kind of on the border between XL and 1X clothes and it's hard to figure out what to buy. It's even harder when an XL in one cycling brand is a size 12 (!!!) and in another it's (hopefully) more realistic. The man at the LBS motioned toward the women's cycling clothes and said, "Eventually you may want to invest in cycling clothes, most people prefer them," and he explained the reasons in general. I was aware that his "eventually" could be interpreted as "when you've been cycling longer" or "when you're read to invest more money in the sport" or "if you've lost weight," since he probably wondered if I'd fit in anything he had. It was a tactful way of handling it.

HOWEVER -- if I had a bike shop one thing I would do in addition to having whatever kinds of cycling clothes I could affort to stock is have printouts of websites or brands to give people. I'd probably have them arranged in a file where people could fish their own out, or in a notebook where each printout was in a different clear plastic sleeve, and I would make it a point to include and find a way to indicate those that have "plus" sizes for men as well as women. It's a way to acknowledge that not everybody is going to find what they want in the shop and you're trying to help them.

Edited to add: I'd also be ready to point out in a heartbeat that cycling clothes often run small, ahem.

[bikerchick68]

one of the things the local Trek store does that is really great is that they offer a beginners maintenance class every couple months. It's advertised in store and allows beginners to show up and learn the basics. Like how to change a flat, how to clean your chain, how to use a patch kit, how to release your brakes... and the names of the different bike parts...

LOTS of women show up to these... perhaps offer a womens bike maintenance class... ? Either way, it's a great way to help new riders feel comfortable and not feel "dumb" for not knowing everything automatically!

[Bruno28]

Offhand I can imagine that a display of photos of people on bikes (possibly people in that area if possible) that shows all different kinds and sizes of people riding might be reassuring.

I think that's a great idea.

Also, tell him not to automatically show the girls the pink cycling helmets when he's trying to sell them accessories ('specially when they've chosen a black bike -which might be a clue that they're not a girly girl). OK - I'm sure he wouldn't do that but I just had to vent about my recent experience in my LBS.

[pooks]

And what did you say when he showed you the pink helmet?

[Bruno28]

I said it was lovely and I bought it. I'm Scottish - we don't like to make a fuss. I'm now trying to palm it off on someone so I can buy a black one

[7rider]

I've often had the "Why don't you have more women's stuff?" conversation with my LBS - the owner of which happens to be a good friend of mine.
I think the fact is that many small shops (such as the one I go to) have a limited amount of floor space, and they stock what sells. So, until we get our sisters in the shops (and *ahem* off mail order), the smaller shops will cater to the ones who plunk down the heftiest hunk of change.

That said, I think it would be helpful for a shop to park prominently in the front window two things: a woman's bike and a big ol' sign saying "Great new women's styles...on sale NOW!" At least that would cater to a few things near and dear to my heart: Gear, clothes, and "on-sale."

So, it's kind of a chicken and egg quandry: How do you get women in the shops, if there's nothing there for them, and how do you get shops with limited resources to stock items for a demographic who doesn't show up??