Dream Bikes

[pyxichick]

If you decide to be a Trek shop, chances are they won't want you to also sell all those other cool bikes and accessories. Besides, there are plenty of Trek shops in town. Go for brands that not a lot of other stores carry.

Surly is good because it's local.

Cheers,
Kate

[stella]

If you decide to be a Trek shop, chances are they won't want you to also sell all those other cool bikes and accessories. Besides, there are plenty of Trek shops in town. Go for brands that not a lot of other stores carry.

I agree...in my experience, trek can come down pretty hard on shop owners re: what other brands you can/cannot stock. the same goes for specialized re: accessories (such as cyclo computers, helmets, gloves).

do you have a specific market you are going after?

one shop I worked at did an excellent business carrying brands that the other shops didn't carry:
kona, bianchi (they make some nice wsd bikes PLUS touring and commuters);
independent fabrication; riv bikes; surly; circle A (great steel framed bikes); jamis (hit many different price points PLUS made hybrids at a good price); raleigh;

clothes:
terry, nalini, sugoi, castelli, exte ondo, showers pass jackets, PLUS the idea of designing your own jerseys--excellent idea!

accessories:
brooks saddles
carradice bags
bailey works messenger bags (jonathan bailey is very reasonable to work with!)
topeak

I could keep going...but I better stop...