It's OFFICIAL! I'm going to be an LBS owner!

[redrhodie]

Congratulations!!!

Will you have mechanics on staff? Make sure they're the best. It won't hurt if they're cute, too !

Make sure you carry enough mediums! I notice that the sales wracks are full of xl and xs sizes.

Try to have different brands from the other shops in your area.

Don't try to have everything for everyone, but it's great if you can order things you don't stock. I will often have my LBS order things I know I can get from a catalog myself, as they don't charge me shipping costs, which is a savings.

A water cooler and a clean bathroom would be really nice, especially if you're on a good cycling route.

Have fun!!!!

[Tri Girl]

Oh RM that's soooooo exciting!!!!

Ok- first I want to know what the name is going to be. I'm a name kind of gal and that always makes me want to walk into a store.

Everyone has said great things.
I would suggest giving a 10% discount to the local tri club members (discounts are good, and sometimes it draws more members into the club if they know they can get a discount at an LBS). It's the reason I shop at my favorite LBS as opposed to the one closest to my house (10% is a lot sometimes).

Also, since you're a woman in the biz- I think it'll make women feel more comfortable. I was intimidated in my favorite LBS the first time I went in because it was all guys. Then a woman came up while I was talking to the owner about a bike and she started talking to me and it put me at ease. Maybe that's dumb, but a woman's prescence (who knows what she's talking about) made me feel instantly comfortable.

Also- will you have a website. Cuz you KNOW we'd buy from you if you did!!!

And the hours- good point!!! My LBS is open 10-6 M-Sat. Great for him, but not so great for me. I can only ever go on Saturday (when I'd rather be doing something else). If his hours were 11-7, that would work out a little better for those of us who have to work later or drive farther to work. Just a thought.

One more thing: my LBS has weekly club rides from his store (once a week). The meet at the store 15 min. before it closes (gives riders time to buy those last minute things before the ride- like Clif bar or a spare tube).
Might be a good way to bring people in. Could be a family ride, or a roadie/tri ride. Or both!


I've got ideas, but don't want to be typing all day. I like that you'll ask the clubs what they'd like to see.

[Tuckervill]

Congratulations! My town could use a bike shop. I don't want to be tied to a retail establishment, but I've put some thought into opening one. It would have to sell used bikes, too, because people here will balk at a $250 bike.

I think sterling customer service is the first order of business.

Then a good mechanic.

Lots of variety of small parts that you can only get in big cities (ferrules, etc.) Display them.

Three bike shops were out of the proper size tubes we needed before our big ride a couple of weeks ago. How can you be OUT of tubes with Presta valves? Keep lots of them in stock--you KNOW when the local events are, so plan ahead for runs on popular items.

I second the thing about gloves. It's always hit or miss finding gloves I like and that fit.

I'm not too concerned about available jerseys because I've never been in a shop with good selection in all sizes. It's seldom anything I have to have right away, so I can order online. But having a selection in all sizes for the guy who came from out of town and forgot his jersey...that's good.

Don't be offended by the person who works on their own bikes, or let them believe you think their work is inferior to yours. It may be BETTER than yours. They'll never let you work on their bike anyway, but if you're nice to them they will buy parts from you.

A thing that is often overlooked--passive education for the bike-curious. Unlike my child who can tell the difference between Power Rangers by the color of their nose, many of us can't immediately see the differences between bikes when they're all lined up on the rack. A chart would be helpful, that describes the differences between road, mountain, hybrid, cruiser. All the maker's websites have something like that. Sometimes you have to hunt for it. Don't make me hunt for it. Charts that rank quality of components in some way. Don't make someone ask for basic information if they don't know. This is how you get new riders.

I think an education campaign would set you APART from all the other shops. Bike safety information. Options for riding with a child. How to change a flat and other DIY repairs. If you make it passive and graphical, you don't have to spend a lot of time on it, like you would if you did clinics, or had to answer the same questions over and over. Many people don't know what they don't know. Posters or pamphlets ("Which type of bike is right for you?" "How to Ride Safely on the Highway.") would be very helpful. MAPS of the local trails, not just "Oh, you mean the Merrymeet Loop?", like I got in Maine. (They didn't know the name of the streets, even though they were right on the loop.)

I would have spent hours in a shop that made information easy to get. The more time I spend in a shop the more likely I am to spend money there.

Oh, just lots of lots of LUCK to you! I wish for every success to come your way!

Karen