1. What if your must have item besides a bike?
Reliable, good customer service.

2. What do you look for as a woman in a bike shop?
Clothing cut for women, but a range of sizes and styles. I'm sorry. I'm a small, short woman. I do wear X-tra small /small sizes. Also range of different cycling shoes for women. Latter item is real headache sometimes since I don't wear clipless cycling shoes. I wear a slip downed version of a mountain bike shoe.

ANd don't assume that alot of women like wearing pink/pale blue accessories. Experienced cyclists will buy and wear clothing that makes them visible. at night/grey days.like the bright yellows and neon greens. I wear that stuff (and by coincidence look good, probably because i have black hair.)

3. Are you "sold" on items in the shop or do you do your studies and know what you want?
I tend to look around first especially for larger ticket items.
Or read up on stuff. But once I know my options, I will buy immediately. if I see something on-target. Even if I'm just cycle touring in a strange city. I know how rare certain retail items are, for female cyclists.

4. What service in your local bike shop is a "must have"

Self-service for pumping your own wheels. Hrs. that are realistic....don't close at 5:00 pm. Some people can't get home from work until abit later. Information about local cycling events, groups.


5. Is it important to you to be treated as a female cyclist for clothes, bikes, accessories.
Yes. enough said.

6. Are you attracted to other items in a shop besides cycling items, such as high end strollers, natural body care/sunscreen/salves or would you be if they were available.

Not sure if I would buy body lotions in a bike shop. Other places offer a broader range of indulgent body lotions/fragrances. Maybe sunscreen would be a good idea, particular if your bike shop is in a touristy area.

You might want to consider carrying a broader range of lycra headbands..I'm finding it a pain to find any of this stuff. I don't want/need fleecy headband under my helmet. Just a lycra with some cotton is fine. But some awful and expensive polyester headbands are out on market.