Broken Bike Shop Model?

[Gypsy]

Let me add one more thing!

I do browse online because I hate going into stores. I just don't like shopping, in general, it's not about bike shops in particular.

One of the things that I don't like about the local shops here is that they don't have prices or a lot of information on bikes on their website. Compare that to an online shop where you can browse and see prices and then, if you're feeling impulsive, you click on "buy now" and whoa! you made a purchase.

I'm sure that it's probably not feasible for local bike shops to have a strong online presence. But I do think that would help.

My local bike stores claim they have no drop rides or beginner rides, but again, they aren't real beginner rides. I had contacted the owner of one (I posted here about it) and supposedly it was a no drop ride, but they dropped us by mile 2. The SAG moped kept up with us for a while to make sure we were okay with a promise to ride with us the following week, and then took off with the rest of the group.

The store that has a friendly retail space also has workshops (for women, for fixing bikes, for fittings, and more) and is very friendly and open. I like them, except for a couple of things: they don't take American Express and they are relatively far away from me. But they have great sales on clothing (so I buy from them when I can) and their mechanics and staff are generally really friendly.

The store I did buy my bike from is more intimidating and the staff is mixed -- some is really worth their weight in gold, others... not so much. But their prices are high and they don't have as many options. I purchased from them because I like the distance from my house, I liked the bike, and they have a "club" that you join where you get an automatic discount of 15% if you pay $25 per year and you can participate in their "beginner" ride (yeah right).

[Owlie]

I have had a number of LBSes, just due to moving around a bit.

No matter how nice and helpful the staff is, it's really intimidating to go into a bike shop as a newbie, doubly so if you don't have a friend or significant other who knows at least something with you. I salute those of you who took it up on your own, because I don't think I could have done it. My Cincy-LBS is a very slick 'corporate' bike shop where people with lots of money and spandex go. And while some of the staff are pretty awesome, some of them make me want to bash my head against a wall.

The LBS where I bought my bike hosts two sets of group rides that are billed as beginner, from either of its locations. One is beginner-friendly on a nice paved bike path. The other is 30 miles in a very hilly area, with cobblestones! I never went on it because I didn't have a car to get there, but my friend did and she said it kicked her butt--and she regularly commuted to campus (with hills involved) by bike.

It's also much harder to comparison shop in a shop because there's no easy way to compare specs except by looking at the bike. Even then, the only places where the componentry levels are obvious is the rear derailleur and maybe the crank arm...and the manufacturers know this.

There's also the price thing. If you look around, you can find a number of bikes for less than LBS prices. (I admit it: I wish I had $600 lying around so that I could have picked up the Terry Symmetry in my size on Bonktown!)

[jyyanks]

I agree with most of the sentiments here, especially what Owlie posted.

My LBS is also intimidating and if you are not an experienced cyclist, it's hard to get their attention and even harder to ask questions without feeling like a total idiot. They are the biggest bike shop in the area (multiple stores) and are in a very ritzy neighborhood.

There is another small LBS by near me who is wonderful but they don't carry many brands. I only learned about the recently and tend to bring my bikes there for maintenance.

In my area, cycling seems to be a male dominated sport and unfortunately, many male cyslists in my area that I've run into have a very elitist attitude. These cyclists frequent LBS #1 and quite frankly, I hate going in there unless it's empty. They do have rides on weekends but they are not beginner friendly.

[zoom-zoom]

My take on it is people trying to get the most bang for their buck, ESPECIALLY in the current economy (I'm guilty of buying most of my bike clothes and running clothes/shoes online, because the stores that I do like to shop at are an hour away and most online retailers have free or cheap shipping and far lower prices).

Also...you don't know what you don't know. Were I not married to a self-professed bike geek I most likely wouldn't have ever bought a good bike (and would totally be missing out). Or I would have just looked for something cheap online. I'd have no clue about component quality or fit.

[Koronin]

The only thing I wish our new LBS would get is a wider selection of clothing, but they are new. They've been around for 6 months. On the other hand they do have a layaway plan as they do understand people can't just afford to buy a more expensive bike. They also have a facebook page and their own website. They've also tried to get more involved in the community by offering different classes and having movie nights as well as different lvl rides. For bike clothing we actually drive 2 hours to Raleigh to go to Performance. Now they do have a nice on line presence. I just don't like buying clothing without trying it on first.

[Owlie]

My take on it is people trying to get the most bang for their buck, ESPECIALLY in the current economy (I'm guilty of buying most of my bike clothes and running clothes/shoes online, because the stores that I do like to shop at are an hour away and most online retailers have free or cheap shipping and far lower prices).

Also...you don't know what you don't know. Were I not married to a self-professed bike geek I most likely wouldn't have ever bought a good bike (and would totally be missing out). Or I would have just looked for something cheap online. I'd have no clue about component quality or fit.

This too. DBF suggested I buy a Giant because a) he had one and loved it, and b) because they're good bang-for-buck. Except that he missed the part where they downgraded all the components between the time he bought his and now. (This was 2009, right after the economy tanked.) Oh, and that fit thing. I didn't know any better, and he only found out after the fact. Live and learn.

Clothing is another biggie. I've never bought much clothing from bike shops, because they don't carry what I like. I realize that men's shorts and jerseys are a far safer bet than women's for the shop; men make up the majority of the consumer base. Speaking of which, I think it's still much harder to go into a bike shop as a woman. It's almost always all men and there's a non-zero chance they treat you like an idiot. I certainly found it intimidating until I learned to speak bike, thanks to TE.

The other thing is that people don't want to put LBS bike-level money into something that they may use for one summer and then have sitting in the garage for the next five.

[ny biker]

The other thing is that people don't want to put LBS bike-level money into something that they may use for one summer and then have sitting in the garage for the next five.

Or if they only plan to ride around the neighborhood for 30-40 minutes once or twice a week.

Several of my co-workers have asked me for advice on buying a bike. Usually, they don't want to spend more than a couple of hundred dollars. I always tell them to check out an LBS anyway, and I direct them to a good one near where they live. Then I tell them at the very least to go to REI, because they have real bike mechanics. I also tell them that a bike that causes pain due to poor fit or never shifts right is a waste of money even if it was cheap.

Also, I have to say that threads like this remind me of how lucky I am. I just do not have the problems at my LBS that many people have.

[Biciclista]

Hey people buy things without knowing what they are getting into every day. People walk into walmart and buy bike shaped things every day. And for some of them, that $150 purchase is just what they needed. They ride once or twice, then leave it in the dust because they're bored with it or whatever.
Far worst to spend $1000 on that whim purchase. We know they're out there. One of my LBS's occasionally sells a custom bike that is OLD (like 25 years old) that was never ridden. They actually make custom bikes some times for people who are never going to ride the thing. Then the widow brings the bike in 25 years later wondering what it's worth.
The original buyer got an idea that he wanted a custom bike... And then he just forgot about it. It happens.

What I am writing here isn't to negate all the good feedback that is going back and forth on this excellent thread. But I want you to know that bike shops aren't failing as bad as many other businesses are. I am sure SOME are; but in some towns and cities they are flourishing. I have seen a lot more bikes in my town in the last 5 years. And some new bike shops that have lasted more than one year! progress!

[Kiwi Stoker]

I love how this thread is going.

Another issue I have notice, especially in NZ is the openeing and closing of bike shops. There's one particular bike importer who likes to open bike shops here and there, and in 8-12 months time closes them down. Please! How is the average person supposed to create a relationship of trust with a store when they flit off once "plundering" the sales in the area?

And the people who often open stores- well quite a few are former professional or elite level athletes. That doesn't mean they make a good bike shop owner. Basically they are satisfying their ego by being able to surround themselves with people and bikes (that's OK) but only so they can keep on riding the latest and greatest model, participate in the cycling industry and not so much for being a guiding hand for newbies. Their shop rides are for their buddies or to create a "club" around them. And worse if they have no business sense or no person skills. One store I know the owner was too nice, extended too mcuh credit to customers and didn't know how to handle the books. He ended up getting ripped off by the "manager" he employed, his wife took over the books and found out how bad a suitation they were in. Bike shop which was rather good now down the drain. So off DH and I go to find a new store we can build a level of trust in.

And often our cycle clubs are just as bad. When I was running membership of one club and answered people's enquiry emails I tried to be nice, but clear- our club wasn't for beginners. There was no way a new person could join our rides on any old bike, we didn't cater for them. And that's because no one was willing (except DH and I) to forgo their riding goals/training program to help people. You drop off the back- well I have to get home to go for a run, you have a puncture, well that ruins my heart rate zone! Almost everyone was so focussed one themselves it wasn't funny. That's why I loved a Veterans cycle club. Older people are not so goal focussed. Having to go slow to help someone complete a ride isn't the end of everything. The ride was more about being with friends.

We don't make things easy for people to join the cycling community (and I know its the same in running clubs etc), becuase we are often so focussed on ourselves and our goals, and cannot take time out to lend a hand on a a regular basis.

[jessmarimba]

I started comparison shopping online because I'm a tough fit on most "standard" brands and most shops around here only carry one or two of the smaller companies. If I was shopping for cars, I'd do the same thing.

But my experience when I went to look is similar to going to most car dealerships - I just get the feeling of "make her buy something HERE" and "upsell upsell upsell" - when maybe what you're selling isn't actually the best choice for me. I know you make money by selling me things, but if you steer me towards a better fitting bike elsewhere, I'll come back to your store for saddle, pedals, helmet, etc.

I bought both of my current bikes used (craigslist) because I wasn't pressured, no one tried to push me towards something I knew was wrong, and no one tried to force me onto a WSD. I walked out of the Trek Factory Store when a salesguy told me that the women's version of the bike I was trying would fit better...because I'd looked at their bikes before I went in and I knew that the geometry (the reach, in particular) was IDENTICAL for the WSD and gender-neutral bike.

And at the LBS that all of the guys seem to love no one ever looked at me twice, much less offered any help, until I came to them for mechanical work on a bike I'd already bought but that they happened to sell. I could've bought one there, but I guess I didn't look the part when I went to shop. (At least they're pretty awesome now, but they're lucky they got that second chance).