Difficult one. We have a store here that only sells accessories (no bikes), and I think that's a model worth exploring, catered to the gear junkie among us. (Yes, I admit it freely, I am a gear junkie). Internet link sounds like a nice idea, but I fear customers will only use it to check with online stores and then get grumpy because the prices in my store are higher. They can do that on their iPhones if they want that one.

Also, while the idea of being on the trail appeals, you will get a lot of people who browse, not buy -- I won't buy new shoes, for example, if I am riding, because I won't have anywhere to put them. So I might look, try something on, and them move on.

My dream bike store will have in-house coffee shop, so people come in, chat bikes, buy coffee and then decide they really need shoe covers, or jerseys.