LBS question

[SouthernBelle]

I spent most of yesterday afternoon at my LBS. There was another woman there, a graduate student student getting her new bike to go to Duke.

Anyway, as I was finishing up, and the student had already left, the LBS guy said he had had a really good time with the 2 of us (neither of us were reticent). We then got into a discussion about women, bikes, etc. He is making a big effort to get women into his shop and to make them comfortable. He is already getting in more women's clothing, etc. He took the time to show us how to change a flat and answer Qs (I had several about maintenance). He remarked that some women are obviously uncomfortable with him even watching them test ride a bike. He wanted to know what to do to make women come to and be comfortable in his shop.

Responses?

[mimitabby]

Sounds like he's already doing it. But add bikes fit for women to his inventory would be a good idea.

[DebW]

Hire a woman. Sponsor women's rides or classes.

[DDH]

I like the sponser womens ride idea!

I think that catering a little more to women regarding inventory would be a nice thing. My LBS is small to begin with so they have very little to choose from regarding, shorts, tops, shoes, helmets, and even bikes.

I think classes that are specifically designed for women, as far as changing tires and maintenance would be nice. Just like the fact that I have a problem filling my tire completely when I change it because it gets very hard to pump those little hand held air pumps.

[SouthernBelle]

These are good. Some match what I suggested, some he has done.

Anything else??

[li10up]

He's already doing the most important thing - actually talking to the women. I'll bet a lot of women are basically ignored in LBSs until they walk up to a cash register with item in hand.

Also, sponsoring a Women's Clinic would be a good idea. The LBS here did that last year and it was a HUGH success. They expected about 40 people and ended up with about 200. It was a mtn. bike clinic. They had you rotate through stations. There were bike handling skills, ie. learning how to bunny hop over logs, maintenance skills, etc. Even had a pro racer at the clinic who gave a talked to us and did trail rides with us. It was very cool. They are doing it again this year.

[SouthernBelle]

He's already doing the most important thing - actually talking to the women. I'll bet a lot of women are basically ignored in LBSs until they walk up to a cash register with item in hand.

Also, sponsoring a Women's Clinic would be a good idea. The LBS here did that last year and it was a HUGH success. They expected about 40 people and ended up with about 200. It was a mtn. bike clinic. They had you rotate through stations. There were bike handling skills, ie. learning how to bunny hop over logs, maintenance skills, etc. Even had a pro racer at the clinic who gave a talked to us and did trail rides with us. It was very cool. They are doing it again this year.

Very cool. I'm a roadie but would like to learn some of that stuff as my old bike would do well on trails if I fatten the tires a bit.

[pooks]

I'm wondering if some of the women who are uncomfortable are uncomfortable about their size. That has been brought up in other discussions on this site -- larger women worrying that people will think they're crazy/stupid to want to get on a bike at "their size," whatever that size is. Offhand I can imagine that a display of photos of people on bikes (possibly people in that area if possible) that shows all different kinds and sizes of people riding might be reassuring.

Also, I'm kind of on the border between XL and 1X clothes and it's hard to figure out what to buy. It's even harder when an XL in one cycling brand is a size 12 (!!!) and in another it's (hopefully) more realistic. The man at the LBS motioned toward the women's cycling clothes and said, "Eventually you may want to invest in cycling clothes, most people prefer them," and he explained the reasons in general. I was aware that his "eventually" could be interpreted as "when you've been cycling longer" or "when you're read to invest more money in the sport" or "if you've lost weight," since he probably wondered if I'd fit in anything he had. It was a tactful way of handling it.

HOWEVER -- if I had a bike shop one thing I would do in addition to having whatever kinds of cycling clothes I could affort to stock is have printouts of websites or brands to give people. I'd probably have them arranged in a file where people could fish their own out, or in a notebook where each printout was in a different clear plastic sleeve, and I would make it a point to include and find a way to indicate those that have "plus" sizes for men as well as women. It's a way to acknowledge that not everybody is going to find what they want in the shop and you're trying to help them.

Edited to add: I'd also be ready to point out in a heartbeat that cycling clothes often run small, ahem.

[bikerchick68]

one of the things the local Trek store does that is really great is that they offer a beginners maintenance class every couple months. It's advertised in store and allows beginners to show up and learn the basics. Like how to change a flat, how to clean your chain, how to use a patch kit, how to release your brakes... and the names of the different bike parts...

LOTS of women show up to these... perhaps offer a womens bike maintenance class... ? Either way, it's a great way to help new riders feel comfortable and not feel "dumb" for not knowing everything automatically!

[CorsairMac]

He is already getting in more women's clothing........

really?.....do they fit him ok??...how does he like the womens chamois vs the mens?




(ok...I just finished lunch and the sun is shining Finally....sry, I"m feeling a little fiesty this afertnoon! LOL)

[pooks]

Something else -- he should offer lots of "fun stuff" for bikes, some "girly" stuff, some macho (since as girls we get to like both, ya know -- either buff our bikes up to be all tough and gritty, or doll them up). Because (excuse the generalization) we do love to accessorize!

Try and find a female employee or customer who is willing to help start a women's biking club. I've seen the websites for the Velo Girls and the Pedal Queens and I'm jealous!

Create a really cool women's section (whether it's for clothes only, or includes other stuff -- even if it's small, it could still be displayed in an attractive/funky way) and then advertize it out front in a bold, attractive way: "Come in and check out our new women's cycling products!" (Or whatever it would say. In other words, have the signage reflect that he has women-specific products.) He may pull some people in out of curiosity, and may pull in some women who had been curious but thought maybe only guys shopped there.

In other words, don't just have women's stuff, but make it clear he values women customers enough to create a space for them, and to invite them in.

[Bruno28]

Offhand I can imagine that a display of photos of people on bikes (possibly people in that area if possible) that shows all different kinds and sizes of people riding might be reassuring.

I think that's a great idea.

Also, tell him not to automatically show the girls the pink cycling helmets when he's trying to sell them accessories ('specially when they've chosen a black bike -which might be a clue that they're not a girly girl). OK - I'm sure he wouldn't do that but I just had to vent about my recent experience in my LBS.

[pooks]

And what did you say when he showed you the pink helmet?

[Bruno28]

I said it was lovely and I bought it. I'm Scottish - we don't like to make a fuss. I'm now trying to palm it off on someone so I can buy a black one

[7rider]

I've often had the "Why don't you have more women's stuff?" conversation with my LBS - the owner of which happens to be a good friend of mine.
I think the fact is that many small shops (such as the one I go to) have a limited amount of floor space, and they stock what sells. So, until we get our sisters in the shops (and *ahem* off mail order), the smaller shops will cater to the ones who plunk down the heftiest hunk of change.

That said, I think it would be helpful for a shop to park prominently in the front window two things: a woman's bike and a big ol' sign saying "Great new women's styles...on sale NOW!" At least that would cater to a few things near and dear to my heart: Gear, clothes, and "on-sale."

So, it's kind of a chicken and egg quandry: How do you get women in the shops, if there's nothing there for them, and how do you get shops with limited resources to stock items for a demographic who doesn't show up??