New shop catering to high end mountain bikers

[crux]

FlatLand Cycles Reopening
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Started a small bike shop a few years back catering to high end custom mountain bikers, unfortunately due to pressures to gain a larger market share with production brands and compete with other local shops we were forced to close our doors.
Since we have changed our focus and only deal with the best frame builders in the industry including Ventana, Turner, SyClip, Independent Fabrications, and recently been in contact with <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Kish</st1></st1:city>, De Salvo, and Vulture. We are going to remain a small shop and deal with custom only on a build to order basis.
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Currently we are offering first 10 frame orders at a special rate for our reintroduction to the Twin Cities. Email or PM for details.

[Tex]

where is it located?

[crux]

Located down in Burnsville currently and in the spirit of keeping it small we do not have a full fledeged store front loaded with eye candy. Mainly keeping this grassroots and focusing on one ride at a time. Email is the most effective method of reaching us or stop out durring trail work as I indend to be a regular this season. email addy: flatlandcycles*@%yahoo#com. (Just clean up the addy a bit.)

[Rocky Mountain]

Thats real helpful!

So are you competing with Hollywood? He can buy any frame/parts at retail price just ask him! hahaha what a joke!

[manual63]

best frame builders in the industry including Ventana, Turner, SyClip, Independent Fabrications, and recently been in contact with <st1:city w:st="on"><st1>Kish</st1></st1:city>, De Salvo, and Vulture. .

Peacock Groove (http://www.peacockgroove.com)??

[SprocketHead]

Any plans to carry Ellsworth???

..I'm Jones'n to test ride an Epiphany!

[danger!]

I had better start saving up for that custom Ti Kish cruiser. :D

[crux]

SprocketHead and Gary
We have not worked with Ellsworth in the past and would have to see what there requirements are for "dealer status" in order to quote a cost on there frames otherwise we have to go retail on there frames but would still be able to do the build. Let me know if you are serious about an Ellsworth and I can see what I could do to setup a test ride.

manual63
I have heard good things about Peacock Groove, but have yet to work with them. Looking forward to seeing some of there stuff in person at some point as I believe that they are local.

RM
Some frames do not have a dealer program especially if they only put out 200-300 frames or less per year, still these builders are some of the best in the industry and we are willing to work with people to help setup there ideal ride. Of course some builders do have a dealer program and we are able to help out a fellow cyclist with a new frame or complete build.


Later this week / early next we should see our first 29er an El Capitan in Superdust arrive and know that the owner is looking forward to his new ride, which he is really going to have to try to break this one. Now how many production frames was that again?

[funky-funky-chicken]

I admire the entrepreneurial spirit and the fact that you seem interested in contributing to the members of MORC by both helping out at trail work sessions, and now posting the fact that you are willing to help people find high end equipment.

As more of what strikes me as a “bicycle broker” than an actual shop, I hope that you don’t do a disservice to the local area shops that go through the financial risk to stock the products that get us excited.

More power to you in getting a business off the ground and running. However, I hope that people don’t visit their local bike shop, see something they are interested in, then “email” you for a sale. I don’t think that’s a fair way to conduct business and would be surprised if the manufactures that you listed would continue to allow for it.

While I am one who appreciates a good deal, I appreciate even more a fair shake from a stocking dealer or a real local bike shop with someone knowledgeable and passionate about the products being offered. As a more road oriented shop, I like Hiawatha Cyclery (http://www.hiawathacyclery.com/) (also just getting off the ground.) Prices are not the best, but I can go into the shop and feel like I get a fair deal. I think there’s room in the off-road market for maybe something similar, more of a bicycle boutique willing to build a vision. Good luck, more power to you, and I’ll be interested when you open the doors.

Oh, by the way… it’s Sycip (http://www.sycip.com/)(pronounced see-sip), not SyClip (see-clip) and there is no "S" on Independent Fabrication (http://www.ifbikes.com/)as you’ve posted.

[ibismojo2001]

I ride with a buddy of mine (head wrench guy at GP) every Sunday at Lebanon. He has a Peacock Groove and loves it. Plus we pulled old Erik Noren out last Sunday as well. If you want to take a look at one sometime just let me know. Check out his website www.peacockgroove.com (http://www.peacockgroove.com).

Good luck!!!

[soupboy]

Since we have changed our focus and only deal with the best frame builders in the industry including Ventana, Turner, Sycip, Independent Fabrication, and recently been in contact with <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:city w:st="on"><ST1>Kish</ST1></st1:city>, De Salvo, and Vulture.

Turner is not a frame builder. They are a design and marketing shop. The rest of the folks listed, to my knowledge, actual fabricate their own designs. Before Ish gets his panties in a bunch Turner designed nice bikes - now they are just another expensive faux-bar bike (like my El Cappy!). Viva El Horst!

Good luck with the new gig. From what I've witnessed, the small bike shop business is about passion, not making money, so I hope you enjoy the new venture!

My favorite pusher - www.mtnhighcyclery (http://www.mtnhighcyclery) - makes his living on top notch customer service, not price. He rides only the "good stuff" and can speak authoratatively about the boutique/blingy gear that he sells.

[manual63]

I believe that they are local.

Yep and I love to support the local guys....:) Now to save some money. Custom frames are spendy.

[MisterClaw]

Located down in Burnsville currently and in the spirit of keeping it small we do not have a full fledeged store front loaded with eye candy. Mainly keeping this grassroots and focusing on one ride at a time. Email is the most effective method of reaching us or stop out durring trail work as I indend to be a regular this season. email addy: flatlandcycles*@%yahoo#com. (Just clean up the addy a bit.)

From what I understand, in order to get pretty much any part, you have to have an account with QBP, and if you don't have a storefront, you can't get an account with QBP. Correct me if I'm wrong. How do you build up a bike without a wholesaler connection for parts?

[Ish]

Before Ish gets his panties in a bunch Turner designed nice bikes - now they are just another expensive faux-bar bike (like my El Cappy!). Viva El Horst!

blah, blah, blah ;) You did have one typo though - change the "d" to an "s".

Despite soups misguided beliefs re. Turner, he is smart enough to recognize that Larry at MHC is top shelf.:D

[soupboy]

From what I understand, in order to get pretty much any part, you have to have an account with QBP, and if you don't have a storefront, you can't get an account with QBP. Correct me if I'm wrong. How do you build up a bike without a wholesaler connection for parts?

Well, I can get a XT BB from Jenson for $20 or from a LBS for $40. I assume LBS "cost" - via QBP or otherwise - is less than Jenson's sale price for a gross margin >50%. That's a lot of margin to work with. I think you also need to closely review the definition of "storefront".

[MisterClaw]

Well, I can get a XT BB from Jenson for $20 or from a LBS for $40. I assume LBS "cost" - via QBP or otherwise - is less than Jenson's sale price for a gross margin >50%. That's a lot of margin to work with. I think you also need to closely review the definition of "storefront".

http://www.qbp.com/dealers/newdealers.html

that's the definition I remember seeing.

I suppose online retailers would be a viable option for parts, since enough parts manufacturers sells parts to whoever wants them (and not just traditional retailers)

[nigel]

Aslo have to realize that mail order places rely heavily on quantity not margin.

Anywho.....hope the shop works out, ima stop on by and say hi one of these days off :)

D

[crux]

Larry is a great guy and have always had great service with him before. He basically started his shop up a few years back just off referals from MTBR along with a bit of luck. I have always admired that and the spirit of several small shops that I worked in out west and thought why not bring that local. Only time will tell if it will pan out, but figured that following ones passion can't be all bad. (regardless of all the love letters that I have received over this).

As a wise man once told me "Fastest way to make a million in the bicycle business is to start out with two" Thanks Kirby.

My favorite pusher - www.mtnhighcyclery (http://www.mtnhighcyclery) - makes his living on top notch customer service, not price. He rides only the "good stuff" and can speak authoratatively about the boutique/blingy gear that he sells.