what you want in a bike shop

[alpineskiman]

Guys and gals,
Ive been seriously kicking around the idea of opening a bike shop somewhere in the tc area for the last 10 years or so. I fully understand that I am not going to get rich doing this, I want to do it becuase I love it. anyway, I would like to know what you guys and gals would like to see in a shop. I think theres still a need for a local non-corporate bike shop. Not that there is anything wrong with Eriks or Penn or other shops like that, I just like the vibe of an independently owned shop. Ive got some ideas on how I can differentiate myself from the "rest". I would really like to hear what you all have to say. Thanks! oh, and 15% off for MORC members is seriously a given. suggest away!

[mn_ultra_guy]

Another co-op type shop would be great. I would like to see another open shpo like Freewheel has. One that promotes more than just MTB and road riding, I mean something that supports and carries things geared toward the hardy commuter, bike tourer, etc. A smaller line of high end gear and more mid ranged average joe and jane type prices. Small car parking and HUGH bike parking!

Off my soap box and good luck!

[manual63]

Have you seen One on One Bicycle Studio downtown minneapolis? How about Hurls shop on Lyndale, Cars R Coffins? There is Behind Bars, Freewheel, Sunrise Cyclery.....I could go on.

They all offer great service and are small non-corporate shops. Erik's and Penn give a lot to bicycle racing and the local bicycle community too. So I like what they all do. All the shops do support MORC in one way or another too......we have a rockin' city when it comes to bicycles!!!

[Heuy]

Pick a specialty. (Road, Tri, XC Mountain, Freeride etc.) Most independant shops cannot have knowledgeable staff and inventory to do everything justice.

When you have obsolete parts try to break even on ebay, so your shop isn't full of stuff that nobody comes in looking for.

These things will help in that I think that if I can be reasonably sure you'll have what I'm looking for I'll drive a bit out of my way for it. Example, I am looking for Kenda Small Block eights in the 26X2.1 size. I'm 0 for 2 so far. Here again if there was an XC mountain store I would hope that they have them.

Be competative on your parts and plan on making money on service. Online parts houses are here to stay, like it or not.

[berrywise]

Bar on one side. Bikes on the other.

[alpineskiman]

i agree with you about the online parts houses, they are great for saving money but do take business away from the local guys and there is pretty much no way to beat them on price. Im going to start checking out some of the shops that shad mentioned, no worry I wont be competing with them. Keep the ideas coming!

[tedsti]

I like how Edina Bike has kind of split their business. If you come in to the shop and need help finding a part, you pay retail. If you know what you want and just need someone to get if from Q for you, you can order it online and get a good discount. Plus they will have it in the shop the same or next day so you can pick it up and not pay shipping.

There is nothing more annoying than going into a shop to get a XT chainring and having them take a full week to get it in. Somebody in the shop better have it in their job description to make the morning Q run.

[BrightYellow]

Bar on one side. Bikes on the other.

That's what I'm talking about! How about a couple stands in the bar area so I can wrench and have a brew, just like at home - except they'll be a few more riders full of thinkin' juice that I can bounce ideas off of and get advice from.

Better yet, rent me a box of tools by the 1/2 hour while I'm at the bar/stands. I'll put down a deposit and get it back when I return box with everything in it.

[alpineskiman]

both the bar idea and the tool box rental idea are great. would i need anything other than beer?

[bike>>rider]

I'll bite.

A couple high-end brands that we can't get locally now from a licensed dealer, like Turner or Titus, and then one or two meat-and-potatoes brands that are not Trek, Fisher, or Specialized (not that they aren't fine, but they are already covered well), maybe something like Iron Horse or Marin.

Demo bikes that can be rented for a day with the rental price going toward purchase of a new ride if I pull the trigger.

I think it's tough with mail order, but good luck.

[BrightYellow]

Me : "I need help building a wheel up."

You : "Okay, I'll meet you at Big Rich's Bikes and Bar, you buy the beer and I'll help you build it at the bar."

Me : "Awsome, can I buy the rim, hub and spokes there?"

You : "You bet. And did I mention you can buy me beer there too?"

That would rock. Put the place close to a sweet trail too, will ya?

[Heuy]

That's what I'm talking about! How about a couple stands in the bar area so I can wrench and have a brew, just like at home - except they'll be a few more riders full of thinkin' juice that I can bounce ideas off of and get advice from.

Better yet, rent me a box of tools by the 1/2 hour while I'm at the bar/stands. I'll put down a deposit and get it back when I return box with everything in it.


Heck yeah,:crazy2::banana:

[TML]

Im going to start checking out some of the shops that shad mentioned, no worry I wont be competing with them. Keep the ideas coming!

So does that mean that location would possibly be outside of, and possibly east of Minneapolis - that would be cool!

[berrywise]

would i need anything other than beer?

Nope, getting a liquor license for anything more than that could be tricky. You think these coffee shop/bike shops are cool. Just wait till you have the beer bike shop. You just upped the standard of cool.

Kinda model it off these laundromat bars they have on the coasts.

[transplant]

Bar on one side. Bikes on the other.

Or homebrew supplies. RIP - Bicycle Bus/Deep Elem Brews, formerly of Peoria, IL. :embarass: Bike gear on the left, bikes down the middle and homebrew gear on the right. It was a little slice of heaven on earth.

[bigwheel]

I like how Edina Bike has kind of split their business. If you come in to the shop and need help finding a part, you pay retail. If you know what you want and just need someone to get if from Q for you, you can order it online and get a good discount. Plus they will have it in the shop the same or next day so you can pick it up and not pay shipping.

What he said! It's nice to have someone in town that can compete with mail order prices, and let you shop online while you should be working. Put in your order by 10am, and have your stuff by 2pm the same day. Plus, you don't have the waste of sending your parts on 2 extra trips across the country.

They are careful to separate the mail order from the shop business, but this allows them to be competitive in both areas. I think the owner's wife runs the mail order side. They seem to always have customers in the shop, so it seems like the business model is working. I'm surprised that more shops are not doing this.

[manual63]

After reading some posts, I have an idea that has actually been a dream of mine for quite some time now. But it's a biggie. A shop with an indoor/outdoor bike park. An XC track and some freeride stuff.

I dreamed of owning a shop in a big warehouse with some land out back. Have the shop in the front and the park in the back and outside. I can't remember what it was called, but in the mid 90's I saw a shop, I think in Memphis, that had an indoor outdoor skatepark in the back.......that was awesome!!!!

[alpineskiman]

So does that mean that location would possibly be outside of, and possibly east of Minneapolis - that would be cool!

Yes, location would be east of MPLS. I think this side of town needs it. I think I would be in danger of drinking away my profits though.

[biking_stickman]

Build a copy of Freewheel next to my house. I can go in there, buy some parts, watch the mechanic work on my bike, and most importantly not leave feeling like I know nothing about bikes (certain road bike shops).

Seriously...
What I would like to see is a bike shop where the mechanics are more like teachers and guides. A place where I can bring in a bike, buy a headset, and have the mechanic show me how to install it. A place I can bring in an old rim and hub, buy some new spokes, replace the spokes and have the mechanic show me how to do the wheel truing. A place I can bring in a bike with new disc brakes that I installed (purchased from the shop) and have the mechanic check my work.

Does the bike shop lose money by educating me how to do the installs/repairs myself? Probably, but how many times does a person install a headset? Or have the proper tools? I'll still be in to learn how to do many more installs and repairs. If this is a concern charge a bit more for the service time w/ education.

Do I buy the parts from this shop? Probably. The Edina model sounds like a good concept.

Does doing my own work on the bike encourage me to repair or replace something else? Probably. Start by showing someone how to change a tube...next a chain...next a shifter...next a headset...next a crankset...

To summarize, a bike shop that educates grows the knowledge of the bike community and that community buys and builds nicer and nicer bikes. How many people in MORC started with one bike and have since grown their collection to include many bikes and even more parts? While some people will never do any work on their own bike and some want to do all of the work, there is an entire spectrum of people in between that are the prime market.

[Nickel]

I think what Shad said was great because I am interested in testing a bike before I purchase it. You can't really test a mountain bike by just riding it around in a parking lot. I don't imagine that I'll get a feel for it on a mile of singletrack, but a better idea of fit than doing circles up and down the road.

[biking_stickman]

After reading some posts, I have an idea that has actually been a dream of mine for quite some time now. But it's a biggie. A shop with an indoor/outdoor bike park. An XC track and some freeride stuff.

I dreamed of owning a shop in a big warehouse with some land out back. Have the shop in the front and the park in the back and outside. I can't remember what it was called, but in the mid 90's I saw a shop, I think in Memphis, that had an indoor outdoor skatepark in the back.......that was awesome!!!!

Similar to Rays?

[stoneage]

Good luck, if that is your dream. I looked at buying BJ's (Brooklyn Park) and Wheel Sports (Anoka) years ago, and then realized that they didn't ride bikes. I decided against it. GeneO and Hollywood and Dan (GP) have their priorities straight, but I'm sure they would like to get out more. Keep that in mind.

[FarmerBEN]

After reading some posts, I have an idea that has actually been a dream of mine for quite some time now. But it's a biggie. A shop with an indoor/outdoor bike park. An XC track and some freeride stuff.

I dreamed of owning a shop in a big warehouse with some land out back. Have the shop in the front and the park in the back and outside. I can't remember what it was called, but in the mid 90's I saw a shop, I think in Memphis, that had an indoor outdoor skatepark in the back.......that was awesome!!!!
sounds like a great use for the metrodome

[alpineskiman]

sounds like a great use for the metrodome
aint that the truth

[waitabit]

Yes, location would be east of MPLS. I think this side of town needs it. I think I would be in danger of drinking away my profits though.Yes, something in St Paul similiar to Behind Bars or Freewheel and with some different brands like Niner, Ellsworth, PEACOCK GROOVE, LenzSport.....etc.!

[iteric]

Well this is what I don't want

Condecending jerks Don't start acting like they know everything or ignoring my needs in order to push a more expensive product than I need on me.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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Juggling multiple potential buyers. You shouldn't leave me to help someone else when I'm asking questions. That pisses me off and I will leave buying nothing at all. I can understand if I'm just standing around looking at stuff but you don't walk away in the middle of a sale, that's just rude.
<o:p></o:p>
A certain shop that is named after a busy street has always done that to me. One of the buyers here at work had the same experience, he walked out and they lost $20k in bike sales plus long term maintenance and accessories.<o:p></o:p>
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I guess it comes down to knowledgeable friendly staff along with a good selection. I like Erik's since they've treated me right during the last two bike purchases. A good wrench doesn't hurt either, I like someone who can fix it correctly the first time. I'm willing to pay a little extra for someone who really knows their stuff and is willing to answer a few questions.

[Danimal]

Answer my stupid non-mechanically inclined questions. Offer suggestions and simply give top notch customer service. I'll drop more cash over time if you help me and are sincere.

Shameless plug forthcoming... Eriks in Bloomington earned my trust, Jason has always gone above and beyond for me and my family and Dave the Cannondale Guru is a GOD! :)

[gopherhockey]

A few of these might have been said already:

1. A place where everyone that works there has heard of MORC, knows the web site address, and understands what goes on with the local trails. You go in there with a dirty work shirt on and they say "hello there trail worker, let me dump my current customers and take care of you first... " ;)

2. Like Bob and Ted said, a place that can cater to the internet shopper and the in-store shopper.

3. Coffee. A Caribou on one side would be a dream.

4. Location - in the lot just north of Leb.... be open late, have fire pit out back. Beer a plus, but not necessary as long as we can bring our own.

5. People who immediately know what you are talking about when you ask for "one of those black ring things that spaces that side thing out" (etc.)

6. One that sponsors MORC just like most in town do.

[nigel]

Geeze, nobody said they wanted ME in a shop yet :crazy:

[krazykatie]

Geeze, nobody said they wanted ME in a shop yet :crazy:


Personally, I would like Doug in a bike shop. (managing of course) and BEER. :p

[gopherhockey]

Geeze, nobody said they wanted ME in a shop yet :crazy:

Absolutely! All of the most skilled managers and mechanics that we know in MORC should be there working...

... and bike maintenance classes like Doug used to teach back in the day!

[Nickel]

How about keeping your website inventory up-to-date with your store stock. :eyeroll:

[alpineskiman]

MORC support is a given, I am really diggin the coffee shop idea as well. I think weekly or biweekly seminars on everything "bike" (somewhat like REI does) is also a must. My goal is to make this thing a true community shop, I idealy want it to get to the point where the local riders feel they have as much invested in the shop as I do. Just down home friendly service at a good price.

[syntaxjunkie]

Simple business advice not limited to bike shops, but applicable nonetheless:

If you're entering a crowded, competitive market (i.e., bike shops in the Twin Cities), you have to offer something people can't get anywhere else. Sometimes that something is location (an underserved but promising neighborhood). Sometimes it's merchandise (offering brands no one else does). Sometimes it's a complementary product or service (coffee, beer, etc.). Usually, it ends up being a combination of these things. But there has to be a reason for people to break their pattern and give you a try.

Especially at the beginning, keep it simple. From mom and pop shops to multinationals, businesses get in trouble when they spread themselves too thin, expand too quickly, or try to be good at too many things. Opening the TC's first combination bike shop-brew pub-shooting range might sound like a great idea (or a recipe for disaster). But it's hard enough to be great at one thing, much less three things. Plus, the broader your business, the broader your operating costs, in terms of materials, utilities and labor.

Come to terms right away with the fact that not everyone is your customer. Hundreds of thousands of people in the area ride bikes. But no one bike shop can appeal to or serve all of these people. Biking is an incredibly diverse and sometimes bizarrely territorial sport. There is no "typical bike rider." Chains use scale to serve a broader section of the market, but even they can't please everybody. Among the small, independent shops, the most successful are those who've identified a select niche of the market and built their inventory and services around appealing to that niche.

[alpineskiman]

^^^^good advice, thank you.

[bigpeddler]

Good luck, if that is your dream. I looked at buying BJ's (Brooklyn Park) and Wheel Sports (Anoka) years ago, and then realized that they didn't ride bikes. I decided against it. GeneO and Hollywood and Dan (GP) have their priorities straight, but I'm sure they would like to get out more. Keep that in mind.

That is hilarious that you said Hollywood has his priorities straight :etard:

[HardRocker]

Bike shop/Taco bar... (?)

[alpineskiman]

i love tacos

[chervianne]

Bar on one side. Bikes on the other.

I like the idea and will expand on it...

As others have said, there is a vibrant bike community in the cities. Good bike shops, good mountain biking, good road biking, good race scene. But if you aren't actually participating in one of those events, there is no place to hang out!

Coming from Denver, they have the Handlebar Restaurant and Bar... a restaurant and bar devoted to building the cycling community even if the community sometimes just wants kick back and have a beer on a cold winter night.

I realize this is a bit off the original goal of bike shop, but having a wrench on staff to perform maintenance could be an additional draw - a one stop shop.

http://www.handlebarandgrill.com/

[steef]

Bike shop/Taco bar... (?)
I am so there.:jumpy: