LBS closings
05-15-20, 11:08 AM
#28
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The issue was that the two things are nothing alike.
Opening a bike shop is something done by choice.
===============
The arrangement between the bike companies and shops can be beneficial to the shop. If you are selling Treks, you might not want the store next to you selling Treks.
Last edited by njkayaker; 05-15-20 at 11:17 AM.
05-15-20, 11:20 AM
#30
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You know (or should know) about them before opening a shop. Opening a shop is voluntary (rather unlike slavery). If you don't like the terms, don't open a shop.
05-15-20, 11:36 AM
#32
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I realize there are hundreds of brands and thousands of bikes, parts and defailleurs, but having a one factory LBS is DUMB.
It's usually Specialized too. Can't even have tube variety. WTH. Isn't that what sank Schwinn??
As for actual closings, I just found 2 empty LBSs here. They were medium and small. The latter was basically a one man operation selling some niche brands and he was a good fast mechanic also restoring/ selling clean old bikes at $400 to $700.
The other was a family business for 30+ years or so, lately selling mostly MTBs like Giant. They went exclusive Conti tires 4 years ago, I bugged them about that. I mostly just bought chains there. The owner volunteered to help at the nearby velodrome race track. Using a MC to pace them.
Last year a LBS started in 1937 was force closed because the city is building a stupid track transit line.
We do have a huge bike shop that sells everything from cruisers to $12,000 tri bikes. But even they had trouble selling much IGH.
They have a Rohloff mechanic too.
It's usually Specialized too. Can't even have tube variety. WTH. Isn't that what sank Schwinn??
As for actual closings, I just found 2 empty LBSs here. They were medium and small. The latter was basically a one man operation selling some niche brands and he was a good fast mechanic also restoring/ selling clean old bikes at $400 to $700.
The other was a family business for 30+ years or so, lately selling mostly MTBs like Giant. They went exclusive Conti tires 4 years ago, I bugged them about that. I mostly just bought chains there. The owner volunteered to help at the nearby velodrome race track. Using a MC to pace them.
Last year a LBS started in 1937 was force closed because the city is building a stupid track transit line.
We do have a huge bike shop that sells everything from cruisers to $12,000 tri bikes. But even they had trouble selling much IGH.
They have a Rohloff mechanic too.
05-15-20, 11:59 AM
#34
Non omnino gravis
My LBS is so busy that service orders are backed up for weeks. They can't keep tubes in stock. A buddy of mine that works there just got his first 2 days off in almost a month.
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05-15-20, 12:18 PM
#36
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It's no big deal, everyone owned a few slaves in high school ... 
Seriously though, our HS class had a "Senior Slave Day", where a freshman could "buy" a senior for a day, and the money went to support one of the clubs. NBD.
Seriously though, our HS class had a "Senior Slave Day", where a freshman could "buy" a senior for a day, and the money went to support one of the clubs. NBD.
05-15-20, 02:17 PM
#37
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Describing the bike-shop thing as "slavery" is overly melodramatic.
It might not be the big deal you (and others) think it is.
Last edited by njkayaker; 05-15-20 at 02:22 PM.
05-15-20, 05:46 PM
#38
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The guys at my LBS (it's also an outdoors store) said they've never been busier
05-16-20, 06:35 AM
#39
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05-16-20, 07:32 AM
#40
Senior Member
If Performance Bicycle had been able to hang on for another year, they would be doing great right now.
I brought one of my bikes to my LBS for a rebuild last weekend. They told me their service backlog is three weeks.
I brought one of my bikes to my LBS for a rebuild last weekend. They told me their service backlog is three weeks.
05-18-20, 01:34 PM
#41
Member
Performance Bicycle only closed their brick and mortar stores. Their online business never stopped.
05-18-20, 01:38 PM
#42
Senior Member
My friend who has one of those Mom and Pop bike stores told me a couple of weeks ago that if you order a mid priced bike right now it won't be available until fall, if then. They are all made in China. Now the higher priced bikes you can still get, I include this with the 1500 and up ones.
But the used bike sales are picking up, and people are refurbishing the older bikes more.
But the used bike sales are picking up, and people are refurbishing the older bikes more.
05-18-20, 04:08 PM
#44
Member
One LBS shortened their hours due to the COVID=19, plus added 2 more bike mechanics. Last week, while waiting my turn to get inside to pick up parts, there were 3 people bringing their bikes in for repairs. Plus, another person getting fitted for the new bike he just bought. The love for bicycles seems to be on the rise.
