So while I have been designing this new trail in my mind, I have been trying to think about how I can make something that hasn't been done, and give everyone what they want. More than that, design and build something that brings everyone together, XC riders riding with downhillers, bmx riders riding with kids.

This has brought me and a few friends to the decision that we want to open a bike shop with the same idea.

So I'd like to open a dialogue where you guys tell us what you want out of a bike shop. 

Let me tell you what I have in mind:

I want to run a shop that treats all customers equally, from high end road riders to dads who just need a tube for their kids bikes. Everyone gets special attention. I want it to be every bit a bike lounge as it is a bike shop, where parents can feel safe that their kids are hanging out at the local bike shop after school. 

We would have a separate portion of the facility that is devoted to beer, where we'll make a brew every month, and you might even be able to make a custom brew for yourself.

This is very vague on purpose, I want you to fill in the details.

What have you always wanted out of a shop, that maybe you've never experienced?
Where do you want a shop?
What if your bike shop had a new trail right out it's back door?
If you had a shop, what would you do differently from other shops?
What's your favorite aspect about some shops you've visited?

Discuss; this will be a shop born from the wants and needs of the Tarheel Trailblazers.

*This is not an avenue to slam other shops, so please do not mention the names of any Charlotte bike shops.

How about a roach coach bike shop slash beer wagon?  You could rotate between trails and be on the spot when people have break downs or need an adjustment.  They could chill and drink a beer while you work.  You could put a locator on your website to show where you are or a schedule of where you're going to be.  You could even hire out your staff as tour guides if the wrenching slows down.   People might even pick their trail that day knowing you will be there. My main problem with bike shops is simply getting there.  Then it's usually a 2 trip ordeal: dropoff and pickup.   When I rack up my bike it's to ride it, not haul it to the shop.

My thoughts here.... you trying to make money or friends?  Don't answer, discuss.

Its Teh Patrick wrote on 11/24/13 at 4:32pm:


1.  Good customer service.  IMHO, in a lot of ways, I find the sport to be a very elitist sport.  The shops I like are the start ups or the small guys where they need a sale from just "anyone".  Go to the bigger box shops and if you have the wrong attire/look... even if there's 3-5 employee's standing around doing nothing you practically have to go beg for help.  Even then, you get this kinda... only because attitude... not even knowing that that person could easily drop several thousand dollars. Sometimes, customers may just be coming in for knowledge of gear, reviews/recommendations, local/area trails, etc.  A willingness to just shoot the sh** would be refreshing.  I understand if the shop is busy, but, not when folks are just standing twiddling their thumbs.  A customer is a customer and should be treated like one, even if it's just questions, not only if and when they drop $500 - $5k on new gear.  I have to give a shout out to the Harrisburg guys at "Get in Gear", they get that... the beer on tap probably helps!   

2.  If you do have a trail right outside, why not sponsor/hold short track races?  Tuneups week of Race are race eligible (ie, folks come in and can get their tuneup done for race day/or just a tune up and that pays for their registration/makes them eligible to race even if they decide to or not, it gives them an option and and opportunity to try it if they wanted).  Prizes can be cheap/free (free tuneup).  Can make it a series and have series champ, etc.  Sometimes, folks may just want to compete but don't want to have to go through the hassle of paying and being affiliated with a cycling org, etc.  Something for the competitive person but is only a weekend warrior and doesn't have the means/time to dedicate to being a pro, etc.  But, this could also be a starting/training ground to produce new talent.

3.  Also, I see a lot of shops offering mechanical clinics, why not riding/skills clinics?  As a noob into MTB, other than the interwebs or short of knowing someone who is willing to teach/give you pointers, this is a very elitist sport where you are short of getting any type of tip unless you are in the "in" crowd or part of their clique.  There are folks many who are interested in and trying to learn but intimidated by this elitist attitude and in many ways can turn some people away from the sport.  We all have to start somewhere, what better way to grow/progress the sport than to teach whether it's DJ/DH/XC/FR/BMX?  Kinda intimidating when a noob off the street tries to approach the guys in lycra, or the guys in skinny jeans, or the guys in 3/4 shorts/flashy jersey with FF and he comes in with basketball shorts from walmart or something and has no knowledge of MTB lingo.  Basic clinics for noobs free to go over basics 1 hour session.  Advanced can be paid, I'm sure folks are willing to pay and can make their own decisions to continue if they deem it worth it (if the content is good).

Take 2 and 3 together and that would make for a great way to introduce folks into racing and the sport in general.  There's such a lack of "good" information on how to "get into the sport or racing".  As well, it would be great to have a "real" skills park instead of these skills sections where it's usually just a bunch of skinnies.  For instance rollers/berms/jumps (tables, drops, hips, etc), rocks, and yes even skinnies.  Doesn't have to be massive features... just small features to help teach and progress.  Anyhow, just throwing ideas out... dumb or not.

KB wrote on 11/25/13 at 6:04pm:


This is kind of what I was hitting on, just sprinkled with a little more smart-assery 

Also, Remember Black Sheep? Pre Uptown cycles. Man. That place ruled in theory. An awesome environment, really cool parts- paul, velocity, cappuccino machine! He also had a "take off parts" bin where I found a DT350 hub a Flite saddle and a Ritchey carbon seatpost. Its downfall was elitism. The guy from Espada that worked there was cool. But the owner was in a class of his own.

You would benefit from sharing your business plan with a professional.  Most successful business have one or a few things that is a differentiator that makes them special.  You seem to be trying too many wide-spectrum or competing things, which I think can dilute or confuse your customer base.  I think when you look at it from a dollars and cents perspective, your vision may change.  For example, if you are going to use your margin on beer sales to cover lower margins on other things like bike shop sales, then why not just open a bar.  You would be wasting your energy on a less profitable exercise.  If you really care about running a bike shop, then why have a bar?  It could be a distraction.  I know it sounds cool, but anything that is both cool and successful requires a good a dollars and cents argument, not just a cool idea.

My issue with bike shops is I have no reason to go to them unless I am buying a bike.  I stopped going to shops for service because of the turn around time and the frequency of having to take it back because of shoddy work.  The shop that was closest to me wasn't reliable enough.  Therefore I learned to work on my own.  I think I would be interested in going to a shop if I could still do the work myself.  I could rent shop space, rent tools, maybe rent experience from a mechanic.  Obviously I am a power user, not joe public, but this would be a way to get me in a shop.  Once I'm there, I may buy something.  Maybe it's parts for my repair, its obviously the rent of the shop space and tools, but I may also buy some tires or a helmet or some nutrition or whatever.  Getting me there is the trick.  I don't think you will lure me with beer or a lounge.  However, you have to ask if I'm the kind of guy you want in your shop.  If you want to sell bikes, I'll buy and expensive one every 3-4 years.  However, you may be trying to cater to joe public and sell them entry level hard tails.  You may want the guy that will drop his bike off at the shop and doesn't want to work on his own bike.  I think this is a strategic decision.

Another idea is to keep track of maintenance on a bike and proactively schedule maintenance.  Get to know my bike, my riding habits and frequency and pull me into the shop with appointments, reminders, consulting, etc.  This is the car dealer model, but you also see it with other expensive things that need to be maintained, like HVAC, etc.

Any ways.  Just my two cents.  You have a lot of good ideas.  I think you could use some professional help to execute them.

The investors both have lots of business experience. It won't be a bar at all. It will look, act, and run like a bike shop, and it will have facilities to brew beer, very casual, think cafe.

sager wrote on 11/26/13 at 6:26pm:


I will give you this, if it is already a GOOD bike shop, I'll go there if I can grab a beer or a cup of coffee while I browse around.  I think Beer City Bikes in Asheville is pretty successful so far with the bar thing, as long as you have good beer on tap and make a profit off of it.  If it's a good place to hang out, people will come and drink a few beers.  A few beers usually leads to weird off the wall impulse purchases which are usually high margin items 

Yeah, I don't think anyone is going to a bike shop for breakfast and pastries, but they will go to have a beer if there is an environment where sitting and having a beer is enjoyable.

My 2 cents.   

I think if you could get some quality used bikes and parts and fix them up so they are almost new you could sell them at a greatly reduced rate compared to new.  I think if you spent some time you could find some good deals and have a good profit margin.   You could carry some new bikes too. (entry level/greenway bikes).  For me personally I would rather purchase a few year old bike that is customized with high end parts for the same price as a brand new mid or lower level bike. You won’t be able to beat the deals people can get online for high end bike on closeouts. For me, I don't go to a bike shop and look at bikes that much because I know what’s out there and available for that model year.  But if I knew you were going to have some cool second hand bikes I would stop in every so often and see what you have. If you get me there I might get a beer, part, shirt, tubes, or bring my bike for service.

I live across the street from Bike Sport and don't go in there much unless I need something on short notice or need a repair I can’t do or don't have time for.  No knock on Bike Sport it’s a great shop.  Your going to have to be in a location near a trailhead or where a lot of bikers live.   As Rocky said Bike Sport, Bike Source, and QC have my area locked down.   I don’t get to ride as much as I would like so you have to bring something special to get me to give up free time to haul my bike back and forth across town.

The Spoke Easy guys may be good to talk to since they have a similar idea to you just not as MTN bike oriented.

I think it’s a tough business but its awesome you would be doing something you love and I wish you the best.

Another option would be to do your homeowork and get a good buisness plan and try and get into the Retail going into Riverwalk in Rock Hill.  If I am not mistaken the bike shop in Fort Mill is closing and with the houses going in there and the Velodrome, BMX Supercross and expanding mountain bike trails someone will fill that need at some point.

Good Luck.

-Eric