Local bike shop

A local bike shop.

A bicycle mechanic at a local bike shop.

View of recumbent bicycles inside a local bike shop.

Bicycles and exercise equipment for sale inside a local bike shop.

A local bike shop or local bicycle shop is a small business specializing in bicycle sale, maintenance and parts. The expression distinguishes small bicycle shops from large chains and mail-order or online vendors is abbreviated LBS.^[1] In the UK and Ireland, the expression independent bicycle dealers (IBDs) is also used.^[2]

The local bike shop is a key component of the bicycle industry and, in recognition of the value that local bike shops provide, some manufacturers only sell their bicycles through dealerships.

Offerings

Beyond bicycles, a local bicycle shop may offer clothing and other accessories, spare and replacement parts, tools, and a variety of services.^[3]

Services may include expert fitting and custom bike building or ordering,^[4] maintenance and repairs from experienced bicycle mechanics, and organized group rides and classes.^[5] A self-service work area may be available.^[6]

Shops may also specialize on one or more aspects of cycling: bicycle racing,^[7] triathlon, bicycle touring, BMX,^[8] mountain biking, etc. Similarly, shops may carry a diverse range of bicycles, from single-seat upright bikes, to more specialized types such as tandem bicycles,^[9] recumbent bicycles,^[10] folding bicycles.^[11] Many shops also carry related items such as unicycles^[12] and skateboards.

Shops located out of temperate climates may have a secondary line in order to keep busy in the off season (winter). These include goods and services for skiing,^[7] camping, and physical fitness. Some shops keep their regular customers coming in through the winter by offering group training sessions.^[13]

Studios

A small but growing trend in bicycle retailing is called the bicycle studio, which offers service in an intimate environment by appointment only. A list by Bicycling Magazine shows five studios founded before 2000 and 13 since. These are seen as more complementary to, than competitive with, traditional bike shops.^[14]

Competitors

In the US, the primary competitors to local bike shops are the mass merchants such as Wal-Mart or Target, representing 73% of the units and 36% of the dollars in 2007,^[15] full-line sporting goods stores such as Dick's Sporting Goods, multi-sport stores such as R.E.I., representing 7% of the units and 9% of the dollars in 2007,^[15] and mail order and online vendors representing 3% of the units and 6% of the dollars in 2007.^[15] There are also chains of bike shops, though most LBS are independently owned, 91% of them have one location.^[15]

The distinction between local bike shops and online vendors has begun to blur as local bike shops have begun themselves to sell products online.

A recent development is the introduction of brand specific stores from bicycle manufacturers such as Trek Bicycle Corporation.^[16] Other manufacturers, such as Specialized are strengthening their channels with concept stores.^[17]

Statistics

According to the National Bicycle Dealers Association, in 2007 there were approximately 4,400 "specialty bicycle retailers" in the USA; down from 4,800 in 2005. Although they sold only 17% of the bikes, up from 16% in 2005, they collected 49% of the dollars, up from 47% in 2005. In 2004, the average specialty bicycle retailer had gross sales of $550,000 per year, 91% of them had one location, and average store size was 4,822 square feet.^[15][18]

See: Graphic comparison of US auto and bike sales, 1972-2008

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bicycle shops.

• Bicycle
• Bicycle cooperative
• Bicycle industry
• Bicycle mechanic
• Bicycle tools
• Cycling
• List of bicycle manufacturers
• List of bicycle part manufacturers

References