Fifty Plus (50+) - When did Specialized start kicking LBS butt?

I recently went to the LBS that sold me my Roubaix last year, and there were no Specialized bikes to be found. None. Nunca. Zip. Zero.

The store manager explained that Specialized tried to make them a deal they couldn't refuse. Carry only Specialized, or carry NO Specialized.

So they chose the latter.

When did this happen? I think it's awful. Shame on Specialized!

Maybe they're flexing their Trek-like muscles. Giant will probably be next.

My LBS carries Specialized and several others.

Specialized has always had the "attitude". In my experience, customer service sucks as well and has for many years.

About 5 years ago the Roswell (Atlanta area) bike shop dropped Specialized because they would consistently short his bike orders. He told me they were stifling his sales. He went on to become (supposedly) the biggest Giant bike dealer in the SE. That was told to me by another Giant dealer.

He recently started carrying Specialized again, but you see very few in the store. Haven't had a chance to find out why. I suspect it's on his terms and not Specialized.

All that said, they do make the best rear suspension for mountain bikes out there under their patent. I love my Stumpjumper.

Al

My LBS carried Specialized, Trek and Gary Fisher. Trek and Specialized both started pressuring them to drop the other and carry more inventory of their brand. Eventually, the had to drop Trek and Gary Fisher. All of them are applying pressure on their dealers. Only the dealers that do high volume can effectively push back.

Maybe they're flexing their Trek-like muscles. Giant will probably be next.

No doubt. Trek is making the same noises about pushing dealers to skew their inventory heavily toward Trek brands for accessories as well as bikes.

I'm kind of surprised it hasn't come to this sooner. That's what car manufacturers do.

That's it! It's official. Bikes are the new car.

That's it! It's official. Bikes are the new car.

I thought it was the new golf

Specialized has moved to the "Concept Store" in San Diego, which resulted in some ugly lawsuits between a LBS which sold their bikes, and Specialized... apparently didn't like the new "deal" and dropped the line. In the end Bicycle retailing is a business, and a difficult one to make much/any money.

When I was a kid, the local hardware/locksmith/outboard motor repair shop also sold schwinns. The only other option was the junk bikes from department stores like Sears. Now we have Performance, et. al. buying up the independents in most of the major cycling markets. Wow, somebody actually is expecting to make money in the business.

times, they are a changing...

No doubt. Trek is making the same noises about pushing dealers to skew their inventory heavily toward Trek brands for accessories as well as bikes.

I'm kind of surprised it hasn't come to this sooner. That's what car manufacturers do.

Over here- we have this thing called Europe. We are part of the EEC (European Economic Community) and it messes us up ocasionally. On the Car side- Any main dealer can take on another Car Franchise and there is nothing the Manufacturers can do about it. On the Truck side- Any one can set themselves up as a truck dealer-Providing they can get the trucks and there is nothing that the manufacturer can do about it. So you invest millions in setting up a Ford agency- and Joe Bloggs can buy the cars from Europe and sell them in the lot next to you.

Specialised gave my LBS the choice of sole agency or nothing several years ago. They now sell Giants.-And Kona-And Land rover- and British Eagle.

Specialized started turning up the heat about 4-5 years ago, according to two LBS owners I've spoken with. They want at least 60%-70% (and preferably 80% or more) of all bikes on the sales floor to be theirs. I've known two LBS who dropped, or were dropped by, Specialized. And two others who gave in and dropped other lines in order to continue to sell Specialized.

Trek does the same thing, sometimes insisting on as much as 80%. Trek is on the way to opening up 1000 Trek Company stores.

Really, almost every company would do it if they had the clout to pull it off. Right now pretty much the only two companies with sufficient marketshare to demand it are Trek & Specialized.

Maybe they're flexing their Trek-like muscles. Giant will probably be next.

Perhaps I should erase your ignorance?

My LBS deals Trek, Mirraco and Eastern. Trek does NOT force only their brand and subsidiaries upon bike shops.

By the way, another LBS in my area deals Specialized, Giant, Surly and Scott.

Perhaps I should erase your ignorance?

My LBS deals Trek, Mirraco and Eastern. Trek does NOT force only their brand and subsidiaries upon bike shops.

By the way, another LBS in my area deals Specialized, Giant, Surly and Scott.

The times they are a changing baby. You might want to wait until November to erase my ignorance.

The guys that run the shop that I used to work at were stunned after their Trek rep's last visit. October is the month when dealer contracts are usually renewed. Now that I have no personal involvement in it I think that it's going to be fun seeing how it all plays out.

Yep, Trek & Specialized are making their rounds. Not hitting every LBS at once. But each has already hit hundreds of LBS's, especially Trek. If one is in an area where Trek and/or Specialized doesn't yet have an option to build a company store or hook in with a big LBS, then they let the existing ones go on, with a mixed floor. But when either gets a lever to use, then they use it.

Trek will allow other bikes on the floor, up to 10%-20% of the floor space can be on other lines. One of my local Trek LBS also carries Orbea.

Two of the LBS's in my area have multiple storefronts, so Trek let them remain dealers as long as one of them met Trek's requirements. So both moved all of their Treks into one of their locations.

[QUOTE=ProFail;6964343]Perhaps I should erase your ignorance?

QUOTE]

Gee, I read a thread here about this being a friendly forum.

Al

About 25+ years ago, Trek would pull their bikes from one lbs because they didn't sell enough product and provide bikes to the other or second lbs in town. Then years later, the second lbs would lose trek and it they would revert to the original lbs. According the owner of one of the shops, they went through two complete cycles over a number of years. The second lbs has trek today along with a couple of other major brands.

We are a low volume area (Panama City, FL) for the more expensive bikes

Al

But these are American companies! What's all the fuss? Isn't it the American way to polarise the market in the name of competition and making money?

FWIW, Specialized has been attempting similar tactics in Australia for five years or so, and they promote the stores that take up the option as being something special (sorry, I can't think of the promotional term that's used right now). One store I know of had to ditch good-sellling, mid to high-level brands in order to comply, but retained some of the lower level brands even by stealth -- the market they were in definitely would not have allowed them to survive on Specialized alone. Giant, on the other hand, was available in three or four stores -- in a city of only 250,000 -- and its sales were always very good at all model levels.

Diversity is the name of real success, and I would have thought the exclusive-make auto dealer business models would have shown a patent lack of success in recent times.

Always owned great bikes/tandems.
Never owned Trek/Specialized/Giant.
Trek started out small as did Specialized; Giant built for other brands for years. Now they've all become too big for their britches.
Brand domination comes and goes . . .

You couldn't start any smaller than what Trek did.

And they did it after bikes had already become a big industry.

Trust me, bike shops aren't the only people who suffer this. When you guys go to beating up on your LBS you have no idea as to what it is they have to deal with. This even comes into play regarding warranty reimbursement and unit costs. Trek even pushes their dealers to stock Trek only branded after the sale goods (accessories).

In my industry (outdoor power equipment) we call it holding a gun to your head, not sure what it's called in the bike world.

FWIW

Specialized sued a LBS Owner in San Diego over the agreement / contract that Specialized would send what they wanted and something else about distance to another Specialized Concept Store. Specialized makes some nice bikes but it kind of reminds me of getting a Toyota Avalon vs a Lexus. Specialized is not as price competitive in my opinion as Fuji or some others.

Perhaps I should erase your ignorance?

My LBS deals Trek, Mirraco and Eastern. Trek does NOT force only their brand and subsidiaries upon bike shops.

By the way, another LBS in my area deals Specialized, Giant, Surly and Scott.







Gee, I read a thread here about this being a friendly forum.

Al

Here is ProFail's profile:

Biography:
i liek 2 biek
Location:
North Carolina
Interests:
Wut
Occupation:
Student
Bicycle(s):
2008 Trek Fuel EX7, 2007 Trek 1600, 2007 Eastern Warthog

I think we have been invaded.

Here is ProFail's profile:

Biography:
i liek 2 biek
Location:
North Carolina
Interests:
Wut
Occupation:
Student
Bicycle(s):
2008 Trek Fuel EX7, 2007 Trek 1600, 2007 Eastern Warthog

I think we have been invaded.

That's funny. I used to participate in the mountain bike forum, but it's populated by these types. I just gave up. Too much uncontrolled testosterone I guess.

Al

These companies are acting like thugs and mobsters - rather than relying on great products they are manipulating the market. I bought a Specialized last year - I like it quite a bit and it was a great value.

I work for a major corporation, if we did this we would get hauled into court. We spend hours in business ethics classes so that we do nothing that might find it's way on the front pages.

Times are changin! One thing I originally loved about Chicago's higher-end shops was variety and selection, versus the old Schwinn shops, which were as vertically-integrated as Trek and Specialized try to be.

My fave in Ann Arbor is Great Lakes. They dropped Trek and Specialized because of distributor pressure, and took on Cannondale and GT. They also sell Felt, and will do very high-end Orbea on a special order basis. Plus the current owner is actively trying to train and improve service and staff, even though they are now at a high level.

The shop I worked in in Chicago had (the owner had) a motto. If you repair bicycles, you should be willing to repair all bicycles that come in the door. They all work the same way, just the parts (threading, fitting) could be different.

Another one here has both Specialized and Trek - I dunno how he did that.

Another one sells "super brands," like Ducati and a bunch of other boutique-ish stuff, but has some kind of special qualification with Specialized to handle some Body Geometry stuff for their fitting service.

I kinda prefer the ones with poor lighting, wooden floors, bikes on racks, and experienced knowledgable staff who are savvy about people, and with a lot of NOS in the back room.

I work for a major corporation, if we did this we would get hauled into court. We spend hours in business ethics classes so that we do nothing that might find it's way on the front pages.

I don't see anything unethical about it, it's just a marketing decision.

Trek and Specialized want to capture a greater percentage of the total bicycling market for Trek and Specialized. That's their job. People, for whatever reason, will ask for Trek bicycles but things like floor pumps - not so much. Trek and Specialized are using the desirability of their bicycles to force dealers to devote more floor space to other Trek and Specialized products.

Each individual dealer gets to decide for themselves: "What is Trek or Specialized doing for me that nobody else will do? Is the Trek or Specialized brand name powerful enough to profit me for adopting their Trek or Specialized store concept? If the answer is no, then the ball bounces into the other court and Trek or Specialized gets to decide if the retailer is powerful enough that they want to deviate from their business model or lose the business. There's equal risk involved for both parties.

Like I say, now that I'm no longer personally involved, it's going to be fun seeing how it plays out.

I kinda prefer the ones with poor lighting, wooden floors, bikes on racks, and experienced knowledgable staff who are savvy about people, and with a lot of NOS in the back room.

+1
Some of the modern bike shops are so clean and organized that I feel like I've walked into a doctor's office by mistake. Nothing about them makes me want to hang around. I like a bike shop that looks, sounds, feels and smells like a bike shop.

I don't see anything unethical about it, it's just a marketing decision.


Ah - if it were only that simple. If the LBS was a Trek or Specialized Franchise I could see it but they are not. It may not be illegal but I consider it unethical and unfair competitive practices or at best - guerilla tactics. We all have choices - I hope my LBS never has to make the choice to knuckle under or close the door.

Ah - if it were only that simple. If the LBS was a Trek or Specialized Franchise I could see it but they are not.

Yeah, they are. Typical dealer agreements have a number provisions. For example, dealers are typically prohibited from selling unassembled bikes still in the carton or from selling bikes on the internet. The big volume companies, like Trek, Specialized and the like won't approve a dealership that looks too dumpy. That's all spelled out in the dealer agreement and they are renewed annually.

Suppose you go to buy a bike from a dealer. He says: "I'll sell you the bike at such-and-such a price provided you also buy a water bottle cage, an under seat bag, a spare tube and a multi-tool. All things that you need anyway. It's totally your choice. If you really want that particular bike you'd probably say OK. If you aren't too crazy about the bike, you walk away. Or, you can continue to negotiate, hopeing to come to an agreement. The bike dealer, trust me, wants to sell you the bike but he also wants to get a bigger share of your total bicycling spending. He's willing to risk the bike sale to get the rest.

It's the same thing.

Not to sound like a sentimental, goes-against-reason 61 year old who's just returned to cycling... but I felt put-off when I visited a local bike shop. It was more like a hip grocery store or a theater lobby. Not much merchandise in any depth, but lotsa lights and 18 year olds who'd never heard of SunTour, not to mention the floor saturated with Specialized bikes almost exclusively. No used bikes, nothing hanging from the rafters (no rafters), no fishbowl with Benotto tape, etc. Most importantly, they couldn't replace my square taper bb. I'm leery of a cycle shop that has no variety and little replacement parts depth on the back shelf.
Market place hard realities in a kind of on-a-shoe-string business? Yes, I understand the difficulties. But cycling happens as much in your head as in your legs. I eventually found the kind of "pro" LBS I was looking for and got my part-- but I had to travel a ways to get there.

Maynard Herschon, does anyone remember him?, would have far better described such an olde bike shoppe.

As far as the idea that Specialized or Trek have the right to dominate the shop because of their marketing power.......well, surelk-- except we're the losers because our breadth of choice is narrowed. (As in, "Any color you want as long as its black").

Not to sound like a sentimental, goes-against-reason 61 year old who's just returned to cycling... but I felt put-off when I visited a local bike shop. It was more like a hip grocery store or a theater lobby. Not much merchandise in any depth, but lotsa lights and 18 year olds who'd never heard of SunTour, not to mention the floor saturated with Specialized bikes almost exclusively. No used bikes, nothing hanging from the rafters (no rafters), no fishbowl with Benotto tape, etc. Most importantly, they couldn't replace my square taper bb. I'm leery of a cycle shop that has no variety and little replacement parts depth on the back shelf.
Market place hard realities in a kind of on-a-shoe-string business? Yes, I understand the difficulties. But cycling happens as much in your head as in your legs. I eventually found the kind of "pro" LBS I was looking for and got my part-- but I had to travel a ways to get there.

Maynard Herschon, does anyone remember him?, would have far better described such an olde bike shoppe.

As far as the idea that Specialized or Trek have the right to dominate the shop because of their marketing power.......well, surelk-- except we're the losers because our breadth of choice is narrowed. (As in, "Any color you want as long as its black").

Yes, but the thing is, this new generation of bike stores isn't geared to customers like you and me who are relativley bicycle savvy. They are geared to (a) the newbies who wouldn't have a clue as to whether they are being sold good value or not, but are distracted by the glitz and will likely make a decision based on shininess and colour; and (b) the customers who want "schwag", cache, "superior" product or whatever other descriptor you want to put on premium price (even if the quality doesn't actually match that price).

Unfortunately, the consumer world relies almost entirely on glitz and marketing spin, and people are prepared to accept a basic lack of knowledge by customer service staff because in all likelihood, they don't have a clue what's being said.

It's no different in electronics. I and my girlfriend went into a high-profile store in Canada looking for a digital camera. We asked about several and I was interested to note that the customer service employees were reciting off the specials posters, adjacent to the cameras and behind us, all the features said cameras possessed... the posters we already had read and fully understood. Needless to say, we went elsewhere with our purchases.

Bikes on display have little cards with the features listed on them. With resources like that, who needs actual knowledge to fool the potential customer into parting with cash?

I am at the point these days in a bricks-and-mortar shop of any sort of saying bluntly "I'm right thanks" whenever a saleperson is within earshot and headed my way (especially when they are high-school kids). I can read the information on the packaging and sales posters as well as they can, and probably have a better grasp of what it all means.

The paucity of customer service and lack of sales staff knowledge are the reasons why forums like this thrive on the "Why do I hurt?", "Why won't my bike work?" and "What do I need to fix a flat?" questions. Worst among all this is that people depart shops with bikes that don't fit them and then wonder why anyone would go bicyclng if they suffered such sore butts!

Likewise, these forums also thrive for the more aware cyclist, who can at least do a search on a product and get a broad and fair cross-section of opinions before committing to a purchase.

Whether the bike shop owners are aware of the threat the internet plays in their sales strategies is moot. Somehow, I think not in many cases.

Several bricks and mortar shops have a web presence in Australia. I have tried using their communication systems off the websites (hat is, Contact Us email addresses) to ask questions about product. In one case it took a fortnight to get back to me, but which time I had bought new from eBay at less than half the price and had already fitted the item. In another, I never received a reply; with that same store, I tried ordering twice a jersey of a particular design 18 months apart... only to be told on both occasions there were none left.

It demonstrates to me that bricks-and-mortar shop owners don't have a clue as to what web marketing is all about. It's left to the sharp business models such as BD and Chain Reaction Cycles, and Pro Bike Kit to do the job, and very well they do it, too.

To lead this back to the thread title, one benefit "exclusive" dealerships might offer is a guarantee that what is offered on a website or in a mag or newspaper ad will in fact be delivered by the shop, wherever it might be. That is, a consistency in product and its delivery to the customer Judging from the anecdotes here, however, it appears Specialized is already failing that test.

I recently went to the LBS that sold me my Roubaix last year, and there were no Specialized bikes to be found. None. Nunca. Zip. Zero.

The store manager explained that Specialized tried to make them a deal they couldn't refuse. Carry only Specialized, or carry NO Specialized.

So they chose the latter.

When did this happen? I think it's awful. Shame on Specialized!

The F'd over my LBS too, so badly that I was rather shocked when I heard the story. They do suck. My LBS dropped Specialized two years ago like a stone. Now they sell Cannondale, Scott, Cervelo and a few other high end boutique brands. They are doing better than ever.

If you see this as a problem with one company, you miss the big picture. Like so many problems in businesses today, I think this one can be traced back to someone with an MBA. :)

... but I felt put-off when I visited a local bike shop... but lotsa lights and 18 year olds...

This makes me crazy. I hate snotty children behind the counter. They can hardly be bothered to make eye contact; especially if you're a woman wheeling in her three-speed for a check-up.

I recently went to the LBS that sold me my Roubaix last year, and there were no Specialized bikes to be found. None. Nunca. Zip. Zero.

The store manager explained that Specialized tried to make them a deal they couldn't refuse. Carry only Specialized, or carry NO Specialized.

So they chose the latter.

When did this happen? I think it's awful. Shame on Specialized!

Search the road bike section. Plenty of info on Specialized and single branding. Trek is also going in this direction. Myself, I think it is a dumb move because although Specialized makes good stuff there is always something in someone's catalog that is better or equal at a better price.

This makes me crazy. I hate snotty children behind the counter. They can hardly be bothered to make eye contact; especially if you're a woman wheeling in her three-speed for a check-up.

This is where small town LBS excel. They cater to the typical everyday rider. I've been in small town bike shops where there wasn't a single bike on the floor that cost more than $500, and about 75% of their stock was hybrids and comfort bikes. I've watched those shops handle casual and noobie riders a few times and they do a very good job of listening and trying to find a proper match. You wheel in a 3-speed for a tuneup and they are glad to get your business. Heck, I've watched when people have brought in Wal-Mart bikes for repairs and there wasn't the slightest bit of disdain expressed. One shop owner told me that fixing W-M bikes was his primary line of business.

One shop owner told me that fixing W-M bikes was his primary line of business.

You've got tht right! Seriously, on the far side of the LBS world is the Colorado Cyclist up-nosed attitude that "We shall sell no gruppo below Ultegra (err, make that Ultegra SL)". For many recreational cyclists who love to ride and manage on 105 or even below, that can be roll-your-eyes toxic. On the nearer side of the LBS world, is the adolescent, slack-jawed "Huh, whatsa freewheel?"

Lord give us patience!

Going the way of WallyWorld . . . our way or the highway!

Yes, but the thing is, this new generation of bike stores isn't geared to customers like you and me who are relativley bicycle savvy. They are geared to (a) the newbies who wouldn't have a clue as to whether they are being sold good value or not, but are distracted by the glitz and will likely make a decision based on shininess and colour; and (b) the customers who want "schwag", cache, "superior" product or whatever other descriptor you want to put on premium price (even if the quality doesn't actually match that price).

Unfortunately, the consumer world relies almost entirely on glitz and marketing spin, and people are prepared to accept a basic lack of knowledge by customer service staff because in all likelihood, they don't have a clue what's being said.

It's no different in electronics. I and my girlfriend went into a high-profile store in Canada looking for a digital camera. We asked about several and I was interested to note that the customer service employees were reciting off the specials posters, adjacent to the cameras and behind us, all the features said cameras possessed... the posters we already had read and fully understood. Needless to say, we went elsewhere with our purchases.

Bikes on display have little cards with the features listed on them. With resources like that, who needs actual knowledge to fool the potential customer into parting with cash?

I am at the point these days in a bricks-and-mortar shop of any sort of saying bluntly "I'm right thanks" whenever a saleperson is within earshot and headed my way (especially when they are high-school kids). I can read the information on the packaging and sales posters as well as they can, and probably have a better grasp of what it all means.

The paucity of customer service and lack of sales staff knowledge are the reasons why forums like this thrive on the "Why do I hurt?", "Why won't my bike work?" and "What do I need to fix a flat?" questions. Worst among all this is that people depart shops with bikes that don't fit them and then wonder why anyone would go bicyclng if they suffered such sore butts!

Likewise, these forums also thrive for the more aware cyclist, who can at least do a search on a product and get a broad and fair cross-section of opinions before committing to a purchase.

Whether the bike shop owners are aware of the threat the internet plays in their sales strategies is moot. Somehow, I think not in many cases.

Several bricks and mortar shops have a web presence in Australia. I have tried using their communication systems off the websites (hat is, Contact Us email addresses) to ask questions about product. In one case it took a fortnight to get back to me, but which time I had bought new from eBay at less than half the price and had already fitted the item. In another, I never received a reply; with that same store, I tried ordering twice a jersey of a particular design 18 months apart... only to be told on both occasions there were none left.

It demonstrates to me that bricks-and-mortar shop owners don't have a clue as to what web marketing is all about. It's left to the sharp business models such as BD and Chain Reaction Cycles, and Pro Bike Kit to do the job, and very well they do it, too.

To lead this back to the thread title, one benefit "exclusive" dealerships might offer is a guarantee that what is offered on a website or in a mag or newspaper ad will in fact be delivered by the shop, wherever it might be. That is, a consistency in product and its delivery to the customer Judging from the anecdotes here, however, it appears Specialized is already failing that test.

Rowan, you and I are almost exactly on the same page, and I had nearly completely given up, until I realized I needed some wheels. Here I found only two shops in my town that would talk about custom wheels, one of which was convinced that the only way to build a good road wheel was with straight 14 guage (I weigh 180# and I'm not hard on things, NO CALL for such a spoke)! The other did an interview, the builder suggested several wheel design options, and because I wanted tubulars was willing to build and guarantee a set of wheels using NOS parts! The only comparably good offer I had was from a shop 50 miles away - similar price, same guarantee, same parts quality. We bought a new bike for my wife there when I went to place the order.

So a shop search is worthwhile, I found, even though usually frustrating.

Our boutique shop in town only sells name brand wheels, at least twice the price of what I got, and the wheel needs to be sent to the factory for warranty assessment and if warranted, service. Where I bought the wheels, Steve built the wheels, and Steve will fix the wheels!

Road Fan

Me-I remember telling you what I needed, not asking what YOU wanted me to buy!!
Idiot kid behind counter-Duh?! O.K...uh...No bullhorns????
L.B.S. in Hyannis Ma., they argue with me every time (Three times) I set foot in there! Never again.:twitchy: Pays to shop around!!!!! A few miles down the road, I found a new shop, and an old mechanic!:thumb: Yeahhh!!!

One of the local LBS's here just dropped Specialized (or were dropped?), and now sells mostly Trek. But another LBS from the next city over is opening a store here and will be selling Specialized. Another store sells Giant, Felt and some higher priced brands. And there's a Performance bike shop in town. Since we've got a lot of cyclists around here, there's also a lot of competition :)

In the greater Madison area, we now have 2 Trek Company stores, 2 large LBS selling mostly Trek, 3 LBS selling mostly Specialized, 4 large LBS selling an assortment of brands (not Trek or Specialized), 2 small LBS selling mostly Trek, and 4 small LBS selling assorted brands. Oh, and there is 1 huge used bike store.

You can see the Trek & Specialized forces at work as there are no LBS selling just a few bikes from these two companies. These brands are either your dominant brand or they aren't present.

For a city of 200,000 (400,000 metro), there are a lot of bike shops. I'm not even counting the 3 Wal-Marts, 2 Targets, 2 Dick's, or other hardware/discount stores that sell bikes.

In the greater Madison area, we now have 2 Trek Company stores, 2 large LBS selling mostly Trek, 3 LBS selling mostly Specialized, 4 large LBS selling an assortment of brands (not Trek or Specialized), 2 small LBS selling mostly Trek, and 4 small LBS selling assorted brands. Oh, and there is 1 huge used bike store.

You can see the Trek & Specialized forces at work as there are no LBS selling just a few bikes from these two companies. These brands are either your dominant brand or they aren't present.

For a city of 200,000 (400,000 metro), there are a lot of bike shops. I'm not even counting the 3 Wal-Marts, 2 Targets, 2 Dick's, or other hardware/discount stores that sell bikes.

A couple of observations:
1) Madison is a college town... a natural bike farm. Are the large number of bike shops there moreso than other college towns?
2) Trek HQ is close by, so I would expect Trek to be well represented.

Where is that used bike store you referenced?

Schwinn inaugurated the store as bike store selling exclusively Schwinns back in the 60's. Before that distributers were selling to all sorts of improbable places such lawn mower shops and blacksmiths only one or two Schwinns a year. Not that there's anything wrong with such shops except they weren't interested in bicycling, fixing bikes, selling stuff for bikes, etc. My first Schwinn came from a welding shop called Doc Fixit's and they treated me so poorly that I'm still mad at them and they've been out of business for years. I need to return to that town and search the rest homes because I owe some old coot a piece of my mind!

A great read for anyone on this Forum is No Hands : The Rise and Fall of the Schwinn Bicycle Company : An American Institution.

A couple of observations:
1) Madison is a college town... a natural bike farm. Are the large number of bike shops there moreso than other college towns?
2) Trek HQ is close by, so I would expect Trek to be well represented.

Where is that used bike store you referenced?

1) Can't say. But as compared to Chapel Hill NC & Morgantown WV, there are far more bike shops here. Population is much higher too, though.

The used bike shop is on Regent Street, on the south edge of the campus. Very close to the intersection of Regent and Park. They have hundreds of used bikes, of all types.

FWIW

Specialized sued a LBS Owner in San Diego over the agreement / contract that Specialized would send what they wanted and something else about distance to another Specialized Concept Store. Specialized makes some nice bikes but it kind of reminds me of getting a Toyota Avalon vs a Lexus. Specialized is not as price competitive in my opinion as Fuji or some others.


Specialized has moved to the "Concept Store" in San Diego, which resulted in some ugly lawsuits between a LBS which sold their bikes, and Specialized... apparently didn't like the new "deal" and dropped the line. In the end Bicycle retailing is a business, and a difficult one to make much/any money.

When I was a kid, the local hardware/locksmith/outboard motor repair shop also sold schwinns. The only other option was the junk bikes from department stores like Sears. Now we have Performance, et. al. buying up the independents in most of the major cycling markets. Wow, somebody actually is expecting to make money in the business.

times, they are a changing...

What store was this? Just wondering.

Kind of teed me off years ago when Performance started buying up the local independents... suddenly good old shops were now only stocking Performance brand crap.

1) Can't say. But as compared to Chapel Hill NC & Morgantown WV, there are far more bike shops here. Population is much higher too, though.

The used bike shop is on Regent Street, on the south edge of the campus. Very close to the intersection of Regent and Park. They have hundreds of used bikes, of all types.

Shucks. Must have missed that used bike shop on my visit there a couple of months ago. I found the Yellow Jersey. Is it near there?

Yellow Jersey is on State Street. That is one of the smaller LBS's in Madison, although it is certainly crammed full of gear. The used shop, along with a large recumbent/road bike shop, and a very large mountain/hybrid bike shop (Budget Bicycle), are about a mile away on Regent Street. Then there is a very large shop (Williamson Bike Shop) on West Washington, which is about a half-mile from Yellow Jersey. And another large one (Machinery Row) on Lake Monona, which is maybe a mile from Yellow Jersey. And there's a Serotta shop not far from that one. All of these are within a 2-10 minute bike ride from my office.

1) Can't say. But as compared to Chapel Hill NC & Morgantown WV, there are far more bike shops here. Population is much higher too, though.


Yes, there is a good selection of Bike stores and shops in Madison proper. Was there for work, for only 4 days, and visited the Trek concept store near East Pointe Plaza, nice selection, yet young staff working floor the evening I visited, and from my visit I would not buy a bike from this store, it reminded me of a high end big city specialty store.

I did enjoy my visit at Erik's, in same shopping area. Was told this is a Specialized concept store and floor was shared with a couple other brands, but the biggest selection of specialized these eyes have seen. Good prices on 07 models, and able to compare 07s and 08s side by side. Great selection, visited twice, and just guessing, I believe at least orders were taken for 7 bikes total, plus another three each night leaving via the front door. Staff there not the friendliest, but knowledgeable, and were busy.

My favorite store was Williamson's on East Washington, great staff, very knowledgeable. Smaller selection, but told the other store had greater selection, they were better wrenches:thumb:

Told 18 stores in the Madison area. Cut the yellow pages for Bikes from the hotel room yellow pages, so on next visit will have better game plan. Also plan to pack a bike for next trip, if I did not, I am afraid I would buy one. (may anyways)

The town from what I witnessed is very bike friendly, bike lanes and pathways well marked.

also, saw Pacific Cycles Headquarters on SW side of town, on one trip to meet a client. Was this a former Schwinn office?