CliffordK

Most bike shops don't mind if a person walks their bike around the store. However, I have never seen a substantial rack inside of the stores. They are always on the street outside.

I realize that floor space is usually at a premium, but one could take some of the space allocated for an outside rack and move it inside (and in a visible spot away from the door).

One of the things that a shop must do to stay in business is to build rapport with the customers, whether they require service in the shop, or are carry-out customers.

Now, I also have somewhat unique bikes, but there is also a story behind every bike. What better way to generate customer rapport than bring the bike into the store where the store salesmen can come over and bring it into the conversation (as well as discussing possible upgrades).

J.C. Koto

I don't disagree but like you said space is a premium. The local shops I go to simply don't have the space. I mean, there's literally no place to put a rack inside for customer use.

jade408

Haven't seen a store big enough to accommodate that.

Blue Belly

If they have room, it's a great idea.

tedder

there's a shop down the river from you (River City Bikes, Portland) that not only has a nice bike rack but each of the rack spaces has a lock. You lock your bike, then when you're done, the salespeople unlock your bike. Kinda slick.

But yeah, it's rare.

AlmostTrick

One shop in my area, the one I bought my last bike from, does have racks inside for customer use. Only enough for four bikes, I think, but that is enough.

CliffordK

Next time I'm in the City of Roses, I may have to check it out.

I'm trying to think of where that is at. It may well be a neighborhood where one would want a little extra security for one's bike. But, by providing locks, one doesn't have to worry about forgetting one's lock, and it forces more employee/customer interaction which can be good for building a relationship.

I got to the new Performance Bike Shop here in Eugene today. It was so big, there were people riding their bikes in circles in the store. Unlike the Arriving By Bike store that is so packed, that one can barely walk through it.

Anyway, just thinking of one of the local bike shops that has porticos which are nice, with the bike rack under the portico. But, if the wall was 6 feet further out, the bike rack could simply be inside the store.

milkbaby

I just roll my bike in and lean it against a wall or counter in most stores I visit. People must bring in bikes all the time to be serviced so I have no qualms about bringing mine in when I'm bicycle commuting.

Elvo

I just roll my bike in directly to the mechanics area and put it on an available stand. Then I start using the tools that they have that I don't have (scale, chainring tooth checker, lube, shock compressor, etc). Never had any problems with my bike getting stolen

CliffordK

I was just thinking.
I've had 3 bikes at the local bike co-op.
My Colnago Super, Litespeed Frankenbike, and Cargo Frankenbike.

I think the employees now recognize, and can remember all 3 bikes, and can probably connect them all to me.

I thought I'd check out the Performance shop today, riding my 40+ yr old Colnago, and I think it was completely unnoticed. Not that it makes a big difference, but it would have been a good conversation starter, and perhaps made the difference between the sterile aisles of a department store and an "LBS".

caloso

My LBS does.

CliffordK

I've been told to bring the bike inside at times, so I've done it before, but if I'm browsing, I'd rather not be wheeling the bike around the shop. Nor do I want to just leave it parked at the counter.

If' I'm just buying something like tubes and running I'll bring it up to the counter and snag them.

tcarl

I only know of one store in this area that has enough floor space for an indoor rack. which they at least used to have. Don't know if it's still there.

AlmostTrick

Me too. Unless you visit during a peak period when the shop is busy, like Saturday morning, there's always room for a customers bike. A rack can be handy but really is not needed.

tedder

Inner east side, at the east end of the Morrison Bridge. Not the safest area but not sketchy either.

But yeah, I roll my bike in most of the time. If I'm on my carbon bike I *always* roll it in. If I'm on my steel city bike I typically have a lock, so I'll lock it if there's a rack outside.

FrankHudson

The Freewheel store on the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis has a rack for customers inside by the parts area, and rents indoor spaces to commuters too.

GP

The shop owner where I go tells people not to leave their bikes outside. There's no inside rack, you have to lean them on something or use the little rear wheel stands thy have new bikes in.

fietsbob

1, Commercial Buildings rent by the square foot . so spacious shop settings

are going to have to pay for that open space by charging for the stuff they do Sell.

Havent read a lot of posts wanting higher priced stuff in shops , to pay for the open floor space..

Busy season is Pacific Coast Touring season , when people need work on their bikes step 1 is remove the luggage ..

Floor of shop is full of bikes and stuff to sell. but there are a few square meters for DIY De Boxing and setup to start tours from Here.


There is a Bike rack outside it gets re assembled around the Parking sign post in the spring ,and taken in, in the winter.

obed7

I rarely take any of my bikes with me when I go to the LBS. Two of the three shops I go to are so crowded now that you have to pay attention to be able to turn around...if someone is rolling a bike in or out you have to step aside for them.

md11mx

I would like to see several good security cameras with a good system recording.
Cheers,
David in Alaska

Wittyname

If they can fit it, sure. If not, I can always find a wall or counter to lean it on

yuoil 

If the shop has a lot of bicycle traffic I could see having a rack near the door, either inside or out. However, most are so crowded, and many of the customers come by car, so I doubt it'd be worth it for many bicycle shops.

Phloom

Mellow Johnny's in Austin Texas has a bike rack in the store along with a coffee shop and seating for about 30 people. Was just in Austin for a software developer conference and Mellow Johnny's was a 10 minute walk from the hotel. I must be a bike nerd. Austin is a very bike friendly city with racks of bikes on the sidewalks for rent using a credit card. I think the square footage of Mellow Johnny's is more than all the bike shops in Edmonton added together. Bought some shoes, a jersey and lycra shorts. Chatted with the staff for quite a long time.

enigmaT120

The bike shops in Salem are too small for a rack inside, but have good ones outside the doors. I went to REI a couple of weeks ago and locked my bike up to their rack, when one of the bike shop guys talked me into taking it inside. They stashed it in the shop until I was done shopping. I think he liked my Fargo.