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So long Velo Cult!

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So long Velo Cult!

Old 07-29-18, 10:15 AM
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My darkroom is unfinished and the public darkroom I used to use closed, so will take some time for the film to get developed and printed.

Hopefully someone took digi pics.

I had a good time hanging out with lots of people who I know, in a curious and almost archaic way. In the old days, you'd go to the village market or square and talk with other villagers you knew there. You wouldn't have their email or phone (this is 1800-1900 like) and might not know what hamlet they lived in, but you'd see them every week anyway, they were just part of your daily life.

I left around 11. Sky was throwing T shirts into the crowd, Maria rode her bike through the shop and someone had set off a string of firecrackers in the street. Things were still going pretty strong.
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Old 08-16-18, 05:27 PM
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I managed to get to Velo Cult Tuesday (it was closed Monday). I found the sale somewhat disappointing. Somewhat like bike co-op rejects... with so much stuff laid out being broken or non-functional. Perhaps I was just late, and someone else had already cherry-picked the cherry parts.

There was, however, a big box of frame pumps that looked interesting, but I'm not using those now. One could probably snag a few parts from some Silica pumps.

While there, I overheard a bit of a conversation about ordinance issues.

  1. Lack of a sprinkler system. I'm not quite sure where that is coming from, but I would imagine it is tied to the basement with a lack of egress, although perhaps an occupancy issue. Not a big deal if there are 10 bike shop customers, but potentially an issue if there are 100. Still, it would seem like one should be able to install sprinklers for less than a month's rent.
  2. The BAR. My guess this is the biggest issue.

    During the day, the shop has the feel of a bike shop, and allows access to kids and adults of all ages.

    However, during the "events", it has more of a bar feel. It doesn't really seem to be an issue, but my guess is that someone decided that it should be an over 21 establishment.

So, melding an over 21 establishment with an all ages establishment surely leads to a crash. And, the design merges the two, so neither bike shop or bar can support itself without the other half.
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Old 08-16-18, 05:48 PM
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I'm sorry, I already don't miss them. But I think there are lessons to be learned here. #1 don't ignore your customers!
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Old 08-16-18, 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Oldairhead
I'm sorry, I already don't miss them. But I think there are lessons to be learned here. #1 don't ignore your customers!
Locals do. I met most of my cycling friends at Velocult. Many rides started there. Once they opened the shop 4 hours early so 8 rando guys could meet up their and ride out the one of Jan's un-meetings. Everybody that came to visit me in Portland since I moved here over 4 years ago wanted to come by and see it.

The problem wasn't ignoring their customers. The problem was not having a sustainable business model, and understanding Portland's zoning requirements well enough to make it work/not enough money to modify the venue/too ambitious...

Maybe it's best it was here today, gone tomorrow (in relative terms). Is there another bike shop in the world that people knew about more than Velocult? Just gotta translate that into money, which they didn't do well enough.
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Old 08-16-18, 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by CliffordK
I managed to get to Velo Cult Tuesday (it was closed Monday). I found the sale somewhat disappointing. Somewhat like bike co-op rejects... with so much stuff laid out being broken or non-functional. Perhaps I was just late, and someone else had already cherry-picked the cherry parts.
I stopped in on Sunday, and it was already pretty picked over by then. I got an old Turbo saddle that was once white but is now well on its way to being black, and a Campagnolo Gran Turismo rear derailleur that was missing a mounting bolt, $10 each. I might even use the saddle some day.
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Old 08-16-18, 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Andy_K
I stopped in on Sunday, and it was already pretty picked over by then. I got an old Turbo saddle that was once white but is now well on its way to being black, and a Campagnolo Gran Turismo rear derailleur that was missing a mounting bolt, $10 each. I might even use the saddle some day.
That is what happened to my saddle.

I picked up a few little things including some bars, a stem missing a bolt, and a 105 5700 hub.

There was a Campy Strada crankset that caught my eye, but it had a bit of a wobble on the BB spindle, making me wonder if the crank arms had been hogged out. So, that stayed behind.
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Old 08-16-18, 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by gugie
The problem wasn't ignoring their customers. The problem was not having a sustainable business model, and understanding Portland's zoning requirements well enough to make it work/not enough money to modify the venue/too ambitious...
Well, they did ignore me, on several occasions. I wanted to like the shop, they just made it so hard! I am a "seasonal local" (is that a thing) and on each occasion that I visited I had to almost beg for service. Maybe I didn't have enough tats or piercings which a Portland thing but they were not customer friendly to everyone!

I also understand that it is difficult to run a business in a town like Portland. There are so many burdens on small business that it makes me wonder how any of them survive in this climate (I am in PDX now!) I'm just saying that if you ignore some of your customers in a competitive market like PDX this can be the end result! My business has gone to CyclePath on N. MLK for some time now. They greet me when I come into the shop and listen to me when I tell them what I want. I am happy and a returning customer! I hope they make it too.
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Old 08-16-18, 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by CliffordK
I managed to get to Velo Cult Tuesday (it was closed Monday). I found the sale somewhat disappointing. Somewhat like bike co-op rejects... with so much stuff laid out being broken or non-functional. Perhaps I was just late, and someone else had already cherry-picked the cherry parts.
I would say you were late, unfortunately. I went last Friday at 3:00 (the sale started at noon) and got some great stuff (Dura-ace brakes, Nitto Rando bars, aero seatpost, IRD Triple crankset, Avocet R1 Saddle, and some other stuff) and the prices really surprised me - he was pretty much giving stuff away. There was barely anyone there, too. I didn't visit there often, but really liked that it was in town. I'm in Beaverton, so didn't have a reason to get over there much.
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Old 08-16-18, 10:36 PM
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Originally Posted by SpookyReverb
I'm in Beaverton, so didn't have a reason to get over there much.
Didn't stop@Andy_K and I!

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Old 08-16-18, 10:59 PM
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Old 08-16-18, 11:47 PM
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Originally Posted by jyl
They put a picture of me on the event page. I almost have to go.
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Old 08-17-18, 12:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Andy_K
They put a picture of me on the event page. I almost have to go.
Ha! Ya dang hippie, ya! GET A JOB!
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Old 08-17-18, 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by gugie
Didn't stop@Andy_K and I!

Haha, ok, I know: poor excuse!
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Old 08-17-18, 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Andy_K
They put a picture of me on the event page. I almost have to go.
Yes, that's you. I keep seeing this other guy with no beard and short hair that claims to be you. I can't be there, can someone verify if both Andy Ks show up, and if so, did the time-space continuum warps as a result?
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Old 08-17-18, 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Andy_K
They put a picture of me on the event page. I almost have to go.
Just looked at that picture again, I'm pretty sure I'm the guy facing away on the far right. I don't know anyone else who as that 30 year old cycling jacket - and is the answer to the question "what team did the GC runner-up in LeMond's famous last day TT win in the TdF ride for?"
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Old 08-17-18, 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by gugie
Just looked at that picture again, I'm pretty sure I'm the guy facing away on the far right. I don't know anyone else who as that 30 year old cycling jacket - and is the answer to the question "what team did the GC runner-up in LeMond's famous last day TT win in the TdF ride for?"
There's one of those jackets for sale on PDX CL right now. You should buy it for @nlerner so the two of you can expand your matching wardrobes.
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Old 08-17-18, 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Andy_K
There's one of those jackets for sale on PDX CL right now. You should buy it for @nlerner so the two of you can expand your matching wardrobes.
Or maybe I should check to see if it's my wife selling it...
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Old 08-17-18, 06:38 PM
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Looked like a cool spot , eCommerce will continue to close local shops down till the right balance is achieved.
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Old 08-18-18, 05:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Andy_K
There's one of those jackets for sale on PDX CL right now. You should buy it for @nlerner so the two of you can expand your matching wardrobes.
i gotta get me a Raleigh Gran(d) Sport(s), first.
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Old 08-18-18, 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by SamSpade1941
Looked like a cool spot , eCommerce will continue to close local shops down till the right balance is achieved.
As I understand it, the shop is being closed due to local regulations, and not due to E-Commerce.

The business model was to combine an over-21 establishment with an under-21 establishment. All in a building that wasn't brought up to current fire codes.

I'm surprised that they were even able to open 6 years ago.

Now, you could argue that the business would have grown larger, had it not been for internet competition (which they apparently were already selling on the internet themselves). And thus, they could have dropped half of their business and still survived.

But then again, it would be a very different business than it is today... or was a month ago.

I suppose for my shopping, I like to see a price tag on everything... and perhaps even be able to pick stuff up and feel it.

Velocult was full of these pretty tables with parts displays... but not a price in sight.

I personally like to at least see prices as part of my shopping.

I wonder if part of VC was that they didn't wish to sell retail... at least not a lot. They really wanted to build stuff. So, one could walk over and look at the Chris King or Paul display, not to buy stuff, but rather as parts that could be built into a very expensive custom bike.

Portland already has at least two well established local bike shops with a strong internet presence. Probably more.

https://www.universalcycles.com/visit_us.php
https://www.biketiresdirect.com

And, Eugene, OR also has at least one local bike shop that would struggle without an internet sales model.

https://www.bikefriday.com

Anyway, internet and local shops aren't mutually exclusive.
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Old 08-18-18, 03:17 PM
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I don't disagree about the internet and the LBS. What I was saying was that the whole vintage / custom built business model with beer being sold just didn't seem to be viable regardless of regulatory concerns. I have been involved in business management for many years so Im not speaking from an uneducated position . As far as their online presence goes they honestly do not offer much . They have their branded bike frames and some t shirts. When I order online I usually hit universal cycles because they have everything you might want and it shows up fast .

Velocult doesn't seem to be offering everything online at least yet. Still I would have loved to visited the shop in person I love cool old bikes and a lot of retailers do not really chase that segment of the market.

Originally Posted by CliffordK
As I understand it, the shop is being closed due to local regulations, and not due to E-Commerce.

The business model was to combine an over-21 establishment with an under-21 establishment. All in a building that wasn't brought up to current fire codes.

I'm surprised that they were even able to open 6 years ago.

Now, you could argue that the business would have grown larger, had it not been for internet competition (which they apparently were already selling on the internet themselves). And thus, they could have dropped half of their business and still survived.

But then again, it would be a very different business than it is today... or was a month ago.

I suppose for my shopping, I like to see a price tag on everything... and perhaps even be able to pick stuff up and feel it.

Velocult was full of these pretty tables with parts displays... but not a price in sight.

I personally like to at least see prices as part of my shopping.

I wonder if part of VC was that they didn't wish to sell retail... at least not a lot. They really wanted to build stuff. So, one could walk over and look at the Chris King or Paul display, not to buy stuff, but rather as parts that could be built into a very expensive custom bike.

Portland already has at least two well established local bike shops with a strong internet presence. Probably more.

https://www.universalcycles.com/visit_us.php
https://www.biketiresdirect.com

And, Eugene, OR also has at least one local bike shop that would struggle without an internet sales model.

https://www.bikefriday.com

Anyway, internet and local shops aren't mutually exclusive.
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Old 08-18-18, 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by CliffordK
Velocult was full of these pretty tables with parts displays... but not a price in sight.
I was talking today to one of the guys whose businesses are represented by those tables, and he wasn't even clear whether or not they intended those parts to be for sale. I always thought they were primarily meant as a showcase of American bike businesses.

By the way, the show today was a great event.
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