Harris cyclery is closing
06-11-21 | 01:27 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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From: Boston area
Bikes: 1984 Bridgestone 400 1985Univega nouevo sport 650b conversion 1993b'stone RBT 1985 Schwinn Tempo
Harris cyclery is closing
I stopped in at Harris yesterday, and found out that it will be closing its doors this coming Sunday. Why? They can't get any bikes to sell, and you can't make enough money to pay the rent unless you sell bikes. I've been going there for years, so sad.
06-11-21 | 02:08 PM
#3
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The Bike Industry is going to have a completely different and almost unrecognizable (for some of us) landscape very soon. Many Brick & Mortar shops will be disappearing as the new business model of selling online, grabbing all the money upfront through electronic means, and then delivering whenever, will be a new norm.
The corps have seen that people will adapt to this new and ridiculous business model. People will buy, unseen, $4500 bikes and then wait months for them to arrive. They will go 'all in' with the credit card monies and then sit and wait for delivery. The industry will be consolidating locations and is already making it harder for independently owned locations to get bikes.
This is not good news for LBS or most consumers.
The corps have seen that people will adapt to this new and ridiculous business model. People will buy, unseen, $4500 bikes and then wait months for them to arrive. They will go 'all in' with the credit card monies and then sit and wait for delivery. The industry will be consolidating locations and is already making it harder for independently owned locations to get bikes.
This is not good news for LBS or most consumers.
06-11-21 | 02:48 PM
#4
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From: Hacienda Hgts
Bikes: 2026 Motobecane Mulekick 520 Steel 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Wanted to upgrade my brakes on my MTB and was told by the owner he would not be getting any new Shimano parts for awhile and to look online. Felt bad because I want to do business with this LBS.
06-11-21 | 02:52 PM
#5
__________________
Carbon: Fuji SL2.1 Di2.......Aluminum: Cannondale Synapse 105........Steel: Schwinn Circuit 853
...
Carbon: Fuji SL2.1 Di2.......Aluminum: Cannondale Synapse 105........Steel: Schwinn Circuit 853
...
06-11-21 | 03:07 PM
#6
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From: Eastern Washington
Bikes: 1978 Raleigh Competition-1974 Raleigh Folder-1983 Austro Daimler-198? Fuji Monterey-Surly LHT-Surly Karate Monkey-Surly Cross Check
06-11-21 | 03:50 PM
#8
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Joined: May 2007
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From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
The Bike Industry is going to have a completely different and almost unrecognizable (for some of us) landscape very soon. Many Brick & Mortar shops will be disappearing as the new business model of selling online, grabbing all the money upfront through electronic means, and then delivering whenever, will be a new norm.
The corps have seen that people will adapt to this new and ridiculous business model. People will buy, unseen, $4500 bikes and then wait months for them to arrive. They will go 'all in' with the credit card monies and then sit and wait for delivery. The industry will be consolidating locations and is already making it harder for independently owned locations to get bikes.
This is not good news for LBS or most consumers.
The corps have seen that people will adapt to this new and ridiculous business model. People will buy, unseen, $4500 bikes and then wait months for them to arrive. They will go 'all in' with the credit card monies and then sit and wait for delivery. The industry will be consolidating locations and is already making it harder for independently owned locations to get bikes.
This is not good news for LBS or most consumers.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
06-11-21 | 04:19 PM
#9
Palmer
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From: Parts Unknown
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2howud
Last edited by tcs; 06-11-21 at 04:23 PM.
06-11-21 | 04:26 PM
#10
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From: Mission Viejo
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
There is a bike garage in our area. Almost all they do is work on bikes. They do sell a few tools and some consignment. They are situated in an industrial complex and have been there for a number of years.
I can see that becoming an alternative for mechanics who don’t want to deal with upset customers who bought bikes from the shop. And being unaffiliated with a mfg, they can pick and choose.
John
I can see that becoming an alternative for mechanics who don’t want to deal with upset customers who bought bikes from the shop. And being unaffiliated with a mfg, they can pick and choose.
John
06-11-21 | 04:41 PM
#11
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 23,876
Likes: 17,282
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
You make an appointment with an app on your phone. A bike mechanic comes in a van.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2howud
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2howud
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
06-11-21 | 04:44 PM
#12
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 723
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This is very bad news indeed. It is nearly impossible for any small business to survive these days and even more so for the LBS given the fact complete bicycles and parts and accessories have been in very short supply and nearly impossible to purchase for the last 12 months. The independent LBS can not compete with larger chains much less corporate owned stores such as the rapidly growing number of independent LBS turned into Trek owned stores. Add the growing number of Internet-only brands like Canyon and many others. Finally when people buy bikes on any of the major bike brands and select their LBS as the dealer where the bike will be shipped, built and made ready for customer pick up the margin given to the LBS is cut to an unsustainable level. The more the masses give their business to internet and corporate owned businesses the less is going to the LBS. If we are to see our LBS survive people will have to support them or more of them will close.
06-11-21 | 04:50 PM
#13
Master of the Universe
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 226
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From: Utah
That sucks. I live in Utah but my daughter lives near there. I stopped in a couple years ago just to see where Sheldon worked. Nice old shop. It is a multi generational business. Rent is probably very high there real surprise he does not own the building out right.
I picked up a souvenir Water bottle and the owner gave me sticker with Sheldons picture on it.
I picked up a souvenir Water bottle and the owner gave me sticker with Sheldons picture on it.
__________________
06-11-21 | 05:05 PM
#14
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From: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, 86 De Rosa Pro, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
probably offset by higher prices and it might not be on demand same day service but, scheduled based on load and geography so van/tech hits people close to each other.... i.e like UPS delivery route planning
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
06-11-21 | 05:39 PM
#15
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That sounds INCREDIBLY inefficient. Not saying it won't happen, but let's say it takes the average wrench a couple minutes to true a wheel. Now add in the door-to-door time, which would probably be half an hour at least, what with finding the place, parking, walking to the house/apartment, etc. This would hugely reduce the amount of work each wrench could do in a day.
There's a person in my locale, don't know their name, but they do a thing where they spend all day at a fixed location, e.g., in a residential neighborhood, and just do tune-ups.
06-11-21 | 05:51 PM
#16
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Joined: Jan 2010
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The Bike Industry is going to have a completely different and almost unrecognizable (for some of us) landscape very soon. Many Brick & Mortar shops will be disappearing as the new business model of selling online, grabbing all the money upfront through electronic means, and then delivering whenever, will be a new norm.
The corps have seen that people will adapt to this new and ridiculous business model. People will buy, unseen, $4500 bikes and then wait months for them to arrive. They will go 'all in' with the credit card monies and then sit and wait for delivery. The industry will be consolidating locations and is already making it harder for independently owned locations to get bikes.
This is not good news for LBS or most consumers.
The corps have seen that people will adapt to this new and ridiculous business model. People will buy, unseen, $4500 bikes and then wait months for them to arrive. They will go 'all in' with the credit card monies and then sit and wait for delivery. The industry will be consolidating locations and is already making it harder for independently owned locations to get bikes.
This is not good news for LBS or most consumers.
06-11-21 | 05:55 PM
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 45,472
Likes: 23,618
That sounds INCREDIBLY inefficient. Not saying it won't happen, but let's say it takes the average wrench a couple minutes to true a wheel. Now add in the door-to-door time, which would probably be half an hour at least, what with finding the place, parking, walking to the house/apartment, etc. This would hugely reduce the amount of work each wrench could do in a day.
06-11-21 | 06:23 PM
#18
Hack
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), Yess World Cup race BMX, Pure Cruiser race BMX, RSD Mayor v3 Fatbike
We have a few of the van-mechanics here in Ottawa. No shortage of bike shops either though. The overhead on the mobile shop is so much less, and you can easily show up at locations where you'll get drop-ins - They'll often sit and park at popular bike spots during the weekend (parkways that are closed to cars for Sunday, especially).
Really too bad to see Harris Cyclery closing. I would echo the hopes that SheldonBrown.com is able to stay online.
Really too bad to see Harris Cyclery closing. I would echo the hopes that SheldonBrown.com is able to stay online.
06-11-21 | 06:41 PM
#19
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I tend to agree with one exception: In very large cites I think LBS will continue to exist because of service needs. There are so many people who, for various reasons, don’t work on their bikes. I am one of them. I’ve spent a lot of time in shops and wish I had a dollar for every person I’ve seen who has come in for a flat tire or to have other relatively simple work performed.
I suspect/fear that it will be an REI type experience for service, if not REI itself. In the (mid size) city in which I live the 'local' REI has access to Cannondale bikes that the local Cannondale distributor cannot get. That's not a good thing.
I don't think the bike manufacturers are concerned with the service end of the business. Eliminating family owned and single proprietor shops in favor of corporate stores serves the large bike corporation very well.
06-11-21 | 06:58 PM
#20
Broken neck Ken
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Trek Mt Track XCNimbus MUni
Sad to see, though I've never been there. Between web competition and COVID, there's been a thinning. Like restaurants, the ones that survived either had deep pockets or had the agility to adapt.
06-11-21 | 07:16 PM
#21
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From: MC-778, 6250 fsw
Bikes: 1997 Cannondale, 1976 Bridgestone, 1998 SoftRide, 1989 Klein, 1989 Black Lightning #0033
I don't think it's a deliberate corporate attempt to eliminate the indie shops, rather than just an industry-wide lack of supply. Without supply to sell, you can't do a whole lot of business.
Bigger chains will fare better because they can amass more stock as it's available, and move it between locations as it's needed. An independent shop is only going to be able to afford a certain amount of stock, and then it's at the mercy of the supply chain.
Even a juggernaut like W@l M@rt is having trouble getting stock of something as basic as innertubes.
In my area, my local chain had a flagship an a couple-three 'retail outposts' Last summer, they moved all their stock and staff to the flagship, and I noticed today, that the sign was gone off the 'outpost' nearest to my house.
Bigger chains will fare better because they can amass more stock as it's available, and move it between locations as it's needed. An independent shop is only going to be able to afford a certain amount of stock, and then it's at the mercy of the supply chain.
Even a juggernaut like W@l M@rt is having trouble getting stock of something as basic as innertubes.
In my area, my local chain had a flagship an a couple-three 'retail outposts' Last summer, they moved all their stock and staff to the flagship, and I noticed today, that the sign was gone off the 'outpost' nearest to my house.
06-11-21 | 08:15 PM
#22
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I’ve had great service from the REI in Missoula when I have toured out of there. Here in Philly we have many independent shops that provide good service. The REI outlets are in the ‘burbs. No need to take my bike there when I can ride to several shops in little time. Sound like your knowledge is limited to certain markets. Having several major universities in the area certainly helps things.
06-11-21 | 08:24 PM
#23
Palmer
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From: Parts Unknown
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
06-11-21 | 08:26 PM
#24
Palmer
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From: Parts Unknown
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
06-11-21 | 08:30 PM
#25
I suspect/fear that it will be an REI type experience for service, if not REI itself.
Why is that a bad thing? The primary REI mechanics at the one I frequent are trained and experienced. Yes, a less experienced associate may help out with a flat tire repair or a minor task, but the more technical work is done by accomplished men and women. I've never had a repair problem with bikes bought at REI or else where.
In the (mid size) city in which I live the 'local' REI has access to Cannondale bikes that the local Cannondale distributor cannot get. That's not a good thing.
It may not be good, but it's just business. If you're a manufacturer, would you rather sell 300 bikes to a large retailer or 5,10 or 20 bikes to a local single shop?
I don't think the bike manufacturers are concerned with the service end of the business.
Of course they are. Those cyclists that neglect their bikes will blame the brand and not themselves for repair service problems and will possibly go to a different brand when N+1 occurs. Even those that take good care of their bikes may be affected by poor repair service when buying their next bike. Years ago, the owner of a local shop that sold Specialized, Cannondale (primarily) and another brand or two told me that Specialized and Cannondale would send reps occasionally to verify the quality of the work and parts inventory to assure quality sales and repair service for their brand. Whether this practice stopped or not (pandemic aside), I don't know.
Eliminating family owned and single proprietor shops in favor of corporate stores serves the large bike corporation very well.
Why is that a bad thing? The primary REI mechanics at the one I frequent are trained and experienced. Yes, a less experienced associate may help out with a flat tire repair or a minor task, but the more technical work is done by accomplished men and women. I've never had a repair problem with bikes bought at REI or else where.
In the (mid size) city in which I live the 'local' REI has access to Cannondale bikes that the local Cannondale distributor cannot get. That's not a good thing.
It may not be good, but it's just business. If you're a manufacturer, would you rather sell 300 bikes to a large retailer or 5,10 or 20 bikes to a local single shop?
I don't think the bike manufacturers are concerned with the service end of the business.
Of course they are. Those cyclists that neglect their bikes will blame the brand and not themselves for repair service problems and will possibly go to a different brand when N+1 occurs. Even those that take good care of their bikes may be affected by poor repair service when buying their next bike. Years ago, the owner of a local shop that sold Specialized, Cannondale (primarily) and another brand or two told me that Specialized and Cannondale would send reps occasionally to verify the quality of the work and parts inventory to assure quality sales and repair service for their brand. Whether this practice stopped or not (pandemic aside), I don't know.
Eliminating family owned and single proprietor shops in favor of corporate stores serves the large bike corporation very well.
Please delete this. I wrongfully incorporated my response in the quote except for the last response. My fault of course...very long day.
Last edited by MAK; 06-11-21 at 08:42 PM.