The Changing Times they are

RE-Cycle, Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL. 

Been keeping and eye and ear out on the bike industry even though I have sort of stepped out for a while now. More and more Bike shops across the country seem to be closing their doors. Some people might think that it's mom and pop shops that did not keep up with the times. 

Unfortunately it's a combination of both. A very high tech shop in the L.A. are closed its doors. Small shops in smaller towns are also shutting down. A lot of it is blamed on the internet. Well that's part of it but the Bike industry in itself did nothing to get ready. 

The small shops just were not able to compete and slowly but surely they started to lose business and sales. If they owned the building they probably lasted longer but if there was a rent to pay it was over with. 

So, this topic is not new. What will happen in the future? Where have the skilled mechanics gone? 

I think we will see fewer and fewer shops. We will see repair shops in very small locations with a 1-2 person show. Maybe parts will be purchased online and shipped directly to shop. That's were online bikes will get built, tune ups, flat tires, fitting. 

One will see less inventory in those shops. Stripped to the bare essentials to not create overhead. Need something fast? Next day Shipping? A lot of people suggested that everthing was going to go mobile. In some parts that viable but outfitting a vehicle is not cheap. 

It will be interesting to see what the next 5 years will bring. In the meantime enjoy your local shop. Buy something from them. Support them. If the difference isn't great give them the business. Don't go asking for advice and then shop for it online. That's really cheesy.

Thanks for reading, 

Ari