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To tell you they’ve sold the shop!
Got that call this morning & was sad but happy at the same time.
I haven’t even bought much from them for a while seeing as I’m 40 miles away & simply don’t spend anywhere near as much on bikes as I used to. I still often call in just for a chat if we’re going that way to the coast though.
Sad in the fact they’ve served me/mates/family really well over the last 32 years & will no longer be owned by the same people but happy in the fact it’ll still be there & keeping the same great staff. It’s being sold to a bigger (much bigger) cycle company.
I won’t say which shop as it’s being announced tomorrow.
I feel grateful to have been told early, & quite surprised!
Is it a bike manufacturer that’s bought it? There was mention of this on a recent GCN show. Trek etc buying up lots of independent bike shops. At least it’s stil there 👍🏼👍🏼
Is it a bike manufacturer that’s bought it?
Yes but not Trek.
Canyon?
Specialized bought one near me recently…
Specialized bought one near me recently…
Near Durham?
Spesh are taking the double pronged approach of selling direct and trying to buy out dealers. They do love their margin.
The new ‘bike shop’ model is a direct sales showroom with fit studio etc and the bikes assembled and sent direct from a fulfilment centre. Keeps the inventory low, removes the variability of the quality of bike mechanics particularly with the move to E bikes and the need for more specialist knowledge and equipment to support them.
Still doesn’t stop the commuter on a poorly maintained BSO with dog-poo on the flat tyres wanting it done now…
The end result will be that most of the traditional bike shops will become large brand sales showrooms which will leave a gap in the market for the demand from people needing their bike fixed which will lead to shop that only do bike repairs and don't sell bikes.
The end result will be that most of the traditional bike shops will become large brand sales showrooms which will leave a gap in the market for the demand from people needing their bike fixed which will lead to shop that only do bike repairs and don’t sell bikes.
That niche is well catered for here (Exeter), there are already 5 or 6 'shops' who just do maintenance locally.