{{Short description|Business specializing in bicycles}} [[Image:Welsh bicycle shop in Caernarfon.jpg|right|thumb|A local bike shop]] [[Image:Bike mechanic at a local bike shop.jpg|thumb|A [[bicycle mechanic]] at a local bike shop]] [[File:Nijmegen, Magasin de vélos couchés.JPG|thumb|View of [[recumbent bicycle]]s inside a local bike shop]] [[File:Fahrradverkaufsraum.jpg|thumb|Bicycles and exercise equipment for sale inside a local bike shop]]
A '''bike shop''' or '''bicycle shop''' is a business specializing in [[bicycle]] sales, [[Maintenance, repair, and operations|maintenance]] bike parts and accessories. Bike shops may be [[small business]]es, [[Chain store]]s, [[mail-order]] or [[electronic commerce|online]] vendors. Local bike shops (sometimes abbreviated LBS<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_l.html | title = Sheldon Brown's Glossary: LBS | accessdate = 2001-01-21}}</ref>) are a key component of the [[bicycle industry]] as they provide repair and service in additionto retail sales. In recognition of the value that local bike shops provide, some [[manufacturers]] only sell their bicycles through [[dealerships]]. In the UK and Ireland, the expression ''independent bicycle dealers'' (IBDs) is also used.<ref name="ACT">{{cite web |url=http://www.act-bicycles.com/cgi-bin/ACT/ACTcgi.pl?pg=50 | title=Welcome to the ACT website | accessdate=2007-01-15 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205205443/http://www.act-bicycles.com/cgi-bin/ACT/ACTcgi.pl?pg=50 | archivedate=2006-12-05 | url-status=dead}}</ref> Shops may also specialize on one or more aspects of cycling: [[bicycle racing]],<ref name="ERA">{{cite web|url = http://www.erapro.com/ |title = ERA Ski & Bike: Era's focus is on custom pro level racing bikes |accessdate = 2009-01-18}}</ref> [[triathlon]], [[bicycle touring]], [[BMX]],<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.bikealleybmx.com/ |title = Bike Alley: BMX Headquarters |accessdate = 2009-01-18}}</ref> [[mountain bike|mountain biking]], etc.
== Offerings == Beyond bicycles, a bike shop may offer clothing and other accessories, spare and replacement parts, tools, and a variety of services.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1974-03-01/How-To-Start-Your-Own-Small-Town-Bicycle-Shop.aspx| title = Mother Earth News: How to start your own small-town bicycle shop| accessdate = 2009-01-20}}</ref> Services may include expert fitting and custom bike building or ordering,<ref name="Bethel">{{cite web |url=http://bethelcycle.com/page.cfm?PageID=183 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20060613015619/http://bethelcycle.com/page.cfm?PageID=183 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-06-13 |title=Serotta Custom Frames |accessdate=2007-01-13}}</ref> maintenance and repairs from experienced [[bicycle mechanic]]s, and organized group rides and classes.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://nbda.com/page.cfm?pageID=193| title = NBDA: The Bike Shop Advantage| accessdate = 2009-01-20}}</ref> A self-service work area may be available.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s-5-33-12126-1,00.html |title=Bicycling Magazine: Props For Your Shop |last=Sherry |first=Jennifer |accessdate=2001-01-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213051839/http://www.bicycling.com/article/0%2C6610%2Cs-5-33-12126-1%2C00.html |archivedate=February 13, 2009 }}</ref>
Shops may also specialize on one or more aspects of cycling: [[bicycle racing]],<ref name="ERA">{{cite web|url = http://www.erapro.com/ |title = ERA Ski & Bike: Era's focus is on custom pro level racing bikes |accessdate = 2009-01-18}}</ref> [[triathlon]], [[bicycle touring]], [[BMX]],<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.bikealleybmx.com/ |title = Bike Alley: BMX Headquarters |accessdate = 2009-01-18}}</ref> [[mountain bike|mountain biking]], etc. Similarly, shops may carry a diverse range of bicycles, from single-seat upright bikes, to more specialized types such as [[tandem bicycle]]s,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tandemcycleworks.com/our_shop.html |title=Tandem Cycle Works of Colorado |accessdate=2009-01-18 |url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123144619/http://tandemcycleworks.com/our_shop.html | archivedate=2009-01-23 }}</ref> [[recumbent bicycle]]s,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bicycleman.com/|title = Bicycle Man: We Have The Largest Selection of Recumbents in New York State | accessdate = 2009-01-18}}</ref> [[folding bicycle]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.foldabikes.com/ | title = Foldabikes: Ninety nine percent of all Foldabikes' sales are Bromptons | accessdate = 2009-01-18}}</ref> Many shops also carry related items such as [[unicycle]]s<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rdbike.com/unis_duos_trikes.html | title = RD Bike Shop: Unicycles, Tandems, Trikes and Folding Bikes | accessdate = 2009-01-18 | archive-date = 2009-05-06 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090506002229/http://www.rdbike.com/unis_duos_trikes.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> and [[skateboard]]s.
Shops located out of temperate climates may have a secondary line in order to keep busy in the off season (winter). These include goods and services for [[skiing]],<ref name="ERA"/> camping, and physical fitness. Some shops keep their regular customers coming in through the winter by offering group training sessions.<ref name="CrankDaddys">{{cite web|url=http://www.crankdaddys.com/training.html |title=Crank Daddy's Training Center |accessdate=2007-01-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061024115929/http://www.crankdaddys.com/training.html |archivedate=October 24, 2006 }}</ref>
== Studios == A small but growing trend in bicycle retailing is called the bicycle studio, or garage shop in the United States, which offers service in an intimate environment by appointment only. A list by ''[[Bicycling Magazine]]'' shows five studios founded before 2000 and 13 since. These are seen as more complementary to, than competitive with, traditional bike shops.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Daab | first = Zac |date=November 2008 | title = The Bicycle Studio: Why you might have to make an appointment to buy your next bike-and be glad you did | journal = [[Bicycling (magazine)|Bicycling]] | pages = 81–85 | publisher = Rodale}}</ref>
== Competition == {{Update|section|reason=the industry is likely to have changed significantly since 2007, especially the market share of online sales|date=February 2022}}
In the US, the primary competitors to local bike shops are the mass merchants such as [[Walmart]] or [[Target Corporation|Target]], representing 74% of the units sales in 2015 and 32% of dollars spent, chain sporting goods stores representing 6% of the unit sales and 8% of dollars spent, and outdoor speciality retailers representing 3.5% of the unit sales and 8% of dollars spent.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=NBDA|date=2020-09-28|title=Bicycle Industry Overview 2015|url=https://nbda.com/bicycle-industry-data-overview/|access-date=2022-02-14|website=National Bicycle Dealers Association|language=en-US}}</ref> Approximately 4,000 speciality bicycle retailers, which include local bike shops, command approximately 13% of the bicycle market in terms of unit sales in 2015, but 49% of the dollars spent on bikes.<ref name=":0" />
There are also chains of bike shops, though most LBS are independently owned, and 91% of them have one location.<ref name="NBDA">{{cite web|title=National Bicycle Dealers Association Industry Overview 2007|url=http://nbda.com/page.cfm?PageID=34|accessdate=2009-01-18}}</ref>
The distinction between local bike shops and online vendors has begun to blur as local bike shops have begun themselves to sell products online.
A recent development is the introduction of brand specific stores from [[List of bicycle manufacturers|bicycle manufacturers]] such as [[Trek Bicycle Corporation]].<ref name="Trek">{{cite web | url = http://trekstoremadison.com/index.cfm | title = Trek Bicycle Store | accessdate = 2007-01-13}}</ref> Other manufacturers, such as [[Specialized Bicycle Components|Specialized]], are strengthening their [[Distribution (business)#Channels|channels]] with [[concept store]]s.<ref name="Bicycle Retailer">{{cite web | url = http://www.bicycleretailer.com/retail?page=7 | title = Erik's Bike Shop Opens a Specialized Concept Store | date = September 5, 2006 | accessdate = 2007-01-15}} </ref>
== Statistics == According to the National Bicycle Dealers Association, in 2007 there were approximately 4,400 "specialty bicycle retailers" in the USA; down from 4,800 in 2005. Although they sold only 17% of the bikes, up from 16% in 2005, they collected 49% of the dollars, up from 47% in 2005. In 2004, the average specialty bicycle retailer had gross sales of $550,000 per year, 91% of them had one location, and average store size was 4,822 square feet.<ref name="NBDA"/><ref name="Surge">{{cite news | title = A Surge in Bicyclists Appears to Be Waiting | publisher = The New York Times, Jan Ellen Spiegel, December 31, 2008 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/01/business/smallbusiness/01sbiz.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=bicycle+industry&st=nyt | date=2009-01-01 | accessdate=2010-05-11}}</ref>
== See also == {{Commons category|Bicycle shops}} {{div col|colwidth=23em}} *[[Bicycle]] *[[Bicycle cooperative]] *[[Bicycle industry]] *[[Bicycle mechanic]] *[[Bicycle tools]] *[[Cycling]] *[[List of bicycle manufacturers]] *[[List of bicycle part manufacturers]] {{div col end}}
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
== External links == * [https://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2009/01/01/business/01sbiz.gfx.ready.html '''See:''' Graphic comparison of US auto and bike sales, 1972-2008]
{{Retail}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Local Bike Shop}} [[Category:Bicycles]] [[Category:Cycle retailers| ]] [[Category:Cycling infrastructure]] [[Category:Bicycle industry]]