Bicycle shops provide an invaluable service to their communities by supporting cycling activities and performing important business duties such as accounting and acquiring necessary licenses and permits.
The top bicycle shop Christchurch provides customers with an assortment of bikes, tools, and accessories while having an in-depth knowledge of their customers and industry.
Experienced Staff
Staff are one of the cornerstones of a bicycle shop. Hiring knowledgeable employees that understand cycling and servicing bikes is essential. Shop owners should seek mentors from other owners’ experiences as guidance; having someone understand what issues arise can be invaluable.
Before opening your store, it’s advisable to establish a legal business structure. Options for legal entities include sole proprietorships, partnerships and limited liability companies (LLC). An LLC offers more protection and allows faster business expansion. In addition, state business licenses must also be obtained and filed fictitious name statements filed.
Most bike shops stock an impressive variety of bicycles, tools, clothing and services, and bike rentals. In addition, most offer repair and maintenance services, while hosting group rides is a great way to attract new customers while building relationships. Shops offering beginner-friendly group rides tend to draw in entry to mid-level cyclists who eventually become enthusiasts returning for more advanced equipment from them.
Test Rides
Test rides are an essential component of finding the ideal bike. A good shop should initially let you ride around their parking lot to ensure everything feels right before allowing a longer ride at your discretion; several miles will provide a much greater indication of how the bike performs than one or two laps around a block would. Some bicycle shop Christchurch may insist you take pre-defined routes for both your safety and that of their expensive machines.
Bring your pedals if possible to avoid distraction. Some bike shops provide flat pedals; however, if you prefer clipless pedals, shoes must come off before riding.
Test rides allow you to experience how the bike accelerates and changes gears; climbing hills will show how it handles bumpy roads or rough surfaces and listen for any annoying clicks or hums from the motor when riding.
Women’s Specific Bikes
Women-specific bikes are becoming increasingly common in bike shops. These bikes are tailored to accommodate female bodies while offering ample versatility.
A key difference between unisex and women-specific bikes lies in their frame sizes: women tend to have shorter torsos and longer legs proportionately and smaller hands and narrower shoulders; this necessitates different frame geometry requirements.
Previous women’s bikes were often reduced versions of men’s models with pink paint jobs (known as the ‘shrink and pink it’ approach). It created a bad taste among many cyclists who saw this approach as cheap marketing ploys.
Liv’s 3F Design Philosophy takes an innovative approach to women-specific frames. Their bikes feature shorter top tubes, which bring handlebars closer to the saddle. This feature can reduce neck pain and fatigue.
A Friendly Environment
An ideal bike shop will create an inviting atmosphere for its customers, where staff members are quick and able to answer questions promptly while giving an in-depth explanation of bike features and benefits. An inviting atmosphere will encourage customers to return and refer the shop to others.
A quality bicycle shop Christchurch will offer customers a selection of bikes to meet their needs and budget. Their knowledgeable staff will have extensive knowledge about different brands of bikes and their specifications; in addition, they should know which bikes they currently stock or can order on your behalf.
Sponsoring a Cycling Team
As every inch of a cycling jersey is covered with logos, sponsorship has become a key aspect of cycling. Even local cycling clubs seek sponsors to offset expenses. One team, the Mountain Khakis team, raises funds by offering online discount codes for specific in-store and online products.
Whether you sell bikes or accessories, understanding your customers and providing optimal services is paramount. A business training course at your local community college or talking with other small business owners who understand what’s necessary can be invaluable.
Finding a source of funding through savings or bank loans is crucial to opening your shop. In addition to finding money, reviewing all building codes and zoning regulations in your area and commercial insurance costs is equally essential to get things moving. Accurate records regarding employees, vendors, inventory and customers will simplify tax preparation, as will maintaining accurate financial, employee, vendor inventory customer and tax preparation easier. You may also require obtaining a business license and fictitious name certificate before opening a shop.