I’m messing around with business model ideas and was wondering what people out there think are the best boutique bike shops out there and what they do well - coaching combined with awesome bike service? Awesome high-end bike sales experience? Other??
Fair wheels bike
.
BIKE EFFECT in Santa Monica. Far and away the best bike shop I’ve ever been to. Aesthetically, it’s straight out of a movie. Service and fitting are exactly what you’d hope them to be, and on the sales side, it’s a really well-curated selection of high end bikes, components, and apparel. Plus, it’s an awesome clubhouse.
Fit Werx - Peabody MA and Waitsfield VT Knowledgable and sophisticated fit and eqpt shop with great service and friendly, laid back atmosphere
.
Definitely Fairwheel bikes. They have the best selection of high-end, weight weenie bike parts. They found a good niche and do a great job serving that market.
google fairwheel and crank review or hub review and you will see why they are the best
.
Fairwheel bikes. Tucson, AZ
would love to see one of these shops in the Southeastern portion of the US.
Fit Werx - Peabody MA and Waitsfield VT Knowledgable and sophisticated fit and eqpt shop with great service and friendly, laid back atmosphere
+1,000,000
.
Another vote for Fit Werx 2 (http://fitwerx.com). Everything about the shop is first class.
city cycle in San Francisco was a bit of the prototype for a high end, well curated, and knowledgable shop. It’s owner, who sadly passed away much too young, took care of everyone with the same service whether a high end custom build , or simply grabbing a tube.
For me, there are quite a few nice ones depending on what your are patterning. Cadence in Philadelphia is another stand out that includes a lot of coaching type services in addition to their high end product assortment.
J
I am a fan of Signature Cyles in NYC, great fittings, good people and I have always received good advice.
Fraser Bicycle in Fraser Michigan. This is a seriously great shop with all the bells and whistles. If you are thinking about starting a high end bike shop you would be crazy not to look at how this place is set up.
Great product. Great fit service. Great service department. Bicycling/Triathlon team sponsorship. Training area in the shop with some sort of trainer based program.
Zanes Cycles, Branford CT. Knowledgeable. Great customer service. Chris Zane (owner) wrote a book about it
I really like R&A CYCLES out of Brooklyn NY. I spoke to Felix Calderone when I visited. He was straight forward, uncompromising, gave me great advice, and refused to sell me a bike.
Jack and Adams in Austin,TX
.
Tri Pacific in Belmont Shores, CA (for lots of Gucci little items)
CyclePath in Portland, OR (for those who love CCX and MTB)
.
I will agree I had a fitting done at Fit Werx and they are a great group of guys!