All this gas talk makes me think that shops should be busy right about now. But the more I talk to shop owners and employees, they too are getting hit hard with the downturn in the economy.
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4 responses so far ↓
1 Mike Myers // May 23, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Well, it would make sense. People are saddled with huge amounts of debt, and the dollars we earn are worth less and less every day. Putting out a bunch of money for a commuter bike could be difficult if you have kids to feed.
2 RL // May 23, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I feel what you’re saying MM. We recently had to put on hold some plans for a new bike and other bike stuff until we get caught up with some of our bills.
3 William // May 23, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I worked at a shop whose owner had started during the high gas prices of the 70’s but he had said that it was a touring “craze” not just the gas prices that had given them the chance to get started. Also, the LBSs probably haven’t switched gears (unintended but natural pun) to cater more to and market to commuters (as evidenced by the May 21st, 2008 posting by Moe). The shops are also going to be saddled (ooo, I don’t mean to keep doing this) with higher end bikes that don’t meet commuter’s needs which will mean they don’t have money to add necessary commuter type of inventory. Only the better financed shops will be able to take advantage of marketing to commuters.
4 John // May 24, 2008 at 11:30 am
In the US, bicycles are considered toys and that budget is dropping for most people. The manufacturers are going to get away from the gee-wiz/carbon fibre wazoo bikes and come back down to earth.
I have a recumbent to commute with and a heavily modified MTB to hit the dirt (actually sand) I am thinking of getting a small 16″ wheeled 3-speed folding bike for an overseas trip (4 months) but am a bit hesitant.
Now back to working on my 7-speed Nexus internal hub equipped bike so my son can hit the trails with me.
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