Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawker
I know there are multiple market and societal forces at work as all these shops and chains close....but I wonder how much of it can be a attributed to the loss of the "Lance effect"? Not just sales, but the large drop in viewership of the TDF and Tour of California.
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Bike and bike stuff sales in general in the US have been flat for years..BIG bump mid, late 80s(Lemond) and index shifting, clipless pedals..another for LA7, smaller but vast majority of bike sales in the US are the lower end, $170 type from WallyWorld and Costco. The mid to high end, like the low end, sales very flat to negative. Coupled with internet ease of buying..that's why bike shops who try to sell the same thing as MO/online, are having a really tough time.
BTW-altho GRoad bikes and riding seem to get a lot of press..riding a road bike on the road is still the largest type of 'enthusiast's' riding..Roads 'may' be more dangerous or are
perceived as such, again due to press and internet, and there is more GRoad riding..but still pretty small in comparison.