That’s It For Trek Bikes? Or Other Bicycle Brands? The State of the Cycling Industry and Local Shops

Is this it for Trek? Yes, when you are looking at ditching the IBD (Independent Bike Dealers)and going direct. Looking at 2023 industry and what 2024 will look like (It’s Not Good): As The Wheel Turns, So Do The Days of Our Rides. This series is my reflection on current events in the industry and consumer perspective. With my 30 years in the business, I try to give a better understanding and some added context to today’s topics. Let’s have a look. Mentioned in Video: Bicycle Retailer and Industry News: Bicycle Blue Book: Is this it for Trek? Yes, when you are looking at ditching the IBD and going direct. Looking at 2023 industry and what 2024 will look like (It’s Not Good): What does 2023 look like: ✅ Bike Companies - Out of Business, Direct to Consumers (Canon, Trek, Specialized, Giant, Pon Holdings) ✅ Bike shops - Foot Traffic, Sales Down, Margin Down ✅ Supply Chain - QBP, JB, Sram, Shimano ✅ Prices - Dropping to pre-pandemic ✅ Economics - Less money to spend and uncertain future While the future looks promising, 2023 for the cycling industry was a year of mixed signals. What does 2024 look like: ✅ Bike Companies - Building Less and Direct to Cumsumers (Canon is up, Will go to DTC and Cut out new/old IBD) Fort Collins effect. ✅ Bike shops - More Service, Niche Market, Custom Builds, Used Bikes ✅ Supply Chain - Just like Wiggle/Chain Reactions, someone will go under. Investors Pulling Out or close down locations ✅ Prices - Dropping to pre-pandemic: 5 years of inventory will hurt the small shops ✅ Economics - Will be the same and less to go around, fear of futures Predicting the future is always tricky, but the 2024 outlook for the cycling industry appears promising with both strong growth potential and some challenges to navigate. What to look for: ✅ The good news is your local shop or used market will show the change first ✅ Sales, Sales, and Sales ✅ Local Shops will cut prices on products and services. Trek Bikes? ✅ More aggressive service promotions and market push ✅ Cut out more IBD and move into more markets ✅ Close locations that are not performing well ✅ If you carry Trek, Specialized, Pon Holdings, Giant. You need to divorce those brands and only do limited parenting time. 🗞️ Sign Up for my Newsletter: Please help support my bike advocacy! ☕️ Buy Me A Coffee: or 👕 “The Guy’s“ T-Shirts: or 💰 I will get credit if I buy something through the Affiliate links, even if they are other products through that portal. See What I Use To Refurbish Bikes (Affiliate): Tools I Use Daily: 🛠️ Workstands and Tools: 🚿 Polishing/Cleaners/Lubes: 🛞 Tubes & Tires: 🚲 On-the-Road Accessories: My passion for bikes started when my parents opened a shop in the 1980s called Parker Bikes (we were located in Parker, Colorado). My love for cycling has continued since then, in my work and with my hobbies of road cycling and mountain biking. After my parents’ shop closed, I worked for other bike shops (including Lee’s Cyclery in Fort Collins), where I built and sold bikes, fixed and tuned up bikes, and managed inventory. I love working on bikes and want to share my passion for cycling with others. So, next time you’re talking cycling with someone and wondering how to get started or where to go from here, you can think, “I know a guy!” Where to find me: 🩷 Website: ❤️ “The Guy’s“ T-Shirts: 🧡 Bikes: 💛 Parts: 💚 Facebook: 🩵 Twitter: 💙 Instagram: 📬 Attention Companies: If you are interested in working with me, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me here at justin@ Music By: Music by Eklecticism - Zion - Music by Eklecticism - Wicked - Music by Alundra - Smile - Music by Axl & Arth - Rather Not - #bike #bicycle #sports