Guide to Cycling Equipment

Reliable cycling equipment is key to a safe biking experience

By Margaret Haerens

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Cyclists are a passionate and devoted group who demand durable and high-performance cycling equipment. If you want to tap into the market by opening your own bike shop or sporting goods store, you should be knowledgeable about the latest technological advances in the field as well as the most popular styles of bike equipment.

There are many different types of bikes on the market: road bikes; mountain bikes (MTB); hybrid bikes (a combination of road and MTB); BMX bikes; downhill bikes and racing bikes. Depending on your customer’s interests, needs, body type and cycling goals, the right bicycling equipment will need to be determined in order to provide a satisfying cycling experience. There are literally hundreds of brands of bicycling gear, so this is a formidable challenge. Cycling safety equipment is also important to ensuring a cyclist’s safety.

You will need to:

Match your customer with the right type of bike, focusing on the right frame size, material and style
Offer a selection of cycling safety equipment to ensure a safe riding experience
Provide valuable service and maintenance for your customer, to cultivate a long-term relationship.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

The right bike is the most important piece of cycling gear

Be knowledgeable on various types, brands, materials and maintenance tips for all types of bikes--cyclists will appreciate valuable customer service.

I recommend: GMC Bicycles makes the top-selling Denali line of road bikes for men and women. Another leading manufacturer of cyclist equipment, Raleigh Bicycles offers a great selection of bikes—road, performance hybrid, mountain, cruiser and tandem. They also sell bicycle gear for children. Kawasaki specializes in mountain bikes and BMX bikes for adults and children and a variety of bicycle accessories. Eastern Bikes sells a unique line of popular bikes as well a full range of bicycle parts and bike accessories.

Be sure to offer a selection of specialty bicycling equipment

In recent years, specialty bikes have increased in popularity. Be familiar with various types of recumbent bikes, custom bikes, beach cruisers, utility bicycles, tandem bikes, unicycles and tricycles.

I recommend: Kustom Kruiser manufactures a unique and beautiful line of beach cruisers. Sun Bicycles offers a great selection of recumbent bikes, beach cruisers, tandems, folding bikes, tricycles, unicycles, trailers and urban bikes. Xtracycle has a line of utility bikes, and also sells a retrofit kit that will adapt your bike into a utility bike.

Offer a variety of cycling safety equipment to ensure a safe riding experience

Cyclists need durable safety equipment and bike gear to avoid dangers on the road. Mirrors, flags, headlights, taillights, bells and horns and reflectors are examples of cycling safety equipment.

I recommend: Busch & Müller KG specialize in cycling safety equipment, with an impressive selection of headlights, taillights, trailer lights, reflectors, rear view mirrors and helmet lights. Pedigreen supplies a variety of safety apparel and accessories. NiteFLUX has created a variety of advance bike lights. Blackburn offers bike gear, including mirrors, lights and tools.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Fitting the right bike frame to your customer is essential. A bike's frame size is absolutely vital to a cyclist's safety, comfort and enjoyment. An ill-fitting bicycle is a bad start and will lead to all sorts of problems.
Providing repair service and maintenance of bicycle equipment will lead to long-standing relationships with your customers and may even lead to word-of-mouth business. Be familiar with bike technology and keep an inventory of bicycle parts on hand.
Cultivate relationships with the local cycling community. Consider sponsoring a charity bike race in your neighborhood or supporting a cycling team. These connections will be important to growing your business in the long term.

The official source of Cycling Equipment is the Cycling Equipment page at Business.com