Alan - Given the growing popularity of bike-share programs in the D.C. area (which feature about the most un-racer bikes imaginable) and what I believe is a very real upsurge in the number of people who bike commute or who otherwise might appreciate a comfortable ride, the idea of growing a "Riv East" business is appealing. However, I've discussed the idea with several of the area bike shops, and none of 'em were very keen on the idea. In a nutshell: A) The majority of LBS owners still believe that the big bucks are in selling upscale carbon fiber road bikes and associated components. Brand names seem to count for a lot in the D.C. area, and it's hard to compete with the likes of Trek, Specialized, and other mega-brands; B) There is a perception - maybe correct - that Rivendell is not enthusiastic about selling its bikes via retail establishments. This makes some local bike shops nervous and leads them to wonder whether they could trust Riv as a long-term partner; C) The D.C. market for Rivendell - a pricey and, let's admit it, quirky firm and product - may not be strong enough to justify the initial expenditure; D) The shops would not keep a large selection of Riv bikes in stock, but would have to order them once they are purchased by individual customers. In this case, the customer would be better off simply buying them directly from Riv (in which case they would also not pay local sales tax); E) Etc. I don't do retail and so have no idea whether I've correctly articulated the LBS points and, if so, whether they're valid. However, the lack of interest in stocking Rivs and Riv-like bikes was pretty obvious from the few shop owners I've spoken to over the years. This being said, I can't help but think there's enough money and cycling enthusiasm in the D.C. area to justify an attempt to try establishing a Riv East somewhere in the area. I'd gladly shop there, at least until my wife puts out a restraining order to keep me and my wallet away from it. All the best, Kevin in Alexandria
On Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 10:12:30 AM UTC-4, Alan Pickett wrote: > > What to DC-centric folks think about helping develop a local dealer for > Riv Bikes, as requested a bug-post or two ago? > > I love the gang at Proteus Bikes in College Park, and I know that College > Park Bicycles has an affinity with Grant/Riv, but somehow I wonder if a > place like Bicycle Space - which just recently opened a new shop right > smack in downtown DC, might have real potential, by tapping into a well > moneyed, bike-commutin' crowd with consumer tastes just precious enough to > make the gorgeous lugs and paint on Riv Bikes a beacon of irresistible > attraction. Does anyone know the Bicycle Space people? Could we talk to > them? > > Either that, or a few of us could quit our day jobs and attempt to open a > bike store... I would assume that we would all become filthy stinking rich > in short order, right? > > Alan in Silver Spring > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
