Mate runs a bike shop selling Giant bikes but as he’s a independent he’s looking to try another brand alongside, any ideas..what’s selling well, he sold Specialized b4, been looking at Whyte/Orange..just after some opinions! Cheers

My sort of local LBS has always sold Specialized – lots. He also – at least until recently – sold Giant and some Diamondbacks, Dawes as well IIRC. I guess he’s less interested in what he’d like to sell, as much as what *will* sell.

Your mate’s target market might well be different, or he’s looking for a hobby brand that makes him feel good?

One of my LBS does Giant and have tried a number of other brands. They’ve settled on Whyte which seem to be selling very well and are good to deal with.

Depends where you are and what other dealers there are nearby. For example, there don’t seem to be any Orange dealers in the North East of Scotland, which is weird as there seem to be a fair few Orange riders.

Like anything in retail it’s gotta sell, just with so many bikes out there now, he’s based in the southwest and got a target range from £300-£4k bikes.. I think it’s hard to sell multiple brands of like for like. But always good to have choice!

If I had a shop and could be a Spesh dealer I wouldn’t think twice. Bikes for all ages and sizes, quality finishing kit and clothes/shoes as add-on sales.

Genesis bikes, at least then there will be some nice looking bikes in his shop. 😀

If he deals with Madison, surely he should sell Ridgeback? Decent range of cheap to mid-range bikes with better-than-average Shimano finishing kit?

Please tell me the bike industry is more clued up than ‘ I like this brand I will sell it ‘

No wonder LBS go out of business

Whyte +1 good range of bikes plus legendary back up by atb sales.

I think that’s a good brand to deal. Giant are doing some tidy bikes now across the whole range except kids bikes which Seem a bit rubbish.

Decent kids brand and then something like salsa/surly would be a could complement?

Demographic?

Assuming ‘normal’, ie somewhere where Giant is a bit premium, then Dawes.

Great range, value and reputation from a once great name.

Merida.

Where’s the shop? Oranges sell well up north where the conditions are foul and riders often want super-reliable bikes with as few pivots as poss. Also the hills tend to be bigger, rougher and steeper up here, so robust bikes with great handling are also popular. Again, Orange ticks the boxes.

The only problem I’ve heard with Orange (and this is anecdotal so feel free to ignore) is that they require a certain amount of sell through, so if your shop isn’t going to hit that it’s a non-starter.

The only problem I’ve heard with Orange (and this is anecdotal so feel free to ignore) is that they require a certain amount of sell through, so if your shop isn’t going to hit that it’s a non-starter.

I’d expect that condition for most brands, and not just bikes but gear too.

Fair enough. I’d heard this in conjuction with a shop that sells Specialized, Whyte, Cotic and Mondraker so perhaps Orange have a higher requirement. Perhaps not. I’m not in the industry so who knows!

Merida love mine

Depends whether he wants another brand long term (but ‘unexciting’ like Giant) or wants something very ‘now’ and is happy to change again down the line as mtb brands especially can be a bit faddy ,3-4 years ago it was all Orange.Now notsomuch.And the exact opposite for whyte.
Is it to offer a counterpoint to Giant as people like having a choice at a similar price/value point or a premium brand that people are willing to pay extra for?
Where is the next nearest dealer doing that brand?Some distros are quite good at protecting areas whereas some others don’t care if there’s 3 dealers within sight of each other (it’s happened in Chester)

I’d go for a small, reasonably priced brand that only has a couple of frame-only models so I wouldn’t need a big range. That would show I had an interest in the slightly more specialist but not uber-marketing led brands. I would then leave room for a Dawes/Ridgeback type brand.

jamj1974 – Member
I’d go for a small, reasonably priced brand that only has a couple of frame-only models so I wouldn’t need a big range. That would show I had an interest in the slightly more specialist but not uber-marketing led brands. I would then leave room for a Dawes/Ridgeback type brand.

Ibis and Cotic, know how to build them and how people in the area may want to spec them.

Saracen?
Scott?
Rocky Mountain?
Frog for small kids bikes, looking at them today for grand daughter.

Whyte seem to be everywhere, could be some good discounted bikes on the market soon!

There’s no point in filling the shop with bling bikes if they are not going to sell. Before I bought my RM I toured a few shops not so local and one had the new Giant range in sitting beside sale bikes from Spesh. The owner reckoned he may be stuck with the Spesh bikes due to the 2015 spec and pricing of the Giants!!