Charlie McCorkell, owner of Bicycle Habitat, knows an experienced bike-grease monkey is worth more than a small business owner can afford. With some bikes now costing thousands of dollars, an employee must be able to explain the differences in tubing, suspension and design that justify the cost. Good employees must possess both mechanical and sales abilities. As a response to the shortage of good help, Buckwalter phased out assembled bikes and now only sells accessories and parts. It could be a winning strategy, since shops everywhere make the bulk of their profit from repairs and accessories.
People buy a bike once, but they can have a closet full of stuff.
When that closet needs another derailleur or chain tool, small vendors hope the customer still values service and knowledge and not just the volume available in chain stores, especially in the outer boroughs. But McCorkell doesn't fear the large chains or big toy stores stocking bikes, even with their lower markups. If the chain jumps or the brakes squeal, they can't fix it. Also unlike suburban superstores, the local urban bike shop doesn't have the space for rows and rows of bicycle eye candy. New York rents squeeze the size of their shops and therefore their inventory.