Lance Armstrong's bike shop

[northshore]

Armstrong's shop grand opening this weekend
By BikeRadar.com staff
Seven-time Tour de France winner and Austin native Lance Armstrong is adding another project to his busy schedule: Mellow Johnny's, a new bike shop in downtown Austin, with a grand opening scheduled for May 10. The historic brick warehouse at 400 Nueces (adjacent to the soon-to-be-opened cross town bike path) is intended to catalyze Austin's urban revival and encourage people to look at cycling as a means of both transportation and fitness.
"It's more than a place to buy a bike," Armstrong said. "I want it to be a place where cyclists of all levels come in and are encouraged, inspired, and motivated to make cycling a daily part of life. And of course-a place where racers and enthusiasts can get the best equipment, service, and know-how to go faster-or farther-on their bikes."
The shop is envisioned as a one-of-a-kind concept facility, featuring a complete retail offering with bikes, equipment, apparel, and a professional service centre. In addition, visitors will find Juan Pelota's, an indoor/outdoor coffee house with healthy grab-and-go food, and a soon to be introduced power-based indoor training facility. With hours of operation from 8 am to 7pm, the shop is awake and ready for those riding into downtown early, or dropping off bikes for same day service. The shop is equipped with shower and changing facilities and free bike storage for commuters.
"It's pretty simple – we all love riding bikes, and want everyone from the beginner to the most experienced cyclist to find something here that puts a smile on their face, and gets them out on two wheels," Armstrong added. "You don't have to be training for the Tour de France. If you ride your bike, you're healthier; there is less car traffic, less dirty air. So, just get out there, on the trail, on the road, on the way to school or work, wherever, and ride your bike."
Customers will find a wide array of products-from vendors key to Lance's Tour de France victories such as Trek, Oakley, Giro, Bontrager and Nike-to niche bike builders and apparel lines that are not often seen inside bicycle retailers.
"We've consciously followed Lance's interests into the history of bike racing, as well as into new and emerging products from the US and abroad," said Craig Staley, general manager of Mellow Johnny's. "We have really concentrated on putting together a unique variety of product that fully captures the lifestyle and culture of cycling – from urban to mountain, to road- we wanted to take a 'surf shop' approach to bikes."
The shop will host a day of activities on Saturday May 10 to announce its Grand Opening with appearances by Oakley's R&D demo trailer, Trek's complete line of demonstration bikes, and book signings and appearances throughout the day by Chris Carmichael, Michael Ward, Gary Fisher, and Armstrong himself. The festivities will conclude with a private party that night.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?...ay08/may07news

[Banana Up]

Seems like it would be a cool store to visit, especially if lance is working! wonder if they will sell mountain bikes...

[strobelite]

hell be putting 3 other trek dealers in a 6 mile area outta work.

hes already got the money, why not where there arent any small shops?

he is pulling a walmart.

[foofighter]

man can u imagine the clientele??? just his name alone will be a draw...the rich and famous will order crazy built bikes to ride around the Hamptons or something like that.

[bikeadict]

yeah, he might put the others out of business... but I think frankly he's offering something they aren't...

+ if he is on a major commuter route then the location is key.

[sdyeti]

Something tells me that Trek will survive......

Originally Posted by strobelite

hell be putting 3 other trek dealers in a 6 mile area outta work.

hes already got the money, why not where there arent any small shops?

he is pulling a walmart.

[bvader]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

Something tells me that Trek will survive......

I think strobes point is that it would hurt the LBSs not Trek.

[EBasil]

Greg Lemond says to check the unmarked "energy drinks" in the locked cooler over by the mechanics' station.

[strobelite]

i just feel that it is unfair.

shops have a monopoly on the brands they carry for a certain radius around them- manufacture mandated. but because its lance "the nutless wonder" armstrong, trek doesnt give a second thought about the ibds. it just hits home, as i have chosen to work for cycling in a shop- it doesnt pay great- but it gets me by.

imaine having all that taken away by someone who doesnt even need to be there?

sorry for your time, rant over.

[mntbiker12]

Since when do businesses need to consider other businesses when deciding to start up?! I mean, if there isn't a high likely hood of putting competitors out of business or at least make a dent into their business, why go into business at all?

Anyways, it's a little unfair to compare him to Walmart.

[bvader]

Originally Posted by mntbiker12

Since when do businesses need to consider other businesses when deciding to start up?! I mean, if there isn't a high likely hood of putting competitors out of business or at least make a dent into their business, why go into business at all?

Anyways, it's a little unfair to compare him to Walmart.

Its Trek's Distribution/Reseller Rules...but it seems that this is a case of:

All Animals Are Equal, But Some Animals are More Equal Than Others

[strobelite]

they make the rules to keep the buisnesses alive, but bend the rules so 1 shop can crush 3 or 4?

kinda sh!tty way to treat loyal dealers dont you think?

[dutch]

capitalism anybody??

if there wasn't competition among bike shops and between bike companies, or between walmart and smaller stores, we'd be the ones suffering. the concept of a free market is what drives people to create a product to entice customers, and there would be no way to be successful if possibly hurting another competitor's business meant that you couldn't start your own. am i wrong?

[bvader]

I don't think anyone is saying that competition is not good. It is the selective application of "The Rules", but then again thats business-as-usual when "Celebs" are involved.

[strobelite]

bvader seems to be the only one who understands my point.

at least someone gets it.

everyone is entitled to their own thoughts on this subject, and ive voiced mine.

[mntbiker12]

Yeah, but they're Trek's rules. That's the great thing about being the one that makes the rules, you get to change them.

As far as the other dealers, guess what, they can end their relationship with Trek if Trek is breaking said rules.

I really don't see why Lance should be catching any flak, for Trek's decision. And Trek can do whatever they want, just like the dealers cans switch and carry other brands with more favorable 'rules'.

I completely understand your point strobelite, I just don't agree. Please don't mistake the two.

[strobelite]

thanks for clarifying.

[mntbiker12]

Originally Posted by bvader

All Animals Are Equal, But Some Animals are More Equal Than Others

Seems to me that your statement describes this country to a T.