In Colorado walking into a bike store can feel one of three ways:
1. You're an amateur walking into a professional level store where everybody knows way more than you. You see some great stuff, perhaps buy an inner tube or something, but all you want do is get out with your dignity!
2. You walk into a store loaded with Bicycles from floor to ceiling and a sales person immediately approaches you and asking what you want. No test rides, don't touch the merchandise, could you hurry up as I have other customers waiting. The choices are overwhelming and you are thinking that you should just go check out the web options as this is overwhelming.
Then there is:
3. You walk into a shop/store feeling a relaxed vibe as if you're in a coffee shop ready to sip a latte and open your laptop. You look around, nobody is pushing anything, people are dropping in from their own test rides on the nearby trail, they've got Aventon e-bikes, Specialized branded dirt, commuter and high end e-bikes, as well as equipment, clothing, helmets, and gear. All of this in a no-pressure environment! What is this place!
Let me back up for a minute as this was not what I expected. I used to meet up with a friend and have coffee at the nearby corner shop where we would solve the world's problems enjoying the conversation along the way! It's a small strip mall in Erie, Colorado across the street from some of the best restaurants you can find in this part of town.
On occasion, I would walk into this bike shop and they had a few bikes that were interesting, but nothing ever caught my eye. The really cool thing was the vibe, I never felt pressure to do anything but look, and if I asked a question they were more than happy to answer. Techs were working on bikes right in front of everyone in the shop, they had a load of bikes in the parking lot out front, and some people were taking bikes out for rides on the nearby trail, which I thought was pretty cool. It was laid back and casual fun!
Fast forward to the end of December when I ran into the shop's owner at the Apple Store who was wearing a "Specialized" hat, waiting for a tech like me. I casually mentioned that I was looking for an e-bike to get my wife before the end of the year, liked the brand he was wearing, but looking for something affordable for my wife. He mentioned the Colorado rebate that I was familiar with and the deadline that was soon approaching and invited us in to test ride anything he had in stock.
Needless to say, I showed up on the last day of the year with the opportunity to take advantage of the maximum rebate offered in Colorado! My wife rode a few bikes to find something she would like. The staff was super helpful. Cris showed my wife all the different e-bike options that were available and suggested bikes that would serve her well based on the riding she planned to do. Dan came by and pointed out sizing, and other things important for a comfortable ride. I ride frequently and was looking for a way to make it easier for my wife to get out on rides together without feeling pressured to keep up or go the distance. Here everyone listened and acted accordingly - they cared what we wanted to do!
My wife settled on a comfortable bike and Chris helped her fill out the Colorado rebate paperwork while I plugged in my purchase information. While we didn't walk out with a bike that day we were satisfied that we had found something she really liked. She even added a different seat and road protection for the bike that CyclErie provided feeling confident about her new bike!
Less than a week later my wife had a beautiful new bike with road protection, sized perfectly for her. We've taken a few rides together and the surprising thing is that she loves getting out and is actually planning future rides as well!
I don't know if it's the nearby coffee shop or riding trail, but something is special about this group of folks that I really enjoy. I could even see myself working for or with them in some capacity! You need to see it for yourself. read more