State of the Bicycle Address

The bike industry post covid has become a different place

From Shortage to Glut

The Year of the Bike

2020 saw the largest spike in demand for bicycles in human history. Bicycle shops were wiped of inventory across the county between April 2020 to the late summer of 2021. Everything from bikes, replacement parts and accessories were either unavailable or on a months long waitlist.

Calming Down

Heading into the winter of 2021-2022, the combination of lower seasonal demand and manufacturing/distribution networks getting back on their feet resulted in bikes and parts becoming available again…slowly

Tables Turning

Heading into 2022, something funny started happening in the secondhand marketplace. As normalcy returned, bikes began being listed for sale by private owners in mass.

For each bike sold at ReCycles Bikes, 5- 10 were being brought in the sell to us! It became a space issue fast and we tightened up our criteria on trade ins, accepting only later year models and bikes in need of less TLC.

The Frederick News post asked us about this phenomenon in April 2022. Check out the article below

So Where Do Things Stand Today?

While the marketplace for bikes is beginning to resemble pre-covid times in some ways, with on demand parts availability and shops stocked with bikes again, the pandemic may have delivered some shocks that will forever alter the path forward.

While 2020 and 2021 were banner years for shops, post covid times are proving challenging for many. We are seeing an acceleration of an unusual trend that had been developing even pre-covid.

The bicycle industry and the popularity of riding bikes in general is GROWING. At the same time, bike shops are closing their doors.

How it this possible? Bicycle popularity is increasing while brick & morter bike shops are struggling?

There are a combination of factors contributing to this.

-Online purchases exploded over the pandemic, not just with bikes, but with everything

-Even now, manufactures can offer a better variety online than shops can in store

-Some big players have made big moves leaning into this trend. Most notably, Specialized bikes has gone direct to consumer

So while more bikes are being sold, a larger percentage of bike sales continue to move online. We will likely continue to see this contradiction of more bikes on the road, yet less bike shops around. While this may seem like a gloomy outlook, and things will indeed be more difficult for shops, there are a few great things here from the perspective of the consumer.

-Bicycle will become less expensive and more available

-Only the higher quality shops will stick around

With all these changes happening, are we worried?

Not at all.

Like any rapidly changing industry, only those willing to adapt will stick around. Adapting means finding ways to cost effectively cater to the changing desires of the customer. So in what ways are we adapting here at ReCycles Bikes?

-Full Ecommerce integration. Prefer to shop in your PJ’s at 2:30AM? We’ve got you covered. ReCycles has had a complete website overhaul over the winter, and now includes up to date inventory listings along with a wealth of useful information on our site. We deliver orders locally.

-Our shop phone is text friendly. We’ve been surprised to see the growing trend of customers wanting to text businesses, but in the end it makes sense. Less time on the phone, and messaging is easy. Have all your questions answered without cutting into your busy schedule.

-Increased priority on speedy service turnaround times. One thing that isn’t going to decrease is demand for service. The combination of more bikes on the road and less shops in the long run is going to mean increased efficiency in the service department will be a must.

And then of course there’s the few principles we will always stick to for keeping us nimble and resilient. This includes maintaining the highest lever of quality and customer satisfaction, and keeping our overhead low so we are never in a position of pressure.

Our model is willing to adapt to the times, so expect the name ReCycles Bikes to stick around for years to come.

Committed to Quality & Buyer Confidence

Has it been over 4 years already?

On March 1st, 2019, ReCycles Bikes opened it’s doors at 125 S. Carroll St. in downtown Frederick. A little known secret, Matt started offering sales and service out of a garage in 2013. It was a side project, a 5-9, rather than a 9-5. It wasn’t until 2016 that the name ReCycles Bikes was coined, and 2017 before there was a website.

Since taking the leap to a full fledged storefront in 2019, its been a wild ride. It was a weird time in history to open a bike shop. In 2020, ReCycles upped their storefront space to keep up with the demands of covid. Since those crazy days, the shop has continued to grow, and the number of pre-loved bikes on the road with it.

If there’s one thing that has fueled the progression of ReCycles Bikes over the years, it’s been an unflinching commitment to quality & buyer satisfaction. Our business model is a rare and strange breed, mixing frugal minded resourcefulness with just the right amount of bike snobbery. We are picky about our brands, yet are committed to affordability. We blend recycling with the new bike shop experience, Craigslist meets boutique, the best of both worlds.

Pre-Loved price with the confidence of buying new.

Just how confident are we in the bikes we sell? I mean, they’re still used bikes at the end of the day, isn’t there some increased level of risk?

Before opening ReCycles, Matt worked as an engineer. Engineering as all about math, statistics, and margins of safety. Although he’s mostly traded spreadsheets for allen keys and a pedal wrench, he’s still a numbers nerd at heart. Every sale & service at ReCycles Bikes has been tracked, and now with years under it’s belt, there’s some numbers we are proud to share.

So if any level of skepticism for Certified Pre-Loved bikes exists in your mind, read on.

To date, ReCycles Bikes has taken in, inspected and tuned 1134 bikes to find a new home off our sales floor. With this, we now have a healthy sample size to pull some stats from and see just where the record stands.

So now that we have moved so many bikes, how well have we done with our quality control?

Let’s take a look at our warrantee & return numbers since opening our doors.

Number of bikes brought back in for warrantee service: 33

This equates to 2.9%, lets break this down further to see the reason for warrantee tickets, as well as how they were resolved.

• Improper gear shifting practices 18/33

This isn’t meant to shift blame (see the pun?). In fact, we consider this our fault for not ensuring the customer was educated on gear shifting. To cut ourselves some slack, it can be tricky navigating whether or not someone wants to receive a quick lesson on proper shifter use. We are happy to offer guidance for those who ask. Bicycle drivetrains can be a bit like learning stick shift for new riders

• Flat tire within first few rides 8/33

Whoops, it happens. A nail, piece of glass, a defective tube. Flats are a bummer every time. Regardless of the cause, we are happy to cover this for the first few rides.

• Drivetrain issues 5/33

• Other Mechanical malfunction 2/33

These last two categories are what we are really looking for here. We strive for these numbers to be as close to 0 as possible.. However, 7 out of 1134 equates to 0.6%, a statistic we are proud of. What’s more, all but 2 of these 33 warrantee tickets were resolved same day.

Now lets check out the stats on our returns.

Number of bikes returned: 11

This gives our sales floor a return rate of just under 1%, or 1 in 103 sales. Let break them down further by reason for return

• Decided on a bike from another retailer: 4/11

Hey, it happens. We believe in the buyer having the right to change their mind for any reason.

• Didn’t like the size: 4/11

While we are diligent in frame sizing as the core of our sales process, sometime you just don’t know until you’ve put some miles on your bike.

• Mechanical issue: 3/11

A seized seat post preventing adjustability, a busted front derailleur, and a front fork that was discovered to be subtly bent in. 3 out of 1134 bikes, and full refunds where happily given in each occurrence.

Since then, we’ve actually caught several seized seat posts before they made it to our sales floor, as this was added to our list of routine checks.

Service Department

An additional 2160 bikes have been serviced by Matt through the ReCycles Bikes service department, with nearly identical stats to our sales. 2.8% brought back in for tweaks, with over 50% of these resolved through some training on shifting gears, and 100% of them resolved with a smile.

Our track record is a clear indication of our commitment to buyer confidence. Our selection process for our bikes and quality control has created a new possibility for the Frederick community, a way to purchase secondhand without any of the drawbacks.

Even we were surprised by some of these numbers. We are thrilled and excited to continue this strong track record for years to come.

As an invitation to experience this for yourself, we are offering $10 off your first bike purchase or tune up package, available to all who join our mailing list below.

Thanks for digging into some history with us. We’re excited to ride with you soon.

Why Investing in a High-Quality Bike Saves You Money

When it comes to buying a bike, many people are tempted to go for the cheapest option available. However, this is often a mistake, as low-quality bikes tend to need frequent repairs and replacements. In the long run, investing in a high-quality bike saves you money.

To illustrate this point, let's compare the cost of a low-quality bike from a department store with a high-quality bike from ReCycles Bikes. The department store bike might cost $200, but let's say it needs $100 worth of repairs in the first year and another $150 worth of repairs in the second year. That brings the total cost to $450 in just two years.

On the other hand, the high-quality bike from ReCycles Bikes might cost $350. However, it may not need any repairs for several years. In that case, the total cost of the high-quality bike would be $350, compared to $450 for the department store bike.

We see this reality unfold everyday in our service department. Major functional issues requiring costly repairs on department store bikes that are less than 6 months old, meanwhile the bikes we sell are not coming back in need of service.

Crazy, right? This example does not even take into account longevity. I’ve personally had my fair share of department store bikes growing up (Not going to name names, but you know where these bike came from) Ah’ the days of getting that new bike feeling once every 2 years once the old one fell apart. It’s fun when you are a kid, not so fun when you are footing the bill as an adult.

Quality brands such as Trek, Giant and Specialized will have long term performance with minimal maintenance. Imagine passing your bike down to your child once they are an adult. We have seen this in our service department time and time again. Our regulars for repairs have department store bikes, while people who purchase from us are back for service so seldom we sometimes forget their faces!

At ReCycles Bikes, we carefully vet all of the bikes we carry for quality brands and components, model year, and wear and tear. We only offer bikes that we would trust for our own family members, so you can be confident that you're getting a high-quality bike when you shop with us. Plus, we offer a comprehensive 30-day warranty on all of our bikes, so you can have peace of mind that your purchase is protected.

So, as you can see, investing in a high-quality bike from a reputable shop saves you money in the long run. Not only will you avoid the cost and hassle of frequent repairs, but you'll also enjoy a better riding experience on a bike that's built to last.

Don't be tempted by low prices – invest in a high-quality bike and enjoy the benefits for years to come.

Surprise Your Child with the Perfect Kids Bike – ReCycles Bikes Has You Covered!

Finding the perfect kids bike as a gift can be tough, but don't worry – we're here to help! The first step in choosing the right bike for your child is to properly size it. To do this, simply measure your child's inseam – that's the distance from their feet to their groin. This will give you an idea of the size of bike frame that you should look for. We include a handy size chart with all of our kids bikes listing to determine the appropriate wheel size for your child's inseam measurement. Here it is handy below.

Once you've got the right size, it's important to make sure the bike fits your child’s arm reach properly. Pay attention to the hand position – your child's hands should be able to easily grip the handlebars without having to stretch or strain. The handlebars should also be at a comfortable height for your child, allowing them to ride the bike with a natural, upright posture.

In addition to proper sizing and fitting, you'll want to look for a high-quality bike that's built to last. At ReCycles Bikes, we only carry bikes made from top-notch brands and with reliable components, so you can trust that the bike you choose will be able to withstand the rigors of everyday use.

If you're in downtown Frederick, be sure to stop by our store. We understand you may not be able to do custom fitting before Christmas if it’s meant to be a surprise. No Worries, bring the bike in for a complimentary fitting after surprising your child. This will give you the opportunity to make sure the bike fits properly and that your child is comfortable and safe while riding. So why wait? Visit us at ReCycles Bikes today and let us help you find the perfect kids bike as a gift!

ReCycles Bikes

125 South Carroll Street Frederick Maryland

301-606-8613

Flying With Your Bike

Ever wondered about bringing your bike with you when you travel? Nothing compares to the ride you are familiar with, and renting bikes can get expensive quick. Luckily with a little DIY attitude, you can circumvent many of the costs associated with travelling with your bike.

Gone are the days of stripping a bike down bolt by bolt and playing a complex game of tetris to beat airline dimension requirements. Many airlines now allow full size bike boxes. This can incur an oversize baggage fee (about $75 avg) or even be free with your ticket if you do it right!

I have personally flown my bike to various places around the US, Japan, New Zealand, Mexico and Iceland at no expense. How have I managed this? A travel rewards credit card that gets 1 free checked bag with the purchase of any flight, oversize baggage included. There are many deals out there with various airlines/credit cards, so do your research and pick what works best for you. For travel within the US, Southwest is a great option, United works well for international.

So we’ve covered how to fly your bike cheap, but what about the actual logistics? What do you have to do to ensure your bike fits and is safe, and how do you have it operable on the other side?

Since full size bike boxes are allowed, the deconstruction/reconstruction part of the transport process is very minimal. There are 5 steps you have to be comfortable with in order to do this yourself, all of which can be done quickly and with basic tools.

1.) Removing your front wheel

This can be done by opening your quick release, or removing the bolt holding on your front wheel. Be sure to place a block between your front brake pads if you have hydrualic brakes

2.) Removing your seat/post

Again with just the quick release or seat collar bolt

3.) Removing your handlebars

Remove the bolts on the front of your stem to remove the bar. Replace the stem front and bolts so as not to lose them. Depending on the size of your bike, you may end up turning your front fork and stem around 180 degrees to fit in the box

4.) Removing your pedals

Done with a 15mm pedal wrench or an allen key, depending on your pedals. Rotate crank arms forward for removing pedals, backward for tightening them on

5.) Padding the right places with packaging

There are just a few critical points to cover, your rear derailleur being the first. Some people opt to remove their rear derailleur in order to protect it better. Be generous with wrapping edge points that make contact with the inside of the box, including around the end of the fork, the stem, the seat collar and cranks. You can never have too much packaging.

Fit your bike snug in the box with the front wheel tucked next to the frame on the non drive side. Don’t forget your pedals and quick release! I prefer to put these in their own smaller box inside the whole package. This is so they don’t rattle around and scratch your frame. Close up the box with some packing tape and write your information on the box with a sharpie. You are good to go!

And then of course, performing the reverse on the other side of your flight.

Questions about this process? Give the shop a call 301-606-8613. If you would like to take your bike with you on a plane, but do not want to deal with the packing part, we are here to help.

ReCycles Bikes

125 South Carroll Street Frederick Maryland

301-606-8613