GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Bike shops are a common destination for many on the Western Slope, looking to enjoy its biking community and world class terrain.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, bike sales shot through the roof with many bike shop owners struggling to keep up with high demand.
"We sold a lot of bicycles because that's something fun to do away from crowds. Avoiding big groups and everything," said Bryan Miick, part owner of The Bike Shop at the corner of North Avenue and 10th Street.
The Bike Shop wasn't the only in the city struggling with inventory.
Owner of The Bicycle Outfitters on North 1st Street Laura Stewart told WesternSlopeNow vendors were supplying product to keep up with the high demand, but as the pandemic wound down, so did the boom in bicycle sales.
Stewart told WesternSlopeNow although business has returned to pre-pandemic levels, many shops still dealing with an oversupply of product have been unable to sell their bikes at the original price.
Stewart says it's a vendor issue, with some vendors like Yeti and Specialized going consumer direct, hurting many businesses that depend on customers coming back.
Miick agrees, saying online shopping has changed the way local bike shops do business.
"More people are at home buying stuff at home on their computer. It's created a different marketplace than what we had before the pandemic."