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ompared to even 10 years ago, the landscape of the cycling industry is considerably different. Online, discounted


websites rule and buying a bike for RRP is generally a thing of the past. And with this change, the role of the local bike shop has also changed. Hubs of advice and knowledge, they are incredibly valuable to consumers, but in ever-changing ways. And working with the consumer rather than against them is the reason the Bike Mill in Queensbury has been so successful. Formerly known as Firth Cycles, Ryan


Crayden-Reed took over from former owner Barry Firth in July 2020 after working there for 12 years. Moving from sales person and mechanic to bike shop owner was a leap, but after a year he renamed it the Bike Mill, as it’s situated


Ryan Crayden-Reed and Ralph www.bikebiz.com


Bike Mill in West Yorkshire has changed its entire business model to adapt to the modern industry. Rebecca Bland visited the store to find out more


in an old mill, and has continued the shop’s reputation for being welcoming and an important part of the community. Something that Crayden-Reed suggests is because of their different approach to being a bike shop.


Staying competitive “We changed to repairs-only maybe 12 years ago, and all the reps that came in said we were mad, we’re a bike shop that doesn’t sell bikes. It’s crazy. But you just can’t compete with online, you’ve got to buy new bikes every September, sign up for the next ones, and it doesn’t matter what brand you’re talking to, even if they say they’ll protect the price – it’s still so cheap online.” Moving to a repairs and servicing only model has done well for the shop,


October2023 | 7


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