S-TEC Shop Talk

Do you manage your bike shop's social media accounts? What if you had free access to the photos and videos created by the brands that you sell in your store? Then you should know about Promoboxx. Andrew Glenn of Promoboxx and Scott Forrestall of Shimano North America tell us how it works. Sign up for Shimano / Pearl Izumi's Promoboxx account through http://shimanopimarketing.com Follow Promoboxx's social channels Facebook: http://facebook.com/promoboxx Instagram: http://instagram.com/promoboxx Twitter: http://twitter.com/promoboxx

Do electric mountain bikes belong on trails used by hikers, equestrian riders, and regular mountain bikers? Or do they only belong on trails designated for motorized vehicles? This contentious question was the focus of a panel discussions held at the 2017 E-bike Summit, and the answers were a lot more nuanced than you might expect. Panel members are Dave Wiens, the Executive Director of International Mountain Bike Association, Photographer and trail projects expert Leslie Kehmeier of The Wide Eyed World, John Riley of Trek Bicycle, Ken Miner of Haibike USA, and Troy Lee. Randy Neufeld directs the SRAM Cycling Fund, and moderates this discussion. Follow People for Bikes peopleforbikes.org/e-bikes facebook.com/PeopleForBikes instagram.com/peopleforbikes/ twitter.com/peopleforbikes Follow Bicycle Product Suppliers Association http://bpsa.org

The Bicycle Product Suppliers Association and PeopleForBikes conduct an annual E-bike Summit for stakeholders in the ever-expanding electric bicycle phenomenon in North America. Shimano hosted the 2017 event in their Irvine, California headquarters, and this is the first of two panel discussions held during that session. Follow People for Bikes peopleforbikes.org/e-bikes facebook.com/PeopleForBikes instagram.com/peopleforbikes/ twitter.com/peopleforbikes Follow Bicycle Product Suppliers Association http://bpsa.org

Project Bike Tech is a high school vocational program like auto shop, but for bicycle mechanics. Mercedes Ross, their National Director, recently stopped by Shimano North America Bicycle HQ to share the latest news about Project Bike Tech. Follow Project Bike Tech: http://projectbiketech.org/blog http://facebook.com/ProjectBikeTech http://instagram.com/projectbiketech/

Road tubeless tires ride better and reduce flats compared to traditional road bicycle tires. But their higher air pressures make them different from mountain bike tubeless systems, and there's some safety fundamentals you must know. Jim Malta of Stan's No Tubes drills down into tubeless rim and tire technologies so you can reap the benefits of road tubeless tires with confidence. Follow Stan's No Tubes on Facebook facebook.com/notubesfan

In a 20 group, retailers from noncompeting markets meet to help each other improve. Business metrics like inventory performance, sales by category, payroll, marketing spending, and rent are shared and analyzed. Peers help overcome your weak areas, and you'll help them in your strong suits. Build trust, friendships, and learn from allies who've been in your shoes. Follow on Facebook: National Bicycle Dealers Association https://www.facebook.com/NBDA2015/ The Mann Group https://www.facebook.com/TheMannGroup/

The secondhand bicycle market is huge. What is your shop doing to help old bike sellers become new bike buyers? In this episode, we speak with three guests who've built big businesses out of used bicycles: Bicycle Sport Shop of Austin Texas, Colorado's The Pro's Closet, and Bicycle Blue Book of San Jose, California. Follow our guests on Facebook: https://facebook.com/bssaustin/ https://facebook.com/theproscloset/ https://facebook.com/BicycleBlueBook/

With 106 store locations, Performance Bicycle operates the largest bicycle retail chain in the United States. Finding good employees and training them to deliver a consistently high level of expertise is challenging even at a single-unit business. How does Performance implement hiring, onboarding, and continuing professional development for staff across all experience levels of their enterprise? We speak with Sam Felts, Director of Store Operations for Retail and Training and Gene Carleton, Spin Doctor Services Coordinator to learn what tools they utilize. Follow Performance Bicycle facebook.com/performancebike twitter.com/performancebike instagram.com/performancebike

You may have heard recently about a bike mechanic who was recruited to work for NASA. It's no fluke that Stevo Partida, also a certified aviation mechanic, was hired away to work on spacecraft. This episode takes us to Bike Effect in Santa Monica, California. We talk to shop partners Alison Letson and Steven Carre to learn how Bike Effect approaches customer relationships more like a fine dining restaurant or boutique hotel than a typical bicycle retail store. Follow Bike Effect facebook.com/bikeeffect instagram.com/bikeeffect twitter.com/bikeeffect

Renting downhill bikes is a big summer business for the bike park at Alaska's Alyeska Resort. We talk to shop manager Steve Bartholomew to learn the do's and don'ts of the rental business. Even if you don't have a bike park in your backyard, you can still rent the bikes in your inventory. Spinlister Pro is an app that simplifies the process for bike shops and renters alike. We speak to Spinlister's Marketing Director, Curren Bates.

If you want to sell things at full margin, stop thinking you're in the business of selling widgets. Be in the business of knowing your customers and providing amazing, personal connections, and they will buy from you every time. Industry consultant Sam Dantzler of Garage Composites explains the concept of want-based sales as a transfer of enthusiasm. Follow Garage Composites Twitter: twitter.com/DantzlersGarage Facebook: facebook.com/Garage-Peloton-1038918712896807/ Web: garagecomposites.com/home/

We find out how Lazer Sport designs their bicycle helmets to fit most people comfortably, and provide a consistent fit across their entire product line. Christoper Smith, Lazer's North American Marketing Manager, talks about ways to make your helmet business more profitable. Follow Lazer Sport USA: Lazer Radio https://soundcloud.com/user-414769870 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LazerHelmets Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lazersportusa/ Twitter https://twitter.com/lazersportusa

Project Bike Tech is a high school vocational training program. It's like auto shop, for bikes. Learn how local bike shops coordinate with Project Bike Tech to bring this program to their communities.

Colorado Multisport is a premiere triathlon shop in Boulder, Colorado. We talk with the owner, manager, and head mechanic to learn what makes them succesful

Our series featuring specialist service providers continues with Boulder-based suspension service experts Dirt Labs.

Everybody wants a better paycheck. In this episode, learn how bike shop employees and managers might approach asking for a pay raise.

S-TEC celebrates its fifth birthday today. Meet some of the people behind the scenes who helped bring S-TEC to life.

The Mann Group shares advice for hiring and retaining great bike shop employees.

Our profiles on specialist bike shops continues with The Unlikely Cyclist, a women's boutique in Costa Mesa, CA

Track specialist Bill Ron shines a light into the insular world of track racing . Learn from a legendary racer, mechanic, and coach to multiple world champions.

Facebook pro tips

Vintage bike specialist The Bicycle Stand of Long Beach, CA

Does paying for training increase shop profitability?