Fill out your bike department by offering bike racks. Bicycle racks are an often overlooked biking accessory; if your biking customers can't find what they need at your shop, they'll turn to your competitors. Stock a variety of racks for bicycles, especially racks designed to transport bikes on vehicles.

Also stock a number of commercial bike racks designed for use outside of businesses and schools to keep bikes safe and secure while the riders are indoors. Supply not only the racks for bikes but also the hardware needed to install them and clear and easy-to-follow directions to make them simple for your clients to install.

1. Offer bike racks that hold bikes on the back of cars and trucks.

2. Provide bike racks that allow the bikes to stand up on top of a vehicle.

3. Create an inventory that includes commercial bike racks.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Provide rear-mounting vehicle bike racks to your customers

Offer rear-mounting vehicle bike racks for vehicles with and without a hitch. The type of bike rack your clients should use depends upon whether or not they have such a hitch. Without a hitch, they need a trunk-mounted assembly to safely transport their bikes. By offering both types of bike racks and the appropriate hardware, you'll provide higher quality service to all of your customers.

I recommend: Yakima not only offers rear-mounting vehicle bike racks but they help you select the best one for your particular vehicle. Dero Bike Racks can provide you with bike racks for all types of vehicles.

Build your inventory with roof-top bike racks

Educate your clients on how to select a roof-top bike rack that suits their vehicle. The style of roof-top bike rack they should purchase depends upon the style of luggage rack they currently have installed. By providing the highest customer service along with the appropriate bike rack, you'll create customer loyalty and word-of-mouth publicity.

I recommend: Swagman has several roof-mounted bike racks for you to use to build an impressive inventory. Proline Products stands prepared to outfit you with all of the roof-mounted bike racks you'll need.

Provide commercial bike racks

Offer the businesses in your area commercial racks for bikes that go beyond the utilitarian and provide an artistic twist to bike racks. If you can't stock a dozen options in commercial bike racks, consider creating a catalog from which your commercial clients can choose.

I recommend: Bike Rack Shops offers you several selections in commercial bike racks that range from holding one or two bikes to those that secure sixteen bikes. Bike Security Racks stands ready to provide you with commercial bike racks in fun and funky styles.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Think about offering wall- or ceiling-mounted bicycle racks and lifts to help your clients take advantage of unused space in their garages or sheds.