BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Give us a brief history of the firm:
I started Feedback Sports in 2004 here in Golden, Colorado with my development of the Alpine digital hanging scale to weigh bicycles. Early on, the scales were successfully distributed through another Colorado company named Ultimate Bike Support, which we acquired in 2008 to add work stands and storage stands to the Feedback Sports product mix.
With our solid base of unique products, we are growing rapidly through continuously improving sales, marketing and operational efforts.
What can you offer the retailer?
We offer the bicycle retailer three product segments to sell to their customers: work stands, storage stands and measurement tools.
Our popular portable bicycle work stands are consumer driven, with a broad range of price points and features for the entry-level home mechanic all the way to the professional mechanic.
The storage/display stands are equally useful to the bike shop as they are to the home user. Our one-bike RAKK stand and Velo Cache free-standing rack are great to display bikes in a shop. The measurement tools like the digital scales and calipers are necessities in a bike shop.
I tell bicycle retailers that if they let their customers use our digital hanging scale to compare items, then they will boost sales, because many consumers will pay extra for the lighter equipment.
Which pro teams use FeedBack Sports products?
Many factory pro teams such as Cannondale, Specialized, and Kona use Feedback Sports work stands and storage products. Mechanics supporting pro racers like Katie Compton, Steve Peat, Sabine Spitz, Todd Wells, and Julian Absalon use our products. The A-frame event stand holds eight bikes and is great for travelling teams and fleets.
What advantages can your work stands offer over the competition?
Our uniquely designed work stands combine stability with lightweight portability and ease of use. Our clamps are proven in the industry, and our top of the line clamp has a quick release, which has had many positive reviews.
How do you plan to grow the business going forwards?
Better market penetration in existing markets and opening new markets will boost sales, short term. At Eurobike this year, we opened up new distributors in Spain, Italy and Israel and there are still a few areas worldwide minus distribution.
For longer-term growth, we will expand the product line and increase marketing efforts. We believe our strong product line gives us potential for growth.
Workstands and racks aside, what else can you offer the retailer?
We make a wheel truing stand, which is portable and attaches to our work stands.
We also offer accessories for work stands like a tool tray. Our measurement tools are handy in store and can sell at the retail level. The digital chain gauge is our newest measurement tool.
How can trade accounts get in touch?
In the USA, we sell directly to bicycle dealers. Outside of the USA we sell through our distributors listed at www.feedbacksports.com. In the UK, 2pure is our exclusive distributor.
