[Si Coe]

I find it funny that model shops and bike shops are so different. Both have the same 'cheap low quality mass market' vs 'High end, pricy and very specialist' thing going on, but the difference between walking in to the 'wrong' bike shop and the 'wrong' model shop is amazing.

I've seen plenty of high end bike stores with £3k bikes on display and nothing under £500 replacing inner tubes for ladies on £30 shoppers and never make them feel patronised. And lower end stores actively courted my custom for the few things they could sell me (mostly tubes and little bits - those same nickel and dimes!) because having experienced cyclists hanging around was good for business. The store near me (which had just opened) serviced my Klein for free just so potential customers could gawp at it!

But go to the 'wrong' model shop and you'll soon know you aren't really want they cater for.

The reason is fairly simple though - bike shops are run by people passionate about bikes. And that passion is the same if its a £30 shopper or a £2k Klein. But model shops are run by flyers, or bashers or racers or trainspotters or modellers. And whilst a flyer shop might sell the odd car, or plastic kit, they don't really care about them.