Mellow Johnny's ... the coolest LBS ?

[cyclenut]

Cycling legend Lance Armstrong is opening his own bike superstore.

Dubbed Mellow Johnny?s, after Armstrong?s racing nickname, the 18,000 sq foot store is aimed at getting more people riding in Armstrong?s home town of Austin, Texas.

Top end Trek bikes, similar to those Armstrong rode on his seven consecutive Tour de France victories, will be available.

But Armstrong wants the shop to have wide appeal, and also plans to sell mountain bikes, commuter bikes, fixed wheels, low riders, handmade one-offs, triathlon bikes and more.

The shop will also provide lockers and showers for Austin?s bike commuters.

Armstrong?s vision is to make Austin a cycling city, in the same vein as Portland, Oregon.

But he admits there?s a lot of work to be done first.

He told his local paper, the Austin American Statesman: ?"There are times I ride in Austin, and I'm afraid of cars.

"Imagine what the beginner cyclist must feel like? I think (Mayor) Will Wynn's dream was this whole revitalization of downtown, which we're getting, but it's going to make it a lot easier if people can get around on bikes."

Big brands to be sold in the shop beside Trek include Nike, Giro and Oakley.

There will be coffee on tap and bike mechanics at work on the shop floor who?ll answer any technical questions customers may have.

There will be some memorabilia from Armstrong?s glory days in the shop, but the aim isn?t for a museum vibe.

In fact, Armstrong predicts that Mellow Johnny's will be "the coolest bike shop in the world".

But, despite his mammoth plans, he insists he doesn?t want to see off Austin?s smaller bike shops.

"It's not us versus them," he told the Statesman. "We're all about the cycling culture."

Although it?s some way from opening, a vacant 1950s building has been earmarked for the project and local architect Michael Hsu has created a masterplan. Work on site started in February and is expected to go on through the summer.

The store is just north of the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, a path that will cut east-west through downtown Austin.

(http://www.entrytime.com/index.asp?GoTo=fetch&afid=4&pt=article&itemid=2247&typeid=1)

[E1A104]

oooooh, I can barely contain myself.

[cyclenut]

oooooh' date=' I can barely contain myself.[/quote']

 

I know the feeling: I went to a tupperware party once cos I couldn't contain myself

[AndreZA]

oooooh' date=' I can barely contain myself.[/quote']

 

I know the feeling: I went to a tupperware party once cos I couldn't contain myself

 

ag common, put a lid on it. Have LA sealed the deal yet?

 

 

[Delgado]

I wonder if they will have  a refridgerated section for the Evening Primrose Oil???

[Myra]

Article forgot to mention of the pharmacy that will be hidden in the back corner... 

[Red Zone]

Good for LA

 

If it gets more people riding and elevates the profile of cycling then great.

 

I am sure that there will be some more Lance bashing - some people just cant stand success.

[Sammajoor]

oooooh' date=' I can barely contain myself.[/quote']

 

I know the feeling: I went to a tupperware party once cos I couldn't contain myself

 

Not that you a plasticky person hey

[Evan Andreou]

Popcorn so early?

[MintSauce]

Disclaimer: I have huge respect for Lance Armstrong and his achievements....always have!

 

BUT

 

There are better ways to promote the cycling culture. It starts in small, privately owned bikeshops run with passion and pride....IMO

 

He can't say that it's not an "us vs them" scenario because there's no way that this capitalist investment won't take business away from smaller shops.

 

I bet in a couple of years there'll be Mellow Johnnys all over the place.

 

And I bet they earmarked a 50yr old building cos it's 'cool'....but it'll never be as cool as the old bikeshop that's in a 50yr old building cos they've been around for 50yrs....smacks of marketing BS

 

The REAL "cycling culture" better watch out.....the LA money machine is coming to town!

 

Coolest bikeshop in the world MY ASS!

 

 

 

[cyclenut]

Can you imagine a 180 km, 45km/h ave Saturday morning club ride?

[Red Zone]

There are better ways to promote the cycling culture. It starts in small' date=' privately owned bikeshops run with passion and pride....IMO

  

[/quote']

 

Cyclelab has probably been one of the greatest if not the greatest force in growing recreational cycling in SA, I have no idea what their membership is and how many bikes they sell but they have large stores or two in every major city in SA. Corporate cash, advertising, product placement and a good brand are what counts.

 

I, probably like you, love the small bike shops and spend most of my time and money there and trust those guys with my bikes. But in terms of promoting cycling, I think most people will feel more comforable with a western mega store than walking into a hole in the wall little bike shop - which is way more intimidating for a beginer

[AndreZA]

Disclaimer: I have huge respect for Lance Armstrong and his achievements....always have!

 

if he was not an American I would be his biggest fan.

 

I bet in a couple of years there'll be Mellow Johnnys all over the place. 

 

Next to every Starbucks.

 

 

[JasonW]

On a lighter note,

 

 

 

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/humour-a-complaint-to-mellow-johnnys-bike-shop-15260

 

 

 

Classic!

[bob_the_builder]

 

Disclaimer: I have huge respect for Lance Armstrong and his achievements....always have!

 

if he was not an American I would be his biggest fan.

 

I bet in a couple of years there'll be Mellow Johnnys all over the place. 

 

Next to every Starbucks.

 

 

 

And your point is? Starbucks make the best coffee!

 

[AndreZA]

 

Disclaimer: I have huge respect for Lance Armstrong and his achievements....always have!

 

if he was not an American I would be his biggest fan.

 

I bet in a couple of years there'll be Mellow Johnnys all over the place. 

 

Next to every Starbucks.

 

 

And your point is? Starbucks make the best coffee!

 

I know that but that does not mean they give you the attention you deserve. Franchise overated.