The Rodeo Podcast: Bike Industry 2021 / Shortages and Opportunities

Across multiple industries, COVID-19 created an initial dip in demand as factories shut down, people quarantined. Global supply chains halted. Now supply while restarted cannot meet the demand. In the bicycle industry, COVID-19 is creating lasting changes and certainly repercussions to business operations. In the meantime, Stephen and I did not see a lot of discussion around what is happening. Some news articles discuss the limited supply of bicycles. As a result, we knew this would be the perfect topic for the podcast.

Joergen at Parallel Handbuilt

In this episode, a roundtable of folks who work in the bicycle industry (Adam Williams, owner of SloHi Bike Co; Joergen Trepp, owner of Parallel Handbuilt; Sheldon Thompson, lead mechanic at Rodeo Adventure Labs; and Stephen Fitzgerald, owner of Rodeo Adventure Labs) highlight the changes they have implemented to adapt to what is happening. From a stretch of layoffs, to recalling all staff for all hands on deck only a few days later. Overnight changes to business practices had to be implemented. Now, as the day to day settles and a rhythm is found, the industry at large is seeing increased shipping times and subsequently costs. The silver lining is that a downturn creates an opportunity to innovate, to find ways to adapt, try new and bring new things to market.

Each build bin is collecting parts for a specific build. We’ve had to work harder than ever this year to fill each bin by the time the frameset arrives.