Trek buys up another U.S. bike shop chain

Trek Bicycles has continued its spending spree of U.S. bike shops, adding to its portfolio Baltimore’s seven location Race Pace Bicycles.

The acquisition of the store chain builds on a 2021 that saw repeated headlines hit on U.S. trade site BR∈ the first in January, relating to the buyout of around a dozen of Mike Olsen’s bike shops. Next up came Pennsylvania’s Genesis Bicycles in April, a single store founded by Tomias Hinchcliff with a near 40 year history.

Race Pace owner Alex Obriecht revealed the sale to customers via social media this week, commenting that after 44 years of partnership “I have no doubt that Trek will be outstanding caretakers and build upon the hospitality and outstanding experience our customers expect.”

Previously in the USA Trek has bought Revolution Cycles’ four stores and 16 branches of Bike Line

The trend of brand buyouts of retailers appears to be accelerating, in particular in America, though not exclusively. Commentators on one well known industry chat group have speculated in number about the meaning of such takeovers.

“I think if you are a Trek retailer and Trek is not actively trying to buy your store, then your store is not a part of the long-term plan,” commented one upon spotting the news.

In the UK, Trek’s own brand stores span the country but not yet in significant number. Branded stores exist in Poole, Battersea, Manchester, Sheffield (previously Full Gas Bikes), Milton Keynes, Bristol (previously BIke UK), Bath and Shrewsbury.

In 2016 it also acquired a notable triathlon specialist of the time, Royles, which fell into administration. This is now the Wilmslow branch.

Close competitor Specialized has likewise bought up properties on both sides of the Atlantic. In the UK it operates a dedicated domain for its ‘Concept stores’, which now number nine branches.