fix: markdown errors in adapt-or-die

content/post/adapt-or-die-bike-shops/index.md

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ And yet — brick-and-mortar shops still have something the internet doesn't: re
 Here’s how:
 
 ## 1. Educate Thyself — and Your Staff
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 Online stores may win on volume, but they lose on context. Customers often don’t know what they truly need — and a well-informed bike shop can fill this gap. It starts with education.
 
 A shop that doesn’t invest in knowledgeable, passionate staff is already obsolete. If you’re selling gravel bikes, someone in the store should be riding gravel. If you’re pushing endurance saddles, someone better know what chamois rash feels like at 100 km.
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@ A shop that doesn’t invest in knowledgeable, passionate staff is already obsol
 A Bangalore shop owner once shared how a customer came in asking for an imported carbon frame seen on Instagram. After a half-hour conversation, the shop helped him spec a better-suited steel touring bike with wider gearing — and the rider returned a month later with stories of a 500-km ride he never thought possible.
 
 ## 2. Be Present Online — Strategically
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 An online presence doesn’t mean replicating what Amazon does. It means offering *your* perspective.
 
 Post real-world insights about bikes you carry. Highlight local rides, rider stories, gear tests, and workshop tips. Use Instagram, Google Maps, and YouTube to give your store a digital voice that reflects your on-ground identity.
@@ -31,9 +33,11 @@ Post real-world insights about bikes you carry. Highlight local rides, rider sto
 > Example: **The Bike Shop India (Gurgaon)** built its presence by posting educational videos about bicycle care and hosting live Q&As on Instagram. Customers feel informed, not sold to. ([instagram.com/thebikeshopindia](https://www.instagram.com/thebikeshopindia))
 
 ## 3. Offer What the Internet Can't: Services
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 The internet can’t true a wheel. It can’t assess knee pain during a pedal stroke. It can’t walk someone through a tubeless conversion.
 
 Physical shops need to double down on *service as product*. That means:
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 - High-quality bike fits (even if done manually)
 - Hands-on diagnostics
 - One-on-one consultations
@@ -47,9 +51,11 @@ Physical shops need to double down on *service as product*. That means:
 > Example: **Crankmeister (Bangalore)** is known for custom builds and high-spec touring setups. Their workbench has helped set up bikes that have gone across Spiti, Leh, and even the European Alps.
 
 ## 4. Reward Loyalty in Unexpected Ways
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 The LBS (local bike shop) advantage is in human relationships. Reward that loyalty.
 
 Offer:
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 - Free minor tune-ups for repeat buyers
 - Exclusive preview nights for new stock
 - First-come booking for demo events
@@ -58,9 +64,11 @@ Offer:
 > Example: **BOTS Bangalore** ran a “coffee & chain clean” morning — regulars got their bikes lubed while sipping free espresso. A small gesture, big retention.
 
 ## 5. Become a Community Anchor
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 The best bike shops aren’t just shops. They’re landmarks. Places where the Saturday ride starts. Where monsoon rides end over chai. Where routes are planned, parts are debated, and friendships are built.
 
 Want to stand out?:
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 - Open early. Offer hot coffee.
 - Host night rides and gravel socials.
 - Sponsor a local ride series.
@@ -69,30 +77,33 @@ Want to stand out?:
 > Example: **Pedal Thirst Adventures (Pune)** organizes weekly morning rides from its shopfront and sponsors local events like Tour de Pune, turning their storefront into a hub. ([pedalthirstadventures.com](https://www.pedalthirstadventures.com))
 
 ## 6. Collaborate, Don't Compete
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 You’re not fighting brands. You’re working with them.
 
 Get your distributors and partner brands involved. Ask them to:
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 - Launch new products at your shop
 - Offer training sessions for staff
 - Provide demo units for test rides
 
 Likewise, collaborate with other cycling-adjacent businesses:
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 - Cafés
 - Fitness centres
 - Local tour companies
 
 > Example: **Track & Trail (Chennai)** partnered with a nearby café to host Sunday 'coffee rides' — bike demo + latte + social hangout. Win-win for both.
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 > Example: **Firefox Bikes** sponsors club rides and community bike festivals where their dealers run on-ground support stations.
 
 ## 7. Specialize — Don’t Generalize
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 Too many Indian bike shops try to do everything: kids' bikes, fixies, MTB, road, e-bikes, service, and parts. In reality, most of them do none of it well.
 
 > Example: **Pedal Compass (Shillong)** is known for nurturing grassroots MTB talent in the Northeast. From supporting local racers to helping build trail-ready bikes, they've turned their store into a mountain biking nerve centre.
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 > Example: **Velo Studio (Bangalore)** backs its retail reputation with a dedicated race team. By supporting athletes and showing up at the start line, they signal credibility — not just as a seller, but as a part of the sport.
 
 Pick a direction. Become *known* for something:
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 - “The gravel shop”
 - “The bikepacking outfitter”
 - “The commuter tuning garage”
@@ -104,9 +115,9 @@ Pick a direction. Become *known* for something:
 > Counterpoint: A well-meaning shop in north India once tried to cater to all segments — from low-end kids' cycles to high-end carbon builds. Without clarity or depth, they struggled to win any particular crowd. A few years later, the shop shut down, unable to compete with specialists and online giants alike. Trying to be everything to everyone is a sure way to be remembered by no one.
 
 ## Final Word
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 Indian cyclists want more than access — they want understanding. And that’s where bike shops win.
 
 The choice is not between physical and digital. It’s between being just a shop — or being a destination. Those who adapt, evolve, and lead will find themselves at the centre of something bigger than just sales.
 
-{: .box-note}
 Gearlama offers consultancy services to online and physical bicycle stores in India to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. Contact us to unlock the potential of your store.