COVID-19 throws mountain biking industry for a loop

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- If you are searching for a new mountain bike this summer, good luck. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bike shops all across the country have seen demand skyrocket but supplies dwindle.

Since The Great Divide Bike Shop in Pueblo reopened its doors back in May after quarantine, the shop's owner says they completely sold out of mountain bikes.

“We sold all our bikes pretty much in a one-month period," said Lee Newhard, owner of The Great Divide. "It was unbelievable how many people were buying bikes. People were just wanting to get outside.”

But as the demand for mountain bikes rises, the supply has dwindled.
Because of COVID-19, Newhard fears he won’t have mountain bikes for sale in his shop until 2021.

“China was shut down for a while, and that’s where a lot of the products were made," said Newhard. "A lot of things were shut down and didn’t get made up. New stuff didn’t get made up and the old stuff had run out and the demand for bikes was just enormous.”

Newhard says his business isn’t alone, shops like his all across the country are forced to tell new mountain bikers to wait more than half a year to get a bike.

“I think a lot of people haven’t ridden in a long time and we’re getting out this spring and summer and hopefully that’ll continue on," said Newhard/ "I’ve seen people out riding who haven’t ridden in a long long time.”

Mountain bikes are the big sellers, and The Great Divide says they are slowly running out bike accessories. However, Newhard says his business will be able to remain afloat thanks to an influx of bike repairs.