Behind the scenes

Swiss population now fixing their own bikes

31.8.2023

Translation: Katherine Martin

From brake pad replacements, to chain-oiling, to gear cable installation, the bicycle boom of the last few years is now overlapping with the do-it-yourself movement. This summer, Galaxus is breaking all of its sales records for spare parts, add-ons and bike tools. The shortage of skilled workers in bike repair shops may be one of the reasons why.

Switzerland is a land of cyclists, with around half a million brand-new bikes shipped off to new owners every year (link in German). The pandemic has triggered a boom – as many people ditched public transport for a set of two wheels, sales jumped by almost 40 per cent in 2020, according to industry association Velosuisse. Not only that, but the e-bike trend has kept sales figures at a high level ever since. It’s probably also partly because bikes are now readily available again (linked article in German).

At the same time, do-it-yourself and handicraft projects have become the done thing – a trend that’s boosted by social media content and tutorials. And now, the fad has reached Switzerland’s cycling community. In July 2023, online department store Galaxus sold almost 70 per cent more bike parts and tools than in July 2022. This includes brake pads, pedals, bottom brackets, tyre levers and chain pliers. At the same time, about 40 per cent more add-ons, such as bike lights, bells and mudguards were sent out to customers. Galaxus sold record volumes of both product groups. The first half of this year has also seen double-digit growth rates compared to 2022.

«During the pandemic, we were buying bikes. Now, we’re servicing them ourselves,» says Nicolas Pulfer, summing up the trend. Nicolas is the Category Business Manager responsible for Galaxus’s bike range. He anticipates the demand for spare parts and add-ons, as well as repair- and cleaning supplies, to continue to grow at Galaxus in the coming years.

This is also likely down to the fact that numerous bike repair shops in Switzerland are at capacity. According to a poll conducted by Dynamot, a consulting firm specialising in the sector, four out of ten Swiss workshops suffered from a shortage of skilled workers in 2022. «If I can’t get an appointment with my mechanic, I’m more likely to consider replacing those worn brake pads myself,» Nicolas explains. He goes on to reveal that manufacturers such as Shimano and Sram are increasingly producing components in such a way that they can be replaced by laypeople. «With the help of online tutorials, the right tools and a little talent, you can do a fair bit of servicing yourself these days.»

Tyre tubes are quick to replace

A glance at the Galaxus sales rankings reveals what many customers are willing to try their hand at. Tubes, tyres and brake pads come up trumps, with cleaning- and maintenance products also proving popular. However, members of the Galaxus Community also seem more than happy to mount or replace chains and pedals themselves. Two add-ons – bike bells and bottle cages – bring up the rear among the ten best-selling product types.

Where Galaxus has seen the most significant sales growth, however, is in products appearing further down the topseller rankings. This July, for example, customers ordered around three times as many suspension forks, disc brakes, gear shifts and brake levers.

To round things off, here’s a fun fact for all you know-it-alls and pub-quiz heroes. The Swiss word «velo» comes from «velocipede». That’s what the hobbyists and cyclists of the 19th century called their bikes. The Latin «velocipede» roughly translates to «fast foot».

Have you ever ordered bike parts, tools or cleaning products for your bike online? Which repairs had you feeling flummoxed? And which ones no longer have you rushing to find a mechanic? Let us know in the comments!

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Alex Hämmerli

Senior Public Relations Manager

Alex.Haemmerli@digitecgalaxus.ch

At Digitec and Galaxus, I’m in charge of communication with journalists and bloggers. Good stories are my passion – I am always up to date.

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