Behind the scenes

Austria has started repairing its own bicycles

6.9.2023

Translation: Elicia Payne

From brake replacements, to chain-oiling, to installing shifters, the bike 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, attachment parts and bike tools.

Austria is a bicycle country. Last year, around half a million brand-new bikes (pdf in German) wheeled their way to new owners around the country. The pandemic has triggered a boom – as many people ditched public transport for a set of two wheels, sales jumped by almost 13 per cent in 2020, according to the Austrian sporting goods manufacturers and retailers association, VSSÖ. 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. This wave has now reached Austria’s bike community. In July 2023, the online department store Galaxus sold over 70 per cent more bike spare parts and tools in the DACH region than in July 2022. These include, for example, brakes, pedals, bottom brackets, tyre levers or chain lock pliers. At the same time, about 40 per cent more attachment parts, such as bike lights, bells and mudguards were sent out to customers. Galaxus sold record volumes in 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,» Nicolas Pulfer sums up. Nicolas is the Category Business Manager responsible for Galaxus’s bike range. He anticipates the demand for spare parts and attachment parts, as well as repair- and cleaning supplies, to continue to grow at Galaxus in the coming years.

He goes on to reveal that manufacturers such as Shimano and SRAM are increasingly producing parts 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 are at the top of the list. With cleaning- and maintenance products also proving popular. Members of the Galaxus Community even seem more than happy to mount or replace chains and pedals themselves too. Two parts – bike bells and bottle holders – are at the rear in the ranking of the ten best-selling product types.

On the other hand, Galaxus is seeing the greatest sales growth in products that appear lower down the bestseller ranking. This July, for example, customers ordered around three times as many bike forks, disc brakes, and gear and brake levers.

Have you ever ordered bike parts, tools or cleaning products for your bike online? Which repairs were you unsuccessful with? And which ones no longer have you rushing to find a mechanic? Discuss 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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