CABDA Midwest retailers react to tariffs and other news

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (BRAIN) — On the opening day of the CABDA Midwest show here Wednesday, we asked retailers: How will the new and promised tariffs and other presidential activity affect your business in 2025?

Gillian Forsyth, BFF Bikes, Chicago

"Let's face it, these are unprecedented times. There’s no telling what this guy [Trump] will do. It’s scary. I just talked to my Giant rep here and they’ve already adjusted for the tariffs headed into 2025 so that’s good. People come in the store and have sticker shock now that they have to pay $600 or $700 for a basic bike. I’m worried it could get worse in 2026."

Wayne Mikes, Mikes Bike Shop, Palatine, Ill.

"The tariffs are just going to create more inflation across the board. Interest rates are not going down, which is going to create a problem with housing. It’s always been a pattern: If the housing market’s bad, the bike industry won’t do well either. A lot of bike manufacturers have moved away from China to Vietnam and Cambodia, which is a good thing."

Chris Stodder, Cosmic Bikes, Chicago

"I’m feeling positive and I'm actually looking forward to a good year this year. I'm done being worried. I find that worrying about things I can’t control is unhealthy. Talking about politics in the store doesn’t happen from my side. I find it more helpful to my customer, who I’m there to serve, to stick to service subjects. I encourage and sometimes need to enforce civility."

Wendy Meador, Whitman’s Bike Way Bike Shop, Miamisburg, Ohio

"Initially I don’t see any change happening. Maybe in the next six months you might see a 10% change, $100 on a bike, that’s not really going to affect our market. It’s out of our control and everybody’s in the same boat. I don’t like it but there’s nothing we can do about it. As reverse tariffs come in, we’ll make concessions and our tariffs will go away."

Brian Motl, Bishop’s Bicycles, Milford, Ohio

"I expect a raise on the cost of bikes and components with that being passed along to the consumer. As we saw last time in round one of the tariffs, it may stagnate our industry when it’s already pretty stagnant. My main focus is on service already so hopefully we can maintain that. Some people may shy away from repairs if the cost of parts goes up."