Mountain biking clubs and trail associations that run a merch shop earn thousands per year toward trail maintenance, race sponsorships, and event costs without a single volunteer managing orders or touching inventory. A free shop at Bear Grips Pro Shops handles everything between the rider clicking "buy" and the shirt arriving at their door. Here is the exact setup, the revenue math for clubs of different sizes, and the product lineup that converts best for MTB communities.
The numbers that matter for an MTB club considering a merch shop:
| Club size | Active buyers (30%) | Avg items | Margin/item | Annual revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 members | 30 | 2 | $12 | $720 |
| 250 members | 75 | 2 | $12 | $1,800 |
| 500 members | 150 | 2.5 | $12 | $4,500 |
| Regional trail org (1,000+) | 350 | 3 | $12 | $12,600 |
A trail association with 500 members, an active social media presence, and two annual event shirts earning $12 margin per item can realistically clear $4,500+ per year. That covers trail maintenance equipment, a new trail segment, or partial funding for a trail crew work weekend. See the no-minimum club shirt guide for how to launch a shop without a bulk commitment.
The product lineup that converts best for MTB communities:
Tier 1 (must-have):
Tier 2 (strong sellers):
Tier 3 (event-specific):
Clubs that offer 4-6 products have higher average order values than clubs with just one or two. Riders buy a shirt and a hat together more often than they buy two shirts.
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.Step 1: Choose your plan. The free tier at Bear Grips Pro Shops lets you list up to three products with no monthly cost. Self-Service VIP ($59/month) unlocks lower base prices (higher margin per item) and up to 200 products. For a club with a serious revenue target, VIP pays for itself after about five shirt sales per month.
Step 2: Prepare your design. A club logo as a clean PNG or SVG file is all you need to get started. If you only have a raster logo at low resolution, the Done-For-You VIP service ($109/month) includes a design team that cleans up and applies your logo to multiple products with front and back mockups.
Step 3: Set your prices. Set the retail price at what your riders will pay. For a club tee, $35-40 is a reasonable price that covers a $12-15 margin above base cost. For a hoodie, $55-65. For a hat, $42-45. These prices are below or competitive with branded outdoor gear at retail.
Step 4: Promote through existing channels. Share the shop link in your club Facebook group or page, Strava club, Discord server, trail app, email newsletter, and at the next group ride. Post the link at the trailhead bulletin board if your trail system has one. QR code stickers at trail kiosks are a surprisingly effective conversion point.
Trail associations and advocacy groups that run a merch shop often designate a percentage of revenue for trail maintenance. Common setups:
Clubs that communicate exactly what the merch revenue funds consistently outperform clubs that treat it as a generic fundraiser. Riders want to know their shirt dollar built something they can ride. Link to the affiliate program for additional commission income when your club refers other MTB organizations to the platform.
The brands in the Bear Grips catalog are recognized across the outdoor and athletic community. MTB riders who ask "what brand is the club shirt" get a genuine answer:
No model numbers are listed in the shop. Your riders buy a "Bear Grips Club Performance Tee" or a "Club Hoodie." The underlying brand quality is real without the catalog complexity.
Free shop for your trail crew or MTB club. Earn for trail maintenance with every shirt sold. No inventory, no minimums.
Start FreeNo. Each shirt is printed when ordered and shipped directly to the buyer. Your club never holds inventory, manages fulfillment, or handles returns.
Set up the shop free and add your logo to one or two shirts. Promote it once in your group chat. Even 15-20 shirt sales per year at $12 margin generates $180-240 toward club expenses. The setup cost is zero, so any revenue is net positive.
Yes. The shop URL is shareable to anyone. Trail associations often promote their shop to the broader regional MTB community, not just members. More buyers means more trail maintenance funding.
Bear Grips processes each order and pays the club the margin amount on a bi-weekly schedule. No manual invoicing or payment collection required.
Bear Grips Pro Shops