the same but different

[ayceejay]

I was in a runners shop yesterday, they have a better selection of stuff and this is my point. They have specialised clothing, including perhaps 30 different shoes as well as sports injury supplies, computers, gels up the wazoo etc. etc. whereas the bike shops have a much wider range but nothing in depth.
Is it because running is definitely an athletic pursuit, after all people rarely run to work or to the shops, and cycling (as this forum shows) encompasses everything from commuters to racers and everything in between?

 

[fossyant]

And having lots of expensive stock sat about isn't good for a small shop. Running doesn't require the same level of kit.

 

[classic33]

Used to run to work, so some of us have done it(running to work). Drainage of the bursa put an end to the running as the impact was too great on the joint, whilst running.
Never used any of the fancy stuff for running and often when doing the road races, I'd cycle there, do the run and then cycle back home.

Running has a greater audience, to whom products can be sold. Compared to cycling. On the tech side I'd say both disciplines are fairly evenly matched, heart rate monitors, blood monitors, tyres that "can make you go faster". Different markets with similar products available to both.