Good mechanics...
#26
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And, just like any work - it should be a two-way thing. If you aren't happy, if you don't enjoy it, find something you do enjoy (well, unless that pays very poorly in modern capitalism - then you're screwed! ).
#27
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there are easy concepts like changing a tire or truing a wheel...
but what about tough concepts. where do most of you guys get the hands on experience for say a hydraulic brake job? or adjusting bluetooth shifters?
it would be nice if those grey beards were around more often for us younger guys learning deep in our passions.
but what about tough concepts. where do most of you guys get the hands on experience for say a hydraulic brake job? or adjusting bluetooth shifters?
it would be nice if those grey beards were around more often for us younger guys learning deep in our passions.
My advice - be interested, talk to people, never be too proud to work on anything that looks crap, and never trust serial multi-quoters
I owe a deep ocean of gratitude to a mechanic called Fred Barrington, to whom no task seemed impossible once broken down into small enough parts, always explained things to clients in ways they could understand, and kept on smiling no matter how much the foreman went yabbitty yabbitty yabbit.
#28
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I might add that the person must have strong spatial and mechanical/functional aptitudes as well. You might call this the ability to "enter the mind of the designer". If one can see how something was designed and how it's intended to work, then it's simpler to see what isn't doing what it was intended to do Those are 80% of the problem solving skills.
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#29
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I understand. Though it could be argued that any work with people boils down to making them happy. Co-op is making people like me (and, I suppose, you) happy - those who like fixing their own bikes.
And, just like any work - it should be a two-way thing. If you aren't happy, if you don't enjoy it, find something you do enjoy (well, unless that pays very poorly in modern capitalism - then you're screwed! ).
And, just like any work - it should be a two-way thing. If you aren't happy, if you don't enjoy it, find something you do enjoy (well, unless that pays very poorly in modern capitalism - then you're screwed! ).
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#30
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My advice - be interested, talk to people, never be too proud to work on anything that looks crap,
I owe a deep ocean of gratitude to a mechanic called Fred Barrington, to whom no task seemed impossible once broken down into small enough parts, always explained things to clients in ways they could understand, and kept on smiling no matter how much the foreman went yabbitty yabbitty yabbit.
and never trust serial multi-quoters
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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#31
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For me it's a couple of things.
1) Communication. Do they take the time to talk to you and ask multiple questions about the bike and how you are going to use it? Nothing worse then having something "Fixed" only to have to come back the next day and hear "Well I noticed that, but you didn't say you wanted that part fixed".
2) Is the shop clean and tidy? If they can keep their shop clean then they are going to be able to pay attention to details on your bike. It's not always true but I feel like it's a good sign that the Mechanic is a Professional that cares about his work.
3) A Mechanic is only as good as their tools. I'm not saying they need the best and most expensive but at least have the right tools for the job. If you walk into a shop and they are using a air hammer and a punch to remove a freewheel you might wanna run away.
If you want to become a Bike Mechanic the make it or break it is how fast you can repair something properly. I think taking a course and learning hands on is the fastest way to gain that skill. There's lots of people who can watch a video and learn a repair and think they are uber Mechanics. (myself included). So if it takes you 2 hours to complete a repair a Pro can do in 45mins. Well it's all billable hours and you are not going to make it.
1) Communication. Do they take the time to talk to you and ask multiple questions about the bike and how you are going to use it? Nothing worse then having something "Fixed" only to have to come back the next day and hear "Well I noticed that, but you didn't say you wanted that part fixed".
2) Is the shop clean and tidy? If they can keep their shop clean then they are going to be able to pay attention to details on your bike. It's not always true but I feel like it's a good sign that the Mechanic is a Professional that cares about his work.
3) A Mechanic is only as good as their tools. I'm not saying they need the best and most expensive but at least have the right tools for the job. If you walk into a shop and they are using a air hammer and a punch to remove a freewheel you might wanna run away.
If you want to become a Bike Mechanic the make it or break it is how fast you can repair something properly. I think taking a course and learning hands on is the fastest way to gain that skill. There's lots of people who can watch a video and learn a repair and think they are uber Mechanics. (myself included). So if it takes you 2 hours to complete a repair a Pro can do in 45mins. Well it's all billable hours and you are not going to make it.
#32
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The best bike mechanic- Mechanical aptitude, good deductive reasoning abilities, a willingness to learn, and the ability to read instructions.
The best bike shop mechanic- all of the above plus ability to talk customers through what they're doing and why they're doing it, have a good repartee with customers.
The best bike shop mechanic- all of the above plus ability to talk customers through what they're doing and why they're doing it, have a good repartee with customers.
#33
Senior Member
The shop discount?
Ha ha... good observation - they don't. A freshly minted professional engineer who had done co-op terms in a fab shop would have a starting salary north of $100k. There are a handful of these folks working in the bike industry, at the big brands in the areas of design & quality control. But the auto biz would eventually scoop up the best of these, with shorter hours and better pay.
Bike Forums here has some deep talent and knowledge, with some very qualified mechanics. Retirees with technical credentials who also have the time and patience to tinker and actually read the instructions. And some who volunteer and big volume bike co-ops.
My experience as mechanic/ instructor at a co-op has taught me a lot beyond the technical aspects of the business. The best thing I've learned is careful listening and non-incriminating and gentle structured cross-examination of the bike owner. So being able to pose questions that get to the heart of the bike problem. My best learning from the instruction side is how to teach in such a way that gets the repair done, imparts the most knowledge, and leaves the student feeling that they are a genius and they want to work on bikes for the rest of their lives. I consider it a success if we sign-up an eager new volunteer every shift.
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#34
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if OP is interested in learning fast in a structured way there is UBI https://bikeschool.com/
also some areas offer park tool school https://www.parktool.com/park-tool-school
I got back into bikes and wrenching on my own some years back. I had basics bike skills (pack a bearing, adjust brakes and deraillers) but learned a ton more by doing, looking things up and getting input from Bike Forums. Learned more helping at a bike charity and working on neighbors bikes..... especially what a BSO is and how great thumshifters are for simple bikes
also some areas offer park tool school https://www.parktool.com/park-tool-school
I got back into bikes and wrenching on my own some years back. I had basics bike skills (pack a bearing, adjust brakes and deraillers) but learned a ton more by doing, looking things up and getting input from Bike Forums. Learned more helping at a bike charity and working on neighbors bikes..... especially what a BSO is and how great thumshifters are for simple bikes
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)