My first day wrenching at a bike shop!
08-29-10, 07:54 AM
#26
Death fork? Naaaah!!
To say the least. It can be a nightmare. You work on a low-end bike that has been trashed by an emotionally disturbed kid, and then you have to deal with the emotionally disturbed parents they come to pick it up and pay. I just remember a few mechanics who drank (booze) more than they should have.
My corporate master once ran a 'ten dollar tune-up' promotion that filled my repair racks with more junk abandoned behind sheds, dug up under porches, dragged from ponds, culled from garage sales or pulled from dumpsters. Lots of vodka a la Russe that week.......
Thank Christ they haven't repeated the error.
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
08-29-10, 09:08 AM
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
This makes me think ... Maybe we could gradually infiltrate ourselves into LBS's around the nation... Gradually let the people hear the real goods on aluminium and carbon... Reclaim the nation in the interest of lugged steel... I see a Million Lightweights March ahead.... a double butted 531 in every garage...
OK... It's on .... Hand me an apron... I'm right behind ya Bikedued...
OK... It's on .... Hand me an apron... I'm right behind ya Bikedued...
.,,,,BD
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So many bikes, so little dime.
So many bikes, so little dime.
08-29-10, 09:33 AM
#28
Senior Member
When my wife and I moved north in '07 I took a year off work while our house was being built. To fill the time I worked part time at the local shop. The majority of my work day was spent assembling new Giant and Redline bicycles, mostly mtbs, bmx, hybrids, and doing the ordinary tuneups and flat repair. I even installed my first set of training wheels. Working one on one with the owner of the shop, who had expert bicycle skills and knowledge was a valuable learning experience for me. He was also very willing to let me buy parts from him at his cost to help meet his suppliers buying minimum.
I wish you much success in this new endeavor Bikedued and look forward to reading more.
I wish you much success in this new endeavor Bikedued and look forward to reading more.
08-29-10, 10:26 AM
#29
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08-29-10, 11:02 AM
#30
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bikedued, too bad you're not working in NC. Then wrk101, wahoo, Robbie Tunes and good ol' roccobike could come in and harass you. Just think, of all the stuck seat posts and vintage stems we could throw your way.
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08-29-10, 11:42 AM
#31
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So is this gonna be a full time gig or just weekends?
sounds like fun.
I second the huffy brake adjustment comments though and raise it a "Spend all day changing Tires"
sounds like fun.
I second the huffy brake adjustment comments though and raise it a "Spend all day changing Tires"
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08-30-10, 10:11 PM
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Actually, I did, but I oughtn't take it out on you-all here. My apologies. My reply had a typo -- it should read "Congratulations and good luck on your exciting new job!" Or pastime, as it were.
Still, as other posters pointed out here already -- bike shops live on fixing mundane problems on mundane bikes. I truly am curious how much of that you can tolerate without the occasional interesting bike to break the monotony. And, I am also truly curious how anyone can make a living on bike shop pay -- without having other resources at their disposal.
Still, as other posters pointed out here already -- bike shops live on fixing mundane problems on mundane bikes. I truly am curious how much of that you can tolerate without the occasional interesting bike to break the monotony. And, I am also truly curious how anyone can make a living on bike shop pay -- without having other resources at their disposal.
08-31-10, 02:18 PM
#35
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I worked full time is a shop for 12 years and looked after things when the owners went on vacation. The most money I made in a year was $16,641.
It was fun for awhile and I learned alot. Fortunately, in hindsight, I was able to work in the buisness during the transition to more features like, STI/Ergo levers, indexing, cassette hubs, threadless stems and suspension systems.
It was fun untill you realize a take home pay of $225 gets you nowhere.
It was fun for awhile and I learned alot. Fortunately, in hindsight, I was able to work in the buisness during the transition to more features like, STI/Ergo levers, indexing, cassette hubs, threadless stems and suspension systems.
It was fun untill you realize a take home pay of $225 gets you nowhere.
08-31-10, 06:09 PM
#36
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Thread Starter
Even the bad neighborhoods in Lake Charles pale in comparison to my old neighborhood in Houston. For the record I have two jobs at the moment. About 30-34 a week at the auto parts store, and maybe 25 at the bike shop for right now. I am working 7:15 to 10 at the bike shop catch up wrenching off hours, then 10 to 5 at the parts store, then an hour or so after at the bike shop again. Annnnd, I am riding there and back home. At 42 I'm not sure if this schedule is going to tear me up, or make me stronger and richer. For the time being I am liking the hours.
I might drive tomorrow though. I'll have one day this week where I am not sticky for 10 hours a day,.,,,,BD
I might drive tomorrow though. I'll have one day this week where I am not sticky for 10 hours a day,
.,,,,BD
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So many bikes, so little dime.
So many bikes, so little dime.
09-01-10, 01:38 PM
#37
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Bikedued, Miamijim, and all the others here who have worked or are working now in a bike shop, my hat is off to you. Yes, I'm sure it is interesting work -- for awhile, anyway -- but I couldn't do it, and I bet most people on this forum couldn't do it, either, not for the length of time it takes to keep a bike shop (or any proprietorship) in business. You really gotta love what you are doing, and not care too much about big financial reward. Yet, where would the rest of us be without our local bike shops? Nowhere, that's where. That's why I'm extra polite to my LBS people -- and, to you folks on Bikeforums, too. Again, apologies if I slip.
But $16k per year? Man, I applaud you for making it on that income. I have three kids in college this fall. $16K does not pay the tuition alone. I make substantially more than that, but it's not enough. Not to mention mortgage, utilities, etc. And oh -- go ahead and laugh -- insurance for five cars.
But $16k per year? Man, I applaud you for making it on that income. I have three kids in college this fall. $16K does not pay the tuition alone. I make substantially more than that, but it's not enough. Not to mention mortgage, utilities, etc. And oh -- go ahead and laugh -- insurance for five cars.
09-12-10, 07:34 PM
#38
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Thread Starter
Well, I've been offered full time work at the bike shop, and I am giving two week notice at the auto parts store in the morning. I will be making more, and 6 days a week instead of 4.5-5... There was also a raise mentioned down the line, and training too(Barnetts). They're about to head into a VERY busy time though, opening a new store. Something like eighty bikes need to be built in the next month or so. I am actually enjoying my job, which is something I've not been able to say for years.,,,,BD
,,,,BD
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So many bikes, so little dime.
So many bikes, so little dime.
Last edited by Bikedued; 09-12-10 at 07:38 PM.
09-12-10, 07:40 PM
#40
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Awesome! Congrats.
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09-12-10, 08:09 PM
#41
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Very happy for you!
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
09-12-10, 08:21 PM
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15 years not including a few straggling years working from home garage, etc...
About, 7 shops.... maybe 8, I don't remember.
It's the people I miss
...roll with the punches.
About, 7 shops.... maybe 8, I don't remember.
It's the people I miss
...roll with the punches.
09-12-10, 08:38 PM
#44
Mostly Mischief
I'm psyched for you. Hope the store is well run and stay afloat. Enjoy, money is not everything..
09-12-10, 08:39 PM
#45
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To say the least. It can be a nightmare. You work on a low-end bike that has been trashed by an emotionally disturbed kid, and then you have to deal with the emotionally disturbed parents they come to pick it up and pay. I just remember a few mechanics who drank (booze) more than they should have. Anyway, I hope he enjoys the honeymoon...and only sees better quality adult road bikes.
The scariest time was when the owner sent me to help with a bike rodeo at a local elementary school, this was an upscale neighborhood, and I was doing safety checks, there was hardly a bike I would have been willing to ride, glaring problems. I got through to some parents, others thought I was just drumming up work, I told them "I don't care where you get it fixed, but get this attended to, or do you have a big insurance policy out on your kid that you want to collect on?" That woke them up. Then they asked me to repeat what was needed.
09-12-10, 11:33 PM
#47
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Thread Starter
The last person that gave notice gave a week, and was told that very day was their last day. I am giving two weeks, and if that's their reaction still, then I won't feel "I" burned a bridge. I am hoping for at least understanding, but you never know.,,,,BD
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So many bikes, so little dime.
So many bikes, so little dime.
09-13-10, 05:26 AM
#48
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BD -
Just a fair warning, because I can see a moral dilemma looming the first time someone comes in with a fine old road bike to have a huge gel seat and riser handle bars installed.
The proprietor will probably counter with " the customer is always right" or some such inane drivel.
Just a fair warning, because I can see a moral dilemma looming the first time someone comes in with a fine old road bike to have a huge gel seat and riser handle bars installed.
The proprietor will probably counter with " the customer is always right" or some such inane drivel.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
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09-13-10, 05:27 AM
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17 years later I was rehired by them. You never know.
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09-13-10, 05:37 AM
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Still, as other posters pointed out here already -- bike shops live on fixing mundane problems on mundane bikes. I truly am curious how much of that you can tolerate without the occasional interesting bike to break the monotony. And, I am also truly curious how anyone can make a living on bike shop pay -- without having other resources at their disposal.
Yes, I have wonderful memories, repeated over and over, of my days at AR Adams. However, I've never told any of the stories of the cheap bastards bringing in crapped out Columbia's (if I was lucky) and demanding miracles for less than $10.00. And they sure outnumbered the wonderful days of really nice owners with gorgeous Italian steeds. Fortunately, at the time I was just really getting off on the concept of bicycling, period, so neat (nonexistant in 1970) classic bikes weren't necessary.
Bottom line: The nicer, more desirable the bicycle; the better the odds that the owner knows how to work on it himself. NOBODY who buys at WalMart understands how to twirl a wrench.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)