First paycheck from the bike shop...
 

First paycheck from the bike shop...and the money is cool. For those of you unfamiliar with low to medium end bikes in a modern bike shop, let me just say, I love riding my bike home.

I have to test ride and burn in the brakes on everything I build so I kind of have a feel for the bikes, and really I just like my bikes better. I usually ride in my moto but sometimes ride the bob jackson.
Anyway my big takeaway on disc brakes is that cable actuated cheap ones are a
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9b2b423d4e.jpg
bout equivalent to cheap v brakes. Different but not better. Most of the hydraulics are pretty nice but i hate what they do to a bike frame. Besides weinman centerpulls get me to and from work in the rain just fine.

The guys I work with are great, one is my son, the head mech is incredibly knowledgeable and the guy that owns the shop aint bad either. The concrete floors aggravate my sciatica if im not careful so i was told to come in when want and go home when i need to. Hard to believe i get paid too.

Oh yeah, the discount on parts rocks!

Bringing in a mat of the thick high density padded floors might help. My mom has one in front of the sink for comfort while washing dishes.

they have a mat. Its just not enough.

Cut out part of a mat and glue it to the soles of your shoes.

Might make it hard to clip in, though.

Ergo kneel extreme standing mat, thick, very tough, a bit spendy but, works like a charm. ;)

Gas, oil and grease proof.

https://pksafety.com/working-concept...5032-3-x-2-ft/

You need better shoes. Seriously. Shoes that are meant to be stood in all day. Work shoes.

That is exactly my experience I had with discs when I worked in a shop for a summer in 2005. Had to test ride everything, just like you, and was always grateful for my Ron Cooper at the end of the day. I guess things haven't come very far in 15 years in spite of all the hype! Or indeed in 45 years. The difference is that I wasn't on any forums to share my opinions back then. The management really didn't like me sharing my opinions (which at the time were pretty much only the purview of Rivendell readers), like it was some heresy that would hurt sales if any of the other staff heard it. They pretty relentlessly made fun of my Ron Cooper. It sounds like you really have found the good crowd! :thumb:

Anti-fatigue mats will be helpful. Here's one of many on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HHHLWXC..._fD4REbN9QF0K9

It runs about $30. Your employer may even get you one if you ask.

I'm a programmer and have a sitting/standing mechanical desk at the office. My company bought everyone similar mats for when we use our desks in standing configuration. I'm certain that something like this will help you, being on your feet all day. Also, consider the essential piece of equipment for hospital doctors, nurses, and physical therapists: Some really comfortable cross-training shoes. I know that's not cool for cyclists, but for someone on his feet all day, they'll make a difference.

I can see where it could be fun working in a bike shop. Every job is a job, with its good days and mediocre days. But in a mom-and-pop bike shop, I imagine there would be a lot of good days. A lot depends on the ownership and management style.

I appreciate everyone's advice about mats. I wear new balance shoes and use the mat but frankly 20 hours a week is plenty for me anyway. I mainly enjoy the ride in, the ride home and talking to the staff. Last summer we did a few sub24 overnighters. Cool bonding. You havnt lived as a 60 something until you have smoked contraband at a campground with young cyclists. Not something id do normally but hey....

Living the dream! My favorite job was working as a wrench in an LBS.

As for the sciatica, take short breaks and try a piriformis stretch. Helps mine, stretch your hammies while you’re at it. I have a roll up yoga mat at work.

Whaaat - bike shops pay? what’s the world coming to?

not a whole lot, but they do pay.

The shop I work for part time pays okay, and the shop discount is nice.
However, both are eclipsed by the deals the vendors toss at shop employees through their programs.

I am in my 7th. season on working at a bike shop. I call it my fun job! My wife and I usually cycle tour for 2-3 months and we were suppose to be going to Europe. When the boss heard our trip was suspended he asked me to work and added extra time because it is so crazy to now.

Mmmm, contraband. 😁😎😁 I just recently got some from a Chinese guy, who looked a HECK of a lot like Tommy Chong. 😎

BTW, new guy buys the donuts!!! 😁😉

That sounds like a great place to work, I have the same deal, I work at the shop when I can ( I'm disabled ) and when needed, I get my parts either free or for cost. I don't get paid money I get paid in parts and we have tons of NOS parts that I pick up when I find something cool. I also sell my used bikes at the shop so it's a win win for me.

Glenn

Its nice to hear you having a great time, Russ. I loved my LBS jobs over the years! As far as the standing thing goes, I agree with people who talk about good shoes. After I got out of the USAF, I worked for another 20 years as a machinist. They had mats available, but they made me trip and fall on several occasions and I decided they were more trouble than they were worth. I went with high quality footwear and I've enjoyed standing in relative comfort ever since.

I can add a +1 for good shoes. I've never had back pain like I did when I regularly wore Asics "Mexico 66" shoes, and this was in my early thirties. My heels took the brunt of everything. If you don't want to ride in something different from what you have now, then leave your "work shoes" at work. I do this with dress shoes, and shop shoes would be no different.

Ask a couple of local cooks or chefs what they wear to be on their feet for the entire shift...

Fun...... a retirement goal is to be the "old guy" in a shop that the kids send these odd steel frame bikes to.....just to keep me off the streets and not underfoot of my wife....

Besides cycling, I'm also an avid walker and I love my Merrell's and Keen's but I have found that the most comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots are not very good for working in a shop. Good quality work shoes or work boots such as Thorogood or Carolina are much better for your feet when standing in one place all day.

https://www.midwestboots.com/midwest...0In$2520U.S.A.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions but i enjoy stopping at 4 hours and i feel fine then. Hiking and biking makes my back feel good, as does sleeping in a tent. I think what i really have is "lets do what russ enjoys itus"

It is awesome riding home in inclement weather with my poncho and having the kids look at me like I'm crazy.

The minimum wage in New York City is now $15/hour so bike mechanics got a huge pay boost over a year ago.

Contraband? I live less than a block from two shops. Probably half-a-dozen more in a 1/4 mile radius. And I don't partake. :p

You'll grow to appreciate some of the modern stuff. You can't compare it too closely to vintage stuff, it's just too different. My favourite part of working in a shop (aside from the discounts) is a good sale. I don't mean squeezing every last cent from someone, but rather a brand-new rider buying the right bike for the job and loves it. They get faster and start doing group rides. They want to learn more. That is an experience that few other jobs can offer.

" The concrete floors aggravate my sciatica if im not careful ..."

Keep your knees bent slightly (don't lock the knees) at all times when standing. It takes mindful practice but soon becomes second nature.