Originally Posted by
Mark Dominck
Don't be afraid of these kid mechanics, they're going to replace us old guys and most of them are pretty sharp. They learn and grow up fast, I see it happening all around me in all jobs not just bike mechanics.
One of my earliest jobs was a bike mechanic at a shop when I was 17. They hired me because I had plenty of experience working on bikes (started around 10 years old) and it showed. I suppose it helped that I rode my bike (a Raleigh I bought from the shop!) there and hung around every other day.
It was a long time ago but I don't remember messing up any repairs. Mostly what I remember was lots and lots of routine, relatively simple repairs.
Shops will not hire, or keep, anyone who can't properly do the job.