So I want to work in a bike shop...

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Juan Primo on May 25, 2013 at 6:32am

There are volunteer opportunities at four bicycle nonprofits that I know of.  They need wrench volunteers and are willing to train.  Look in to the Recyclery and West Town bikes.

Working Bikes also trains volunteers as wrenches but they have had severe leadership dysfunction for the past year(s).  It would be a very frustrating place to get your start.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on May 25, 2013 at 8:53am

Take a class at West Town some somewhere similar; I hate to say it but 90% of the home mechanics out there would have a hard time working in a bike shop right off the bat.

Start applying at the big shops to get experience.  

Apply at shops all over until you get accepted somewhere.

Not a great time of year for it, most places should be staffed up by now.  

Pay attention to the reputation of the shop you work at; it's easy to work somewhere and pick up bad habits you don't even know are bad till you move on.

Make friends with the staff at your local bike shops.

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on May 25, 2013 at 9:10am

Dug,

Would you say taking a course at UBI or some similar institute is worth the money if one wants to become a professional mechanic?

notoriousDUG said:

Take a class at West Town some somewhere similar; I hate to say it but 90% of the home mechanics out there would have a hard time working in a bike shop right off the bat.

Start applying at the big shops to get experience.  

Apply at shops all over until you get accepted somewhere.

Not a great time of year for it, most places should be staffed up by now.  

Pay attention to the reputation of the shop you work at; it's easy to work somewhere and pick up bad habits you don't even know are bad till you move on.

Make friends with the staff at your local bike shops.

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on May 25, 2013 at 9:17am

Be prepared to live on oatmeal, ramen, and beans -and forget about having weekends off for three or four  months of the year... it's a rough way to make a living.

 

OTOH, it can be a hell of a lot of fun in the right shop.

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Permalink Reply by Ben on May 25, 2013 at 9:39am

Awesome, thanks man. I had actually thought about volunteerin at Working Bikes, but it's good to hear a bit of perspective on the place before I jumped into it. I actually live down the street from West Town so I may look into that. Know anybody in particular that I should talk to?

Juan Primo said:

There are volunteer opportunities at four bicycle nonprofits that I know of.  They need wrench volunteers and are willing to train.  Look in to the Recyclery and West Town bikes.

Working Bikes also trains volunteers as wrenches but they have had severe leadership dysfunction for the past year(s).  It would be a very frustrating place to get your start.

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Permalink Reply by Vitaliy on May 25, 2013 at 10:00am

When you enter from Campbell street, you will meet either Mike Young, Lebster Pablon, or Alex Wilson. Mr Wilson is the owner of the WTB and the other two gentlemen are youth-program leaders. All three are very knowledgeable and will be able to assist you.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on May 25, 2013 at 10:01am

Ben,

We've had a slew of new bike shops open this season.  Sometimes they post openings here.

And Juan is right that we are also lucky enough in this city to have a couple of amazing non profit community bike shops including: West Town Bikes, Working Bikes, The Recyclery and Blackstone.  

Right? Am I missing others?

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on May 25, 2013 at 11:11am

It is not the worst idea but I do not think it is a huge deal if you do not.  I think it helps instill a professional attitude more than anything else.

Duppie 13.5185km said:

Dug,

Would you say taking a course at UBI or some similar institute is worth the money if one wants to become a professional mechanic?

notoriousDUG said:

Take a class at West Town some somewhere similar; I hate to say it but 90% of the home mechanics out there would have a hard time working in a bike shop right off the bat.

Start applying at the big shops to get experience.  

Apply at shops all over until you get accepted somewhere.

Not a great time of year for it, most places should be staffed up by now.  

Pay attention to the reputation of the shop you work at; it's easy to work somewhere and pick up bad habits you don't even know are bad till you move on.

Make friends with the staff at your local bike shops.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Fitz, Scrabblor on May 26, 2013 at 12:29am

Hey Juan,
You have an impressive level of authority when it comes to working bikes. This is not the first time I've gained insight on the working bikes employee benefits and volunteering opportunities/problems from you through the chainlink. Can you tell me more? Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Martin Hazard on May 26, 2013 at 1:06am

I have interviewed people that had UBI, or other certifications. Their proficiency, or lack thereof with basic shop tasks, and mechanical understanding was the deciding factor. I don't care if you have a degree in Asshandedness from Harvard, if you have trouble mounting a rack and fenders, you are no good to me. Real world experience working on bikes in a shop is the best indicator of ability.

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