Iainj837
Guru
- Location
- Glastonbury Somerset
where would I be best going to train as a cycle repairer, if I go to the local collage what course do I go for
Best place to train
- Thread starter Iainj837
- Start date
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RedBike
New Member
- Location
- Beside the road
Forget all about taking a cycle course at collage. There's no money in the cycle trade unless you're a shop owner. Even then apparently it's more a labour of love than a money maker.
I worked in a cycle shop for a bit when I was young, it not very glamerous. You just get to work on loads of poorly maintained bags of s*** that people can't even be bothered to clean! The people who own the high end bikes are normally the people who can repair and fit their own parts!
I don't know how old you are but it's perhaps worth while asking around the local stores for a Saturday job. They will probably train you. Failing that book yourself on a cytech training course (google it).
I worked in a cycle shop for a bit when I was young, it not very glamerous. You just get to work on loads of poorly maintained bags of s*** that people can't even be bothered to clean! The people who own the high end bikes are normally the people who can repair and fit their own parts!
I don't know how old you are but it's perhaps worth while asking around the local stores for a Saturday job. They will probably train you. Failing that book yourself on a cytech training course (google it).
Dayvo
just passin' through
- Location
- 59° 50′ 5.55″ N, 10° 47′ 41.89″ E
Having just successfully completed this C&G course I would definitely recommend it.
http://www.bike-inn.co.uk/training_courses.asp
There may not be much money working in a shop, but if you went freelance there would be considerably more cash for you.
http://www.bike-inn.co.uk/training_courses.asp
There may not be much money working in a shop, but if you went freelance there would be considerably more cash for you.
jpembroke
New Member
- Location
- Cheltenham
I fix bikes in my spare time as a mobile bike mechanic - either working at customers' homes or picking bikes up in my van and returning them later. I get quite a bit of work and charge labour at £20 an hour (or increments thereof). It's a good business model because it's a lot more convenient than taking it to a bike shop in the centre of town. As I say, at the moment it's something I do in my spare time - maybe 3 or 4 jobs a week. In order for it to be a fulltime job I'd need to turn that in to 4-5 jobs a day at least. I know there is work out there because the 4 bike shops in town employ fulltime mechanics and are always fairly well booked up in advance. It's just trying to make people aware of you. It takes a long time and involves spending a lot on adverts and flyers and a lot of sore feet delivering them. If I can get this to work - and I reckon it's feasible - then setting myself up fulltime with a little workshop would be a nice way to earn a living.
Redbike's right though: you don't half work on some sh*t heap bikes.
Oh, and I did a course at the Bike Inn. Middle of nowhere but definitely recommended.
Redbike's right though: you don't half work on some sh*t heap bikes.
Oh, and I did a course at the Bike Inn. Middle of nowhere but definitely recommended.
Dayvo
just passin' through
- Location
- 59° 50′ 5.55″ N, 10° 47′ 41.89″ E
Dayvo
just passin' through
- Location
- 59° 50′ 5.55″ N, 10° 47′ 41.89″ E
jpembroke said:
When were you there? I completed it just over a week ago!
I stayed in the small caravan.
jpembroke
New Member
- Location
- Cheltenham
Dayvo said:When were you there? I completed it just over a week ago!
I stayed in the small caravan.
I was there back in 2006. I considered the small caravan but opted, in the end, for a B&B on the other side of some drainages ditches run by this wheezing old racist woman (she ran the B&B, not the drainage ditches).
Great stuff.
How are the Webbs? I thought they were packing it in?
Dayvo
just passin' through
- Location
- 59° 50′ 5.55″ N, 10° 47′ 41.89″ E
jpembroke said:
They're still going strong! Three out of five nights we'd head off to the Red Lion in Spalding for 2-3 beers! Alf on the Abbot!
They want to move and possibly sell the business, but keep the online sales going!
I really enjoyed myself; gave me the confidence to tackle almost anything regarding repairs/maintenance/building.
I used to be asked (rather too often) to service peoples bikes for them. There were some who had half decent bikes and for whatever reason didn't maintain the bikes themselves. They didn't have a problem with me putting a new set of gear cables and/or brake cales on at about £10 for 105/Deore - £20 in all. I'd strip the bike, clean/lube as neccessary and rebuild. Could change BB if req'd and clean/adjust headset etc etc
Then there were others who would look at me in horror at the thought of spending £20 on cables. One girl brought me her bike with loose hubs(both), headset, frayed rusty cables, loose BB (non cartridge), perished tyres, chain rusted solid.... you get the idea. She seemed rather put out when I refused to do it and told her she'd be better off throwing it away and buying a new bike.
Though if you want to do it, go ahead and enjoy yourself.
Then there were others who would look at me in horror at the thought of spending £20 on cables. One girl brought me her bike with loose hubs(both), headset, frayed rusty cables, loose BB (non cartridge), perished tyres, chain rusted solid.... you get the idea. She seemed rather put out when I refused to do it and told her she'd be better off throwing it away and buying a new bike.
Though if you want to do it, go ahead and enjoy yourself.
jpembroke
New Member
- Location
- Cheltenham
Yes, I've had a couple of calls recently that ended with me saying it's not worth it and suggesting they buy a new bike. However, there are always those people who don't seem to mind spending silly amounts on a bike that isn't worth it even after you explain the situation.
