Setting up a bike servicing business

[RecordAceFromNew]

In case you are unaware, perhaps William Morris can offer some inspiration.

 

[bpsmith]

Do t get me wrong, YouTube has it's place and is a great resource, as is the Park Tools guides, I find.

What I am getting at is, any customer would expect you to know what you are doing and not simply winging it and following step by step on screen in front of them. What you do when customer is not there doesn't matter, it's the impression left when they are there that matters.

A proper course has to be the way forward surely, as the certificate will be worth the cost on its own.

Then rely on YouTube for obscure stuff if absolutely stumped on something random.

 

[Gravity Aided]

A few examples from this side of the pond.
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/2556.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwinn_Bicycle_Company
How these fellows operated was at one time crafty and exemplary, then degenerated when thery failed to keep up with the times and public tastes.
One sharp one left, however
http://waterfordbikes.com/w/
Owned by a member of the Schwinn family.

And there's also Grant Petersen:
http://www.rivbike.com
This fellow has a real charm in his approach to people and marketing and velosophy or philosophy surrounding bicycles. Yet look what he gets for a frame or bicycle. A lot to be said for his business model, yet, by his own admission, he's not getting rich, in a monetary sense.
He designed the XO series for Bridgestone, as well.

 

[marzjennings]

Do t get me wrong, YouTube has it's place and is a great resource, as is the Park Tools guides, I find.

What I am getting at is, any customer would expect you to know what you are doing and not simply winging it and following step by step on screen in front of them. What you do when customer is not there doesn't matter, it's the impression left when they are there that matters.

A proper course has to be the way forward surely, as the certificate will be worth the cost on its own.

Then rely on YouTube for obscure stuff if absolutely stumped on something random.

You won't be using the web in front of the customer. Use it to teach yourself at home or use for reference when away from the customer. Yes, turning up with smart phone in hand and watching a youtube video is not going to impress anyone.

I wouldn't waste my money on a certification that no one outside of the bike industry has ever heard of. It's going to cost a couple thousand just to get all the right tools.

Looking at the cytech courses there seems to be a lot of BS. Who needs a whole day on hydraulics...

• Hydraulics - This 1 day module comprises of an in depth exploration of the principles and operations of hydraulics systems. You will also practice the maintenance of complete disk brake systems from fluid types to calliper strip down and rebuild as well as the intricacies of levers and hoses.

 

[Profpointy]

A proper course has to be the way forward surely, as the certificate will be worth the cost on its own.

.

Not so sure a certificate has any value in this context. it may or may not be of value in getting a job in someone else's bike shop, but as a customer of a shop I certainly don't check their employees' certs. I didn't check whether my garage employs trained mechanics - they had a good reputation and subsequntly proven they've got competent mechanics.

Paying for a course to simply learn stuff is a cost/value decision - certificate, less so

 

[Dayvo]

I went a course with Alf Webb some eleven years ago and very good it was too. http://www.bike-inn.co.uk/default.asp

I also did this C&G course in Spalding with Alf and Theresa Webb (in 2008) and would thoroughly recommend it, even if it is a bit pricey.

Unfortunately I've not had the need to use most of the skills I learnt, but with manuals and youtube available the skills return.

 

[bpsmith]

You won't be using the web in front of the customer. Use it to teach yourself at home or use for reference when away from the customer. Yes, turning up with smart phone in hand and watching a youtube video is not going to impress anyone.

I wouldn't waste my money on a certification that no one outside of the bike industry has ever heard of. It's going to cost a couple thousand just to get all the right tools.

Looking at the cytech courses there seems to be a lot of BS. Who needs a whole day on hydraulics...

• Hydraulics - This 1 day module comprises of an in depth exploration of the principles and operations of hydraulics systems. You will also practice the maintenance of complete disk brake systems from fluid types to calliper strip down and rebuild as well as the intricacies of levers and hoses.

Although this years bikes seem to be moving more and more to disc brakes. Not all hydraulic, I know, but won't be long.

 

[bpsmith]

Not so sure a certificate has any value in this context. it may or may not be of value in getting a job in someone else's bike shop, but as a customer of a shop I certainly don't check their employees' certs. I didn't check whether my garage employs trained mechanics - they had a good reputation and subsequntly proven they've got competent mechanics.

Paying for a course to simply learn stuff is a cost/value decision - certificate, less so

Totally agree, regarding the learning bit. I too wouldn't check the certification in a shop. In some random guys garage though, I would be more inclined to do so. Especially if they were checking YouTube on how to do things.

Tongue in cheek the last bit and no offence meant to OP.

 

[screenman]

Not true.

Your idea of what constitutes a good living may differ from mine.

 

[lpretro1]

Now in our tenth year of running a mobile bike repair service - yes you can make a living if you work hard. Get a proper qualification or you will not get insured. And you should not be running a business if you are not insured properly as today's world is very litigious! Your customers need to know that you are qualified as this helps with their confidence in your capabilities. Recommend The Bike Inn courses - this is where I went and later went back to teach part of the course for several years

 

[slowmotion]

I'm 50% of a small business and we have survived for decades, some good and some bad. My only advice would be to keep your fixed costs down, mainly the cost of your premises. If you aim to be in business for the long haul, don't stuff money into landlords' pockets. Buy somewhere, borrow it, or squat.

 

[screenman]

Overheads will swallow 50% of what you invoice in some cases more.

 

[FeistySquirrel]

Someone down the street left his job at the LBS, and set up his own mobile cycle repair business, offering all the usual etc. So far he's doing really well despite having multiple quality LBS.

http://www.bikefixgrimsby.co.uk

 

[Lincov]

I think you'd really miss out by going straight from cytech 2 to setting up your own business. There's a lot of knowledge to be gained from working in a bike shop with more experienced mechanics, who've seen 1000's of different bikes. Setting up as an individual straight after a course you wouldn't have that breadth of experience to draw on so wouldn't be able to provide the level of service needed.

 

[DaveReading]

There's a lot of knowledge to be gained from working in a bike shop with more experienced mechanics, who've seen 1000's of different bikes.

Or, if you're lucky enough to live near to one of the growing number of cycle kitchens, offer your services as a volunteer. You'll learn tons from the variety of bikes you encounter, their owners and the other mechanics you're working with.