General Cycling Discussion - How can I get a job at a bike shop?

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone had any tips about how I can get a job at a bicycle shop? I don't have any bike repair experience, or anything like that, but I wouldn't mind working at a bike shop if I could, can anyone help?

This might be overly simplifying it, but I would go down to the LBS, and ask to speak to the manager. Honestly tell him you don't have any experience repairing bikes etc, but you truly love bikes and would love to work in a bike shop and are willing to do anything to get started clean mop the floor, clean the toilets just to get started. If you show that you are motivated and want to learn and dont' expect to be given a something for nothing, you will have a good shot. ONce you get started in a LBS you can learn as much as you want and move on and up from their.

I suggest going to the "bicycle mechanics" section of the forums and downloading the first chapter of the manual. It will give you a pretty thorough introduction to bicycle mechanics. Then when you talk to the LBS manager you will be able to show that you know the different parts of a bike. Also bring up any other mechanical experience you may have, like cars, trucks, appliances, etc. That might give you a leg up.

Wrong time of year to be looking for a job in a bike shop Crazy, especially in Winterpeg. If you are knowledgeable about snowboarding, skiing etc. you may have a chance of getting your foot in the door for the next cycling season, which is only SEVEN MONTHS AWAY!!!! :cry:

You folks might know more about this. Would it be a good idea for him to buy one of those compete bicycle stands (he can always use it to work on his own bike) and start doing minor repairs for his buddies? The who knows, he might just end up employing himself! And if not, when he goes to the bike shop he'll have some real practical skills already in hand.

roughstuff

Get a job in sales for the winter, like at a mega sporting goods store. Once you have some sales experience, learn the products of the bike shop and have it with the above methods.

I may be dead wrong in my opinion, but there are three kinds of LBS:

1: Older man, has owned the shop for many years, does not need help because he is comfortable.

2: Young guys who love bikes. They eat, sleep, dream, and eat bikes (ya, 2X). They have no idea how to run a business and thus can't afford to hire anyone. Nice guys to ride with.

3. A professional bike store complete with an president with a business plan. This fellow is a go getter and does not ride much because he is to busy running a business.

I would want to work with number three, and my odds of getting a job there are better than owner One and Two, if for nothing more than they have a turn around in employees. But to work for number three you must have experieince in order to justify your hire.

Hope this helps if the other don't first.

ehenz

Okay, I just looked at your profile. You are 36. Just walk in there, talk to the owner, then tell him "Christmas is coming and I want to sell bikes, and lots of them".

At our age we can have balls like that.

You cetainly have enough life experience to be able to sell a bike and any owner would be refreshed to see a salesman of the same age as most bike purchasers. I really dislike listening to the bravado of young bike salespeople.

Am I wrong?

ehenz

Crazy, you will have to be able to answer a couple of questions. Why do you want to work in a bike shop? and Why should I hire you instead of someone else? When you can give good answers to those questions, you will have a shot.

Hi, not that it's the most important thing, but what can a person expect to make working at a bike shop, especially starting out?
How much does a bike mechanic make?


FXjohn

FX John,
Ask KleinMP99 or B1105 I beleive they make the entry salary at a shop.