Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Want a job at a bike shop

how hard is it to get a job at a bike shop in NYC? there's plenty around I'm sure one of them needs help dealing with customers problems? anyone have any clules for me. I feel I know more than the average cyclist about bikes and bike parts... Ive built my current bike up and work on my own and others bikes in my apartment.

so go talk to employers.. why ask here?

so go talk to employers.. why ask here?

Ive asked a couple but, wanted some insight as to anything else I should know before I ask a few more.

I was ab to move to NYC and there was a new shop opening.

I sent them my resume and an email as to what I'd have to offer them. The conversation went so far as to offer flying me out, but at that point I couldn't get my stuff together and had simply decided to stay in Dallas anyway.

I don't think it's hard dude, just go sell yourself.

NYC is a rough job market. your very lucky to be offered a job.. I'm an unemployed bartender/waiter/Cameraman and for some reason Im not experienced enough to get a barback position here... Im gonna head to every bike shop within 10 miles of my apartment and hope all goes well.

NYC is a rough job market. your very lucky to be offered a job.. I'm an unemployed bartender/waiter/Cameraman and for some reason Im not experienced enough to get a barback position here... Im gonna head to every bike shop within 10 miles of my apartment and hope all goes well.

I'm in the same position I feel ya man, it's rough. lmk if you find any camera work hah!

Honestly I think they were more impressed with my marketing and SEO background to build their website; it was an old couple that started the shop. I have a bachelor's too, which probably also helped.

"They're all gonna laugh at you!"

yeah me having a bachelors degree right now doesn't help with getting a job.

just say you're the beast from the east and they should hire you on the spot

just say you're the beast from the east and they should hire you on the spot

why haven't I thought of this before, its brilliant!!

oh, and make sure not to mention anything about bikes at all. that might throw them off.

Coming from somebody who did the exact same job search as you back in May when the shops actually had business, it WILL be hard. I had one year experience working at a co-op on campus at my college before i graduated and it still wasn't good enough for almost all the shops i went to.

The way it goes down is, if they like you, they will invite you to come work a shift at the shop. Then they call you later in the week and tell you if you have the job or not. I went to a couple of these and i didn't get offered the job from most of them because (1) i wasn't fast enough or (2) somebody with more experience with me came along. Applying for jobs at this time of year is going to be even harder for you. I ended up finding a shop and I am currently still working but i am getting laid off for december and january since business slows down. Almost ALL shops are slowing down now and they are cutting hours and laying off mechanics so i seriously doubt you will find a job at this time of year.

I am not trying to discourage you, but i am saying this is the wrong time to get into a bike shop. If you want to work in a shop, wait until march when the season kicks up again and they will actually be looking for mechanics.

On a side note, i also have a Bachelor's degree but i can't find a legit job in my field so i am working at a bike shop even though i would rather keep cycling as my hobby and not a career. It doesn't pay well at all nor does it include any benefits, other than having access to all the tools you could ever need.

what are these bachelor degrees in that don't have job openings?

What does an entry level position pay? $10/hr?

what are these bachelor degrees in that don't have job openings?

Economics from a top school? (anyone want to hire me?)

Economics from a top school? (anyone want to hire me?)

That's rough... not even any government jobs available?

The LBS that i frequent near Union Square has all Mexican mechanics. I have a feeling they don't get paid much, and their work is mediocre. You've got competition, lots of it.

The LBS that i frequent near Union Square has all Mexican mechanics. I have a feeling they don't get paid much, and their work is mediocre. You've got competition, lots of it.

I'm just going to go out on a limb here and guess you're not a native New Yorker

I'm just going to go out on a limb here and guess you're not a native New Yorker

What makes you say that?

What does an entry level position pay? $10/hr?

I got $18/hr, part time. But that was in Australia. And I sold a lot of bikes.

Economics from a top school? (anyone want to hire me?)

Join the club, bra. I haven't been paid since August.

What does an entry level position pay? $10/hr?

Ha, I started at $7. After 2 1/2 years I'm now making $10. I live in a town where the cost of living is very low though.

To the OP: Arrive on a sensible bike with panniers or something, not a goofy track bike. If you're knowledgeable and competent enough to get a trial box-build session, build them as fast as you can without ANY errors - they will spot even an incorrectly crimped cable end. Don't sound like a know-it-all and keep your nose clean. Probably wouldn't hurt to offer selling bikes on the floor to supplement the slow repair time, and try to be somewhat familiar with the lines they carry.

Ha, I started at $7. After 2 1/2 years I'm now making $10. I live in a town where the cost of living is very low though.

To the OP: Arrive on a sensible bike with panniers or something, not a goofy track bike. If you're knowledgeable and competent enough to get a trial box-build session, build them as fast as you can without ANY errors - they will spot even an incorrectly crimped cable end. Don't sound like a know-it-all and keep your nose clean. Probably wouldn't hurt to offer selling bikes on the floor to supplement the slow repair time, and try to be somewhat familiar with the lines they carry.

No one is going to care in NYC.
NYC has a very long, rich history of velodrome racing.
Bike shops here all cater to different niches though.
Plan accordingly.

So wait, bike shops from NYC don't hire exclusively from BF.net posts?

So wait, bike shops from NYC don't hire exclusively from BF.net posts?

Of course they do. How else can they verify that you're legit, and not a dewsh?

What makes you say that?


The LBS that i frequent near Union Square has all MEXICAN mechanics. it.

^This