Trailrider54

I was tossing around the idea of setting up a mobile mechanic shop / supplies in a 12 to 20 foot enclosed trailer. How many times have you gone to a trail and something either breaks or you just forgot to bring it with you?

I'm open to ideas and pictures would be appreciated

W.Young
Atlanta Pro MTB

Raiyn

It's been done. Also consider the resources needed to run this. You'd have to have someone you TRUST at the mobile location as well as at the shop. Weekends while also being a prime ride time are often the only time people have to bring in / pick up repairs. When you're just starting out spreading yourself too thin is a great way to sink yourself.

Trailrider54

What I have in mind is to help someone out by setting them up with a small business. They run it and are responsible, if it makes money they make money, Of course, we will be watching from the back ground.

Raiyn

The Park Service (who run most of the trails) isn't to keen on handing out vender permits. Also for the trails on private land the owner of the property usually has dibs on any business conducted on his or her land

Brian

How many times do you take off with nothing more than a $10 note and your mobile phone? I've considered this too, but I would only do it as a goodwill thing off the back of my truck. I used to carry spare tubes, a few cables, 2 extra sets of cleats and hardware in my hydration pack. I'd fix things trailside or give the tubes away. If someone insisted on paying, I'd kindly ask them to pack an extra tube next time, and be prepared to give it away in exchange for nothing more than karma.

Not to shoot you down, but what's the marketing plan here? If they're heading out for a ride, and forgot something (other than a bike, which in the groups I rode with, has happened) do you think they're going to buy it at the trailhead? I'd say anything purchased would be pretty small. Again, tubes, bottles, maybe cables or pumps and patches. If I broke something on a ride, I'm not going to sit around in my sweaty clothes waiting for someone to fix it. You can do a few trial runs with a tool kit and stand and a heap of spares in a truck, but I don't like your odds.

My suggestion? A taco cart with cold margaritas has a much better chance of making a profit.

roadfix

Exactly my suggestion and logic as well.....

Brian

Baja Fresh at the trailhead would be like printing money...

Trailrider54

Thanks guys, it was just something I was tossing around.
Trying to help out a fellow ridder.

Brian

No worries. It's at least a somewhat realistic idea, but probably not feasible. I had a friend with the brilliant idea of buying a motorhome to do pizza deliveries. Baked on the run! Not even a catering truck, but a motorhome. I think he was a bit too into the herb...

dee-vee

There is a book called Cycling for Profit, and they have a little section on mobile bike repair.

Dahon.Steve

Best suggestion.

A business of this sort cannot be operated by someone else because they cannot be trusted with your inventory and money. The only person that can be trusted is yourself. Sure there are small business out there where the owner can take a couple of days off after it's an established entity with good people who can run manage.

Furthermore, I don't think this startup will make a profit having to pay a full time salary and unemployment compensation.

2manybikes

The first thing is you need good solid market research. Based on Demographics and income.
The next thing is bike shops don't make much money.