Wow...it just sucks so much being 18 and trying to find a bike related job for the summer.

I've walked into three bike shops and asked if any of them are hiring. Two of them said that they had enough for the summer and weren't hiring while the third one the guy who is supposed to handle it is never around and their store probably doesn't need anyone either.

I guess being young, having ZERO past working experience puts a dent into things

If you can afford to, why not tell the shops that you'd like to hang around for a week and help out where you can just to get some experience? Tell them you'd like to learn all about the bike shop industry.

You never know, they might want to reward your keen attitude and give you some paid work down the track.

Just a thought.

FWIW, I have a degree in mechanical engineering and past experience at a bike shop, and even I couldn't find any work in a shop for the summer. We've had a very cold, wet spring, the economy is in the toilet, and bike shops have almost zero business right now.

enjoy your youth, being 18 at least for this summer enjoy it you'll only be 18 once, and thats it for you!!!!:fun: :fun: have fun and enjoy the sun, comes, winter time then go look for job

oh darn lol

If even you can't find a job at a shop...then *I* might as well just give up .

No no no no no no no, this is just your first challenge in life man, and your giving up that easy,

At age 18-24 (30 years ago), I combined summer jobs in stereo stores (repairs, installations, sales) and bike shops (repairs, assembly, sales) with self-employment in the same fields. I started by repairing bikes, stereos, appliances, etc. for friends and built up my business by word-of-mouth. The side benefit is that I gradually accumulated a nice collection of tools for mechanical and electrical work.

In parallel with possible self-employment, keep pounding the pavement, and be clean, respectful, and upbeat when you interview for possible jobs. Employers like positive, friendly, competent people with a good work ethic. You obviously like bicycles. You cannot succeed in a bike shop unless you also genuinely like working with customers.

A typical bike shop does half of its walk-in business on Saturdays. Offer to work one day per week, to help them through this peak period without straining their budget or existing staff. Prove yourself on Saturdays, and pretty soon you may be invited in to assemble and prep. bikes on Friday nights, etc.

One other thought -- use your time to practice your mechanical skills. After Kirk's Bikes went out of business, I was able to secure a position at Bikecology [Supergo.com], based on my demonstrable wheel-truing skills.

In the Chicago area, bicycle shop business is booming. Perhaps that's because there are so many commuter cyclists around here. When "the economy is in toilet", using a bicycle is a really economical way of getting around.

BTW, KennethToronto, one way to get some [unpaid] bicycle work-related experience is to work for volunteer organizaion such as Bikes Not Bombs.