Hi everyone,
The previous thread about how to work in a bike shop reminded me of something I wanted to talk about a little while ago. Last summer I helped out a friend of mine in a bike shop, just for a couple of days. Well, I'm not especially knowledgable about bike mechanics, but I usually fix my bike myself, so I know how to fix a flat, replace a spoke, adjust derailleur cables, change brake cables, overhaul a few things... The first thing I noticed, was that people bring their bikes for a repair when they have a flat! Or a broken brake cable! OK, it's good for the bike mechanics business, but seriously, fixing a flat is pretty easy, no? The second thing I noticed, was how a lot of women who came to the bike shop seemed to be traumatized by doing anything on their bikes themselves, even like putting more air in the tires. I used to think that bicycle mechanics workshops for women was a stupid idea, but now I really think there is a need for it! Last thing to add, the bike shop was mostly aimed at commuters. Maybe people who do a lot of riding and longer distances are better at doing minor repairs themselves.