1 bike per hour from box to display floor. That is enough time to produce a well-assembled bike.

It takes what it takes to do a good job.

I'm thinking that this is a job where working efficently is of more value than trying to work faster. Set up your work space efficiently. Put your tools in exactly the same place every time you set one down. Get grouchy if co-workers ask to borrow a tool from your work area. AVOID DISTRACTIONS! Don't let packing materials accumulate. Always do everything in the same order and try not to do anything twice.

efficiency is huge. cone wrenches near the vice. pedal wrench hanging on the stand(thread pedals in by hand and crank em home with the wrench. no need to turn around to get wrench). grease tub on bench and stand. if you trued the rear wheel last true the rear wheel first on the next bike. avoid wasting time cranking the knob. 3 way and a Phillips always in the tool pouch on my hip

This reminds me of when I worked for a 3-store LBS chain, and the owner had a meeting with us. Obviously I'm paraphrasing, but he told us something like this: Back in the bike boom days, he decided to start a bike shop, and was talking with the person at ?Peugeot? about what kind of credit line they'd let him have.

Peugeot credit manager: Well... do you love bikes and have a vision to spread cycling in your area?

Store owner: Honestly no, I'm looking to run a business and make a profit here.

Peugeot credit manager: Good. You can have any credit limit you want.



Moral of the story: wide-eyed idealists dig holes they can't get out of. Bro deals for everyone, team sponsorships, overextending themselves, doing stuff on a feel-good basis, etc.


As for the topic at hand (how fast should assemblies be done), it depends a lot on the standards expected of you at your shop. You may find you're most efficient by doing as many of the same model as possible before changing to the next one, if they allow that. I've also noticed that when mechanics are talking, their progress slows down considerably... if you have anyone who wants to chat frequently while you're trying to work, see what you can do to minimize that without creating hard feelings.

This is an example of the routine where I currently work, which is somewhere in the "happy medium" range. We don't deliberately do slipshod work with plans to follow up at the free tune-up or when a customer brings it up, we want it done right the first time. For this routine, working at maximum speed without interruptions is still about 1hr 5min, and 90 minutes is more realistic. But the results are good enough that many bikes never come back for their free tune-up.

That's pretty damn comprehensive.

Didn't add any tension to those wheels (if necessary) or trim the cable housings, or check the pedal bearings, but still.

Also, that pedal claw is a forehead-smacking bit of kit. Of course!

I work in computer networking, and recently interviewed (and accepted) a new position in Seattle WA. I'll be doing network maintenance there, and during the interview my new manager gave an excellent quote: "If you can't do it right, don't do it any faster." It applies here, and lots of other places (i.e. driving). :)

now THAT I like!!

Plus one.

No faster than if it were your very own and most treasured bike.
Never forget, someones very life could depend on your workmanship.
Tell that to your boss if he is *****ing about you spending too much time on perfection.

Local WalMart bike assembler, a teen, told me he had 15 minutes per bike, if he wanted to keep his job. No wonder the bikes have loose screws, nuts, no proper adjustments, etc., etc. I am not an expert, but I would agree with most here, & say an average of 45 minutes .

Scary
 

No teen, unless he is a once-in-a-generation prodigy, can properly assemble and check out a bike in 15 minutes. More anecodal evidence to not buy a WalMart bike blindly.

Piece work jobbers bring power tools for doing BSO assemblies.

Mgr, Here, has 2nd mechanic double check them all, & test ride,
before they go out the LBS door.
even his own work..


seems reasonable,.. high end pro level may take some extra care,
so allow more time..

YEP. I had to repair one of their bikes where the owner, on her second ride, had fallen & was slightly injured. It could have been much worse ! Handlebars were loose, as were seatpost, cables , brake pads , etc., etc.