jesus

i just went down to my local repair collective and spent 10$/hr to work on my bike. i thought to myself its gotta be cheaper to just make an investment with a few friends. my question is: how much would it cost to get a basic, but quality workshop together.

im talkin about a double sided workstand, and the tools to do most things one a bike, and overhauls and such.

anyone know how much this would cost? i looked at the park website and they have packages but the advanced package, which is sorta what im talking about had a whole bunch of stuff in there that seemed unneccesary.

i am not looking to start a shop to sell anything or make money, more of just a workplace co-op for me and some friends.

thank you

Joe Gardner

Welcome to the forums!

Theres a local guy who has the $700 park tool kit, a truing stand, and two of there transportable work stands. He carries all his gear in a Bob trailer, and sets up "shop" at the head of a local trail on the weekends. He has a very simple sign he hangs on his bike. "15 minute tune up, $15".

I think its a great idea, and im sure he makes a few bucks a week off it. Im not sure where he learned how to wrench, i have never seen him at the LBS's. If you dont know how to wrench already, you may want to check out bikeschool.com.

Rotifer

I've been curious about this as well. How does one develope a relationship with bike companies? Do you pay for the bikes up front or "floor" them like a car dealer? I am aware that bike shops are notoriously difficult to keep going but have thought about it anyway ... I suppose we all do at times! Spendy habit!

ljbike

Anything you buy from a wholesaler is paid for at time of purchase; either with a credit card or on a COD basis unless you can qualify for credit which then gives you 30 days before you have to pay.
Before you can do business you need to register with your state's tax office and get a sellers permit; register with the federal government to get an employer ID number; get permission from your local town to set up the business; get a business account with your local bank. Then you have to prove to the wholesalers that you really are in business and not just some guy trying to buy parts cheap.
Other than that, there's not much to it except it also helps if you know a little something about merchandising, advertising, retailing and how to deal with customers who all think you are a chiseler. a cheat. a liar and a thief and want you to sell them parts as cheaply as the internet or the discounters -even though you may have to pay .50 cents less than they are selling it for. It also helps if you have a working knowledge of the many different kinds of bicycles and the many different brand names and the quality of each; because when the hordes of bikers come streaming into your store they will be full of questions and expect you to know the answers. And they will expect you to know how to fix their bike yesterday so they can ride it tomorrow on a 150 mile charity ride that they've been soliciting funds for and have been too busy to bring the bike in before now. And you'll need to know how much to charge for these services.
And then you get to go to Las Vegas in the Fall to the Interbike Show and see all the new bikes and gadgets and see the show girls and gamble and hit the jackpot and get rich and retire and hire someone else to run the shop for you.
Ten years ago there were over 9,000 bike shops in the USA. there are now barely 6,000. You can start doing all this with as little as $10,000; or set up on a corner like Joe's friend. Good Luck.

orguasch

about five years ago, I was thinking of pulling a trailer attached to my bike with a bike stand and a sign Bike repairs, and would ride along bike trails, was thinking if its good business I might consider making it a full time job for me, so I started making flyers and distributing it to my neighborhood,, there was no takers, they would not trust their bike on an individual, but would rather pay more money and have their bike repaired with the Bike shop, so the plan didn't push thru....

a2psyklnut

For the type of workshop you've described, you're probably looking at $1200 to $1500.

The double workstand is probably around $500, decent tool set for just the basics will probably be around $200 - 300. Then you'll need some of the more expensive specialty tools like the bearing press ($125), a truing stand ($250), and a race setter ($125) and bearing cup remover($40).

Not to mention the lumber needed to build a necessary work bench and peg-board from which to hang and display all your new tools.

Then there is lube, degreaser, polish, solvent and grease!

***Note, all prices listed above are guesses on my part. They are not actual prices.****

I've got a lot of tools that I buy one at a time and have a nice collection over time. It's a nice set-up for a home repair area. I'm still putting off buying the big ticket items like the repair stand and truing stand.

L8R

ljbike

a2psyklnut is, of course right, if you are just wanting to set up a home shop.
Unless you get a set of Campy tools at about $3,000.00 USD, his estimates might be a bit low. But he gives good advice, buy the best you can afford when you need them and build your tool box slowly. My tool box now is worth a little over $10,000.00, and I'm still adding to it. With every new design change, there is a need for a specialized tool, and as there becomes less standardization through out the industry, the need for tools will just keep increasing.

Long ago, I learned that collecting tools and bikes was much cheaper, healthier and safer than booze, beer and partying; but that's just me. You have to chooze your own vices.