Begining bike mechanic in Long Beach
05-12-13, 09:40 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Posts: 198
Bikes: 2011 Raleigh Sojourn, 2012 Marin Four Corners, 2013 Soma Saga, 2014 Scott Spark 940, 2017 Brompton H6E, 2016 Trek FX 7.2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Begining bike mechanic in Long Beach
Hey Everyone,
I have been riding bikes since a few years after I could walk (I guess most of us have that in common, lol). I started frankensteining trashed/found bikes in middleschool and rode a mt bike through most of high school and a little bit beyond. For the past few years I have almost exclusively been riding the touring/urban category. I don't actually tour very much, although I do enjoy it ('cept for the sore bum and hands). But for me, like many, the touring-style bikes seem to make very practical commuters. I have grown to love bar end shifters although I do sometimes miss triggers when I'm feeling a little more adventurous. I work for a major US outdoor retailer; in sales and in the bike shop. I am fortunate to be located at a particular store in the chain which is highly regarded for the experience of the shop techs and quality of workmanship (we are very thorough, compared to most bike shops). In the few years I have been there I have learned so much thanks to the other guys in the shop, most of whom have been at it for 20+ years. I still have much to learn.
Working for a outdoor retailer has put me in a fortunate position in that I get great discounts on almost everything I could want for most of my interests (backpacking, cycling, kayaking, etc.). I've taken advantage of this more with bikes because I can order complete bikes and upgrades at great prices. So far I am averaging one bike a year. I seem to be developing the habit of buying a bike, upgrading it to my liking (usually with matching drive-train, rack, fenders, lights, brooks, etc.), riding it for about a year, and then selling it and starting all over again. It's kind of a hobby now, lol.
Anyway, I'm glad I found this community. I've actually been referencing it for a year or so already. I want to thank everyone on here who freely offers up advice and info and I hope that now I can contribute as well.
I have been riding bikes since a few years after I could walk (I guess most of us have that in common, lol). I started frankensteining trashed/found bikes in middleschool and rode a mt bike through most of high school and a little bit beyond. For the past few years I have almost exclusively been riding the touring/urban category. I don't actually tour very much, although I do enjoy it ('cept for the sore bum and hands). But for me, like many, the touring-style bikes seem to make very practical commuters. I have grown to love bar end shifters although I do sometimes miss triggers when I'm feeling a little more adventurous. I work for a major US outdoor retailer; in sales and in the bike shop. I am fortunate to be located at a particular store in the chain which is highly regarded for the experience of the shop techs and quality of workmanship (we are very thorough, compared to most bike shops). In the few years I have been there I have learned so much thanks to the other guys in the shop, most of whom have been at it for 20+ years. I still have much to learn.
Working for a outdoor retailer has put me in a fortunate position in that I get great discounts on almost everything I could want for most of my interests (backpacking, cycling, kayaking, etc.). I've taken advantage of this more with bikes because I can order complete bikes and upgrades at great prices. So far I am averaging one bike a year. I seem to be developing the habit of buying a bike, upgrading it to my liking (usually with matching drive-train, rack, fenders, lights, brooks, etc.), riding it for about a year, and then selling it and starting all over again. It's kind of a hobby now, lol.
Anyway, I'm glad I found this community. I've actually been referencing it for a year or so already. I want to thank everyone on here who freely offers up advice and info and I hope that now I can contribute as well.
05-13-13, 03:23 AM
#3
Formerly Known as Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 6,249
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Hello urbanescapee, welcome to Bike Forums! Looking forward to reading your posts.
--J
--J
__________________
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
05-13-13, 04:54 AM
#4
Semper Fi
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,942
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1172 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times
in
241 Posts
Hi, good to see you here at BF, glad that you joined us here. Sounds like you are a very dedicated cyclist and mechanic, the Touring and Mechanics Forums should be a great place for you to look in to, if you haven't already been to them. Enjoy the forums and make your self at home.
Bill
Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
