Mayonnaise

The company I work for has decided to “go green”. They are encouraging as many employees as possible to consider bicycling as their method of getting to and from work.

They have named me Bicycle Ambassador.

What that means is I’m the go-to guy in charge of keeping everyone’s bikes tuned and running nicely. If you have a mechanical or flat (or really just about anything) you come to me and I fix it before you head home. As well as advice and questions. The idea is to have a shop equipped to solve any problem and get people home without worry. The employees don’t pay a cent for this service.

I’ve been doing this for years anyway, but now they want to finance my project.

Yesterday they gave me the corporate credit card and said, “buy whatever you need, buy it all now, if you go over a grand, don’t worry about it, but let us know.”

So...

I’ve been shopping all day on the web and have what I think are the basics covered, but my head is spinning a bit and I thought I’d ask for input and suggestions to see if there is anything I might be missing.

(So far, from Park Tools, I’ve got the work stand, pump, mechanics tool set. etc.)

Blue Jays

What kind of company is your employer? For example, do you work as a Network Administrator in a cubicle and they have provisioned you extra space to perform basic bicycle repairs? This could impact what kind of supplies you purchase. Do they want you to purchase tools only and make fellow employees responsible for parts (e.g. tubes, tires, lubricants, bartape, etc., etc.) at the time of repair?

As an aside, make certain this extra duty and contribution to the company is reflected in your job performance assessments.

ryanspeer

I really want that Motobecane Cyclocross bike with Ultegra 10-speed on bikesdirect.com. It's only $995. Can you throw that on there?

In all seriousness though - that's pretty cool. More companies should follow suit.

Blue Jays

Oops, answered my own question. I see you're in the restaurant/hospitality industry. Where will these repairs take place? Will there be contribution from employees or is the company covering all the expense?

maddyfish

You might want to get a used bike, something generic like an older mt bike to use as a loaner, if somebody's bike gets a wheel smashed or other major repair. You can usually get one of CL for $30-50. Don't know how you'd charge that to the company, but it would be nice to have around.

maddyfish

Also a hack saw and bolt cutters, surely somebody will loose the key to their bike lock.

JBD

what is your line of work and is there an opening?

I'd probably put some expendables on your shopping list.
this begs the question: how much expense is the company willing to spare for one persons bike?

if it is higher, then I would add to the list above
chains of various widths
brake pads
cassettes
a loaner wheelset
helments
medical supplies

congratulations on your new job title

caloso

I'd think most of what you'd need would be the basic stuff that breaks down: tubes, lubes, cables, housing, chains, tires (26" and 700c), batteries, spokes, etc.

slim_77

No usable advice other than "everything"...

That is terrific!

oh, no cost to this: phone numbers and addresses of all shops that sell bikes-new & used, CBF/Chicago DOT/Bike street maps, CBF membership applications (10% shop discounts, etc.), posters explaining Rules of the road...

maddyfish

A couple of loaner head/tail lights too, for when somebody works later than expected.
Loaner rain gear?

powerglide

Consumables like tubes, tape, spokes and other spare parts maybe.
Lights and battereis for the late nighters. Spare helmet, chain, lubes...that sorta thing?

slim_77

Contact Nick Jackson or Randy Newfeld at the CBF and let them know what they (your employer) are doing, these guys may offer great advice...

Mayonnaise

I work for the Hyatt corp. We've gone from 4 indoor, secured bike racks to 15. Many days in the summer the racks are filled leaving problems of overflow. Once a year I tune all the bikes, so they run fine generally. I'm not doing major repairs "on the fly" but if you buy a computer and want me to install it, no problem. Most of the people riding are not like us. They enjoy their bikes and have fun but they're mostly riding low end stuff. My job is to keep them running so the bikes won't waste away in their garages.

I have a giant loading dock to work with, and now they are giving me the recycle room for my tools and workstand. They really want to make this a full service for the employees.

BTW, if you check into the hotel, we have a pair of sweet hybrid bikes you can take out at no cost, serviced by yours truly.

I made it clear to all parties concerned that not now or ever do I want one cent payment

(but, if I fix Izzy's bike and he says "you like your tenderloin med rare, right?" I'll say, "order fire, brother."

lebowitz

Wow that is an impressive step by your employer. I'm tuning bikes at my office and we have 4 people riding daily. It would be great to have a space for bike repair here, but everything is carpeted and full.

You should get the nice park wheel truing stand and dishing gauge. Also I think a loaner wheelset as someone mentioned is a good idea.

I bet a screwdriver set, cabling, cable cutter, allen set could go a long way

Mayonnaise

Keep the advice coming. Some great ideas. I've got an old Stumpjumper I never ride, will use that as the loaner.

velomedieval

Wow! This is really great of your company. I hope other places take note and follow suit. And lucky you!

OK, a minor thing, but consider shop rags. If you use actual cloth rags, who's going to launder them? Seeing as it's Hyatt, I assume they have laundry picked up (or perhaps done on site)-- at any rate, there is some sort of laundry arrangement. Make sure that you aren't stuck taking your shop rags home to launder yourself.

dingster1

COOL! I wish a lot more companies had that mindset

Mayonnaise

I placed an order for $700 in Park Tools (I work for the Park Hyatt, so it kinda fits). They'll be here in about a week. I know it's the company's money, but the stuff feels like it's mine, which, in a sense, it is, just that I'm keeping it in a different garage.

Here's an open invitation to anyone that wants to stop by to check out our facility or happens to have a problem with their bike and needs a free repair. We're at the corner of Chicago and Michigan. I'm there most afternoons.

Hocam

+1 on consumables, especially tubes, chain lube and maybe buy some lights for when the sun goes down early in the winter. Oh, studded tires for Chicago snow too, may want to find out who's interested in cycling to work in the snow first.

If you've been doing this for a while you probably know everyones bikes and what you need more than us. Sounds like you've run out of things to buy, a good situation

'flyer

(Sigh)...There is hope for Corporate America...

Mayonnaise

can't talk now, the tools just arrived.

cooker

I'm assuming all liability is carried by the company? (I'm not a lawyer).

velomedieval

Pictures?!?

clfjmpr44

That is awesome Mayo, real heads-up move by your company. I guess the only thing I am confused by is when are you supposed to tend to peoples' bikes. I am assuming you have other functions within the company? Are there enough hours in the day? Is management throwing you something a little extra in compensation, or are you just happy to do it because it involves bikes?
A

jmgorman

That's awesome - I also wanted to say cheers to you and your colleagues. I stayed at that Hyatt last May for a conference and was in and out with my bike all week. I checked with the door man and no one batted an eye when I rolled it through the lobby to the elevator. That can't be normal and it totally made my trip the best.