So got a new job at a shop here In Traverse City. Love it! Great people, I get to play with bikes, Get people on bikes that fit them, not trying to make them fit a bike. I have access to a whole fleet of test bikes(including a tarmac SL3 DI) not to mention the discounts....

I may never get another "real" job again. How I went from insurance agent to Bike shop sales guy is beyond me, but I think I like it.

Beware! many such as me would think it a small matter to ruin your life for a job like that. I am very envious. In other news: congrats on probably one of the coolest jobs i can think of

Yeah, I miss working for a shop. The only problem is you don't actually get paid... Your paycheck is only an indicator of how much you can buy with your employee discount.

Fun, keep it up while you can.

Awesome to hear someone is landing jobs. Haha, keep us updated on what you get with your discount.

im starting to notice that. Frames under cost, Group sets, well cheap. bah, im screwed

ahahaha...
This is how my pay cheque is today, and i dont work in a bike shop!

Mine too, but that's because my pay check is how much I have left after the wife allocates bills.

Ehhh... working at a bike shop is probably something like working at a dive center (except that bike nerds dont get any action) or photo store - sounds nice in theory, but in the end, pay is not too good and sometimes it is good to keep your passion and your livelihood separate. And I say this as someone who makes a living from his 2 one-time hobbies (photography and diving).

V.

I've known of divers that work for utilities and they dove so often that got bored with the sport.. That would worry me.. A bike shop would be a fun and interesting job.. I've been in bike shops and start chatting with their customers while waiting on bike repairs.. The store liked me about.. Seems I ended up selling their customers on certain product x, y, or z and their sales clerks could just relax and take a break.. Does that mean I am a natural..?
Congrats . A bike shop in Traverse City..Beautiful cycling location.. A job I'd volunteer for.. I recall certain bike shops sponsoring bike clubs. On Sunday's bike staff would sponsor a group ride.. Shop staff participated in the many club rides... I'd be heading such a group out towards Lake Leelanau and the Leland area...
. Does not bike sales get pretty slack in the off season.. Don't lots of bike shops in such cold country carry a second product line, such as skis, etc. ... ?

They do, but we shift to fitness equipment in the winter. But we definatly make out money april through August.

I tried making a living out of diving (2 years in Sabah and live aboards) and photography, ended up disillusioned and poor.

A friend owns dive centers, he dives a lot less than me.
A friend owns a bike shop on the beach, he ride a lot less than me.
I "like" what I do.

I don't know which is better.

I would take advantage of this and try to learn everything you possibly can about wrenching and then probably try to find a better job.

i work at two bike shops. >_<
i think the key is to keep things separate.
i wake up and ride my bike about an hour before work, go back home, shower, etc. then i DRIVE to work. it's only about 15 miles, but it gives me separation from work and play. it would suck to think "riding the bike = going to work" even on sunday or pleasure rides.

Op, I just re read my post. I should have added a

Go for it, hope it works out for you!

Cool, sounds like you work at the Garfield store?

Working as a dive instructor only makes sense if you have really low expectations for salary and/or do it for a short time and/or do it part-time. But I hope you were single when you did this, and atleast got some non-monetary compensation out of it... nudge nudge wink wink.

It is a tough one. I was a management consultant and now I own a dive center - but I still dont know the answer to that. Making money doing something related to your hobbies/interests is nice, but there is something to be said for keeping them separate.

In the last 1 year, I have not taken a single photo outside of when I have been leading a workshop or a tour. And every year, I am diving less and less as well. I just got a new underwater housing - let's see if that re-ignites one or the other.

The non-romantic fact is that any job that makes money requires effort and *work* - and if the hobby/interest becomes work, it is natural to start losing the passion that got you hooked in the first place.

V.

another vote for being careful with mixing business with pleasure - I did it for years with soccer and haven't touched a ball since. Glad you have the job and are enjoying it though hope it works out.

that i am! stil lovin it

I used to love hiking and backpacking until I spent a few years in the army infantry. Seems to lose the flavor when someone is making you do it.

I gotta admit. I'm getting annoyed with working. I had to stay 2 hours after closing doing tune ups today.

But it's awesome your shop is that busy

How much is the employee discount on Di2?

enough to make it viable