https://www.bikebiz.com/local-bike-shop-day-2020-now-taking-place-in-september/amp
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
“Local Bike Shop Day 2020 now taking place in September”
(12 posts)-
Posted 5 years ago #
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Wasn't sure if there's a more suitable topic for this post.
Having been building and maintaining my bikes and my kids bikes over the years, I've realised that it's something I really love to do. Enough to make me consider running a bike repair/servicing shop.
Do those here with bike shop experience have any words of wisdom to discourage me from doing so, or is it something that could translate from an enjoyable hobby to an enjoyable (part-time) job?
Posted 2 months ago # -
I dont have experience running a shop but I have certainly used LBSs over many years.
His Mattness had a model whereby he came with his van and picked up your bike then brought it back to you. Which was neat. Good for customer and indeed His Mattness as he built up to operating out of a premises over time with all overheads that entails.
Staff also as you expand could become a thing.
An area that already has established bike shops likely to have fewer ups than downs.?
Posted 2 months ago # -
There's a guy round our bit who does so from his garage - a lot of word of mouth referrals, and a decent amount of the year he's off being a professional ski instructor, but it does seem like it can be viable.
Posted 2 months ago # -
“Enough to make me consider running a bike repair/servicing shop.
Do those here with bike shop experience have any words of wisdom to discourage me from doing so”
YES
LOTS
BUT
“or is it something that could translate from an enjoyable hobby to an enjoyable (part-time) job”
Yes “could”.
Not in any way trying to put you off.
Desire is there, which is a good start.
Not clear if “part time” is desired outcome or whether you want/need to retain part of existing job/income.
Fixing your own bikes is (usually) fun. Own deadlines, own standards.
Some things to consider
Do you have ‘customer focussed’ experience/inclinations?
Do you have a wide range of skills/experience - suspension forks, brake bleeding etc?
Or were you thinking more general/basic levels of servicing?
Whatever current levels/aspirations, consider https://www.cytech.training/ - will confirm what you think you know (or not…) plus give you a certificate to hang somewhere people will see it.
As to operating - premises - shop front, industrial unit, mobile (cargo bike to full ‘workshop on wheels’) or garden shed?
https://harts-cyclery.co.uk started with a big van
https://www.davesbikeshed.co.uk really IS a shed in the garden - quite big and successful/well regarded.
After you’ve thought about all that, realise it would be a business - bookkeeping, invoices, INSURANCE, bills, VAT (possibly not initially), etc.
The upside is more people have more bikes. I don’t get the impression that a greater proportion of people are learning/bothering to fix their own bikes.
Downside of that (and the ‘throwaway society’) is more people ride bikes until ‘beyond economic repair’ then buy a new one.
Do some ‘important’ research - visit every bike shop in town. Try to work out what they are good/bad at and ‘where you might fit in’.
Might be worth phoning them all and asking ‘how soon can you fix my bike’.
Decide what is ‘wrong’ with it - puncture, ‘general overhaul’ ‘new chain and cassette’ - or anything else you want to chat about…
Most shops have websites often with ‘repairs menus’. Print out and compare.
Just doing the research will make you realise that…
An encyclopaedic knowledge of bicycles and bits helps, but there are books and websites (not least YouTube with a very wide range of bike fixing/upgrading stuff showing various degrees of competence with bikes and video shooting/editing!! I usually start with the sound off.) and CCE
Start a new thread “CS’s Bike Business Adventure” (or something).
Long time since I started a bike biz. Learned a lot from Richard’s Bicycle Book (well there almost wasn’t anything else).
Knew there was an opportunity as most shops seemed to have sign in the window -
“No Repairs Meantime”.
Posted 2 months ago # -
@CocoShepherd
Do those here with bike shop experience have any words of wisdom to discourage me from doing so.
LB now hosting JT (ex Bicycle Works) as he starts up his business - albeit more focussed on e-bikes and utility / cargo models. Needs a lot of tools as so many standards. Picked up a few used.
Qualifications from Bosch + Di2 software + Bafang. Trade accounts to get 7/8/9/10/11/12 speed chain and access to cassettes / disc pads / tyres etc. SumUp reader. Business bank account vital (RBS Business gives you FreeAgent included which makes accounts & invoicing easier and VAT if you had).Posted 1 month ago # -
I’ve been self employed for fifteen years and used FreeAgent for three different businesses / side projects in that time - absolutely essential.
Posted 1 month ago # -
it's something I really love to do. Enough to make me consider running a bike repair/servicing shop.
I don't have any experience of running a shop, only experience of being a bike mechanic when I was younger. The speed of workflow is quite important, learning when 'good enough' is sufficient for the task, and when 'perfect' is sufficient.
Howard Yeomans (former BHPC racer and aeronautical engineer) jacked it all in many years ago to run a mobile bicycle repair business, working out of a Burrows 8 Freight and a reasonable city radius. No e-assist in those days. You had to admire his commitment to the cause, but in the end the ROI wasn't enough.
I remember when Dave of Dave's Bike Shed left his office job (I was a distant colleague but we knew each other) to pursue his dream. I didn't think it would be a goer but I have been wrong for 15 years! Same goes for John of John's Bikes, down in Middleton*. He previously worked at the parts counter for a car dealership and decided one day he had to follow his dream. John's been in business quite a long time now too, running something that is a cross between a bicycle repair shop and the Bike Station.
* No, not that Middleton, this Middleton.
Posted 1 month ago # -
@Arellcat Howard Yeomans was someone I had dealings with as think he managed the Laid Back Cyclist ad account. Edited maybe in conjunction with Mike Burrows. Hence the Burrows 8 Freight being his choice of cargo bike.
Pre-electric that was a great rig to carry stuff on. Some people have carried a whole fleet of bikes on one I hear. ;-) (Leith Cycles to Holyrood Park if I recall correctly).
On running bike repairs I think you would set up and start but slowly. Some bikes you definitely don't want to do as if bought for under £50 it will be hard to convince them to send double that on transmission and brakes.
Edinburgh though does still have basic hybrids on commutes that need TLC. If you keep these running sweet people will come back.
Best to also recognise when a bike is going to be more hassle than it's worth. Recommend other place sometimes - there is enough to go round and building alliances is useful. People appreciate info.
Road bikes are whole other scene - especially if a sportive coming up. Bike Works would suddenly get stuff wanted for tomorrow. That's why they still work up to 8pm and beyond behind closed doors. They have shift workers though. Those with money have no time etc. They'd do it themseves if only they weren't going out etc.
When you're solo you need to go easy - Cycle Service (Chris & Hannah) seem to have got balance being a Mon to Friday business - no weekends.JT currently at LB has over twenty years in business but is now doing that sort of model having done loads of crazy hours. Smaller amount of bikes and no big promo (yet). Can't garage bikes in a small shop which need things moving along.
Some customers have tried the new Fettle beside Kwik-Fit but mixed experiences. Many want to speak directly to a mechanic rather than being triaged at desk.
They price with low entry price but can surcharge as you go further if it's an e-bike.
Posted 1 month ago # -
Isn't there a bike shop in Haddington for sale? m sure I saw a story recently.
edit: https://www.rightbiz.co.uk/buy_business/for_sale/628406_east_lothian.html
( not the link I saw, but what google found)
The guy in Fife who used to teach at BPS is also giving up his shop
Posted 1 month ago # -
Mike’s Bikes - Mike is retiring
Posted 1 month ago # -
Thanks all for the input and suggestions and wisdom. Business model would be running from garage initially until we hit the big time! Would be willing to do pick ups/drop offs. Would assess the job first before committing and would work within my limits until I build up confidence, knowledge and expand my tool set. Whether it grows into a full time passion or dies with barely a whimper only time will tell...
Posted 1 month ago #
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