The Chainlink

This is Why Bike Mechanics are Always Grumpy...

It's mostly because we get paid bullshit.

Seriously, do you have any idea how annoying it is to get bitched at about the cost of a tune up when you don't make shit?

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Permalink Reply by S on February 11, 2014 at 7:39pm

I'm calling BS.  In the original thread, you said that the pad was worn down but you didn't want to replace it because you don't use the back brake. New pads are around $10 even if you get koolstop salmon pads or something equivalent.

El Dorado said:

I've been weary of bike shops ever since they tried to sell me brake pads even though mine were not completely worn down yet.  They tried selling me expensive Salmon brand ones.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on February 11, 2014 at 8:35pm
if dug's customer all acted like El Dorado, I'd understand his grumpiness a lot better.
Permalink Reply by Bailey Gene Newbrey on February 11, 2014 at 8:39pm

I've worked (solely) as a bike mechanic for just about a dozen years now. A few years back I was saving up for something I'd really wanted, so I took an extra job. I was working at two shops that both paid better than any others I'd worked for previously (or since) seven days a week, at around sixty hours per week. At the end of the year I'd made somewhere around $34k. My only days off were holidays and one sick day. I did it because I love it. Now just yesterday we (the shop) received an award for the second time in our two years. It's hard work and not monetarily satisfying, but it's what we love.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on February 11, 2014 at 8:44pm
Share the award. And congrats guys! You consistently get awesome reviews from people.

Bailey Gene Newbrey said:

I've worked (solely) as a bike mechanic for just about a dozen years now. A few years back I was saving up for something I'd really wanted, so I took an extra job. I was working at two shops that both paid better than any others I'd worked for previously (or since) seven days a week, at around sixty hours per week. At the end of the year I'd made somewhere around $34k. My only days off were holidays and one sick day. I did it because I love it. Now just yesterday we (the shop) received an award for the second time in our two years. It's hard work and not monetarily satisfying, but it's what we love.

Permalink Reply by Paul Michael Ignacio on February 11, 2014 at 8:47pm
You go, Bailey (and Steve and Jesse too)!
Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on February 11, 2014 at 9:01pm

Comrade Cycles--that award does not even begin to say how great you guys are!  You (and all bike shops with good service) don't charge enough.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on February 11, 2014 at 10:33pm

It depends on the tune up and the shop but a basic tune with a bike cleaning usually takes me 45 to 90 minutes depending on what is needed.

J.P. said:

How long does it take to do a tune-up? 15 mins?

Complaining to the mechanic about the price is mean and unnecessary. You should know ahead of time how much you are spending and can make a decision base on that.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on February 11, 2014 at 10:33pm

You would be surprised how many of them are...

Duppie said:

if dug's customer all acted like El Dorado, I'd understand his grumpiness a lot better.
Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on February 11, 2014 at 10:37pm

Exactly, and for as skilled as you are you should not have had to work like that for what is really barely an average salary for a skilled worker.

Here's the bigger point people: Those of us who are full time, year round, bike mechanics who plan to stick with it are not here because of the pay, I could go back into aviation or equipment service and make more money. We do it because we love it and get other forms of satisfaction from it.

However, that does not mean that we should be paid so poorly compared to other trades.


Bailey Gene Newbrey said:

I've worked (solely) as a bike mechanic for just about a dozen years now. A few years back I was saving up for something I'd really wanted, so I took an extra job. I was working at two shops that both paid better than any others I'd worked for previously (or since) seven days a week, at around sixty hours per week. At the end of the year I'd made somewhere around $34k. My only days off were holidays and one sick day. I did it because I love it. Now just yesterday we (the shop) received an award for the second time in our two years. It's hard work and not monetarily satisfying, but it's what we love.

Permalink Reply by Paul Fitz, Scrabblor on February 11, 2014 at 11:00pm

Doug,  you post so much that this discussion is all about the statistical information regarding bike mechanic pay as viewed through the lens of how grumpy people perceive your past posts.  Your sway over the chainlink community is amazing!

Any of us in the industry knew these numbers.  It's a drag. 

In chicago, the shops that are opening this year appear to be catering to a specific demographic (BBF), riding style (all of the tri stores + let's roast), or are also some sort of lounge/cafe (new Heritage + Ancien).   None of these shops are more than 1 mile from the closest existing shop. This is telling of Chicago right now.  The bicycle industry has not yet jumped into the realm of transportation providers (at least in this city) and pays according to what one would expect of a 'professional hobby'. 

I don't know the solution, but it's strange to see people who say 'told ya so' on a forum for cycling commuters in chicago. 

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on February 12, 2014 at 2:34am

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Paul Fitz, Scrabblor said:


In chicago, the shops that are opening this year appear to be catering to a specific demographic (BBF)

Permalink Reply by Reboot Oxnard on February 12, 2014 at 9:14am

I understand the desire but the fact remains that you don't have a career, you're blessed to have a hobby that actually pays you. Yeah, I know, you've invested a lot of time (and some money) into developing the not-inconsiderable knowledge and skills that the work requires but the fact remains that you don't work, you play. And you get paid. By me. Arghgh!

You have a job for which the supply of workers greatly exceeds the demand for their services. We got rid of indentured servitude a long time ago, should you ever decide that you made a poor occupational choice, you can quit. Before you do, however, would you please let me know so that I can be at the head of the line to score your gig. ;}


notoriousDUG said:

I don't want to work in IT, I want to work on bikes but would like to be paid decently for doing it.  

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