nobby the sheep
Retrobike Rider
Friend runs www.thebikeinn.co.uk up here in Cumbria, worth having a look and see what courses they do even if it is to give you a bit more knowledge wheel building etc
Cytech training and getting a job after
- Thread starter yagamuffin
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Corblimeyguv
Senior Retro Guru
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Re:
About 20yrs ago I used to fix cycles for people for beer money, plus I was maintaining my own and other family members.
I used to buy and sell a bit too, it made an otherwise mundane existance far more enjoyable.
I eventually spent more time fixing other peoples steeds than enjoying my own. Some of the BSO's were so bad you couldn't set the gears up right when they were new ! I made very little money due to 'mates rates' and any favours offered in return were just that, offered.
I helped out in a LBS too during the summers when it was busy (my best mate at the time was a mechanic there) and some of the atrocities we took in for repair were horrendous.
Now I just do my own and my brothers when he asks, otherwise he does his own maintainance.
About 20yrs ago I used to fix cycles for people for beer money, plus I was maintaining my own and other family members.
I used to buy and sell a bit too, it made an otherwise mundane existance far more enjoyable.
I eventually spent more time fixing other peoples steeds than enjoying my own. Some of the BSO's were so bad you couldn't set the gears up right when they were new ! I made very little money due to 'mates rates' and any favours offered in return were just that, offered.
I helped out in a LBS too during the summers when it was busy (my best mate at the time was a mechanic there) and some of the atrocities we took in for repair were horrendous.
Now I just do my own and my brothers when he asks, otherwise he does his own maintainance.
jm
Senior Retro Guru
Re: Re:
anyway being a bike mechanic was something we did to get cost price parts and hopefully free credit. That isn’t needed anymore with internet options often cheaper than trade.
Also look at the amount of shops going under.
Get a proper job before it’s too late.
You are absolutely correct. Yesterday’s twat prize was the guy protecting his bald spot with face mask. When I questioned him on this he said “well I’m alright in here aren’t I”LikeClockwork":1su42x63 said:
anyway being a bike mechanic was something we did to get cost price parts and hopefully free credit. That isn’t needed anymore with internet options often cheaper than trade.
Also look at the amount of shops going under.
Get a proper job before it’s too late.
going back to your first post
I get this, I see you are in Kent. I grew up in Kent on one of the commuter lines and took the train one stop out of London to go to school and every morning saw all the "happy" commuters waiting for their train. Its why we live in London BUT recent events have raised all sorts of questions about how we work etc, and IT is well placed to be flexible, I know several people where they are effectively closing/downsizing their London offices in space terms having found alternatives. So who knows how much commuting you may be doing. Also how long will the cycling mania last once a vaccine is in place. There are economic benefits to the work changes so IMHO this has more longevity. Just my tuppence worth.
PS I'd echo other comments on happy staff at bike shops. Last year we bought a new Frog for my daughter. The guy who looked after us (who was excellent despite....) was quite chatty when I picked it up, it was his last day after 15 years and he was getting out (manager not owner) as had become too competitive and no margins for overheads for anything except maintenance, and people were not prepared to pay for properly qualified people, and salaries were under constant pressure. Funnnily enough he had done some IT courses while working and already had a new job.
yagamuffin":35s6nd4a said:
I get this, I see you are in Kent. I grew up in Kent on one of the commuter lines and took the train one stop out of London to go to school and every morning saw all the "happy" commuters waiting for their train. Its why we live in London BUT recent events have raised all sorts of questions about how we work etc, and IT is well placed to be flexible, I know several people where they are effectively closing/downsizing their London offices in space terms having found alternatives. So who knows how much commuting you may be doing. Also how long will the cycling mania last once a vaccine is in place. There are economic benefits to the work changes so IMHO this has more longevity. Just my tuppence worth.
PS I'd echo other comments on happy staff at bike shops. Last year we bought a new Frog for my daughter. The guy who looked after us (who was excellent despite....) was quite chatty when I picked it up, it was his last day after 15 years and he was getting out (manager not owner) as had become too competitive and no margins for overheads for anything except maintenance, and people were not prepared to pay for properly qualified people, and salaries were under constant pressure. Funnnily enough he had done some IT courses while working and already had a new job.
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