|   Bike shops-good way to get into the industry? | Nuget
Apr 25, 2002 6:39 AM | | Just curious to hear what you all have to say about this. I have an opportunity to get a job at a local bike shop of mine and am wondering if its something I should jump on or not. Not sure where i'd like to go with bike jobs but we all have dreams and i'd like to know if taking this job could be a step in the right direction.
I'm also currently working as a graphic designer full time and am worried that a second job will cut down on my ride time too much. But the benefits are sweet as well.
Just thinking out loud I guess.
Thanks for reading and would like to hear your comments or personal experiences if you have any. |
| re: Bike shops-good way to get into the industry? | jcw
Apr 25, 2002 7:00 AM | | Depends on what your priorities are. If it's something your really interested in - lifelong dream sort of thing - I'd say go for it. But also realize that pay is low, and benefits pretty much limited to low cost bikes and components. What you get (in the right shop anyway) is a fabulous working atmosphere with mostly great people surrounded by the stuff we all love. Will it cut into riding time? Probably, only so many hours in a day. My advice would be to give it a shot. It definitely won't be any easier 2, 4, or 10 years from now when you'll probably be saddled with more of the dreaded "responsibility" (eeek!), and if you find it's not for you, you can always fall back on your graphin design career. |
| re: Bike shops-good way to get into the industry? | mtc
Apr 25, 2002 8:05 AM | | You may be suprised about the ride time thing as all you will talking about(I mean constantly) are bikes. I became more motivated and had stronger riding partners than ever. If anything give it a shot enjoy the atmosphere and learn some stuff you may not know yet. Oh yeah you get really cheap bikes!!
My.02 |
| here's what I did... | Steve-O
Apr 25, 2002 8:50 AM | | I don't work at at traditional bike shop but I am a bike tech at REI...
Last year I decided to pick up a second job around the holidays. REI was pretty easy to get a job with (my competition was high school kids on break). I work 1-2 nights a week after my 9-5 job and then usually an 8 hour shift on the weekends. In turn I get a lot of free/discounted stuff and a little cash to boot... Don't worry about getting burned out. If it's too much of a demand on your time then just quite and continue with your graphics design job.
As for riding time? Well I now have to be a little more strategic about riding but I still find time to clock miles on the bike. For 2002 I just hit 900 miles. Admittedly most of these miles are road miles commuting to/from work; however, it goes to show that you can find a balance between working and riding... |
| here's what I did... | shrambo
Apr 25, 2002 9:46 AM | | wow what REI do you work at steve-o? The big store in Denver gets dozens of resumes a month that they don't even call back on, you have to know someone. Then again the job market's less than stellar.
As for Nuget, I say if you can do the bike shop PT you'll get the perks and experience and get the $$$ from your other career, and that sounds like it may be flexible hours so you can customize your worktime for maximum riding. It's not like you spend every second of your free time riding (maybe), and what's a PT job, 15-20 hours a week? |
| re: Bike shops-good way to get into the industry? | scott.com
Apr 25, 2002 10:14 AM | | I guess it depends what your dreams are. I have a few friends with bike stores and it cuts into their riding time to the extent that they only ride a few times a week. They do seem pretty happy with what they are doing though. So if this is your long term goal well... If you want to do be a wrench or in sales then it shouldn't be much of an issue. If you want to get into the industry (ie work for Trek) I don't think that there are very many openings and the pay and benefits are not that great.
My take on it is I would rather work in IT, make s%^& of money, and have time to ride. Sure I don't get massive discounts but the s%%& of money more then make up for that :). |
| re: Bike shops-good way to get into the industry? | dynamicfigure
Apr 25, 2002 10:52 AM | | I would have to agree with Scott. But then who can argue with a guy that has 1.2 Mil hits on his website.
Inless it is your long term goal (to be in a bike shop), or the business your in has tanked and you need a job, then I would keep on the career path you have developed and progressivly aquire more and more glamorous and responsible jobs in your own field. I work in recruiting/hiring and can tell you nothing will kill a resume to a hiring manager faster than nonrelivant recent work experience or a career path going south. So stay in your field, buy a stand and all the maintenance tools, and network to find your riding buddies and have the best of all the worlds and more career stability and dollar$$$$ to boot! |
| Wow there actually is a scott.com | scott.com
Apr 25, 2002 2:45 PM | | Wow I never even thought to look to see if there was a scott.com. I'm in IT but that's not my web site. I adoped scott.com as a user name during the .com meltdown. I'm just a simple programmer with a love for cycling. |
| re: Bike shops-good way to get into the industry? | Jrm
Apr 25, 2002 12:46 PM | | Sure , if you do sales and not wrench. Or if you become a regional manufacturers rep. There's also companies large enough to do their own ad work too. |
| Well, without reading the other posts... | BCRider
Apr 25, 2002 1:24 PM | | First off you're going to make much more money at graphic design if you're any good.
Secondly it's very difficult to take a passion and make it a carreer without the passion turning into a chore.
I'd say take the bike shop job but be sure the shop guy knows it's part time and temporary to help him out until he can find a full time part time guy. Have your fun and then bail out.
And yes it will cut into your riding time..... a LOT. |
| Thanks all, you've been of great help. nm | Nuget
Apr 26, 2002 4:09 AM | | nm |
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