Bicycle Biz?

[Jim Bremner]

How many here are in the Biz?

It seems like there's a few

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I'd love to get into it (doing tuning/repairs would be an awesome job, IMHO) but mostly I just tinker on my own - nothing "for profit" or as a job or anything. I did work as a bike messenger for a little while when I lived back in Chicago years ago. Fun gig. You do have to be a little crazy to do it though.

[jim72911t]

Jim,
As you know, I'm a manufacturing engineer for www.paulcomp.com

A good friend and former college roommate (owner of American Cyclery in S.F. , maybe you know him) said to me a few months back: "So, you've decided to stay in the bicycle industry and take their version of a salary?"

Yeah, the pay isn't the best, but the work environment is exceptional and I get to make whatever I want on the CNC machines on my own time. Not a bad deal.

[cantdrv55]

A Pelican works here. I'm pretty sure he and his brother are Sycip.

http://www.sycip.com/

[dd74]

I know a guy with four stores in L.A. County. There are no bikes I've seen in any of his stores that are priced under $1K. And yet, his stores are constantly packed with customers who routinely come in and drop $4, 5, 6, 7K on pro-level gear. His word of mouth is tremendous; and his shop jerseys are anywhere there's a big cycling event. Crits at the Rose Bowl will have at least five riders who wear his garb. He works hard, networks deep, and offers discounts to people who frequent his shops.

Does he take a pay cut? Hard to say as I've heard his hobby is buying Porsches. Currently, I think he's in the market for an Carrera RS.

In short, he's one of a handful of people in L.A. who've done well selling bicycles.

I'd love to work for him if not to just hear the old pro cycling stories he's privy to.

[Racerbvd]

My first job was at a bike shop when I was 13, worked at a few while in school & college..

Nikki76 is in the biz..

[jtkkz]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

A Pelican works here. I'm pretty sure he and his brother are Sycip.

http://www.sycip.com/

I use to own a bike shop ('92 - '99) here in the bay area.
I am in the process of re-opening and starting up my bike shop again soon.

My brother is a custom frame builder (SYCIP).

[sammyg2]

I worked at fullerton bike shop while going to college (the first time). Not sure if it's even there anymore but they had the best pro shop around.

[wcc]

This is what I REALLY wanted to do as well. But working on a limited budget and time as well as being that there's a bike shop about a block away in a small community to where I'm working on opening a business I decided to try something else.