How to Set Up and Run a Bicycle Repair Company

[phantom power]

This is a long-ish article, including lists of repair tools and photos.

http://campfire.theoildrum.com/node/5976

Cycling is a strong growth industry globally. There are more bikes than cars in the world and thousands of these cycles are sat in garages in various states of disrepair. Bike repair is labour intensive, uses few resources, and provides people with a new form of transport. If you are a bike mechanic and operate a fair business in your area, you may become a valued member of your local community, especially if fuel becomes scarce.

...

Before diving in, consider your circumstances and the nature of the local economy where you live. If the answer to the following questions is no, setting up a bicycle repair company may not be such a good idea:

* Is there demand for bike repairs in your area? (Test this by offering a ‘Dr Bike’ free session, or create demand through advertising/collaboration with local government)
* Can you fix bikes? (Put yourself to the test by fixing as many bikes as you can – fix those of friends, family and acquaintances; work/volunteer in a local bike shop; get an official qualification)
* Will you be offering something new in your area? (If there is already a good bike shop or mechanics – collaborate with them unless they are not interested)

[jdlh8894]

1. Oh , Please! Give me a break! n/t

[wtmusic]

2. You got it. nt

[AtheistCrusader]

3. Something wrong?

I don't understand the problem.

[Fumesucker]

4. I grew up having to put my own bicycles together from parts..

We weren't exactly poor but there wasn't money for a new bike every couple of years.

I scrounged parts and bought what I couldn't scrounge at the Western Auto store, they had quite a few bike parts.

Today it's about impossible to buy a master link locally, Wally World has the whole chain but it costs more than I pay for a bicycle often.

Interesting that the guy in the picture has his mobile bike shop in a bicycle trailer.