Daydreaming of getting out of the grips of “the man” and working at something I enjoy.
What route did you go for certifiaction? Barnett BRO (bicycle repair and overhaul) / (BSE Level 1 & 2) or UBI (profesional repair and shop operation) or ?? experience only?? Just wondering why you chose one certifiaction over the other or if one program is better in your opinion than the other. Anyone been to both?? If you were planning to do it all over again, would you have gone somewhere else? At $1800 a pop, I want to know if you felt it was worth it.
I have never taken a class but have studied manuals and worked on my own bikes extensivley over the past 6 years. Last year I started teaching basic mantenance classes as fundraisers for Team in Training. A friend who has been wrenching his own bike for decades has also been very helpful to me over the years. I really enjoy doing it, it calms me down. I can go to my “man cave” (garage) and tinker on bikes for hours. I really want to expand my knowledge in MTB suspension systems as well.
Who knows, with the uncertain job market, I could be out of work before the end of the month. I’m considering a plan B that includes a 180 degree shift in my career path from the banking industry into something I actually like to do. If i get layed of, I want to be able to put my severance to good use.
Yeah, it would be a good 70% pay cut, but if that get’s me by for a while while I wait out the shitty job market I’ll take it. Are you aware of any industry spin on which program is better or more preferred by those who do the hiring?
Just MHO after 8 yr in a shop, but I think the person hiring would rather have someone with experience wrenching, the cert isn’t necessary. It sounds like you probably know enough to get a job right now. Learn the nitty-gritty stuff as you go along.
Don’t day dream, just do it. I’ve been in the industry for 25 years. I started at 15 wrenching to support my racing habit.
I went to the East Coast Bicycle Academy when I was 21, followed it up with many tech clinics from companies and have taken almost every Fit clinic there was.
I just sent my tech guy out to the United Bicycle Institute even though he has been a wrench for 20 years. You can never stop learning and with the technology today, you need to keep up to date on all aspects.
There is a HUGE difference between a “mechanic” and what I call a technician. I only use Bike Techs. Those who have been trained in every aspect of the bike, parts, frame building and fit. Those are the guys who make money in the industry.
Will you get rich? No but define rich? I travel all over the world and learn very unique things. There is never a “normal” day. I go from designing graphics, to carbon layup to team sponsorship, to studying wind tunnel data, to sales, to marketing. I’ve met almost all the top guys in the sport including having dinner with Lance and I get to hang out with some of the greatest people in the industry. Last year at Trifest, I was with Steve and Annie Hed and their kids. I kept asking their son if they knew how cool their dad was! You just don’t get that in every job.
Personally, I would never trade my job as a “mechanic.”