[klay]

I'm normally not a fan of the big generic outdoor kind of magazines in fact I think they do much more harm than any good. And if I see one more top 10 list, or a piece on Lance Armstrong, or Laird Hamilton I think that twitch I have when I see one is going to go permanent.

But, I was looking through someone else's and saw this article and thought it was pretty cool: sorry if it's been posted already.

http://outside.away.com/outside/culture/200906/bike-mechanics.html

 

[Bikeabout]

When a customer comes in with a stupid question or a hyper-simple problem, I try to smile, make them laugh, AND make them feel like an idiot. Best of both worlds!

--Greg

 

[Berkeley Mike]

Just as dual suspension

has allowed average schmos to shred the Apple Genius Bike mechanic has been able to pry scheckles from the clueless to build dissonant dreams and keep the lights on at the shop.

Being able to hold one's own at the shop is still cool.

 

[Scott O]

Entertaining article.

Absolutely agree that Outside is crap for the exact reasons you listed. It should be marketed as a branch of People Magazine or be renamed Celebrities Outdoors. Too many articles about guys with names like Kelly, Lance, Laird, Shane, etc. (maybe if there were a few articles about guys named Scott O I'd feel differently)

 

[FloridaFish]

funny article and somewhat true, but if the author really did ask for huey lewis then I don't care if he listens to the Jam now, he will forever be a tard.

 

[WKD-RDR]

Clueless here

... and I don't mind. I like the shop I take my bike to, I like the owner. He can laugh at me; I dont care. He can fix something in a 1/4 of the time I can. My time is money, and its a good investment.

 

[Dutch178]

One of the most poignant and invariably accurate things someone has ever told me..."Everyone on Earth is absolutely ignorant...just on varying topics." I am glad that the wrench behind the counter can tune my bike like a fine instrument, but if his attitude is crap, and he needs to try to belittle me to validate his career choice, fine. There are 4 other shops nearby I am willing to give my business to, that guy and his manager can pound sand

 

[jeffwilsonn]

I love it.... ha.... huey is great. You are an idiot. There is no excuse to be mean to people because they dont know how to adjust something. A bike guy works in a bike store for christs sake. Think about it. Do you need to get hazed about your BMW to appreciate it?

 

[Rev Bubba]

There are some simple truths

It may not be politically correct but the fact is, there are stupid people and there are stupid questions.

 

[klay]

You are an idiot. There is no excuse to be mean to people

 

[Joeshwa24]

I liked the concept of the article but disagreed with the conclusion. The gist of the argument is do you want an honest ass hole or a really nice person who will tell you what you want to hear. The problem with that conclusion is there are a lot of nice people who are honest and a lot of ass holes who will sell you stuff you don't need. I'm a bit of a shop rat at my LBS and the staff is all really nice and will give you an honest opinion twice and on the third time if you want it we will put it on there for you.

 

[AL29er]

Good read. I agree that this world does need the angry bike mechanic or bitter bike guy in the shop, but also know that his angst needs to be offset with a friendlier character or two. Good cop and bad cop. Balance in the shop :thumbsup:

 

[006_007]

Do you need to get hazed about your BMW to appreciate it?

Now that might not be a bad idea - way too many of those fine driving machines out on the road with people who have no skills to use them properly :thumbsup:

 

[Berkeley Mike]

Some of this smacks of elitism

As if money is not enough to "deserve" a nice bike. Very prolitarian. Some of this seems like crass commercialism: a merchant is the slave of every hump above ground, there is s sucker born every minute, a fool and his money are soon parted, the customer is always right and my fav, "what I don't understand is how Ratso is going to get into the cowboys pocket when his is sitting all the way across the table.

Outside is indeed, outside of what most of us who participate here experience as cyclists. As a professional photographer I get people always asking what kind of camera to buy. They have no idea what a big question that is. You see it in the Beginner Forum all the time. Outside makes things seem simple. In my business when a client says "all I want you to do is" I run for the exit or raise my price.

 

[gsomtb]

I remember this article vividly because it reminded me of so many of the things that are wrong with cycling.......and why non cyclists think we are kinda silly.

Shops put up with a lot of bs......but so does any biz in the service industry.
Mechs are not super heroes....they're just bike mechs - no more, no less.
Customer service is a big part of the job and is full of headaches.
As such, they have no reason for the elist, snobby attitude.
If you don't like what you do, do something else......but don't give me any lip b/c I will find a place to spend my $$$$ that will treat me right.

 

[micycle mike]

great article, i have a love/hate relationship with my opinion on this.

i love the fact that when i go in a specialty shop (not just bike shops) i am afraid to ask a stupid question. so afraid to ask the question that i search online to find the answer.
so now i don't need to ask the question anymore. they helped me learn something on my own and they didn't even know they helped me.

at the same time i hate when i have to ask a stupid question. i know they are gonna laugh at me, but the worst is when i need to ask for something and i don't know what it's called. or how to pronounce the name of the company.
i still remember when i walked into the LBS when i was 13 or 14 years old and asked how much the "ee el ef" handle bars were. the guy working said " i never heard of ee el ef, but we have these elf bars. did you want the 5piece ones or the 2 piece.

i felt like a dumb ass and that was a good thing, that was over 15 years ago and i still remember it like it was yesterday.

now the thing i don't like is when you walk into a surfshop and the kids working there think they are better than you just cause they surf a certain spot or ride a certain board.
you might know more than me when it comes to the topic, but you are not a better person than i am because of it.
i really only feel that way in surfshops that hire teenagers

 

[mikedirectory2]

One of the most poignant and invariably accurate things someone has ever told me..."Everyone on Earth is absolutely ignorant...just on varying topics." I am glad that the wrench behind the counter can tune my bike like a fine instrument, but if his attitude is crap, and he needs to try to belittle me to validate his career choice, fine. There are 4 other shops nearby I am willing to give my business to, that guy and his manager can pound sand

What a great quote!

 

[Skookum]

The author assumes all people like himself need to be abused by bike mechs to make it through the learning curve. But that's a stupid premise, not everyone needs or want's to be a masochist. He must feel ripped off that he had to join a fraternity through so much flack while others find their way without degrading themselves, and must point out a few idiots to justify his own sacrifice.

This very criticism in and of itself should be very well received by the author in this regard, but of course i'm sure i would have to throw in a few insults to win him over.

There are so many things to worry about in cycling, especially in mt. biking advocacy, a perception of a trend of armies of unqualified riders ignorantly being placated into purchasing a clown's bike doesn't concern me in the slightest. Some bike mechs provide valuable information, but the trails are what truly learn ya.

 

[Ken in KC]

Much ado about nothing....

Kind of a stupid article, IMO. Respect is a two way street. If you respect the person you're speaking with, you should expect it in return. If you give it and it's not returned, then you get to choose whether you continue the relationship.

In cases where I'm ignorant, I've always found being honest about what I don't know and asking for someone's help tend's to result both people leaving the conversation satisfied.

 

[Mai]

"Everyone on Earth is absolutely ignorant...just on varying topics."

The number one rule to live by is "People are stupid" that means everybody, you, me, guy at LBS, the doctor that fixes my broken bones, the rocket scientist and eveybody inbetween. At least on one subject or another. Just because it is commom knowledge to you or me doesn't mean that it is to everyone. I know doctors that couldn' fix a leaky faucet or their bike but they can sure replace a knee, hip or fix a shoulder