Gray Market Bicycle Parts

[BroDeal]

again...with respect...this is fixing simple mechanic things...your idea applies to having your car done at a dealership...we all know what BS that is...give me a good solid car mechanic who has more work than he can handle...the job I spoke about in previous post would have cost 5 times more via a dealership and been done worse...THAT is basic biz...bikes are not ferrari's...maybe that is the problem...and the idea that we pay for their space or that bike shops promote anything other than their own self interest is BS as well...you must have fun driving a "ferrari" bike but you still don't need to pay those prices for mere labor...it's a scam actually...and no, we are not paying for the privalege of having a LBS...not moreso than any other trade in today's world...me, I drive a plymouth...the idea that a bike mechanic makes 80 bucks an hour is just a joke...unless he is doing some real special things...like reacharounds...

Are you dense or what? If bike mechanics were _making_ $80/hr, 40 hrs/wk, 50 wks/yr then there would be a clamor of people aspiring to become bike mechanics. The shop is _charging_ $80/hr to account for their overhead. That does not mean the mechanic walks away with $3200 a week. If on average three people a week have their bike built from components then the shop brings in $600 that pays the mechanic's standard wages and helps keep the shop afloat. Maybe, when all business activity is taken into account, the owner makes a small profit, maybe not.

It doesn't matter how "simple" working on a bike is if the average bloke does not want to do the work himself. I helped a stranded dude a while back who did not know how to patch a tube.

 

[The Gnome]

Are you dense or what? If bike mechanics were _making_ $80/hr, 40 hrs/wk, 50 wks/yr then there would be a clamor of people aspiring to become bike mechanics. The shop is _charging_ $80/hr to account for their overhead. That does not mean the mechanic walks away with $3200 a week. If on average three people a week have their bike built from components then the shop brings in $600 that pays the mechanic's standard wages and helps keep the shop afloat. Maybe, when all business activity is taken into account, the owner makes a small profit, maybe not.

It doesn't matter how "simple" working on a bike is if the average bloke does not want to do the work himself. I helped a stranded dude a while back who did not know how to patch a tube.

you don't need to be insulting...if you want to talk about dense we can do that...but you mention paying folks for their down time...you are talking about what folks make...I am talking about what folks PAY...which is the whole point of what people charge...or are you too dense to follow that line of thought...?

 

[The Gnome]

"It doesn't matter how "simple" working on a bike is if the average bloke does not want to do the work himself. I helped a stranded dude a while back who did not know how to patch a tube"

you charge him 50 bucks for your down time?

 

[The Gnome]

Maybe it a perception problem, a joke to someone who DIY's their own bike gear and you may find it easy, isn't the same for the rest. You said your auto mechanic charges you $40/hour, that's half the National average for automotive work, in Colorado it's more like $150/hour, and that doesn't even include a massage with a happy ending.

actually Rd...I have to ask...what the hell is happening in colorado with your mechanics? they just that much better? is it the rarified air? your mechanics are charging what dentists and good call girls charge here in Vermont...what is the deal?

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

actually Rd...I have to ask...what the hell is happening in colorado with your mechanics? they just that much better? is it the rarified air? your mechanics are charging what dentists and good call girls charge here in Vermont...what is the deal?

Sorry, I deleted that last post because I didn't want to continue with someone who thinks we should work for free. Anyway, Colorado is hard on everything, the altitude, the hills, the sun, the temp swings. Both 4 and 2 wheels.

 

[BroDeal]

you don't need to be insulting...if you want to talk about dense we can do that...but you mention paying folks for their down time...you are talking about what folks make...I am talking about what folks PAY...which is the whole point of what people charge...or are you too dense to follow that line of thought...?

You should organize Occupy LBS. I can see it now, you there in a Guy Fawkes mask addressing the rabble.

"Keep calm. Keep calm! Could we have those who haven't showered for a couple of weeks stand to the side, far off to the side, please. No, even farther than that.

"Brothers and sisters! We've been hoodwinked. Duped. Flimflammed. Bamboozled! We didn't land on Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock landed on us. We're here to fight The Man, the one percenters. No, I'm not talking about Wall Stree bankers. I'm not talking about corrupt politicians in bed with corporate USA. I'm talking about bicycle mechanics. It's time to cut the fat ones down to size. Those bastards have been ripping us off for too long. It's time for the rip off to end and the rip on to begin. You can do the work yourself. Almost all bikes come complete these days and the average punter leaves his bike in stock condition, but you can learn an unnecessary skill. Take up the means of production, brothers. These bourgeois pigs have had it too good for too long. Can I hear an amen?"

 

[The Gnome]

Sorry, I deleted that last post because I didn't want to continue with someone who thinks we should work for free. Anyway, Colorado is hard on everything, the altitude, the hills, the sun, the temp swings. Both 4 and 2 wheels.

LOL...FOR FREE! you guys are pretty jolly...you sound like a practical slave unless you are making lawyer wages...sorry to offend you man..."someone who thinks we should work for free"! that is really good...thanks for the laugh...keep up the specialization! life must be so tough on you folks...next time I need a cassette changed I will ask my bank for a loan!

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Occupy LBS, that's gold Jerry, GOLD!

I witnessed a shop owner toss out one of his long time customers this summer because the custy was always trying heavily undercut his pricing and labor charges. Basically told him good riddance, and good luck finding anyone cheaper in the area. Gnome, was that you?

 

[The Gnome]

You should organize Occupy LBS. I can see it now, you there in a Guy Fawkes mask addressing the rabble.

"Keep calm. Keep calm! Could we have those who haven't showered for a couple of weeks stand to the side, far off to the side, please. No, even farther than that.

"Brothers and sisters! We've been hoodwinked. Duped. Flimflammed. Bamboozled! We didn't land on Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock landed on us. We're here to fight The Man, the one percenters. No, I'm not talking about Wall Stree bankers. I'm not talking about corrupt politicians in bed with corporate USA. I'm talking about bicycle mechanics. It's time to cut the fat ones down to size. Those bastards have been ripping us off for too long. It's time for the rip off to end and the rip on to begin. You can do the work yourself. Almost all bikes come complete these days and the average punter leaves his bike in stock condition, but you can learn an unnecessary skill. Take up the means of production, brothers. These bourgeois pigs have had it too good for too long. Can I hear an amen?"

wow...nice fantasy there...so someone saying that bike mechanics should not be payed about a hundred an hour is now a radical? yep, sure...whatever...keep wrenching with those unbelievable skills please...we all need your love...you keep us all riding...give a high five to your buddy harry potter next time you see him for me as well!

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

LOL...FOR FREE! you guys are pretty jolly...you sound like a practical slave unless you are making lawyer wages...sorry to offend you man..."someone who thinks we should work for free"! that is really good...thanks for the laugh...keep up the specialization! life must be so tough on you folks...next time I need a cassette changed I will ask my bank for a loan!

Get real, most shops aren't even charging for cassette swaps for regulars. I don't wrench anymore at a shop, only deal in wheels, but that was a regular practice at the shops I was at.

It's not about the labor rates anyway, most people don't know what the hell is up with anything mechanical and are willing to pay for a good mechanic. The shops that get weeded out are the trust fund kids that think that running a bike shop would be nostalgic and hip to work with bikes but don't realize that it's work.

 

[The Gnome]

Occupy LBS, that's gold Jerry, GOLD!

I witnessed a shop owner toss out one of his long time customers this summer because the custy was always trying heavily undercut his pricing and labor charges. Basically told him good riddance, and good luck finding anyone cheaper in the area. Gnome, was that you?

yeah...every year I take off from Vermont...drive to colorado, sell grey parts, maybe some meth to shop owners to keep them in line, and have my car and plumbing fixed by experts who charge outrageous amounts...but I always feel better when I return...sometimes I even have my mavic open pro's trued while down there as it can't be done any better of course!

 

[BroDeal]

ummm...nah...maybe no , you are just full of it that you are worth that sort of money for real simple stuff...it and you are nothing specialized my friend...this is nothing like CARS and fixing actual mechanical things unlike simple bikes and the inbredness that comes from that idea......just a note to both you and RD...bikes!...and you guys out here talking about how that labor is worth a hundred bucks an hour is a complete joke...you guys are living in dream land and must have rich wives supporting these delusions of skill! or at least I hope so...!

I am not a bike mechanic. I do all my own work, and I spend just about nothing in bike shops. To me the value of a bike shop mechanic is $0/hr, but I am bright enough to suss out that others need and are willing to pay for the service. I am also bright enough to figure out that bike shops have to charge a rate that allows them to stay in business. A couple hundred bucks to put together a few thou of bike is not a large percentage of the total.

You should open your own bike shop and get rich by charging half as much as the rest of those bastards who are overcharging everyone. That'd show 'em.

 

[The Gnome]

Get real, most shops aren't even charging for cassette swaps for regulars. I don't wrench anymore at a shop, only deal in wheels, but that was a regular practice at the shops I was at.

It's not about the labor rates anyway, most people don't know what the hell is up with anything mechanical and are willing to pay for a good mechanic. The shops that get weeded out are the trust fund kids that think that running a bike shop would be nostalgic and hip to work with bikes but don't realize that it's work.

I would think trust fund kids would be a good scam via a shop?...I mean, the bike industry is so bad now, why wouldn't you? basically, what you are saying is the honest owners who try to make money end up losing...so what is the real future? all bike shops who don't charge a hundred an hour fail? I am curious honest...

 

[The Gnome]

I am not a bike mechanic. I do all my own work, and I spend just about nothing in bike shops. To me the value of a bike shop mechanic is $0/hr, but I am bright enough to suss out that others need and are willing to pay for the service. I am also bright enough to figure out that bike shops have to charge a rate that allows them to stay in business. A couple hundred bucks to put together a few thou of bike is not a large percentage of the total.

You should open your own bike shop and get rich by charging half as much as the rest of those bastards who are overcharging everyone. That'd show 'em.

no thanks...I have a real job...

 

[The Gnome]

hey, it is xmas eve...I mean no offence...I can't believe I am getting into an argument with two guys who fix bikes and are probably very very good at it..certainly more than me... over the idea that it is worth at least a hundred an hour...hope you get it...you do probably deserve it...

 

[BroDeal]

no thanks...I have a real job...

Evidently not one good enough that a couple of hundred dollars to build a bike does not cause you outrage.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

no thanks...I have a real job...

Nice, so you come on here whining about shop labor rates when you do all your own work anyway, now insult what I and others here do for a living. Thanks a lot.

 

[The Gnome]

Nice, so you come on here whining about shop labor rates when you do all your own work anyway, now insult what I and others here do for a living. Thanks a lot.

wow...both of you have real class after my last post...

 

[The Gnome]

total whiners...yeah sure...you guys deserve to be paid like bankrobbers with your "knowledge"...hundred bucks an hour is "more than fair"...lol...

 

[The Gnome]

Nice, so you come on here whining about shop labor rates when you do all your own work anyway, now insult what I and others here do for a living. Thanks a lot.

you must be kidding RD...victimize yourself much? I have no problem and actually respect what you do from what I hear...but you guys do act the victim when you get all touchy about deserving a hundred an hour...be serious...BIKES...this aint rocket science, nor is it even hard work like collecting garbage...

 

[The Gnome]

Evidently not one good enough that a couple of hundred dollars to build a bike does not cause you outrage.

you are just such a B###h when it comes to any sort of actual talk...

 

[The Gnome]

gee...I am disagreeing with you guys about how much a bike mechanic should make...why don't you talk to management and have me banned....sounds great...

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

you must be kidding RD...victimize yourself much? I have no problem and actually respect what you do from what I hear...but you guys do act the victim when you get all touchy about deserving a hundred an hour...be serious...BIKES...this aint rocket science, nor is it even hard work like collecting garbage...

I'm not playing victim in this, I've spent my entire working life in bikes, started out working for free, now 20 years later I own my own company, charge very fair prices for my wheel sets, labor is what it is Gnome, across the board. Not rocket science? What? Man, I'm telling you, really though. Try setting up a Di2 group with PowerTap and GPS integrated..

 

[The Gnome]

I'm not playing victim in this, I've spent my entire working life in bikes, started out working for free, now 20 years later I own my own company, charge very fair prices for my wheel sets, labor is what it is Gnome, across the board. Not rocket science? What? Man, I'm telling you, really though. Try setting up a Di2 group with PowerTap and GPS integrated..

well, fair enough...it certainly aint going to be what I do which is a mailman gig who has a phd in philo never actually used///so yeah...but still I cannot see this as a hundred an hour profession...no offense...but I don't...

 

[Bustedknuckle]

This is said with respect as I enjoy reading your posts. $225 to install a group is very expensive imo, and is why I do my own work. I have said before, a bike is a simple machine and I don`t believe an $80/hour labour rate is good value. This may be the reality of a bike shop and what you need to charge to barely make a profit, but from a consumer standpoint it doesn'`t make sense to me to pay that much.

I see all types of strange things on this very simple machine, that were done by DIY wrenches in their garage. Yep, it's pretty simple but do a survey in your area of which shops OVH ERGO levers, or can install Di2(and EPS) or build a wheel or press in a HS, or OVH a King hub or....

A gent brings in a $5000 frame and $3000 group. He doesn't whine about $225.