| Frustrated with the lack of LBS Service care; What would you expect??? | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 23 2012, 10:39 AM (265 Views) | |
| Rob13380 | Oct 23 2012, 10:39 AM Post #1 |
|
Slightly Splattered
|
Hi MuddyArsers After getting increasingly frustrated with the lack of care and attention that LBS put in to their over priced services I have decided to do my Cytech course and set up my own Mechanic business. I think paying a shop £50 + for them to twiddle the cable adjuster, move the reach adjuster maybe and then make sure all of your obviously tight bolts are tight is a bit steep. My venture will offer a full service and clean top to bottom with everything that needs grease greased and everything that needs re cabling or bleeding bled with the added option of a fork service (not full MOJO style but your run of the mill 100 mile seal and oil replacement) Is there anything you guys would want expect from a service? things like BB strip and re grease, Free hub greasing and clean out? wheel truing? I know probably 50% of people are as passionate about their steeds as I am but I'm interested in offering a service that once a year will prep your bike for the new years hard trails and conditions!! Do let me know anything that you want that isnt offered elsewhere as i'm in process of deciding on price and web offerings etc. Rob |
![]() |
|
| darth vader | Oct 23 2012, 03:43 PM Post #2 |
![]()
Mudking
|
I think you are on the right lines there, Forks bushings and pivot bearings ,ad any thing you need a special tool to service shimano pedals etc, Headset greaseing ,? Trouble is all these things take time . |
![]() |
|
| Rob13380 | Oct 23 2012, 03:55 PM Post #3 |
|
Slightly Splattered
|
This is all to be included in my one off service that Im looking at starting. Collection within reason, full wash and strip down, greasing bearing check, headset and free hub checks and cleans and greasing, re cabling outers as well (special coloured nipples will be included to match frame design etc) forks can be done too as have everything now for Fox and rock shox forks to be done. There will obviously be extra costs for things like seal kits, new pads, new bearing kits if required but I'm thinking for a general full and I mean full service £99 including Vat! Sound good? |
![]() |
|
| Chadders | Oct 24 2012, 06:35 AM Post #4 |
|
Mud Connoisseur
|
I do all my own work but just bit of friendly advice. Get some public liability insurance. I know people who have done a similar thing and then been taken to court when a part has failed on a bike they have serviced. Not their fault either. The part was faulty not the workmanship. |
![]() |
|
| Rob13380 | Oct 24 2012, 01:04 PM Post #5 |
|
Slightly Splattered
|
Chadders - thanks have started looking in to that and yes better to be covered!! I know probably 85% of people do do their own repairs but every so often it will give me chance to tinker and help!! Hopefully anyway!! |
![]() |
|
| EddyDave | Oct 26 2012, 05:56 PM Post #6 |
|
Bog Monster
|
Hub servicing sounds great. Thats one of the things I'm skeptical about doing... Good luck to you Rob! And I may well give you my bike sometime! |
![]() |
|
| evocycles | Nov 5 2012, 02:11 PM Post #7 |
|
Couple of Spots
|
If that is all your LBS does for £50+ you need to find a decent one! We true wheels, adjust hubs, headset and BB, re-set all gears and brakes for less than that. Will you need to be VAT registered? Shops do if turnover is over something like £75k, I doubt you'll get anywhere near so I wouldn't bother and keep prices down or simply more margin for yourself. I do think that anyone thinking that shops charging £25-45 per hour are steep really need to know what the overheads are and maybe look at what car garages charge but hey. If you take into account travelling time, insurance, training costs, cost of tools and workstands etc, cost of fuel then add on a working wage (take home annually not just per hour) then you'll struggle to make a living charging less than £25 per hour unless you can be very very very busy. You will need commercial insurance cover on your vehicle if using it for work otherwise normal insurance will be void and you will be classed as uninsured and could be prosecuted. If you're doing this on the side to a normal full time or part time job then fair enough but be aware you'll need to tell the tax man and file a tax return annually. I assume payments will all need to be cash too? Paypal might be worth offering. There are other mobile repairers about so worth looking into what they offer and charge. Our workshop takes about £25k labour pa after VAT, after taking mechanics wages and rent etc out it doesn't generate much profit but bike shops on the whole don't. Many shops look to make money on the parts used, you may not be able to source lots of parts unless you have a shop. Many decent bikes these days run sealed bearing BB's, headsets and hubs that really don't need much attention unless they are actually worn out at which time re-greasing is buying a short amount of time at best. If you're looking to work from home and be reasonably busy you may need planning permission as any increase in traffic is frowned upon for residential. Our thorough service is £89.99 max which covers all strip down and clean etc, albeit not fork lowers but bikes with decent forks tend to have sealed bearings so service is cheaper so isn't a whole lot more. Parts are extra so if you'e including seals, oil, cables etc etc then not bad. Overall do your figures and put a business plan together and make sure it's worth doing over and above a regular 9 to 5. |
![]() |
|
| Rob13380 | Nov 5 2012, 02:22 PM Post #8 |
|
Slightly Splattered
|
Whoa!! On top of normal 9-5 and this is cos I love messing around with bikes I don't wanna be rich doing it!! Thanks though! |
![]() |
|
| darth vader | Nov 5 2012, 03:06 PM Post #9 |
![]()
Mudking
|
Have you thought about renting workshopspace from an LBS like a hairdresser rents a chair. It could work well for both parties you get a decent work shop area acess to parts via shop . they get additional customers |
![]() |
|
| Chadders | Nov 5 2012, 03:09 PM Post #10 |
|
Mud Connoisseur
|
Have you also perhaps thought about asking a LBS if they need a hand on a Saturday? Even if you work for parts and tea. |
![]() |
|
| evocycles | Nov 6 2012, 09:25 AM Post #11 |
|
Couple of Spots
|
If iut's on top of your nomral 9 to 5 just remember to tell taxman, I know a few people who have been majorly stung! A few bike shops have ended up renting out their workshop to a self employed mechanic on a rent + commisssion basis. I've thought about a seperate startup doing mechanics as a stand alone to avoid VAT etc and try to make it pay better but when the work is so seasonal it only works if you have other work to do November to February. |
![]() |
|
| Chadders | Nov 6 2012, 12:24 PM Post #12 |
|
Mud Connoisseur
|
evo, You could do what a lot of other bike shops do and learn to edge and service skis and snowboards. It tends to fill the winter gap andas a snowboarder I can tell you there is definitely a lack of good snow mechanics around sussex. |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · Muddyarse · Next Topic » |







