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Working in a bike shop made me realise I know nothing
I've recently got a job in a bike shop and its made me realise how little I know. I have been on and off cycling for the last 5 years, lower end mountain bikes and mid/low road bikes but I don't know things like different expensive wheels, helmets, or even which expensive bike is what. Obviously I can see the brand on the frame but knowing which specific bike it is I'd be totally lost.
Should I just quit or should I see what I can learn and go with it?
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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38 comments
Are they Halfords too?!?
Yes, since mid 2016. http://road.cc/content/news/191102-halfords-buys-tredz-and-wheelies
Only quit if either:
1. you hate it
or
2. you find something you want to do more.
Unless you're hired because of experience & expertise then no-one should expect you to know the ins and outs of the stock or how best to deal with customers.
If you've not worked in that kind of environment before then ask for the chance to learn stuff from someone who knows the ropes.
If you are working in retail, you only need to know more than your customers - that won't take long.
Maybe I'm being cynical
Sort of what this chap said...you really don't need to know much in 'the trade' other than what needs to be sold...this is retail. In the trade I've been giving tellings off for teaching customers common sense.
Shifting under load and you're snapping chains? you don't need to learn not to be a muppet what you need is an upgrade to Ultegra.
Sir you're overweight and need to lay off the pies and take up golf...No sir what you need are a pair of 50mm ENVE clinchers.
Getting dropped by your mates? here take a big box og High 5 because that will help.
The list goes on and on, enjoy the free cakes, don't ever be afraid to tell someone to clean their bike before you book it in, enjoy the trade discount abuse it, abuse the reps, steal all the cable stops and cable crimps you will ever need for the rest of your life and get out while you can
Go with it.
I know sweet fa yet happy to make things go round relatively quietly.
I ride a shimano sis 6speed 10 year old and realized last night how much I want my old racer back! They looked much the same, condition much same yet I'm scary wobbling at 60kmph compared to stable at 90kmph on quality racer!
Be nice to understand why!
Currently building a fat bottom tube frame that felt solid as with flatbars, more guess than hypothesis yet hope same with all of us.
Education worth every bit regardless whether tuition from hands on or books.
I'm thinking you are relatively young? Like fenix says, everyone has to learn. I have been riding bikes for over 50 years, doing a lot of my own maintenance and following developments over the years enthusiastically. Every day I am still seeing new bike products whether bikes, components or accessories that I was not aware of and that's not just new developments, that includes things that were around years ago too!
If it's a career you want to follow, stick at it and learn with enthusiasm. "Everyday is a schoolday" as is often said.
Well if you quit now you'll never learn.
There are not many (any?) Jobs you can walk into and know it all. Everyone has to learn.
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