Finding a good bike mechanic

You would think that finding a good bicycle mechanic would be easy. Anyone who has had a bad experience after having work done on their bike will tell you that it isn’t that easy. I have some pretty good ideas why this is so. First of all, good mechanics are hard to find. Bicycle stores typically don’t pay a mechanic a huge amount of money, so it is difficult to make a career out of being a bike mechanic. It would be quite tempting to take an inexperienced mechanic over no mechanic if you were the bike store owner. Bear in mind that there is not much money to be made in what a bike shop typically charges for repairs. It is a service they provide as a necessity.

Having said that, there are a few mechanics out there who really love what they do and are happy to make a career out of it, whether or not they get wealthy doing so. The trick is to find those mechanics and have them work on your bicycle.

For the record, prior to becoming a full-time coach, I spent several years working in the retail bike business and I worked as a professional bike mechanic.

I would suggest that you ask to meet the person who will be working on your bike before you leave your bike at a shop to be maintained or repaired. This does two things; First, you get an idea of who this person is who you will be trusting your bike with. Second, the mechanic will have a face to go with that bike they are working on. This may result in them being that much more careful to ensure you are pleased with their work. When you meet your mechanic, be kind and let them know that you love your bike and just want to make sure they take good care of your “baby”. When you find that mechanic who consistently does a great job, reward them with an occasional gift of a coffee, case of beer or whatever she/he likes.

The other advice I have is to get a better idea of how your bike works so you will know when things are adjusted correctly. There are home mechanic courses through community colleges and some bike shops. There are also a few bike repair books out there that will help you learn.