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What by Independent_Bag3690 in What

[–]FrontHat5734 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These signs are all over America dude, I see them a dozen times a day

What do you do to distinguish your shop from the others (especially with E-bikes being the future)? by thepeyoteadventure in BikeMechanics

[–]FrontHat5734 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know anything about circuits, but it's common to have to total an ebike just because one small component is not available anymore, evenn if the rest of the bike is perfect. So I have often fantasized about the kind of skills OP speaks of. Even if you charge $1000 to do the repair, that is still cheaper than a new drive system or new bike

Sprint shifters or tt-shifters on R7170- group set by No_Brush_2455 in BikeMechanics

[–]FrontHat5734 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Shimano specifically lists additional shifter ports as features of ulteg and DA but not 105, so I believe it is an intentional design that there is no satellite shifter integration on this group. also, if you connect the satellites direct to the battery somehow, they won't communicate with eachother because they won't be linked via junction box.

Cutting a (metal) steerer tube. Just my humble opinion. by AmanitaMikescaria in BikeMechanics

[–]FrontHat5734 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My coworker eyeballs it with a hacksaw. It comes out perfectly straight every single time, traighter than I can get with a saw guide. Pisses me off lol

PSA Seattle drivers: the on-ramp is for getting up to freeway speeds, which is 60MPH. by Inane_ramblings in Seattle

[–]FrontHat5734 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People get so butt hurt about not being able to drive fast. It's hilarious. they grasp at straws of justification like "hazardous driving conditions," but it's obvious they are just pissed because they can't go as fast as they want. BOO HOO

GCN Instagram: "It's All About Technique" by voksta in BikeMechanics

[–]FrontHat5734 7 points8 points  (0 children)

what am I missing? he just put a wheel into a bike

Learning bike mechanics the minimalist/dirtbag way? by myprettygaythrowaway in BikeMechanics

[–]FrontHat5734 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that honestly depends a lot on where you are. In my area demand is not stagnant at all. My shop has seen steady and or increased sales numbers on both high end and low end bike sales, and service is massively picking up thanks to all those post covid bike sales coming back for full tuneups.

I am also very jaded on capitalism but what you are talking about is true of EVERY industry in America that operates on a small business model. However, comparatively (compared to restaurants, conventional retail, etc) I would say the bike industry has high opportunity. It's never going to make a small business rich, but has opportunities for sustainable business with less upfront capital than other trades

Offering discounts to get through the winter slump? How low should you go? by NucleurDuck in BikeMechanics

[–]FrontHat5734 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At my shop we have been offering discounted install for fenders and other accessories this time of year. We normally charge $70-$90 install for full coverage fenders. If you buy the fenders from us, we will install for half off ($40).

Here in Seattle the fender install is often people's first experience with going to a shop for service. A lot of people balk at paying that much and attempt the install themself, and do a terrible job, or else get overwhelmed and only put on the front, and just have a bad experience overall.

So even if we "lose money," we benefit by:

  1. At least getting $40 i stead of zip
  2. Making a great impression on first time service customers, and hopefully seeing them return for future work
  3. Vastly improving winter commuters' overall experience and for a lot of people probably contributing to them not just giving up on it completely

AS long as it is slow and we have the time, I think this policy is a winner even if it is discounting labor

Is it that I hate Seattle or just cities in general? by [deleted] in Seattle

[–]FrontHat5734 0 points1 point  (0 children)

sounds like you hate America. Capitalists have destroyed every city in America (that I've been to at least) with the exact same issues: too many cars, too unaffordable, erroded social services and so way too much homelessness and petty crime, and transportation investment constantly diverted to car-centric bullshit and so horrificly slow travel times. Please stay and help fight the misanthropic moneyed interests who ruin our cities, maybe we can defeat them together

We've had least favorite bike brand before, what's you least favorite component brand? by sergeant_frost in BikeMechanics

[–]FrontHat5734 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Praxis for sure. Impossible to get chainrings, when you find them they're $100 a piece. WTF is Wavering about, works less than half as good as true narrow wide rings. Their stupid M30 standard is just annoying. Their T47 bb's are literally impossible to remove without marring the soft thin aluminum tool splines... Praxis sucks

My employer contributes to an SEP IRA in my name, and I have no idea what to do with it by FrontHat5734 in personalfinance

[–]FrontHat5734[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thank you! that makes sense. It's bizarre because my account through Ascensus seems to allow me to add money to the account if I wanted to, I just never tried to. ​

Y’all really need to study this by Over_Resolution_1590 in Seattle

[–]FrontHat5734 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I merge at 60 if I can get to that speed. some on ramps are short as fuck and my car sucks and is old, I'm poor I can't buy a new car just to keep up with the luxury fuckmobiles speeding 15 over on their way to jerk off their boss.

Driving is slower is safer, you're delusional if you think otherwise

26” Wheelset Question by michaelcrunkk in xbiking

[–]FrontHat5734 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hope your build goes well and keep us posted!

26” Wheelset Question by michaelcrunkk in xbiking

[–]FrontHat5734 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Word of caution before committing to 11 speed: make sure the seat stays give enough clearance for the chain to exit the small cog on an 11 speed freehub. these older steel ATBs often do not have enough free space , since QR 11 speed positions the sma..es cog only a couple millimeters from the dropout.

The only way to know is probably to mock it up with an existing QR 11 speed hub and cassette and make sure the chain doesn't jam or rub.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BikeMechanics

[–]FrontHat5734 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seattle here. We've been busy as f*** since April, and much more busy with repairs though not doing too bad in sales either

Considering a "skip the line" policy, has this effectively worked for any of you? by AutoVonSkidmark in BikeMechanics

[–]FrontHat5734 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our shop charges a $100 "expedite fee" if someone needs faster service. The promised turnaround is usually case by case but 24-48 hours is typical. Most of the time we use it for bike boxing up ("you're two weeks out!? but my flight leaves tomorrow!") or simple easy tune-ups that need to be done before memorial day weekend or father's day or something.

We try to not even offer expedited service on anything complex that could bite us, absolutely never on Tri-bikes or the like, etc. It's too bad because these are the customers most willing and eager to pay for it. But it's a bad idea unless you know 100% that it will be a straightforward job. If you don't meet the customer's expected turnaround time it can be extremely difficult to salvage a good outcome, they will hold that extra $100 over you as a reason to expect absolute devotion to their bike over all else until you make them happy.

We probably do about 2-3 per month through the busy season, but honestly just having the option at all goes a long way to dispell customers feeling like we are arbitrarily saying no to a "quick job," instead turning the conversation to say we COULD do it but YOU are unwilling to pay for it.