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new job - intimdation

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-dustin

-dustin

boring
Jun 10, 2002
7,155
1
austin
so, since i moved, i've started working at a new shop. my last shop was pretty laid back, and everyone was sort of local. no one was big on any sort of national level, and i don't think anyone had been in the biz for more than 10yrs. basically, no one had a resume that made my jaw drop, but they were all super cool.

this new shop, though...god damn. during my interview, i got to meet one of the higher-ups. i was asked where i saw myself in 5yrs. i told them that if i wasn't at this particular shop, i hope i would be wrenching for a team somewhere. little did i know, one of the guys sitting across from me is the former head mechanic for USA Cycling. like, the top dog mechanic that determines whether you cat up or not.

there's one mechanic that's been wrenching longer than i've been alive. one of the sales girls races for Velo Bella.

when i came up here, i was pretty confident...thought i knew my ****. god damn. talk about a reality check. unfortunately, they don't seem like the kind of people that would enjoy a beer after work.
 
Zman

Zman

Oink!
Oct 3, 2001
672
1
lurking like no one else, in Seattle, WA
here is a tip for you. cause i went through the same thing when i went to my last shop. show them you respect their knowledge. ask them when you have a question and listen to what they have to say. and chances are they woudl be stoked for a beer, but most likely you will have to prove yourself. do the stupid crap they ask, show them respect and things will go great. i have known some ex olympic mechanics, as well as going to the uscf class, and making friends with a lot of the instructors....and the key was showing respect that they know more than you, and likely have forgotten more than you know, but because of that they were super cool with me and have helped me out with getting connections in the industry because of that. they will be a great resource, so use them.
 
biggins

biggins

Rump Junkie
May 18, 2003
7,173
9
jesus man its just a job...you are treatin it like its your first day in the prison yard or something.....
 
biggins

biggins

Rump Junkie
May 18, 2003
7,173
9
hell it would be easier to just beat up the biggest guy in the shop and establish alpha male dominance....
 
Brian HCM#1

Brian HCM#1

Don’t feed the troll
Sep 7, 2001
32,230
382
Bay Area, California
the Inbred said:
so, since i moved, i've started working at a new shop. my last shop was pretty laid back, and everyone was sort of local. no one was big on any sort of national level, and i don't think anyone had been in the biz for more than 10yrs. basically, no one had a resume that made my jaw drop, but they were all super cool.

this new shop, though...god damn. during my interview, i got to meet one of the higher-ups. i was asked where i saw myself in 5yrs. i told them that if i wasn't at this particular shop, i hope i would be wrenching for a team somewhere. little did i know, one of the guys sitting across from me is the former head mechanic for USA Cycling. like, the top dog mechanic that determines whether you cat up or not.

there's one mechanic that's been wrenching longer than i've been alive. one of the sales girls races for Velo Bella.

when i came up here, i was pretty confident...thought i knew my ****. god damn. talk about a reality check. unfortunately, they don't seem like the kind of people that would enjoy a beer after work.
Click to expand...
WOW!!! I had no idea Walmart was so tough in there interview:bonk: :biggrin:
 
-dustin

-dustin

boring
Jun 10, 2002
7,155
1
austin
they aren't mean. quite nice, actually. and i can't burn it down. i plan on owning it in the future.

maybe i'll burn it down when i own it.
 
sanjuro

sanjuro

Tube Smuggler
Sep 13, 2004
17,373
0
SF
the Inbred said:
so, since i moved, i've started working at a new shop. my last shop was pretty laid back, and everyone was sort of local. no one was big on any sort of national level, and i don't think anyone had been in the biz for more than 10yrs. basically, no one had a resume that made my jaw drop, but they were all super cool.

this new shop, though...god damn. during my interview, i got to meet one of the higher-ups. i was asked where i saw myself in 5yrs. i told them that if i wasn't at this particular shop, i hope i would be wrenching for a team somewhere. little did i know, one of the guys sitting across from me is the former head mechanic for USA Cycling. like, the top dog mechanic that determines whether you cat up or not.

there's one mechanic that's been wrenching longer than i've been alive. one of the sales girls races for Velo Bella.

when i came up here, i was pretty confident...thought i knew my ****. god damn. talk about a reality check. unfortunately, they don't seem like the kind of people that would enjoy a beer after work.
Click to expand...
I believe your service manager is the guy who taught my uscf mechanic's class. He is pretty cool, not someone who you can front with.

I think being upfront with your weaknesses and mistakes is better than BSing. You will learn more and gain more respect.
 
-dustin

-dustin

boring
Jun 10, 2002
7,155
1
austin
sanjuro, his name is Sean Thomson. sound familiar? and he's not the service manager, actually, he's the buyer. and he rides a god damn badass Suzuki. we don't have a service manager...he was fired not too long ago.

it's odd, though...these people being here in a metropolitan area not really known for its riding. at least, i didn't think it was.
 
Transcend

Transcend

My Nuts Are Flat
Apr 18, 2002
18,040
3
Towing the party line.
They still only spin wrenches on bikes, not exactly impressive. Sure good wheel builders are hard to find, but it isn't anything to be intimidated by.

Stik's a good friend of mine, one of the best cycling has ever seen, and his photo skills (and daddy skills) impress me 10x more than his bike maintenance skills.
 
Zman

Zman

Oink!
Oct 3, 2001
672
1
lurking like no one else, in Seattle, WA
Transcend said:
They still only spin wrenches on bikes, not exactly impressive. Sure good wheel builders are hard to find, but it isn't anything to be intimidated by.

Stik's a good friend of mine, one of the best cycling has ever seen, and his photo skills (and daddy skills) impress me 10x more than his bike maintenance skills.
Click to expand...
well there is always the joke, you can tell how good a mechanic is by how poorly his own bike runs.....
 
Transcend

Transcend

My Nuts Are Flat
Apr 18, 2002
18,040
3
Towing the party line.
Zman said:
well there is always the joke, you can tell how good a mechanic is by how poorly his own bike runs.....
Click to expand...
That's very true. You shoulda seen the old POS he was riding at Whistler this year. Clapped out hand me down GT from peaty. 2000 era broken boxxer and all!

edfit: His wife's socom was money though.
 
Zman

Zman

Oink!
Oct 3, 2001
672
1
lurking like no one else, in Seattle, WA
Transcend said:
That's very true. You shoulda seen the old POS he was riding at Whistler this year. Clapped out hand me down GT from peaty. 2000 era broken boxxer and all!

edfit: His wife's socom was money though.
Click to expand...
hahahaha awesome....yeah his bike clapped and done hers perfect...

I think it comes from the fact that mechanic first off doesnt want to deal with theirs at the end of the day...and second they know what is going on and how bad it is for a bike....but still funny how bad the bieks can be...you wonder how they are even rideable.

by the way what happened to stikman on here....just get sick of the idiots spouting and not listening?
 
Zman

Zman

Oink!
Oct 3, 2001
672
1
lurking like no one else, in Seattle, WA
Transcend said:
Exactly right. That and he has a little terror running around who is now able to open doors on her own.
Click to expand...
oi fully understand the trouble that can cause (don't have my own but.....) kinda miss his opinion on here...whilst i didnt always agree had to respect him considering his years of experience at the actual races. and years ago gave me the best tip for becoming a team mechanic....it isn't what you know but who you know...so incredibly true
 
-dustin

-dustin

boring
Jun 10, 2002
7,155
1
austin
maybe intimidation was the wrong word? i don't know. i'm just super impressed with these guys, and hope i can get to their level at some point. it's like an apprenticeship. yeah, it's only spinning a wrench, but it's spinning a wrench at World Championships and World Cups, as opposed to wiping rust off of 20yr old Trek Antelopes.
 
Zman

Zman

Oink!
Oct 3, 2001
672
1
lurking like no one else, in Seattle, WA
Transcend said:
Welcome to the bike industry, ha.
Click to expand...
oh yeah....hence my trip to vegas this week....worked once now lets hope for a second go around...

I have found over the past two years out there.....the other key is just be nice to everyone, never know when you will have to go over and ask for a huge favor when short on time, funny how many came to me with issues on stuff last minute demanding it be done and all of a sudden i didnt have time...yet for the next one sho had been cool all year it got done with time to spare...
 
Zman

Zman

Oink!
Oct 3, 2001
672
1
lurking like no one else, in Seattle, WA
the Inbred said:
maybe intimidation was the wrong word? i don't know. i'm just super impressed with these guys, and hope i can get to their level at some point. it's like an apprenticeship. yeah, it's only spinning a wrench, but it's spinning a wrench at World Championships and World Cups, as opposed to wiping rust off of 20yr old Trek Antelopes.
Click to expand...
and as both Transcend and I have said, use them for their knowledge, but don;t get cocky...they will shut you down in a second. hell i learned a bunch from an old tour mechanic from the 60s...don;t dare give him a hydaulic brake or suspension, but at the same time he taught me tons. whether a road mechanic or a mtn mechanic you can always learn....hell go to them and tell them you heard that the most important toolsin your toolbox are brushes and sponges and see their reaction....
 
-dustin

-dustin

boring
Jun 10, 2002
7,155
1
austin
cocky? no way. far from that. i'm excited to be there, and look forward learning all they have to shove my way.
 
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