Starting a Mobile Bicycle Business Part 2: Choosing your Customers

[@actonblue2012]

I have only just discovered your channel and it is one of the best bike mechanic's channel on KZbin. Here's to many many more subscribers. BTW that Monty Python was filmed at the end of my street here in London back in the day.

[@NeutralSupportNews]

That's super rad, I could replace all of the clips with MP if these videos were just for me 😁 Glad you're enjoying the channel!

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

Great series! As a small bike shop in a small town we do a lot of mobile work to expand our reach. Lots of great information here we can use. Thanks for doing this!

[@balloffires]

I'm really enjoying this series! Looking forward to the next one!

[@doughdough7082]

Bad Azz!!! The way your Business oriented is f****** cool! 😎

[@jgm9927]

I'm not starting a mobile business, but I have to add; this is very informative and well done.

[@NeutralSupportNews]

Thanks!

[@rpiereck74]

I'm really enjoying this whole playlist, good stuff !!

[@Reedys_Digest]

Your videos are excellent. Subbed!

[@markhouck5258]

THANK YOU! Looking Forward To Your Next Video...

[@JimmyB643]

Just discovered you channel! Awesome content! -subbed!

[@greenmachine55]

Love your videos and great tips and advice. I'm definitely subscribing to your channel. I'm still working on getting my bike shop from hobby to a business. I'm doing a mobile business myself but not just fixing bikes I'm planning on small engine repairs as well and finding projects that I can fix and sell on the side

[@NeutralSupportNews]

Congratulations on working toward that next step! Sounds awesome 🤙

[@Cyclalex]

Great tips. Thank you. :-)

[@ExplorinDoranRBrown]

I am looking or grow my mobile bike repair business. I’m talking to Beeline Connect right now, are there other companies like them? That connect direct to consumer brands? Or just bike brands?

[@NeutralSupportNews]

I do not know of any "middle man" services like Beeline other than them that are worth it. I had great luck with their assembly Services - very profitable. Services like Velotooler claim to hook you up with contracted work but the negotiated labor rates are horribly low and typically not worth it. I did work with a local company that contracted mechanic work to company team building events. Finding some of these smaller companies is harder but definitely worth it if it becomes recurring work.

[@josephsandschulte9682]

Great series so far. My only critique for episode 2 is servicing corp accounts. With almost everyone working from home, many campuses are dead or they have a bare minimum of folks on-site. There's only one way around that and it's a money loser. Make a deal to travel to employee's homes but then we're back to a minimum service charge.

[@NeutralSupportNews]

Thanks! Everything is regional and specific - we've picked up NEW on-site accounts during the pandemic/work from home wave, but that is likely related to where we are located in the country and the particular demands of our area. Many businesses are back to work here, but worth considering your unique service area and what makes sense for you!

[@ravet3254]

What the heck , you have a lathe and a milling machine. The milling machine looks like a Bridgeport - industrial model anyways. Why do need that in a bike shop ? Do you make bike frames?

[@NeutralSupportNews]

Not saying having them isn't a huge advantage for a bike shop given the fabrication aspect BUT this was my framebuilding shop at home. In the process of setting up a new one, miss having it all worked out!

[@robjustme1173]

Thank you for these videos. You may mention it in another video but how did you determine if the area you live in was viable for setting up this business?

[@NeutralSupportNews]

No problem! In middle/high population density areas, an easy indicator is local shop service turnaround (if there's even a local shop). If there's mid/high population density and no shop, that's a pro for you. If there's low population density, you start looking at what services you want to offer at what prices, look at the average household income, maybe put out feelers on local community pages. Meet with your local chamber of commerce. There are no sure things in life, but if you pay attention and spend time studying your area - you can get it pretty dang close.

[@ryanallison6774]

My new favorite word “custies”

[@401SNelson]

I believe your clock has stopped. 😢

[@WhatIsTheWheel]

"I am going to get payed for this" "But you fix bikes?" I recommend spin bikes at gyms for contract work too, all in one spot, all exactly the same parts and problems to solve.

[@NeutralSupportNews]

Crossfit Gyms use specifically low-tech chain driven stationary fan bikes that are both easy to work on and in constant need of maintenance. If it's something you want to do, easy to get contracts for sure!

[@phillstrader5305]

Sounds sweaty 🤢

[@WhatIsTheWheel]

@@phillstrader5305 They can be pretty gross. Still not as bad as a Tri bike, usually there is no powerbar glued to the top tube or dried blood from the last crash