An Introduction of C.K. Bicycle Mechanic. Okay, where should I begin? Maybe with a little history and then I'll move onto some current and future plans. But, first, as I write this, I'm listening to the radio, and as always there's a annoying commercial about some "supposed" lowest price of something. So to start off, let me mention, that I will not be... nor will I ever be the lowest price out there. Okay, now let me get back on track, with some history. Back in 2004 I sought work in a bike shop and soon got hired, where I soon began adjusting gears, brakes, hubs and everything else under the sun. But, that didn't really matter much to me, my skill's and my ever expanding bike mechanic life. Because even before then, I was determined to learn as much as I possibly could and thus, began reading every bike repair manual I could get my hands on, and to tell you the truth, I think I learned more via books than through any other form of learning. Working in a bike shop is great for developing speed, and being able to familiarize oneself with many different things, if those "different things" actually do come into said shop for service. So, after I finished reading every bike repair manual under the sun, that I could find, I then signed up for a two week class at one of the two bike repair schools in America. That was at the Barnett Bicycle Institute, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. That was my first time in Colorado, but it wasn't going to be my last. Colorado would play a large part in forming a foundation for my future bicycle mechanic activities.
Now, fast forward a bit, to 2006 and my first experience working a bike race, it was intense. And then the year, 2007 rolled around and it was even better, as I became a USA Cycling & ACA certified race mechanic. The ACA (American Cycling Association)? Yeah, I was back in Colorado and helping out with the ACA/ ROL Wheel Neutral Race Support for the summer of 2007. When 2008 rolled around I moved back to Texas and even got busier with crit's, road races, time trials, triathlons and even two stage races. I though I couldn't get any busier, but yet, 2009 was even busier with races worked from California to South Carolina. Now, it's 2010 and it looks like I'll be taking a breather from being on the road and focusing more on local events and races, and on growing my business. And throughout 2010 I did....
So, when 2011 rolled around, it was time to take that next step, and move into a commercial space and start operating with regular hours, and start promoting the selling of essential products and services. So, I found a small space about five miles from where I lived and signed a one year lease. I'm still pretty much just a problem solver, as most of my income is coming from labor. But, in the past few days, I've started to promote the selling of more used and possible new cycling books. Hopefully, soon I'll also be adding a few road cycling art pieces to my inventory too. But, it's not easy to find stuff that fits into the shops "Road Bike Stuff" theme. A note on growing my business... When it comes to growing my business, I believe a business should fund itself, and grow one customer at a time. This of course isn't the fastest way, but I'm not big on speed. I prefer quality over quantity, and good things take a while to grow and become established. But, yet I still don't want quality, just for qualities sake. I want to grow in a socially responsible manner. You know, by using environmentally friendly products and practices, and trying to make a positive difference in the world. An example of environmentally friendly practices can be found in the products I stock, sell, and use, such as Pedro's Go! , which is a biodegradable chain lube. Pedro's also make some tire changing levers that are made from recycled materials. Another product, that I'm proud to carry is Planet Bike Handlebar Tape, because Planet Bike gives 25% of it's profit's to bicycle advocacy. Yeah, that's cool. And when it comes to being made in the USA, I decided to carry spacers from Bicycle Research, because they are made in America. And lastly, when utilizing the tools that I use most often, I mainly choose Park Tool's, because they are of the best quality.
Remember, this is just the beginning, and there will be many more interesting things to come in the future.
So, please stay tuned and thanks for you support...
Examples of being an environmentally & socially responsible venture:
C.K. Bicycle Mechanic recycles all recyclable materials. Even though business in San Antonio, don't have recycling pick-up.
C.K. Bicycle Mechanic occupies one of the smallest commercial spaces in San Antonio.
C.K. Bicycle Mechanic only sells sustainable, biodegradable chain lube.
C.K. Bicycle Mechanic only sells seat wedge bags that are made from recycled material.
C.K. Bicycle Mechanic only sells tire levers that are made from recycled material.
C.K. Bicycle Mechanic sells water bottles that are 100% biodegradable, recyclable & reusable.
C.K. Bicycle Mechanic sells handlebar tape, that donates 25% of their profits to bicycle advocacy.
C.K. Bicycle Mechanic sells a few used road cycling books and hopes to expand the amount of used books and magazines.
C.K. Bicycle Mechanic doesn't accept debit or credit cards, because the big banks follow less than stellar business practices.
C.K. Bicycle Mechanic doesn't sell CO2 air cartridges, as most of them end up on the side of the road or in the trash. Mini pumps are more environmentally friendly.
C.K. Bicycle Mechanics values peoples time, and as such won't hire anyone until the business is making enough to pay said help a living wage with full benefits.
C.K. Bicycle Mechanic doesn't select inventory based on resell profit margins.
C.K. Bicycle Mechanic has located a company that uses old/ used road bike inner tubes, and manufactures them into useful products. And as such, I'm now accepting used inner tubes, that I'll ship out to said company.
C.K. Bicycle Mechanic accepts used greasy (not rusty) bicycle chains, that will be sent out and made into useful items.
