Careers in the bike industry....

[Wes]

Hey,

Just out of curiosity, what in your opinion is the best career in the bike industry?

I know being a mechanic can get old after a few years, or less. Owning a shop could be cool, but there isn't much money in it (not that that's my focus), and a lot of work. What strikes me as an ideal job, would be a journalist for a bike mag, like "Bike", "Mountain Bike Action", etc.

What do you think? Discuss.

[DaveM]

Start an online E-magazine. They get all the best swag, test bikes, groupies, and generally live like rockstars!

[coverider]

creating a bike manufacturing/bike and parts compagnies would probably be best.
i know the guy who owns that small compagny called "asama", and hes damn loaded.

[Moocowsia]

Designing and testing stuff you just made would be pretty rewarding I imagine.

[mccall]

I'm thinking like Film Camera person. Get to go out into the woods with awsome people, and films some sweet riding. Then ride the rest of the das away. I don't care about money, the job itself would be the reward :D

[r3volution]

I would love to work in the biking industry but it isnt something I would really want to do. Too much biking related stuff would get boring after a while IMO. I like to be doing new things and figuring new things out working on a bike or making a bike just doesnt interest me.

[ReCkLeSs RiDeR]

I think it would be kind of cool to be a Rep.

[Scarface]

work for a company, as a rep or manage one of their departments ie. Marketing which is a huge one.

[Battlecat]

i had and asama bike:P

it was a green kids bike. we called it the Osama. My friend drop a 7 foot stump drop on it:thepimp:

[Broken Fusion!]

Originally posted by ReCkLeSs RiDeR
I think it would be kind of cool to be a Rep.
definitely.
For a ski/board company would be even cooler IMO

[Keefer]

Originally posted by Count Blah
I would love to work in the biking industry but it isnt something I would really want to do.

...?

I'd love to be a pro rider! YA!

[Chump]

I would love to ride for a company and represent a certain product and have the backing knowing you can ride without worries of cash, traveling etc.

Steve

[IFO]

if theres one thing i've learned over the years its not to mix your hobby with your daily job...

HAVING to work at something every single day to pay your bills will quickly steal teh fun from it, no matter how much u initialy enjoy the hobby/pasttime...

if on the other hnad u find a way to get into the bike industry fulltime (enuf to pay teh real bills) and can find a way to still enjoy riding and all aspects of MTBing, then your a very lucky person indeed...

[r3volution]

Originally posted by Keefer
...?

I'd love to be a pro rider! YA!

There isnt as much money in it as other places. I wouldnt mind getting paid to ride Whistler every day in the summer but that wont happen;).

[derwood]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by IFO
[B]if theres one thing i've learned over the years its not to mix your hobby with your daily job...

Happened to me with skiing....

Just be a consumer,leave the play out of your work and enjoy your riding for what it is.About 2% of the bike industry is cool stuff,the rest is the same BS as any other job.

[couch@nsmb.com]

Originally posted by IFO
if theres one thing i've learned over the years its not to mix your hobby with your daily job...



BINGO! Worked in the ski industry because that is what I loved to do but after a couple of years I hated the sport. It took along time to get back into after I moved into a different career.

[Wes]

Does anyone here work full time in the bike industry?


If so, how do you like it? Do you find you don't have the same passion for riding? Or is it just plain awesome?!

[cheryl@nsmb.com]

I am full time and then some........wish i actually rode a bike now.

[Mr Ripper]

I would tell you my "plan" but i think i will keep it in my back pocket for now ;)

[dilldo]

be a photog naturally :P

[inshane]

Look at Peter Stay Smith who works for norco as an example!
Thats one dedicated guy that loves the sport of mountain biking more than anyone I know!

[corey@nsmb.com]

It would be a fun occupation, but as a general rule (and yeah there are a few exceptions) the bike industry doesn't pay what other industries pay for similar positions.

We all see the bike industry as large and booming...but when you compare it to something like the ski industry it doesn't measure up...yet.

The bottom line is that it is more than a career change, it is going to be a bit of a lifestyle change too...good money is hard to come by in the industry, salary's are below average.

[Mr Ripper]

Originally posted by corey@nsmb.com
...The bottom line is that it is more than a career change, it is going to be a bit of a lifestyle change too...good money is hard to come by in the industry, salary's are below average.

Yah but isn't job satisfaction more important than pay, at least for the most part. I mean I am working on my electrical ticket and the pay isn't too bad, but I would rather earn less to do something I REALLY LOVE

[Smoke]

Do something you love and never work a day in your life.

[stu stu stu]

step one)buy bmx
step two)start doing tricks considered really easy in bmx
step three) buy a street mtb
step four) do the tricks that were mentioned before
step five) get sponsered and ppl will think you are a hero for doing such RAD tricks ie preston blackie.

[LivingLegacy]

i would love to work at whistler building jumps year round. terrible pay but i would love doing it.

[Mr Ripper]

Originally posted by Smoke
Do something you love and never work a day in your life.


We will see if everything goes as planned...

[leverfingers]

The bike industry is a good life. The key is to have variety. I have wrenched and manufactured for others. Now I have my own facility. When I worked for other people it was important to change it up, or I would feel the burnout coming. Soon you know lot's of people all over, because they move around so much. But if biking is at your core, then you can stay in for a long time - 15 years in the industry and counting. I ride ALL THE TIME. RIDE. It's also important to keep in mind that other people are not like you and you can't take it personal, or look down on them. Otherwise the customer will drive you mad!!!

[Wes]

Originally posted by Mr Ripper
We will see if everything goes as planned...

Come on.... we all know you want to tell us the plan... Go ahead and tell us, we won't steal it :P

[Tonestar]

Originally posted by corey@nsmb.com
It would be a fun occupation, but as a general rule (and yeah there are a few exceptions) the bike industry doesn't pay what other industries pay for similar positions.

We all see the bike industry as large and booming...but when you compare it to something like the ski industry it doesn't measure up...yet.

The bottom line is that it is more than a career change, it is going to be a bit of a lifestyle change too...good money is hard to come by in the industry, salary's are below average.

The bike industry doesn't compare to the ski industry???

I've worked both, and still do work both. There are way more bike shops in BC than ski/snowboard shops. Both pay about the same, which is not much. A good wrench probably makes the best money out of all the retail jobs in the 2, plus it is less likely to be seasonal.

As far as being a rep goes, the lines you can make good money from are few and far between, if you get one of those lines (ie. Specialized, Rossignol, Burton) you are working so hard that you have no time to play. It's almost better to have a bunch of smaller lines, then you are more flexible to go out and play, but making way less money. Working as a rep is a lifestyle choice.

Owning a shop, well that's a tough one. Unless you're already wealthy, I would not recomend trying this, it is more work than you would ever imagine.

Pro rider, good luck! Photographer, good luck!

As many have said before, if you love riding, skiing or boarding, stay away from the industry, work your 9 to 5er and go rip it up on the weekends, you will appriciate it even more.

That being said, I can't think of anything else I would like to do, so here I am, still plugging away in the sporting goods industry. The perks are OK, the pay is OK, I will never make a fortune, but at least I like the people I work with and the job isn't terrible, but it's still just a job.

[corey@nsmb.com]

Originally posted by Tonestar
The bike industry doesn't compare to the ski industry???

I've worked both, and still do work both. There are way more bike shops in BC than ski/snowboard shops. Both pay about the same, which is not much.


Sure...but what level are you in them at? (no offense intended at all).

When you climb the ladder, the salaries get farther and farther apart b/w the two industries.

Sales/Service is going to be around the same...but up-stream is where the differences are.

[Team2K]

"Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart give yourself to it." Buddha

[Tonestar]

No offence taken.

I'm just saying in the realm if jobs that are realistic for anyone to get, there is not that much money to be made in either. Sure CEO's make more money in the ski/snowboard industry because the corporations are much larger and more diverse. For example take Atomic, they are owned by the Amer Group, who also owns Wilson Golf/Tennis/Baseball/Etc. Then there is Salomon who is owned by Adidas, who also owns Taylor Made Golf and Maxfli Golf and Bonfire Clothing. K2 is now one of the top 2 largest sporting goods manufacturer in the world, but it owns fishing, diving, cycling and many other sporting brands. It is only a matter of time before one of these corporate giants buys up a major bike brand. Anyways, I'm off the point, the ski industry has more money for the upper management, because the are owned by heartless and soulless giants, but us mid to low level employees make the same from both industries.

[Tonestar]

Originally posted by TeamK2
"Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart give yourself to it." Buddha

That is a great philosophy, if you are a Buddhist Monk.
:D

[corey@nsmb.com]

Originally posted by Tonestar
No offence taken.

I'm just saying in the realm if jobs that are realistic for anyone to get, there is not that much money to be made in either.


the ski industry has more money for the upper management, because the are owned by heartless and soulless giants, but us mid to low level employees make the same from both industries.


What do you consider as "anyone" though? A person with post secondary or a grade 12 graduate? If you compare average salaries for each you will see a difference, most notably in the larger, more diverse ski/board industry.

You are equating financial success with "being owned by heartless and soulless giants". Sounds fairly dramatic, buy I would argue it's pretty innacurrate. Smart business professionals and passionate, enthusiastic hard working employees have driven these companies to success and expansion and created jobs in the process. The only blockade to anyone from getting to that level is how much drive you have to get there. It isn't inaccessable, and the people who are there don't devote their time and passion to do it because they are "heartless and soulless".

Are we talking business or soap-opera? :lol:

[sAFETY]

I'm saving up to buy a mountain and open a bike park. Yeah, "Bike-park Owner" sounds like a cool job.

Anyone got any spare chairlifts kicking around?

[pete@nsmb.com]

Many bike companies are owned by huge corporations, too. And I would hazard an educated guess that the pay in those two industries is not different at all. Pay these days is determined less by industry, and more by relative responsibility - for people as well as budgets. If you manage 3 people and are resp. for 2 million in the bike industry, chances are you're making similar cake to your bro in the ski biz.

As far as working in the business you play - it depends on the person. Some people literally stop riding when they've been in the bike industry for a while, and that's really sad. Others relish the chance to see how the industry works from the inside, ride and rub elbows with the people driving things forward, and have a chance to make an impact themselves. Ultimately only you can decide, but if you get a shot at something, go for it, or else you'll probably regret it later. You can always learn your lesson and then move on to something else. At the end of the day, I have a hell of a lot more fun going to bike trade shows to work than other trade shows, dinners with bike industry people, and meetings that take place in the saddle...in the middle of the day.

[Nelson]

Marketing and Engineering Are probablty the best Industry Jobs.

The Guys that do the materials engineering, and aerodynamic stuff for road bikes make good money. The marketing folk make good money aswell. Im pretty sure the Directors or Marketing for specialized, manitou and Shimano all make 6 figure salaries.

[brian]

as someone who works in marketing for one of the heartless and soulless ski giants. i've never ridden my bike more:) That said I also know I couldn't make the same coin in the bike industry. At least not in Canada.

[Tonestar]

I'm out of this discussion, I gave my opinion as somebody who has done many jobs in the industry, that is what it is, my opinion and experience.

As for my rant about "Heartless and Soulless" corporations, that comes from personal experience also. There are some excecutives that could give a shite about what they are selling and who they are screwing, they just care about the bottom line. That happens in all businesses, I just long for the days when it was different.

Tonestar is out.

[GravityBolivia]

well I work as a mountain bike guide here in Bolivia, and I have to say it rocks!!

Sure, the day to day guiding, I am taking tourist punters down a dirt road, which even if it is called The Worlds Most Dangerous Road", it is not that exciting for me...even if it is for them!! But, I have had a real job, with real money and I was not happy...and riding my bike makes me happy!! Hell I would much rather earn my money out on my bike!!

The perks of the job are, I get paid to ride real rides when we get real riders coming through. I only work 3 or4 days a week, and the other days are free to get out and ride all the wicked trails here and we are always out riding the trails, practicing for races, finding new courses and trails etc....

loving it!!

[pete@nsmb.com]

Originally posted by brian
as someone who works in marketing for one of the heartless and soulless ski giants. i've never ridden my bike more:) That said I also know I couldn't make the same coin in the bike industry. At least not in Canada.

:lol: Leave Canada out of this :lol:

Seriously, that is a good point, though. Canada is bad in lots of other industries, too, it's not just the bike industry. But perhaps the folks in the ski biz are making better cake than I thought...hmmm...

[Bryce]

Originally posted by Airborne Ranger
The marketing folk make good money aswell. Im pretty sure the Directors or Marketing for specialized, manitou and Shimano all make 6 figure salaries.

Definitely 6 figures for all those guys. Marketing is pretty soild, and you can always parlay that into another industry. All the other bike industry jobs pay peanuts

you should start a bike park construction consulting business. you could have ongoing contracts with places like Whistler and you could build tracks for events. I think there's already a company that does that called Terra something. yeah, you'd be poor.

[cookedbananas]

Originally posted by sAFETY
I'm saving up to buy a mountain and open a bike park. Yeah, "Bike-park Owner" sounds like a cool job.

Anyone got any spare chairlifts kicking around? i keep mine in my back pocket, rather handy thing it is! :D

[Bukkake]

I work full time as a mechanic and I don't love it but I don't hate it either. It pays enough to pay my bills but I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination and I am close to reaching the highest wage a mechanic can make. (it's not a lot)

It's just a job, plain and simple. I don't get excited about any aspect of it anymore. I don't get impressed by any bike anymore I just go in in the morning do my work and spend the whole time waiting to get off so I can go ride my BMX. The only thing that makes me smile is working on vintage european road bikes that are twenty years old but have barely been ridden. It's cool to see a bike that old that still has it's original shine under a layer of garage dust.

It doesn't kill my passion for the sport at all but if I could find a job that would pay me the same to not get my hands dirty I would drop wrenching in a second. The thing I dislike the most is that we wrenchies are always the first to discover the mistakes made in the manufacturing process and trust me there are a lot of them. We spend a lot of time covering up the mistakes made by the engineers and marketers so that these miscalculations don't make it out the door in the form of a sold bike and we don't ever see much thanks for it. We have had whole runs of full suspensions show up with the wrong sized reducers, hydraulic brakes direct from Hayes that were assembled wrong. I've seen tires come spec'd with bikes that don't have the clearance to allow them, I'm talking about real stupid shit here folks.

There is a saying amongst mechanics : If a mechanic makes a mistake he can save his ass by working a bit harder. If anyone else in the industry makes a mistake the mechanic will save his ass by working a bit harder.
As if that wasn't enough generally all the free shwag dropped off by reps end up in the hands of the salespeople and the mechanics get largely ignored generally because we are too busy to bullshit with them for the time it takes to get offered something.

It's not all bad tho. I work with great people I have lots of fun at work and it's always challenging and unpredictable.

[cam@nsmb.com]

I have to say I'm having a blast doing what I'm doing. Pete's right - if you have to have meetings and go to tradeshows and sell stuff it's a lot more fun to do it with people who enjoy the same stuff you enjoy.

I'm working this weekend. Friday is day one of the Marzocchi press camp, Saturday is AIRprentice, Sunday back to Marzocchi. Most weekends I'll be working from here on in without much time off during the week.

The good news is I love every minute of it!

I worked retail in the bike biz back in the 80s and that took a toll on my love of the ride but nsmb just stokes the fires for me.