Bicycle workshop as a business

[madmarc]

I'm building a business plan for a stand alone Bicycle Workshop to see if its is a economically viable business. I been repairing and rebuilding bicycles for a fair amount of time for no economic gain for mates and colleagues.

So now i'm thinking of doing this as a business for someone who is about to retire or just generally gatvol of the corporate world.

 

In summary the idea is to have a professional workshop with a proper financial investment that only caters for rebuild, repair and service.

No retail of new bikes or kit and all the other paraphernalia you would find at a normal LBS.

All brands and bike forms will be repaired, from high end to kids bikes with fairy wheels.

Any type of work will be done on any component, not just specializing in say wheels and shocks

Access to components and spares direct from the importer, without having to purchase them from a LBS. The workshop would be able to offer both the labor and the spares / component of the transaction at competitive prices.

Mechanics with OEM qualifications and approvals to carry out service and repairs. i.e. properly OEM trained mechanic/s of which might even have to be trained at the OEM overseas.

 

A lingering question is, would such a workshop be financially viable without being a retail outlet on new bikes and kit ? 

 

And

 

As a cyclist I know what i would expect from such a business if they wanted my support. What would you expect for your support.

 

And 

 

Any further input, suggestions or ideas from all and sundry on Bikehub would be appreciated.

   

[Eugene]

There is a retired Gent who has done exactly what you are proposing in PE. I have no idea as to the financial viability, but he is still going after 5 or 6 years, so something must be working.

[Shebeen]

first advice - don't ask hub for advice on a friday

second advice - think there's already guys doing this model, so clearly it works, BUT only if you're a good mechanic. seems obvious, but there's lots of dodgy wrenches who hide in your LBS

[madmarc]

first advice - don't ask hub for advice on a friday

second advice - think there's already guys doing this model, so clearly it works, BUT only if you're a good mechanic. seems obvious, but there's lots of dodgy wrenches who hide in your LBS

Hence my point of OEM trained and certified mechanics - there will be no place for a google / youtube mechanic in this plan

[Long Wheel Base]

Mr C, There is a guy that services bikes in the area. He actually does it at the clients house. He has a van with a lot of the spares needed. Obviously not everything. I know of a club member that used to use him(Christine before she moved to cape town). I don't know his details but I could ask her and whatsapp you if you want. If this is a club member you talking about I am sure you could probably get a lot of business just from the club and its all in one area so he doesn't have to travel much. Except Ozzie, he will still do his own bike

[Flemish Lion]

Will also depend on location and the facility you have available.

 

JB (Yellow Saddle) used to do this from his house and unless his wife was subsidizing... made it work supplemented with some Fork and other maintenance courses.

 

I bought his place and have a moerse garage as a result

[eddy]

I'm building a business plan for a stand alone Bicycle Workshop to see if its is a economically viable business. I been repairing and rebuilding bicycles for a fair amount of time for no economic gain for mates and colleagues.

So now i'm thinking of doing this as a business for someone who is about to retire or just generally gatvol of the corporate world.

 

In summary the idea is to have a professional workshop with a proper financial investment that only caters for rebuild, repair and service.

No retail of new bikes or kit and all the other paraphernalia you would find at a normal LBS.

All brands and bike forms will be repaired, from high end to kids bikes with fairy wheels.

Any type of work will be done on any component, not just specializing in say wheels and shocks

Access to components and spares direct from the importer, without having to purchase them from a LBS. The workshop would be able to offer both the labor and the spares / component of the transaction at competitive prices.

Mechanics with OEM qualifications and approvals to carry out service and repairs. i.e. properly OEM trained mechanic/s of which might even have to be trained at the OEM overseas.

 

A lingering question is, would such a workshop be financially viable without being a retail outlet on new bikes and kit ? 

 

And

 

As a cyclist I know what i would expect from such a business if they wanted my support. What would you expect for your support.

 

And 

 

Any further input, suggestions or ideas from all and sundry on Bikehub would be appreciated.

 

 

I have no idea if it would work, but unless the owner is also the mechanic it WON'T work.

 

This is not a business that can be employee run.

[FootballingCyclist]

first advice - don't ask hub for advice on a friday

But you just gave him the best possible advice on a Friday

[andydude]

Great idea, I think. The closest I know might be Mark's Cycles in Bellville. My go-to shop for repairs and services.

 

Althought he does sell some parts and things which kind of helps if he does a service and something is wrong with a part.

 

I can't see from my mobile where you are from, but perhaps you can give him a call to talk about the idea.

[GrahamS2]

First define financially viable...

[Hamstring]

Is Tork Zone not one of these businesses?

[DIPSLICK]

First define financially viable...

boom,,how long is a piece of string

 

R10k to some people is money, to some its a bottle of wine,,,,

 

jokes aside you would have to throw your figure of vaiable into the equation

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Me thinks a lot depends on if you working from home or renting premises. If your rent is R10k a month for example, how many bikes must your repair/service before you actually start seeing money? if you got premises then I think it is very viable as your customers grow

[Pusher]

CycloWorx in Petervale Shopping Centre is a set up as you have described.

 

http://www.cycloworx.co.za/

[Long Wheel Base]

Great idea, I think. The closest I know might be Mark's Cycles in Bellville. My go-to shop for repairs and services.

 

Althought he does sell some parts and things which kind of helps if he does a service and something is wrong with a part.

 

I can't see from my mobile where you are from, but perhaps you can give him a call to talk about the idea.

Joburg, east rand. Or in Germany for work.

[Showtime]

Would you be fitting Shimano as well