In the latest episode we do not talk about the dearth of youthful owners and workers in bicycle retail, but this was a topic suggested to me by a listener and friend of mine.
I ran the idea by my friend Ari Andonopoulos who is a bicycle mechanic in a Chicago area suburb. He felt this was a topic worthy of discussion, so we are going to bring Ari in on our next recording to chat about this topic.
From my viewpoint. I have seen many older owners retire, sell their shops, and in some cases they close up, never to return. In others, a person buys the business. However; there seems to be a lack of young folks being trained up as mechanics by these outgoing folks. This is somewhat concerning as there is a wealth of knowledge which is going to disappear in the coming decade and it won't be passed on to younger mechanics.
My question to you dear readers is this: Do you see this as being an issue where you reside? Are there examples you can point to where young owners and mechanics are taking over and thriving? I'd be very interested in any thoughts any of you might like to share on this subject.
Maybe we won't need to have mechanics with "old school knowledge" if the 'device-a-fication' of bicycles gets to a point where bicycles become expendable objects when they fail. I mean, we already kind of do this on the low end bicycles which are so poorly made with such awful materials they are not worth fixing.
But there probably will be things which are decades old still getting ridden for decades to come, as long as the parts are available. So, who will know all the little tricks and bits of arcane knowledge which can extend the life cycle of those old bicycles w=once the oldies are gone and the youth haven't been around to learn those things? Maybe make them memorize Sutherland's manuals and read a chapter of St. Sheldon's gospel of bicycles every week?
Those are my quick thoughts on the matter. Stay tuned for the podcast.....
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