[AT] OT Bicycle program

Sat Apr 13 19:16:50 PDT 2019

I've met a few but you are probably talking about bicycles instead.  :-)
I know of Huffy bikes but not "Huffy men". Sounds like they might have been
traveling mechanics?
.
Dragging old tractors into this... I am a little surprised that no one ever
designed a bicycle crank mechanism into a starter system for an old hand
crank tractor.
There is an Amish shoe shop not far  from here that the last I knew was
still using a big old Landis out-sole stitcher that was still driven by a
set of bicycle pedals. The operator sat on the seat and pedaled it which
would be tricky because guiding the shoe / boot takes about 3 hands itself.

.

.

On Sat, Apr 13, 2019 at 8:42 PM Rena Glover Goss <rlgoss at twc.com> wrote:

> Hey farmer!  do you remember Huffy Men?
>
> Larry
> ---- Stephen Offiler <soffiler at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hi Brian:
> >
> > Rebuilding spoked wheels is not much of a DIY job; also many small
> > spring-loaded parts inside rear hub are challenging for DIY; pretty much
> > all of the bearings (hubs, pedal crank assembly, steering head) are all
> > press-fit cartridge bearings; suspension components both front and rear
> > require periodic maintenance and are pretty complex internally.  Things
> > wear out eventually but can be adjusted along the way to compensate for
> > wear, said adjustments requiring special knowledge.  Most areas of the
> > bicycle require special service tools.  Visit this link and scroll
> around a
> > bit to get an idea just how extensive this is:
> > https://www.parktool.com/category/tools
> >
> > The problem with compensation for bicycle mechanics is related to supply
> > and demand, as (I think) you pointed out yourself.  This is an adult
> > enthusiast hobby.  Maybe I should have been more clear upfront, but we
> are
> > NOT talking about department store bicycles ridden by children.
> Department
> > store bikes use simpler technologies but no one even bothers to repair
> them
> > anymore; they are basically disposable.  What we are talking about are
> > bicycles still sold largely from Mom & Pop bike shops, with price ranges
> > starting around $600-800 on the very low end up to $10,000+ on the high
> > end.  Adult cycling enthusiasts ride frequently and on a sustained basis;
> > they want light weight, responsive handling, and a customized fit; and
> they
> > will spend what they can afford since this constitutes a significant
> > fraction of their life on an ongoing basis.  The problem, again, is
> supply
> > and demand - only a fraction of all bicycle owners become this kind of
> > enthusiast.  The Mom & Pop who own the shop have money tied up in the
> brick
> > and mortar facility, inventory, accessories, etc and the profit margins
> are
> > thin so they can only afford a certain amount to compensate employees.
> > Every one of those employee is a serious enthusiast who makes the
> decision
> > to combine their vocation and their avocation and accept the relatively
> low
> > compensation in order to enjoy that lifestyle.  Hence, bike mechanics
> don't
> > make much money.
> >
> > And again, there really aren't fancy degrees.  Yes, there are a couple of
> > institutions offering certifications, but they really aren't valued.  The
> > best mechanics come up through something like an informal apprentice
> > program.
> >
> > With apologies to the list because we are WAY WAY off the antique tractor
> > topic.
> >
> > Steve O.
> >
> > On Fri, Apr 12, 2019 at 6:05 PM Brian VanDragt <bvandragt at comcast.net>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I was kidding, but even though the parts are made out of fancy
> materials,
> > > if its broke, unscrew it and replace it.  If the electronics go bad,
> unplug
> > > it and replace it.  Bicycle mechanic sounds like a hobby, not a job.
> There
> > > must not be a big need for bicycle mechanics or they would make more
> > > money.  I just don't see bicycles needing to be taken to a specialist
> with
> > > a fancy bicycle degree to get fixed.
> > >
> > > Brian
> > >
> > > On April 12, 2019 at 5:33 PM Stephen Offiler <soffiler at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > >
> > > I suppose you're kidding, Brian?
> > >
> > > For the record, today's high end mountain bikes have significantly
> greater
> > > quantity and quality of suspension travel than my 1970's vintage
> > > motorcycle, hydraulic disc brakes, tubeless tires, and derailleurs that
> > > shift electrically.  They are made of exotic materials:
> ultra-high-tensile
> > > aluminum alloys in grades you've probably never heard of; titanium; and
> > > carbon fiber.  These high-end modern bicycles are more like Ferraris
> and
> > > the bikes you refer to, when you were a kid, more like Model T's.  So,
> yes,
> > > bicycle mechanic is definitely a vocation.  Not very lucrative, as
> we've
> > > already discussed.
> > >
> > > SO
> > >
> > >
> > > On Fri, Apr 12, 2019 at 2:36 PM Brian VanDragt < bvandragt at comcast.net
> >
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > I didn't know there was a such thing as a bicycle mechanic.  I had a
> few
> > > bikes when I was a kid and I didn't need any school to figure out how
> they
> > > worked or how to fix them.  To me a bicycle mechanic seems about as
> > > necessary as a wheelbarrow mechanic.  Are there any wheelbarrow
> mechanic
> > > degrees?
> > >
> > > Brian
> > >
> > > On April 12, 2019 at 1:35 PM James Peck < jamesgpeck at hotmail.com>
> wrote:
> > >
> > > So true. This link lists a couple of vocational bicycle mechanic
> programs.
> > > The problem such programs have is that everybody who pays for the
> course
> > > expects a completion certificate, regardless of the skill level they
> end up
> > > with. The link does mention that big earnings should not be expected.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> https://forums.mtbr.com/tooltime/highest-regarded-bike-mechanic-school-north-america-827055.html
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > The recently exposed college admissions cheating scandal is possible
> > > because once admitted, the overrated students will get good enough
> grades
> > > to graduate.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > [Stephen]There is no such thing as an Associate Degree in Bicycle
> > > Mechanics.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > The program in the link provided is not intended to train bicycle
> > > mechanics.  It uses the bicycle as a case study in modern
> manufacturing,
> > > encompassing welding and fabrication of a variety of materials
> (advanced
> > > high-alloy steels, aluminum, titanium) plus composite (aka "carbon
> fiber")
> > > techniques, plastic injection molding, CAD design work, etc etc.  I
> find it
> > > a very clever way of engaging the students.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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-- 
-- 

Francis Robinson
aka "farmer"
Central Indiana USA
robinson46176 at gmail.com
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