Ladies and Bike Shops

So ladies, I've recently been trying to find myself some work as a mechanic which has led to me spending an awful lot of time trawling around bike shops and having some rather interesting experiences.

As someone with a feminist background and some awesome male friends, I often forget what 'real' people are like and the attitudes they have. I've had some pretty shitty experiences with bike shops in the past treating me like a complete imbecile, but I thought this time armed with my City and Guilds and a lot more knowledge they might treat me a little better.

Mostly, I've been met with disbelief, being asked if I can lift up bikes or if I really really can do the stuff I say I can. My personal favourite being 'you should wear jeans and t-shirts, we don't want you getting your dress dirty(!)'

But there have been some shops that have been great, and taken me at face value and believed I can do the things I say I can and taken me on for trial days and offered me some odd work.

So what experiences have you ladies had in bike shops? Why do you think the men that work in them are often so hostile? And maybe we could start a list of awesome lady friendly bike shops?

I think you should name and shame!

I think you should name and shame!

a bit part of me really wants to, I don't want to let them get away with behaviour like that...but part of me is worried about the ramifications...they are a very 'cool' bike shop.

I'm a bit tempted on a name and shame too, but on the other hand maybe you just met the wrong person? (it's a nice thought at least)

Did you speak to lock 7? I had a headset installed there and the woman taking my moneys was def a mechanic, half her arms were black from oil / grease

Awesomely lady-friendly bike shops? They exist? Where?

Enid, female mechs are desperately needed in shops for us wimmin who are complete newbies/nervous about approaching said shops for advice/information etc. In the 4 shops close to where I live, I can only think of one that has a woman staff member. She's front of house, not a mech though.

I've not had any hostile experiences and I have to say my very local lbs has been good to me since I banged my way into their shop 5 years ago.

I'm a bit tempted on a name and shame too, but on the other hand maybe you just met the wrong person? (it's a nice thought at least)

Did you speak to lock 7? I had a headset installed there and the woman taking my moneys was def a mechanic, half her arms were black from oil / grease

Hmm, maybe, although I kind of felt his remarks summed up a lot of people's attitudes. It will be interesting to see if any other women have had similar experiences, as customers or potential employees.

Yeah I went to Lock 7 and they were great! It's run by two lovely ladies and they reckon they can take me on for some part time work :)

There's a bike shop at Hackney Farm. What about trying there Enid? Can't remember the name, but I think it's run by at least one woman.

Awesomely lady-friendly bike shops? They exist? Where?

Enid, female mechs are desperately needed in shops for us wimmin who are complete newbies/nervous about approaching said shops for advice/information etc. In the 4 shops close to where I live, I can only think of one that has a woman staff member. She's front of house, not a mech though.

I've not had any hostile experiences and I have to say my very local lbs has been good to me since I banged my way into their shop 5 years ago.

Ha, yeah I wish there were more! I've always found Brixton Cycles to be super friendly and helpful, and they've given me a lot of confidence to expect to be treated the same elsewhere.

There definitely needs to be more female mechanics, cos really, riding a bike a woman is very different to being a man on a bike in so many different ways. But like you say they usually end up front of shop. In fact the place commented on my dress said they wanted a mechanic but said I would mainly be a shop girl. Sigh.

That's bike yard east...and next on my hit list!

I've just signed up for the cycle maintenance course at Bike Yard East - they seemed really lovely when I dropped in with the money for the course.

I have felt for a long time there is a big need for a ladies only bike shop which specialises in OTP stuff for women as well as custom made. With the right marketing they could make a fortune, especially if they specialised in helping the newbies put all the right kit together. I think far many women want to cycle but find the whole atmosphere in bike shops totally intimidating.

+1 for Bike Yard East. Run by Celia and Thérèse. I think they have other people working for them occasionally (Shona(?)), although as I haven't been ruining my bikes owing to being injured, I haven't been down there to have them fixed for a while. Definitely highly recommended. A repair business that deserves to be known more widely. Curiously, I'd recommended them somewhere else earlier today, too.

... and hopefully misogynistic bike shops will soon be an evolutionary dead end.

I have felt for a long time there is a big need for a ladies only bike shop which specialises in OTP stuff for women as well as custom made. With the right marketing they could make a fortune, especially if they specialised in helping the newbies put all the right kit together. I think far many women want to cycle but find the whole atmosphere in bike shops totally intimidating.

I totally agree, I would LOVE to open a ladies bike shop! I think it would get a lot more women cycling, especially those who don't have the interest/abilty/time to spend hours trawling the internet for information.

I find it really annoying that when a woman asks for a bike that will fit her people often respond with 'get a custom one' which I certainly can't afford. And it seems female specific bikes that aren't custom are limited to road bikes and hybrids, I would love to live in a world where for every male geometry bike they made a female version.

I totally agree, I would LOVE to open a ladies bike shop! I think it would get a lot more women cycling, especially those who don't have the interest/abilty/time to spend hours trawling the internet for information.

I find it really annoying that when a woman asks for a bike that will fit her people often respond with 'get a custom one' which I certainly can't afford. And it seems female specific bikes that aren't custom are limited to road bikes and hybrids, I would love to live in a world where for every male geometry bike they made a female version.

You open it, I will come and do the Marketing for you! All we need now is some finance...

You open it, I will come and do the Marketing for you! All we need now is some finance...

sounds like a plan...any philanthropists out there?

I've never heard any woman (part from on here) talk positively about any bike shop part from Bobbins Bicycles in Angel, so there's surely a big market for it. Bobbin's aren't women specific though is it? I've never been but from what I gather they just sell dutch bike type things, and quite stylish accessories?

But this is certainly something to learn for other bike shops, must be loads of monies just sitting out there waiting for them

If you're looking to get some experience to back up your claims of ability then it may be worth trying to get some work as a bike doctor. When I was recruited by TfL in 2005 to help out at some events they tried to get an even balance between female and male mechs. I think a lot of the women customers were very pleased to have a woman do the work and fitting for them.

I can also add that it's very useful to be able to get experience on justa bout every type of bike out there in a short space of time.

Here's an idea: rather than trying to get work in other people's shops, why not find your own clients?

Heck, a smart and capable person like you doesn't just have bike repair skills to offer - you have a compelling marketing angle - YOU'RE A COOL YOUNG WOMAN WHO FIXES BIKES. You can save women everywhere from having to deal with sexist, mouth-breathing numpties and give them a respectable, professional bike repair service.

This might all sound like a big challenge, but it's not - you can start small. Just start telling people that you repair bikes. If you don't have tools/workshop, ask around and see if you can 'rent' a space in someone else's shop. Or get creative about a workspace and start buying the tools you need. An existing repair shop might love having you about if you bring in your own clients - which they get a commission on - or you just agree to buy all parts from them.

You could build a brand, print and distribute flyers, make a website and RULE THE WORLDS!

Or keep going the way you're going. ;)

Sorry - got carried away and missed some of the previous posts suggesting similar things. If you're interested in creating a business, I would love to get involved. I know a few things about websites and web marketing so could help you get that side of it sewn up. :)

If you're looking to get some experience to back up your claims of ability then it may be worth trying to get some work as a bike doctor. When I was recruited by TfL in 2005 to help out at some events they tried to get an even balance between female and male mechs. I think a lot of the women customers were very pleased to have a woman do the work and fitting for them.

I can also add that it's very useful to be able to get experience on justa bout every type of bike out there in a short space of time.

being a bike doctor is an option, I really think having another woman fix and talk to you about your bike can only be a good thing.

Now thinking about it, I just helped a friend of my girlfriends fix her bike, and she said she'd been to countless bike shops to get her bike sorted and she was utterly fed up with either thoughtless comments or just general sighs about her coming in to get a puncture fixed

Also Leifal is on to something, be a travelling bike fixer. Get a cargo bike and start doing repairs at peoples houses or work. I think loads of people would love having their bike serviced during working hours, without them having to drop off / pick up the bike at a shop

Here's an idea: rather than trying to get work in other people's shops, why not find your own clients?

Heck, a smart and capable person like you doesn't just have bike repair skills to offer - you have a compelling marketing angle - YOU'RE A COOL YOUNG WOMAN WHO FIXES BIKES. You can save women everywhere from having to deal with sexist, mouth-breathing numpties and give them a respectable, professional bike repair service.

This might all sound like a big challenge, but it's not - you can start small. Just start telling people that you repair bikes. If you don't have tools/workshop, ask around and see if you can 'rent' a space in someone else's shop. Or get creative about a workspace and start buying the tools you need. An existing repair shop might love having you about if you bring in your own clients - which they get a commission on - or you just agree to buy all parts from them.

You could build a brand, print and distribute flyers, make a website and RULE THE WORLDS!

Or keep going the way you're going. ;)

Starting my own bike business is the ultimate dream, me and some friends have been talking about this quite seriously recently. And it's starting to look like the way to go, rather than trying to fit into other people's ideas of bike shops I'd rather create my own.

It's just the getting started! I'm planning on investing in a decent toolkit and you've actually given me some good ideas as to how and where I could start off. Time to get planning world/bike domination!

kboy is right - there are so many ways to do this, and none of them involve you waiting for other people to take a chance on you. Take a chance on yourself and get going.

Starting my own bike business is the ultimate dream, me and some friends have been talking about this quite seriously recently. And it's starting to look like the way to go, rather than trying to fit into other people's ideas of bike shops I'd rather create my own.

It's just the getting started! I'm planning on investing in a decent toolkit and you've actually given me some good ideas as to how and where I could start off. Time to get planning world/bike domination!

Man, I mean woman, that is a great idea---Londons famous Londons first Womens specific shop, go for it man, I mean woman.

Yay! Glad to hear it. You've clearly seen the flaws with existing bike repair shops, so you know exactly how to compete. If you ever want to discuss business/marketing etc I'd be happy to chat. I'm currently writing a book about freelancing and might be able to give you a few ideas. :)