Advice needed please, self employed in the cycle industry ?

dont forget the insurance on the work you do.

Cytec is the industry standard.

I'd be very, very wary of setting up as a mobile cycle mechanic. You need to do as much market research as you can. As you say there is loads of competition, so how much trade do you think you're going to get? What salary are you eventally wanting to achieve?

A chap I knew set up as a mobile mechanic, in an area where there was NO cycle shop at all. He spent a fortune and quit within a year because he drastically overestimated the amount of trade he would get.

Marketing your business is key. Given you don't have shop premises how are people going to get to know about you? This is where you need to spend in order to get sales.

In my opinion you need to have something like Cytech to give credability to your business. Why would someone choose you over experienced qualified mechanics in the LBS's? If it was me I'd prefer to wait to get my bike seen at an LBS rather than give it to a mechanic in a van who has no qualifications.

Getting stock is generally less of a concern. You'll struggle to get trade accounts with the big cycle suppliers but you can effectively get cheap parts from CRC and charge full RRP to customers and make some cash.

Spend as much time as you can information gathering and putting together some financial forecasts. If it still all adds up - then go for it.

As an alternative why not see if any of the LBS's will give you a job? If they are really busy they may be happy for some help. Getting a bit of experience of working in the cycle industry is worth its weight in gold and will give you a good basis to build your future plans.

Hope that helps! Good luck with whatever you decide!

One thing that I thought of doing was catering to the new commuter crowd.

Set up a little hut in my city centre, few fliers around the place offering really basic stuff, pads, flats, chains, cables etc.

Cardiff (my home town) has gone from a small band of cyclists who just used happned to ride to work to hundred and hundreds of people riding in just to save the planet/suffering public transport/parking fee/ whatever.

The state of some of the bikes you see!! New shiney folders and hybrids with only one set of brakes working, people pulling away huffing and puffing because they're stuck in one gear etc etc. There's half a dozen or so quality LBS's in Cardiff, but I doubt this lot have the first clue where they are, and are probably a bit put off by all the hardcore MTB/Roadies in there.

There's something like it in Bristol, I sat outside the station for an hour once waiting for a train watching it, seemed to be busy.

I could have done it too, but I thought I'd play it safe and spunked all my redundancy money into setting up as a self employed finance broker. I make less money than a burger flipper ATM>

If you are serious in setting up a business in the cycle trade. For all the information on starting a new business in the cycle industry
VIEW HERE > http://www.cycletech.freeforums.org/

Details on: How much work and money is there, fixing bicycles?????? Open trade accounts, buy tools and more.............................

Links to training ?http://www.cyclefix.net/links.html

That’s why I started the Network of mobile bicycle mechanics. To give free advice and point you in the right direction. The mobile bicycle business can be very profitable. People are looking for new ideas as they are not happy with the standard of service found in some bike shops. And with the busy life style, are happy with the mobile service. No more putting the bike in the car and having to return 2 - 4 weeks later. Also able to give customer care, a one to one service.
Its not easy running any business. There is lots to think about and challenges. Which you need to over come. You will need to do your accounts, pay TAX & NI. No holiday or sick pay. It’s good to keep everything in one place and be organized. Pay your accounts on time and most suppliers give discount for this. You may need to get advice from accountant. Also It’s a good idea to have a cash flow. Most business don’t make any money for the first 3 years, all the profit is put back in. But being mobile there is less overheads to a bike shop. The bicycle trade can be a roller coaster ride.
It will take time for you to become known! You need to be found. Most people now use the internet. And word of mouth is the best way.
I can help you with advice where to find work/customers all year round.