Burning Question: How Long Are Bike Shop Service Lead Times Right Now?
With the bike boom making shops more slammed than a roadie's stem, we wanted to hear straight from the source: How long would it take to get some bike work done?
We've heard rumors of shops that have been scheduling repairs so far in advance that a customer might as well build a whole new bike out of zip ties in the meantime, and other rumors of shops that seem more or less unaffected by the surge in mountain biking participation, so we reached out to a selection of bike shops with some questions.
How far out are you scheduling major bike tuneups?
How far out are you scheduling minor bike work?
Why are shops so busy right now?
How are supply chain issues affecting service delays?
Any other bike shop state of the union thoughts?
It's worth noting that although we reached out to shops worldwide, the responses below are all from shops in North America. We will update this article if we receive other responses from regions not yet featured, as we aim to accurately represent the state of the global bike shop industry.
Fanatik Bike Co - Bellingham, Washington, USA
How far out are you scheduling for major bike tune-ups?
Right now, we are about four weeks out for major, mountain-bike-specific tune-ups. Certain tune-ups might take longer if we have to order parts, such as full-bearing replacement kits.
How far out are you scheduling for minor bike work?
We always have one mechanic stationed out front to handle minor bike work. We have a large garage door where the mechanic sets up and checks in bikes throughout the day. They can replace broken parts, adjust drivetrains, install new tires, etc, as time permits. This is done on a first come first serve basis. On the weekends, we prioritize on-the-spot work, and always have at least two mechanics on hand. There is typically a steady flow of riders who are trying to get up to Galbraith or any of the other local trail networks and just need some minor adjustments.
Why are shops so busy right now?
There seem to be a multitude of factors that have made things extra hectic for us. The pandemic drove more people outside last year than we can remember in recent history. This week, Governor Inslee has urged Washingtonians to “take it outside,” in regard to gatherings and recreation, which mirrors advice experts have been expressing for the past year. Over that time, many people who haven’t been on their bikes in quite a while have rediscovered their love of riding and have found that their bikes are in disrepair. More people riding means more bikes needing service.
How are supply chain issues affecting service delays?
Supply issues haven’t affected servicing bikes for us as much as it has affected our custom-built mountain bikes. While our turnaround time on a custom build might normally be fairly short, that is largely dependent on the accessibility of parts. We have customers going with their second or third choice on parts in hopes of getting their bikes shipped sooner.
Any other bike shop state of the union thoughts?
Bike shops seem to be doing quite well for themselves currently. The challenge many of us will face will be to keep this momentum going in the years following this spike in business. At Fanatik, we have the opportunity to reach a large population of new riders. We are excited to help welcome more people into the sport, but we also have a responsibility to balance those efforts with continued appreciation towards the customers who have been with us for a long time. Despite our large web presence, we are still a local bike shop serving a vast community of cyclists.
Flagstaff Bicycle Revolution - Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
How far out are you scheduling for major bike tuneups?
This year, with the ever increasing demand, we are experimenting with some new service models. The traditional first come first serve check in model and an appointment based model. We are allowing a small number of appointments per day but they can only be scheduled after the current checkin turnaround time. First come first serve is already much busier than normal, with April averaging 7-14 day turnarounds. Some exquisite spring weather and drier than normal trails are definitely a factor. Our appointment option is already booked out into mid-May.
How far out are you scheduling for minor bike work?
If we can tackle it on the spot, then we will. If we can’t, it gets checked in or we schedule an appointment.
Why are shops so busy right now?
The Covid-19 induced bike boom brought large numbers of new cyclists into the sport and into our doors. Majority of these riders are inexperienced and need assistance on a myriad of bike topics. While we are adjusting to handle the increased demand, the positive takeaway for us is that all of these new participants appear to be stoked on the sport and are eager for another season's riding. When the big rush of bike sales started around this time last year, we were worried that this would be a flash in the pan and that all these sweet bikes would become dust collectors in your neighbor's garage. At least in our community, this doesn’t appear to be the case.
How are supply chain issues affecting service delays?
Massively. When parts are scarce, bikes take longer to fix. It also forces us to get creative and find some alternative solutions to keep your bike rolling while we wait on parts. Being good neighbors to the other shops in town has been crucial as we search for parts that they might have in stock, and we may have something that they need.
Any other bike shop state of the union thoughts?
I personally think 2021 is going to wilder than 2020 for bike shops. With bikes and parts scarcely available, and all of these new riders itching for help, service, and fresh gear, it's going to be trying times for shop employees. It’s easier to say, “be compassionate” than to do it, but I think it will be an important thing to practice for both customers and employees. We all just want to help you find your next dream bike, or to keep your current rig in prime riding condition. But it’s gonna be harder and busier than ever this year. Stay stoked and happy trails.
Missoula Bicycle Works - Missoula, Montana, USA
Before we go any further, it's worth mentioning that the Missoula Bicycle Works Instagram is amazing.
How far out are you scheduling for major bike tuneups?
We are currently going about 3-4 weeks out. We are doing about double the amount of repairs per day as we would be doing in a "normal" year. In the past if we were booked out two weeks we are stressed out.
How far out are you scheduling for minor bike work?
We are able to get to small stuff like flat fixes we are able to get to the same day. But since we are so backed up on major repairs we are having people leave their bike for a day or two to get something done that we would usually do on the same day, like chain installation, brake pad installation, wheel truing, etc.
Why are shops so busy right now?
Our region has had a huge population boom in the past year with new people moving from the cities to the small town to get away from Covid. The allure of cheaper housing, remote work, and the opportunity to live in the mountains has created a boom inside of a boom for our city. Everyone here has a bike or has a friend that just got a new one so they want a new one. We also saw a lot of people lose their prefered way of working out like going to the gym or spin class so they saw biking as a great way to get out and exercise.
How are supply chain issues affecting service delays?
Since we are so far out it gives us a little buffer room to try and find certain parts or we have to tell the customer to try and source the part online. That is unfortunate to send people to the online stores but people seem to be appreciative of you helping them find the part. But there are some items that are just getting harder and harder to find like chains and brake pads, those are things that every bike will wear out if it is ridden and it is frustrating not having those basics readily available.
Any other bike shop state of the union thoughts?
As an industry as a whole we are not set up to handle this level of back orders and looking 1.5-2 years in the future. Is this boom going to continue? Do I need to stock up for this kind of continued growth 2 years from now? We are having to place orders for all of 2022 in April of 2021. That means no special orders for someone looking for their dream bike.
Wear items like chains are among the most difficult parts for shops to stock right now.
University Bicycles - Boulder, Colorado, USA
How far out are you scheduling for major bike tuneups?
We are scheduling 2 weeks out for repairs.
How far out are you scheduling for minor bike work?
We do most minor repairs on the spot, if they are going to take more than 10-15 minutes, we schedule them 2 weeks out.
Why are shops so busy right now?
The global pandemic has proven cycling to be one the safest activities for people to do. They can maintain social distance while getting exercise and having fun. This has created a large spike in demand for new bike sales, and repairs. Locally, we had multiple bike shops shut down or restructure, so we are absorbing a large number of new clients.
How are supply chain issues affecting service delays?
We are running out of parts that we are accustomed to having in stock. That means we are pivoting to different brands and suppliers to try and keep bikes running. It also means that clients are having to deal with nagging issues while waiting for parts to come into stock. There is also a growing list of clients that have unrideable bikes and are waiting for essential parts. While that list of clients is small, we have concerns about our ability to fix issues for clients as they arise throughout our busy season.
Any other bike shop state of the union thoughts?
The pandemic has proven bike shops to be an essential business. The skilled labor of quality bicycle mechanics and the presence of brick and mortar bike shops are extremely important to the cycling community. Shops that can provide high quality customer service are thriving, while other shops are struggling with the demand. The service provided by a good bike shop is even more important as new bike sales have shifted more to a direct to consumer model. People who bought their bike directly from the manufacturer still need help with service issues. Along with that, sometimes people just need to buy a tube or some sealant and not wait for shipping.
RideHub Cafe - Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
How far out are you scheduling for major bike tuneups?
1 week.
How far out are you scheduling for minor bike work?
1 to 2 days.
Why are shops so busy right now?
Lots of new people into the sport.
How are supply chain issues affecting service delays?
It's been tough, but we saw it coming and ordered ahead.
Any other bike shop state of the union thoughts?
Well, our shop is diverse as we are also a cafe and hub for riders in Squamish, if we don't have a part a friend of a friend might and we are really working to keep everyone on bikes and keep the community vibe high.
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I really don't think Covid has anything to do with the service turnaround times. This is pretty normal. As soon as we get into June, you will see turnaround times drop back down to 4-5 days for a major, and 2-3 for a minor.
In our shop specifically, we actually have less work than normal, because there are no bikes available to sell or be built. So the staff that typically build bikes are able to answer the phone and work the front desk, while the mechanics can focus on cranking out service.
edit: Also, everyone go out RIGHT NOW and buy a spare chain cuz that shits about to be impossible to get.
For was it not the great Bard of Avon, uttering through the mouth of noble Polonius, in act 2, scene 2 of Hamlet who said, "brevity is the soul of wit."
Of course, the great English playwright was himself dabbling in the ironic (as he so often did), by making the long-winded Polonius utter the now oft-quoted idiom at the end of a lengthy and unnecessarily word-filled speech.
It is, therefore, without irony that I more readily embrace the words of not the great playwright or another literary man, but of our 32nd president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who so succinctly argued for succinctness (a ha!) in saying, "Be sincere, Be brief, Be seated.”
Of course, there is another kind of irony in Roosevelt's statement, uttered by a man who was paralyzed from the waist down with possibly Polio, or as some medical historians have argued Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), telling others to "be seated."
But, let us not get distracted. I want to emphasize my original point, which is to say that just like @rocky-mtn-gman ever as I advance through the years of my life, so am I more and moreso committed to extreme brevity, and to using as few words as possible to make my point, while eliminating unnecessary distractions and literary or historical flourishes. For they do but stoke the ego of men less committed to concisety than myself.
Great advice @IamtheNIGHTRIDER
With that, I have done my pro bono work for the week. Back to paying clients so I can buy more bike shit.
This is what supporting your local shop gets you .
If you never step foot in your local shop and than are shocked that they have a wait time to get you in it shouldn’t be surprised .
Lynn valley bike I love you guys !!!!
Thanks for everything you do for me !!
An actual money tip is far more appreciated
Way more thought goes into choosing a tasty craft beer or a box of fancy doughnuts.
I can say that after a short google search, the average rent in Murrieta is around $1800/mo. The gross(!) (according to google) wage for a bike mechanic is around 12 bucks an hour, which equates to about 1900 a month before taxes. Again, these are just google figures..
I guess if you were to also live in a rooftop tent on that "cheap" van and finance your life away on tools and supplies, it would probably be no problem (as long as no one gives you a bad review).
“That the kind of bike shop you need? The loquacious type?”
Obviously you rocking up with a cassette and chain they stock or a wheel or whatever else that they have in stock is a different question. Let's not get into that hahaha.
Of course, I would have to charge accordingly. Bike shop service prices which account for the cost of shop supplies, tools, skilled labour, electricity, water, sick & vacation days and so on are largely unacceptable for most people. For the simple reason that "it's just a bike, can't be that hard."
I get that thought process, but the reality for a shop that would rely solely on service and try to be profitable, is that no one would actually pay the prices that would keep that business afloat.
LOLOLOL Most small to medium size bike shops have a head mechanic who once a week jots down a list of stuff he wants and gets the store manager to throw it on the vendors online order site, or fire it to the outside sales rep.
Forecasting market changes. I can't get over that. What degree of confidence would you have put in a forecast in 2019 that said in 12 months time you will need 150% of the inventory you would normally have (as a minimum), and the vendors would be sold out for months with little to no steady resupply/end in sight?
The best a business can be doing right now is being agile, and in most cases it is the LEAST efficient businesses that are most free/able to be agile. Of course they are often cash poor so that is a restriction that they face that a more efficient business may not face.
But yes, no predicting what happened and it was more by educated guessing and risk taking than anything.
When you have a appointment you leave the bike in morning and if every pieces and materials are in stock in shop in afternoon the bike is ready in same day.
My boss rules.....
Same day service. they’re literally the only shop in bellingham that can offer this right now. hit them up!
One bad apple...
Sram service manuals are top notch to dyi
Need a bit of work on my gravel bike. Can‘t do it myself because of a warranty issue. Due covid restrictions you can only book an appointment online. Did that on March 5th. My slot is June 10th. Just to drop off my bike. Noone knows how long repair is gonna take
1) I totally get having to book out a week or two - fine. But when anyone's slot is coming up, don't sit on the bike for 3-4 days - get software that lets you know what work has been completed and whats coming up and ETA to dropping the bike off within a few hrs or day - ON DECK
2) that being said once CV19 hit and every Dick & Tom flooded the shops w/ their outdated 90's & 2000's crap that's hardly worth fixing - I bought tools & started reading / watching vids not just on repairs but on normal maintenance, so i've saved $100s and lots of otherwise lost ride time by doing my own work vs. bitching about my ride sitting in a shop 3-4 days AFTER the scheduled "appointment"
3) wheels are the exception to my gripes. Wheels are the most complex bike part to work on so I don't bother. On out one of my local shops installed spokes incorrectly & then stripped all the nipples truing the wheel, I bought a new wheelset from a certified badass locally who can easily replace spokes or true the new set w/o problem. This is the kind of thing no video or book is ever going to teach you. Wheels are something you prob have to wait on, at least for now.
Its 2021 - the software (or just brainpower) exists now to just have people schedule out ahead of time then drop the bike off just before it can be worked on.
Article takeaway for me: learn to do your own minor maintenance at home. I can't imagine spending money and time on a weekend in front of a bike shop - instead of on the trail - cause "my chain isn't shifting".
In the shop I managed a long while ago, we would allow mechanics to clock out at their normal hours but perform "rush" repairs for whatever they wanted to barter the rush fee for. It shortened turn around for the people willing to give something in return, gave the mechanics some agency on their own, and still gave the shop the revenue for the labor. It was a win win... and we never had to buy beer, coffee or meals in town. The repairs were billed at normal rates, plus whatever the mechanic bartered for outside of those rates. The shop got the repair money, the mechanic got whatever he or she bartered for. Mike Ferrentino knows it well! Lol.
A: I have bikes to work on.
on another note: if these shops are so busy and in demand, then why not hire more mechanics to meet that demand? or maybe pay them more...just a thought.
English is my mother tongue and I have no idea what this means.
Worldwide Cyclery $20 no shipping.
www.worldwidecyclery.com/products/fox-shocks-float-air-sleeve-rebuild-kit-for-2000-current-model-float-rear-shocks
Yes, I really do. I build my own wheels, but am still traumatized from trying to get spokes for a straight pull wheel years ago when my son had a race the next day. Never again.
Who says I don't...
Form normal stuff like replacing bearings to machining custom parts... and and valving shocks and forks.
Since I don't have a spoke factory... I've gotta get my spokes somewhere
Maybe you should learn to make parts for your bike it more satisfying that regular maintenence.....
ridemonkey.bikemag.com/threads/custom-angle-and-reach-headset.290701
ridemonkey.bikemag.com/threads/fox-40-fulfill-project-aka-moar-schraders.285303