What should I know about bikes for my job?

Question

I just got a job at a bicycle store, and they basically want me just to say hi to customers and wait on them if they need help. I'm totally cool with that, and it sounds fun and doable, but I don't know all that much about bicycles. I have a mountain bike, and I know what some of the parts are, but as far as comparing different kinds of bikes and giving useful advice to customers as to which products are best suited to their needs, I'm afraid I'd have a tough time. I don't want to have to rely on all the other employees to help people that I could be helping. Does anyone have suggestions? And if you've done this job, your input is MUCH appreciated!!

Answer 1

Hey there, so I just started riding seriously and have a little bit of OCD when I find a new topic that I like, so I've read pretty much every informational website on bikes in the past couple of months. The most complete and straight to the point information source out there I've found is www.sheldonbrown.com. It's a side project of a guy that works at some bike shop but if you read that you'll learn a ton. (He's mostly a fan of fixed gears but there is plenty of general bike information too)

Good luck with the new job!

Answer 2

Fun job, even better when you know the product.  Doesn't the store provide training?  If not, you need to read up on the products that your store sells, i.e. catalogs.  Also, if they carry road bikes, you may want to read the most recent issue of Bicycling's Buyers Guide.  Since you ride mountain, you may want to brush up on mountain bikes.  Demand from management/owner that you want formal training on product knowledge.