Thursday, August 10, 2017

I'm Losing It

On September 24th, my daughter will turn 2.  That will also mark my two-year anniversary of exiting the bike industry.  I have nothing but gratitude that I get to be a stay-at-home dad.  It's a privilege, and I try very hard not to take it for granted.  And while it took longer than expected to get used to my change in identity, I'm now more confident, comfortable, and proud telling people I'm a SAHD.  I have a wonderful life.

Still, a lot happens in two years in a tech-driven industry.

The last time I interviewed for a job in the bike industry, it was to be a part-time wrench at a shop in Boston five or so years ago.  When I spoke to the service manager, I told him the following skills by way of establishing my expertise: I could build wheels, rebuild an Ergolever, overhaul Campy, Shimano, Zipp, and Mavic hubs (among a few less notable others), face and chase the important surfaces on a frame, and glue tubulars.  At the time, it was a modestly impressive if impromptu resume; some of those skills are still important.

But you pro wrenches out there will note so many glaringly outdated skills.  Most shops can't make money building wheels, and distributors do a damn good job building inexpensive wheels, so who gives a shit if I can build a wheel?  Nobody rides Campy long enough to wear out an Ergolever anymore.  Everything is press fit and carbon these days, so prepping a frame to build is no longer needed.  My experience with electronic shifting was a test ride in a parking lot.  Boost didn't yet exist.

These days, I might just as well walk into an autobody place and tell the guy I can tune a carb.

At this point, I'm in danger of getting so far behind that to catch back up will never be worth it.  I dream of getting back to wrenching part time, but Baby Two is due in November, which means that's unlikely to happen for at least a couple more years.  If I haven't kept up some technical expertise in that time, I won't be worth much to a good shop, even if they're just paying me minimum wage.  This makes me really, really sad.  Who is Angry Bike Wrench if he doesn't now how to wrench?