​Some of you may be wondering: “What’s up with Mechanic Monday?”
 
So far this year, the PBMA has featured sixteen outstanding mechanics as part of our Mechanic Monday series, p/b Abbey Bike Tools and supported by Cycling Industry News and People for Bikes. But we need more nominations to keep up the one-a-week pace!
 
Professional bicycle mechanics are understandably very busy people. Without a doubt, their ability to multi-task and their attention to detail are parts of what make them so awesome. But those same traits also make them incredibly difficult to interview! This year, we’ve made a commitment to interview each mechanic nominated for Mechanic Monday, but in many cases, it takes those mechanics weeks to have time for our questions. So the “TL;DR” of it all is what you have seen (or, more accurately, not seen) these past two weeks: We need a lot of nominations to produce just one feature.
 
That’s where you come in. You don’t need to be a PBMA Member to nominate or be featured for Mechanic Monday! (All that we ask is for no self-nominations, please.) So, nominate your favorite mechanic today! He or she, and the PBMA, will appreciate it!

Mike McAndrews is a well known name in the bicycle suspension world.  One of the original pioneers of a sprung fork... He now works at Specialized Bicycles as the Director of Suspension Technology and has been "kicking" bicycle tires for 25 years now.

So how did you get started in the bicycle world?
I was working in the motorcycle industry and has a lot of experience in shock absorber technology, so when the suspension boom hit the cycling industry, Paul Turner (founder of RockShox) had offered me a position to help him manage his R&D team at RockShox. I was ready for a change and jumped at the opportunity.

Motorcycle industry... what was that about? I was a Race Mechanic for the Kawasaki Factory Team for 10 years, after that I ran my own motorcycle suspension business.

We love research and the internet is amazing, we found your name associated to 7 or so patents specific to cycling and suspension.  Tell us about the one related to "Fork Suspension with Variable Hydraulic Damping"... this was during your RockShox days.
Yes, in the early days of MTB suspension, a few of us came over from the Off-Road Motorcycle world and helped drive some of the early designs based on what we knew from motorcycles.

It didn't take too long to figure out that the application for a human powered vehicle has unique challenges.  The Variable Damping patent was my first attempt at trying to get a damping system that would provide firm damping for good chases control (pedaling) while having a better curve for bump control, deeper in the travel.  Ultimately this design lead me into the inertia valve system we call the Brain today.

So now you work at Specialized overseeing a team of folks focused on suspension.  Tell us about some of the daily activities you and your team conduct.
The primary responsibility of the group I manage is to align the ride dynamics of a given bike design with the vision of the product managers.  To accomplish this, we'll do whatever it takes... from designing a complete shock (as we do for the Epic) or simply working with the test engineers at a company like Fox to alter the ride dynamics of their design to align with the overall bike performance goals (and everything in between).

A lot of time is spend quantifying the ride performance using data acquisition and experienced rider feedback on a variety of controlled test sections in the field.  From there we analyze the data, determine the modifications needed, measure the changes again on the shock absorber dyno... and then re-test in the field.  We run this cycle anywhere from 1-2 times to 10 times, it all depends on the scope of a particular project.

Some first hand knowledge and other interview suggest that you've had some rock-star folks work for you over the years.  What made these individuals stand out / what made them special?
In my experience, people who excel in a given role are the ones that have followed their passion(s). They love what they do and they love being the best at what they do.  When I have people like that in my group, the best thing I can do is give them guidance when needed and get out of their way! As advice, I'd say don't be afraid to follow your passions even as they change...you'll love what you do...and the chances are, you'll be really good at it!

When looking for an employee, what are three characteristics (or qualities) you look for during the hiring process?
Assuming the person has the skills and experience needed for a specific position:

• Integrity (honesty, sincere, trustworthy)
• Passion (for what we do)
• Work Ethics (self-starter, disciplined, team player)
  
  

You know we'd ask.  What's your favorite tool?
It's a toss-up, between my 3/8" drive Snap-on speed handle and my very old Proto brass hammer.  In my race mechanic days, we didn't have the battery power impact guns, so the speed handle was vital to getting the work done quickly between motos and the brass hammer I've been knocking the shit out of stuff for almost 40 years with it... it's like an appendage.

​It’s Mechanic Monday again, and we are excited to introduce you to this week’s honoree, Catherine Thompson of Cambridge, UK!
 
For those of you who are unfamiliar with PBMA’s Mechanic Monday series, this is where we feature one mechanic each week who is chosen randomly from the pool of nominations that we receive. Mechanic Monday is all about mechanics supporting fellow mechanics, and we are proud to partner with Abbey Bike Tools, Cycling Industry News, and People for Bikes to share these great features with you.
 
Catherine Thompson is the Head Mechanic at Outspoken Cycle, a Cambridge-based shop that not only garners robust service and courier business, but also specializes in bicycle training and community outreach across the United Kingdom. Catherine was one of our earliest nominees for Mechanic Monday this year, but business is going so well for her at the shop that we only recently caught up with her for an interview. We are pleased to share some of our conversation with you today, in Catherine’s own words!
 
PBMA:  How did you become involved in cycling and/or cycling mechanics?
 
CT:  I've always been into bikes, but mostly for getting around as opposed to riding for sport. My Mum couldn't drive, so we did absolutely everything by bike – shopping, school, whatever! Then I started out as a cycle courier (on cargo bikes) about eight years ago. Basically I wanted a physical job that got me outside and it fitted the bill.  I'd always been interested in the mechanical side of cycling though, and over time more opportunities came up to get my hands on the bikes and the tools. Plus there was a load of good guys to learn from. A little later, I got the chance to get my qualifications and jumped at it. It's all just spiraled from there. Years later I still love being in the workshop!
 
 
PBMA:  Do you have a favourite moment or story from your time in the cycling industry?
 
CT:  I guess one of my favourite jobs ever is turning into and annual event. We have a regular customer – a woman in her mid-60s. Every year she does a two-week cycle tour on her son’s 15-year-old Marin. She's a super chic looking lady who is absolutely tiny. She comes in just before her ride for a full service on the Marin and to get a refresher on some basic bike maintenance skills, including what to do if her chain snaps and how to fix a puncture. With the smallest wrists and hands you can imagine she powers her way through removing and re-fitting a brand new Schwalbe Marathon – absolutely insisting she gets no help. When she goes on her tour, her only contact is to post maps home to her family to let them know she's getting on okay. At the end of the ride, she always checks in with us to let us know the ride went well and the bike performed. What a legend!
 
 
PBMA:  What motivation or advice would you give to other women who aspire to be professionals (mechanics or otherwise) in our industry?
 
CT:  That's a hard one! It is a very male-dominated space and it can feel hard to fit in and work out how to belong. But the main bits of advice would be - get experience wherever you can. Dive in and get your hands dirty. There are a few great projects working to get women in the industry - but if you can't access them just look at the opportunities locally. Skill yourself up with courses where possible and tinker with your bikes as much as you can. Look at apprenticeships and options like that to get into a trade position. Second is to have confidence – confidence in your knowledge and your skill. You can be made to feel less valued or less knowledgeable at times, but the only way to combat that is to be confident and be skilled. Don't doubt yourself.
 
 
PBMA:  Everyone’s favourite question – What is your favorite tool?
 
CT:  Oh man – I love all sorts of tools for all sorts of different jobs! I do love the Park Tool PW-4 pedal spanner, because it's got great heft for those pedals that are really jammed on and super comfortable to use.  I also love the Birzman 1/2" ratchet set. I love to recommend these to home mechanics!
 
 
That’s all for this week! Thank you for following along with our series and sharing our support for our fellow mechanics. We’ll be back next week with a new feature. In the meantime, click here to learn more about our 2018 Mechanic Monday series, and here to learn more about how to nominate your favorite mechanic!

​This week’s Mechanic Monday honoree is one of the “farthest” international mechanics we’ve been lucky enough to chat with: Kenneth Wee from Singapore!
 
For those of you who are unfamiliar with PBMA’s Mechanic Monday series, this is where we feature one mechanic each week who is chosen randomly from the pool of nominations that we receive. Mechanic Monday is all about mechanics supporting fellow mechanics, and we are proud to partner with Abbey Bike Tools, Cycling Industry News, and People for Bikes to share these great features with you.
 
Kenneth has always had an affinity for bicycles, but he worked in the advertising industry for 26 years before committing to the cycling industry full-time in 2010. He now runs two bicycle schools, Singapore Bike School and Bike School Asia, which focus on coaching and mechanics respectively. We are excited to share some of Kenneth’s story with you in his own words!
 
 
PBMA:  How did you become involved in cycling and/or cycling mechanics?
 
KW:  I manage two schools – Singapore Bike School (SBS), and Bike School Asia (BSA). SBS delivers coaching in cycling skills and BSA provides training in bike mechanics. I started SBS in 2009 and BSA in 2011, partly out of passion and mostly out of necessity.
 
My first job out of school was as an art director with a regional advertising agency, and I stayed in the advertising industry for about 26 years, spending the last 12 running my own studios. The comfortable paycheck allowed me to indulge in several hobbies. One such hobby was collecting and restoring vintage BMX bicycles — the ones I either had or dreamt about as a teenager. Collecting led to racing, racing led to coaching and before I knew it, I was in Aigle, Switzerland studying for a Coaching Diploma at the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
 
As fate would have it, upon my return from Switzerland, our main corporate client had a run of bad luck which stalled all projects, and work became scarce. Already increasingly dissatisfied with the ephemeral nature and mercantilism of advertising, I closed the studio in December 2010 and bid adieu to staff, clients and the sleep-deprived lifestyle I had grown accustomed to and coach full-time.
 
When I coached our national BMX team, one of the things I emphasized was that the athletes were ultimately responsible for the proper maintenance and performance of their own bikes. So we taught them to do simple repairs, maintenance and upgrades. In my mind, there is no way to become a complete, skillful cyclist without knowing the nitty-gritty of your bike. I set up BSA because teaching mechanics was something I looked forward to, I knew I could do reasonably well, and I hoped would fill a niche that will keep growing as long as more people are cycling.
 
 
PBMA:  Do you have a favorite moment or story from your time in the cycling industry?
 
KW:  When I started SBS, my first client was a 69-year-old grandmother who just had a hip replacement. She also had a hearing problem which affected her sense of balance. After we got her pedaling confidently, she told me, "You're doing a good thing. Otherwise, people like me won't get to do this and I won't be so happy." What she said helped validate my career switch. I am also very proud that quite a number of our BSA graduates have started their own successful bike shops!
 
 
PBMA:  What motivation or advice would you give to aspiring professional bicycle mechanics?
 
KW:  I count myself fortunate to be from the generation that saw the rise of both BMX and mountain biking. This gives me a deep appreciation for the evolution of both disciplines in terms of both the skills and the technology.
 
Not everyone has such a background and it can be hard for new mechanics to get opportunities to put their skills to use, which is why we started our Race Mechanic Program. In this program, freshly-minted mechanics get to work with elite, competitive and recreational athletes, learn from experienced team mechanics and coaches, and be exposed to cutting-edge technology.
 
Whatever your entry point into the industry, it helps to 'always be a student’. Learn how to learn. Ours is an industry that looks lo-fi, but can get very high-tech! Whether its technology, training methods, bike fitting techniques or mechanical know-how, maintain an open-mind and keep learning in whatever ways you can.
 
 
PBMA:  What is your favorite tool?
 
KW:  It’s a toss-up between my Dualco grease gun (saves time and money) and my Quaxar crimper, because a perfectly crimped cable endcap is a too-often overlooked finishing touch.
 
 
That’s all for this week! Thank you for following along with our series and sharing our support for our fellow mechanics. We’ll be back next week with a new feature. In the meantime, click here to learn more about our 2018 Mechanic Monday series, and here to learn more about how to nominate your favorite mechanic!

A second installment to a series of video interview within our industry features Jason Quade.  Jason is no stranger to many in our community so we encourage you to take a watch or listen and hear from the man in his own words.

Looking for other PBMA video content?  Check us out here!

​Our first Mechanic Monday honoree of April is Gal Salvador Alon, who comes to us from Minnetonka, Minnesota by way of Israel!
 
For those of you who are unfamiliar with PBMA’s Mechanic Monday series, this is where we feature one mechanic each week who is chosen randomly from the pool of nominations that we receive. Mechanic Monday is all about mechanics supporting fellow mechanics, and we are proud to partner with Abbey Bike Tools, Cycling Industry News, and People for Bikes to share these great features with you.
 
Gal Alon is both a professional mechanic and a UCI official. He is relatively new to full-time work in the cycling industry, but has already been a part of several high-profile projects and worked with some of the very best people and programs in our business. Gal is a huge supporter of professional education for cycling mechanics – a core piece of PBMA’s mission – so we had a lot to talk about with him above and beyond his background in the industry. We are pleased to share some of Gal’s story with you today, in his own words.
 
 
PBMA:  How did you become involved in cycling and/or cycling mechanics?
 
GA:  I got in to cycling after my brother quit Tri racing due to a back injury. I’ve been a mechanic started before my Army service, and [my cycling industry career] took off the day after I was discharged, when I started working for the Cannondale dealer in Israel. In 2007, Shimano choose my company to be the sole distributor in Israel and I become the Tech Manager for Shimano Israel. I did that from 2007 until 2014, and then in 2014 I moved to the US.
 
 
PBMA:  Do you have a favorite moment or story from your time in the cycling industry?
 
GA:  I think its splits to two moments, one as a mechanic and one as a UCI official. The mechanic one is getting the keys for an ambulance from Pat Sorensen, the owner of Penn Cycle. I was in charge of converting the ambulance in to an event support rig. Pat just told me to “build it to the best I can” and it turned out to be my biggest project in the industry! Three months later, I got the rig set up with big help from Park Tool and Saris bike racks. The UCI official one is meeting Emily Betty and sitting on the floor talking about life and the industry. She is an amazing person to talk to!
 
 
PBMA:  What motivation or advice would you give to aspiring professional bicycle mechanics?
 
GA:  You’ve got to love this job to your core [because it is] exciting!! Being a pro bike mechanic is not the best job, as far as rewards or pay rate. I do it for the smiles and happiness when I see people riding their bikes. In 2015, I ran 80 events with the Penn Cycle ambulance, and I got to meet and see so many people just having a good time riding their bikes. The best part for me is the smile you get when you help someone to fix his [or her] problem and then meet him [or her] a week later in a different event and he [or she] tells you how much you helped with everything.
 
 
PBMA:  What is your favorite tool?
 
GA:  I am a serious tool junkie and always go after the best ones – the ones that make my job better, more efficient, and professional. I think of all the steel/plastic tools I have, my favorite one is my little Dell tablet. It is the best tool that gives me the access to all the knowledge I need to do my job. I believe in being ultra-portable so I have my tablet, keyboard, and mouse on me at all times. I set up all the software I need for Shimano DI2 and Bosch e-bikes, have organized  folders and links to all the tech websites I need access to, like Shimano S-Tec, SRAM, Trek U, Cannondale, Thule, and many more. Knowledge is power, and access to it is a key to being a successful mechanic.
 
PBMA:  Wow, well said! “Knowledge is power, and access to it is a key to being a successful mechanic.” We couldn’t agree more!
 
 
That’s all for this week! Thank you for following along with our series and sharing our support for our fellow mechanics. We’ll be back next week with a new feature. In the meantime, click here to learn more about our 2018 Mechanic Monday series, and here to learn more about how to nominate your favorite mechanic!