Mechanic Monday p/b Abbey BIke Tools

#mechanicmonday honors Scott Armstrong

​It’s Mechanic Monday again, and this week we are excited to introduce you to Scott Armstrong of San Diego, California!
 
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.
 
Scott is an owner and mechanic at MJ’s Cyclery in beautiful San Diego. Before opening the shop, Scott was an officer with the San Diego Police Department for 13 years, through which he met and befriended countless fellow cyclists and began mentoring the Southern California High School Cycling League. MJ’s Cyclery opened just four years ago, but Scott and his crew have already made a name for themselves in the cycling-rich SoCal community. We talked with Scott about his lifelong love of cycling and his ambition to turn that love into a second career in the industry. Here’s some of what he had to tell us:
 
 
PBMA:  Can you tell us a little bit about how your shop started?
 
SA:  Back in 1985 or so I discovered cycling as I had several friends get into it in Junior High.  I started road riding but then mountain biking was becoming a thing.  I got a job cleaning up at Chain Gang in Redding, California.  I coveted a Mountain Goat Whiskeytown Racer but ended up getting a Stumpjumper.  I rode a bit through High School and did some racing when the now defunct Vulcan Tour came to town.  I met Alexi Grewal in the pits when my friend and found him at the downtown crit.  He was pretty intimidating but it inspired us.
 
When I went away to school I was going to be fighter pilot, having seen Top Gun.  That didn't happen but I kept riding.  I ended up getting a job as a cop with the SDPD and rode regularly with friends.  I began to ride with people who worked in shops and had these amazing workshops in their garages.  I had always worked on my own bikes so when I needed help I asked them to show me how to do what I needed done.  We did some 24 hour racing and spent a lot of time getting bikes in race shape at all hours of the night.  I attended Interbike 5 or 6 times with friends as an honorary "employee" of their shops.  That was pretty fun, though Interbike has changed a lot since then. 
 
I left the SDPD after 13 years and had to figure out what to do.  I had been working with the Southern California High School Cycling League for a few years so I had more time to focus on that.  A friend had been running a pop up bike shops at San Diego farmers markets and was ready to go a brick and mortar.  I had some money left in my 401k from the SDPD so it seemed like a good idea to open a shop.  I attended UBI in Portland for the Pro 2 week course to sharpen my skills and get something on paper, as I hadn't worked in the industry before and figured I would need something to show customers.  We have been open 4 years now and I still work as a staff member for the SoCal League 8 years later.
 
Some people told me I was "buying a job" when we opened.  That may be true but we opened with not much cash and a lot of sweat equity.  Providing solid honest service has paid off and we are still up and running as a well-respected shop in a fairly large town.
 
 
PBMA:  What advice would you give to someone considering a major career change into the cycling industry?
 
SA:  I think I likely have a very nontraditional entry into the industry in that I opened a shop at 41 years old, after only having worked in one when I was 15.  Having a love of the sport definitely helped and getting some training and certification boosted my confidence.  Work on anything you can and pay attention.  If you need help, ask.  Never be afraid to ask for help.  Any mechanic who ridicules you for asking for help isn't your friend!
 
 
PBMA:  What is your favorite tool?
 
SA:  My favorite tool is actually two tools.  The EVT mulfinger combined with a nipple shaker box.  I have one I got from Wheel Fanatyk and one made locally by woman named Anna who has a business called Broken Compass.  It's got the shop logo on it.  Just cleaning up that part wheel building took a lot of time out of the process, and time is money.
 
 
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!