Brandon Hirokawa is the Owner / CEO / President of Hirobel Cycling Solutions.  You may of seen or heard of the Hirobel Frame Clamp.

We wanted to know a bit more about Brandon so here we go!

How did you get started in the cycling industry?
I hung out a Pauli's Bicycle and Lawn almost everyday for a year trying to learn what I could from the head mechanic. I was one of the few kids during the late 80's that was interested in bicycles rather than skateboards.  Finally the owners wife gave me a job.  Then I spend the next year cutting my teeth on Schwinn Sprnts and Aerodynes... the sight of that gold exercise bike makes me sick to this day!

What exactly is Hirobel?
Hirobel is a company with the mindset of innovation.  Marc Bellet and I started the company with six solid products.  We started off with the Frame Clamp because it would make the biggest immediate impact on how mechanics work today.

We ask everyone, because inquiring minds want to know.  What is your favorite tool?
Using the Craftsman Portable Inflator with a Silca Hero Pump Head has been great for the last couple years... it's a time and arm saver at large events.

We understand that you get to visit a fair share of bicycle shops, what are you seeing that's good and what are you seeing that's bad?
I am seeing more space opening up for service or multi-use space being used for trainer events, fitting and even in-shop clinics.  I have been more mobile service platforms or shop owners thinking about adding a mobile aspect to their brick and mortar shop.  

On the flip side I'm seeing too many shops searching for the magic bullet to optimize their business.  They aren't seeing that an optimized store layout, skilled mechanics and a functional service department are a golden goose.  I have seen several shops spending a lot money in the service department to make it look amazing with new benches, tools, flooring and equipment, but pay the mechanics minimum wage and expect an instant return on investment.

Invest in people (mechanics) first!  The IBD's that don't get it may soon have the best looking showroom floor at the local commercial auction!

How important do you think service will be in the future?
As direct sales become more popular with industry brands and big-box / e-retailers are growing... service will eventually become the cornerstone of the bicycle retail industry.  Once those companies offering direct sales have time to realize thee is no amount of pre-box assembly that will replace a skilled mechanic, they will need points of service they can count on.  

I do think both direct sales companies and "Service Oriented" IBD's will eventually be more integrated to the delivery of safe bicycles to the end users.

We heard you were back to riding again,  What's your bike of choice?
I powder coated by Cannondale CAAD8 and put Shimano Ultegra Di2 on it.  It's one fo the frames that I will never get rid of because it was built with a longer top tube back when Cannondale could whip out custom frames pretty fast!

When talking to mechanics, what are you hearing about the challenges they are facing?
I think being taken seriously as a skilled workforce is a big challenge.  As bicycle service becomes more complicated the need for skilled labor will increase.  

Unfortunately I see a lot of the really talented mechanics go to different industries so they can make a living wage.

What are the characteristics of a great mechanic?
Being able to communicate effectively would be first on my list.  Be open to new ideas or products.  Being able to see past the fad and recognize true innovation.  Pay attention to the details.  Details are very important to getting customers back in the door!

How Did you become involved in cycling and/or cycling mechanics?
I worked for a sandwich shop for about 11 years as a bicycle courier, but only during the fall/winter/spring months. Summers were spent in the commercial fishing industry in Alaska, working 120+ hour weeks 7 days/week for 4 months and coming home  only to be physically exhausted, mentally drained, probably injured in some fashion but with a good chunk of cash. Every year I would use some alaska money to buy a new bike, which i would then destroy delivering sandwiches through Iowa winters. i Eventually got tired of paying someone else to fix my bike, i suppose  I'm not totally sure exactly when the "Aha" moment was when i wanted to pursue wrenching much more seriously, maybe 7 years ago? That was my first UBI class out in oregon and i loved it, learned a lot, went back for their suspension/wheel building a year later. I'm always looking for a way to further my knowledge and experience, have gone to more clinics/training/certifications than i care to admit, and have a serious problem with working too hard. Thanks "Alaska"

Do you have a favorite moment or story from your time in the cycling industry?
Honestly working in the winter doing bike delivery was pretty miserable, but there was one year in particular that the store couldn't find any more people interested in biking in negative degree weather. SO it wound up just being me and one other guy Stephen as the only riders all winter. It was a pretty sloppy/icy/terrible year for weather, which only makes people order more  so they don't have to go out in it. I can't tell you how many days we both HATED riding, like really despised it! I've gotten a fair amount of frostbite and nerve damage from it, and  I really can't discourage doing that enough. Not exactly a "feel good story", but the moral is, don't do that.

What motivation or advice would you give aspiring professional bicycle mechanics
2 things. 
1)  You don't know everything, guaranteed, I have been really blessed working with some highly skilled mechanics that were willing and able to teach me and pass on knowledge. I would strongly encourage anyone and every aspiring mechanic to know that value; absorb as much as you can and SHARE it. I am usually pretty eager to teach, and definitely comfortable telling someone "i don't know" followed shortly by "let's find out".  
2) Be early. Punctuality is by far my biggest pet peeve. Early is On-time and On-Time is late.  I can't stress this enough, a fast way to piss me off is to be like 2 minutes late.

What is your favorite tool
Man that changes too often. there's about 12 tools i couldn't live without, but my favorite at the moment would have to be Topeak's digital torque wrenches.  They're extremely accurate, give a real-time reading, are waaay too expensive   and "beep".  I've found it particularly useful when a customer tells me "I torqued those bolts down"  which usually means "I overtightened the shit out of them" or "i didn't put a wrench anywhere near that bolt"  Either way, the real-time reading will tell how torqued you got.

Meet Daniel Acosta... aka Wampy.  Daniel recently took the top step at the Interbike Mechanics Challenge, it's been happening 3 years and each year he has done better.  Finishing to PBMA's Win Allen last year in an upset judgment decision.  This year Daniel showed us how it's done with poise and class.  This week he's the Mechanic of the Week!  

​Congratulations Daniel!

PBMA: How did you get started in cycling?

I started in the cycling environment when I was 10 years old in BMX as a hobby. By the time I was 14 I started racing XC and one thing that always caught my attention was to repair and prepare my bicycle. When I turned 17 my older brother helped me to land a job in a local bicycle shop, and it was then when I discovered that I was really good repairing bicycles. I always try to be the best and work with bicycles with as much detail as possible si my customers leave really happy.

PBMA: Do you have a favorite moment in your cycling career?

I have always tried yo enjoy every moment I have spent in cycling, but bicycle repair has become my passion. About three years ago I competed for the first time in the mechanics challenge at the Interbike event. Since then I dreamt of winning the challenge, and now I have achieved that dream a few days ago in the mechanic challenge of the 2018 Interbike held in Reno, Nevada. That has become my favorite moment and it's something I will always keep pictured in my mind as an inspiration to become even better.

PBMA: What advice do you have for a new mechanic?

My best advice to any aspiring bicycle mechanic is that when someone takes a bicycle for you to repair it, do it with feeling, technicality and as much detail as possible as if it were yours. So, you can be proud of your work and know that when someone competes and wins a race you'll be proud knowing you gave it all and were the one who also helped to make it possible by preparing that bicycle.

PBMA: Everyone has a favorite tool, what's yours?

Adjustable torque driver

This interview was translated from Spanish by one of Daniels friends.

​A new week means a brand new Mechanic Monday feature to share! Today we are excited to introduce you to Anait “Ana G” Garushyants of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania – by way of Uzbekistan!
 
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.
 
Ana G is, literally, living her childhood dream of being a professional mechanic. Her journey into the cycling industry began in her father’s auto body shop, and has taken her across continents and introduced her to some of her greatest unexpected mentors. We were fortunate to catch up with Ana recently, and we are excited to share some of her story with you today, in her own words!
 
 
PBMA:  How did you get involved in cycling and/or cycling mechanics?
 
AG:  My dad was an auto/moto mechanic, and he also raced cars and motorcycles. When I was a kid, he often would take me to his shop, and I loved it! Cars, bikes, and tools fascinated me and took over my imagination. Besides cars and motorcycles, my dad also loved to ride his road bike, and I enjoyed riding with him. He passed away when I was 12, and I said to my 12-year-old-self that I want to be a racer and a mechanic when I grow up. Time was going by, and I was consumed with all the usual teenager’s problems: Growing up without having parents around, moving from one country to another, and trying to find myself in the midst of it all. A couple years after finishing high school, my passion for vehicles and mechanics came back. In 2003, I met a great group of people who were into bike trials. They helped me to build my first trial bicycle on a beautiful Monty X-lite frame, and I started riding again.
 
Inspired by videos like JIB, I started learning different tricks, and my bike started breaking! Since I wasn’t well off financially, I had to learn how to fix it by myself. Meanwhile, a new bicycle store opened just across the road from my apartment. I applied for a job there and got it! I learned about different types of bikes and disciplines. I moved from trial to MTB – mostly DH and 4X – and that’s when I seriously fell in love with cycling and bikes. And who wouldn’t? I mean, bicycles give you the type of freedom that nothing else does!
 
I worked at the same shop from 2004 to 2013, making my way up to the store manager position. In 2013, I received my green card and moved to the US. It has been a serious challenge for me, especially because I barely spoke English five years ago. I had to find a job, and the only thing I could offer to a prospective employer was my experience, knowledge, and passion for bikes. I went to ask for a job at a local bike shop – Abington Wheel Wright Bike Shop – because the shop was recommended to me as the best in the area by a guy from Pinkbike forum. (That guy is my good friend and a customer now!) I got the job as a mechanic, and I realized that it is something that makes me genuinely happy. I always loved to fix things, I always loved bicycles, and I was able to combine both at the same time!
 
My employer at Abington Wheel Wright, Miko, was a great teacher. He is a very talented engineer and mechanic, and an awesome person overall. I was lucky enough to get the job at his shop and to meet a few great people there, including my partner Adam. Unfortunately, Miko’s shop closed in 2015. I had to get some boring office job that made me completely miserable. But after a couple of months, Adam and I decided to open a small bike shop, Circle Cycle Bike Shop. On June 1st 2016, we opened our doors to our cycling community (on a shoestring budget). These past two years haven’t been easy, and we just broke even on our second year. But I am positive we can make it work, and I am optimistic about our future.
 
 
PBMA:  Do you have a favorite moment or story from your time in the cycling industry?
 
AG:  There have been a lot of great moments and stories, and it’s hard to pick just one. But if I must, it would be a hand-made card that we received from a female NICA athlete. Our shop has been sponsoring SoMont Youth MTB team, part of PICL and NICA, for several years. Often, we travel “pro bono” to their races to provide mechanical support for the team. After our first season with them, one of the athletes drew a “thank you” card for supporting the team and for working on her bike. That melted my heart, and it also brought me to the realization that I am exactly where I should be. Seeing smiles and happiness on the kids’ faces is the best reward for me, and seeing how passionate they are about cycling makes me happy! I’m glad that I have the opportunity to be a part of it.
 
 
PBMA:  What motivation or advice would you give to women who aspire to be professional bicycle mechanics?
 
AG:  My advice would be to not get scared because you don’t know something, because nobody does, and we all learn something new every day. Be prepared to learn and never stop. Do not be afraid to ask questions and to ask for help when you need it.
 
What can be more motivating or rewarding than the end result off diagnosing and solving a mechanical problem? That’s what motivates me. I know that I can do it, and I can do it well! Believe in yourself and follow your passion. If you love the concept of a bicycle and mechanics of it, you’ll do great.
 
 
PBMA:  What is your favorite tool?
 
AG:  Honestly, I don’t think I have just one favorite tool. I love them all! But if I must to choose only one, I’d hold on to my Crank Brothers multi-tool that I always carry with me wherever I go. Picks are great too, though, and so is my Park Tool hammer. Oh, that’s a really tough question!
 
 
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, we are still in need of nominations!! You don’t need to be a PBMA Member to nominate or be featured! (All that we ask is for no self-nominations, please.) Click here to learn more about our 2018 Mechanic Monday series, and here to learn more about how to nominate your favorite mechanic!

​Happy Monday, and Happy Labor Day to our friends here in the US! Labor Day traditionally marks the unofficial end of summer, which can mean only one thing: CX IS COMING! So it seems only appropriate that we honor one of the outstanding mechanics of American cyclocross with today’s Mechanic Monday feature.
 
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.
 
Without further ado, we are pleased to introduce you to Mike Berry of Boston, Massachusetts – one of the elite mechanics for the Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com professional cyclocross team!
 
Mike has been working with Stu Thorne and his Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld program for many years, but didn’t take on a leadership role until the 2013-2014 season, when he assumed full mechanical responsibility for the development team of Junior and U-23 athletes. In the five years since then, Mike has become an indispensable part of the program at both the elite and development levels.
 
Mike builds and maintains the fleet of Devo bikes each year, and he works individually with each of the young riders to practice “pit skills” like bike changes and understanding tire pressure for different conditions. He also helps out with the Pro team’s four elite riders, manages the program’s inventory of spare parts, and helps coordinate sponsor relationships and logistics. Mike helps support both the Devo and Pro teams’ athletes at their many UCI and World Cup races, from as close-to-home as the Gloucester Grand Prix to as far-away as the World Championships in Europe. He swears he doesn’t have a favorite race, only favorite courses because no two years (or days) in a single venue are the same.
 
During the “off-season” of cyclocross – a.k.a. mid-February to mid-August – Mike is a neutral support mechanic on the road. He got his start volunteering with Mavic’s Special Service Course (SSC) program something like 25 years ago, which makes him one of Mavic’s longest-tenured mechanics. Mike has also worked extensively with Butch Balzano’s NRS & Events p/b LOOK program for at least ten years, and is beginning to work with the new, in-house SRAM Neutral Support program as well.
 
In his time working in neutral support, Mike has trained countless up-and-coming mechanics – including more than a few who are now working on the World Tour circuit – and has facilitated countless technical seminars for bike shops, teams, and recreational cyclists. His advice on everything from disc brakes to torque specs has been featured both within and outside of the industry (most recently in Cyclocross Magazine). Mike has worked tirelessly to forge and maintain great relationships with an incredible array of companies, and has partnered specifically with Pedro’s for product testing and developing educational content to be released starting next year.
 
With his background in neutral and team support, his understanding of the industry, and his history with the Mavic brand, Mike was the obvious choice this year when Mavic’s new leadership decided to restart and rebuild the stateside SSC program. This year’s events included four Haute Routes and one wildly successful Tour of Utah, and Mike is already collaborating with Mavic’s leadership on expanding their calendar for next season.
 
The “favorite tool” question with Mike is a loaded one; he is a veritable connoisseur of tools, so much so that he is able to decide on a favorite flavor of ice cream more readily than he is a favorite tool. Mike’s toolbox is an eclectic mix of time-tested favorites, collected surprises, and one-of-a-kind prototypes and homemade (or home-adapted) tools. His favorite tool today – as he is finishing Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld team bikes and prepping to glue tires ahead of the UCI season opener in Rochester next weekend – is the new Pedro’s Rx Micro-9 multi-tool, customized with all the bits he needs to dial-in the team equipment. But even Mike admits that is likely to evolve as the season progresses, so stay tuned to his Instagram feed (@mikeberrymech) for updates!
 
 
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, we are still in need of nominations!! You don’t need to be a PBMA Member to nominate or be featured! (All that we ask is for no self-nominations, please.) Click here to learn more about our 2018 Mechanic Monday series, and here to learn more about how to nominate your favorite mechanic!

​A new week means a brand new Mechanic Monday feature to share! Today we are excited to introduce you to Gareth Jones of Atlanta, Georgia by way of the 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.
 
Gareth got his start working on bicycles as a teenager in his local shop in the UK. His cycling industry career was put on pause while he finished university and served in the military. Ultimately, once he immigrated to the United States, Gareth picked back up in the cycling industry as if he’d never left, and he hasn’t looked back since. We had a chance to catch up with Gareth recently, and we’re excited to share some of his story with you today, in his own words.
 
 
PBMA:  How did you become involved in cycling and/or cycling mechanics? 
 
GJ:  I started working at my local shop in the UK at 14. I worked there for 4 years until I went to college and then the Royal Air Force.  I spent 10 years in as an Airframe Technician before leaving to live in the United States. I got my first job in the US at Free-Flite Bicycles one month after getting here. My technical abilities learned working on aircraft helped develop the skills needed to become a successful professional bicycle mechanic.
 
 
PBMA:  Do you have a favorite moment or story from your time in the cycling industry? 
 
GJ:  I’d have to go with working IM Chattanooga on the Saturday before race day. [It was a] long day of the most varied repair work, from rigging snapped derailleur hangers to replacing the internal cables and housing on a gunked-up, filthy Tri bike.
 
 
PBMA:  What motivation or advice would you give to aspiring professional bicycle mechanics? 
 
GJ:  Embrace the challenge of finding the problem. Don't assume the first fault you find is the primary reason for the issue. Attention to detail is key and safety check the bike front to back, last thing before test riding.
 
 
PBMA:  What is your favorite tool?
 
GJ:  Q Tips
 
 
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, we are still in need of nominations!! You don’t need to be a PBMA Member to nominate or be featured! (All that we ask is for no self-nominations, please.) Click here to learn more about our 2018 Mechanic Monday series, and here to learn more about how to nominate your favorite mechanic!

We caught up with Jude from Sugar Wheel Works, check out the video interview above and read more about Jude from our 2017 interview.  

​Welcome back to Mechanic Monday! We took a two-week break at the beginning of August, but we are thrilled to share a brand new feature with you today. This week’s honoree is Alastair Glover of Isle of Lewis, Scotland!
 
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.
 
Alastair Glover is a lifelong cyclist and mechanic. He spent the early part of his career working and cycling his way through the hills of Scotland, before returning home to the Isle of Lewis to start his own business, BeSpoke Bicycles, in 2013. BeSpoke Bicycles is truly a community bicycle shop. It began as a mobile enterprise, but as the business grew, it was in desperate need of a physical home. But Alastair wouldn’t settle for just any location; he wanted something that would give back to and inspire his community. And so the restoration of Storonway’s historic 19th-Century “Glen House” began. Nearly three years later, Alastair has given the property a new life and BeSpoke Bicycles is thriving. A herculean undertaking like that doesn’t come without stories – and we are pleased to share some of Alastair’s with you in his own words!
 
 
PBMA:  How did you get involved in cycling and/or cycling mechanics?
 
AG:  Hailing from the Outer Hebrides off the northwest coast of Scotland, my first real introduction was when I worked as an outdoor activities instructor on the island of North Uist. It was also here that I experienced my first big crash from a bike – and although it hurt, it didn’t put me off!
 
A move to Glasgow saw me out and about mountain biking more and more in the Scottish hills, and I became further involved in the industry working on the sales floor of Alpine Bikes. Following this I was offered a position as floor manager at Dales Cycles in Glasgow and this was really where I gained a huge amount of experience on how a successful bike shop is managed, as well as learning about the mechanics of a bicycle, maintenance and repair.
 
 
PBMA:  Can you tell us the story of your current shop, Bespoke Bicycles, and its home?
 
AG:  I moved back home to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides and had a hiatus for a few years as family life took over, although I still enjoyed taking to my bike, both on-road and off, to get away from it all and burn off some energy.
 
But I discovered that the pull of the cycle world was too strong – and so in August 2013, I began my own cycle repair company BeSpoke Bicycles, starting part-time offering a mobile repair service in the evenings and weekends, attending call outs in the family car.
 
Things snowballed rapidly and six months later BeSpoke became a full-time operation; the business expanded into selling new bikes and accessories. I also secured a number of high quality brands to al bespoke bike orders specific to the needs of an island cyclist.
 
Work on The Hub first began in January 2016. BeSpoke was bigger than ever but homeless and in desperate need of a new base. I had a dream about an old ruined house in Stornoway – Glen House. It only took two and a half years of literally rebuilding Glen House to see my dream become reality!
 
One of the oldest buildings in Stornoway (the main town of Lewis), Glen House was originally build around 1844. Over its lifetime it has been used as a school, an Admiralty house, a lodge, and private residence. Before BeSpoke came along however it had lain empty for a number of years, left to the ravages of the Hebridean weather.
 
The roof was letting in water; the window frames had rotted; the stairs inside had dropped because the ground floor joists were decimated by wood worm, and the ground floorboards rotted with a small river running underneath! There were mould cultures on the walls that a scientist would be proud of; the electrics were shot, the mains plumbing leaked; the drains were blocked, and the chimneys had tress growing out of them.
 
It took two and a half years of hard work, but we repaired the roof, fitted new windows and doors, laid a new floor downstairs, replaced the electrics, plumbing, and drainage systems, and added new insulation and plasterboard – transforming Glen House into The Hub.
 
The Hub brings together all elements of cycling in the Outer Hebrides – from road cycling to mountain biking, BMX to Trials, kids to adults, visiting tourists to the local pedaler – housing an up-to-date retail outlet; bike-wash station and comfy waiting room; a fully equipped workshop, as well as the Nice‘n’Chilled café upstairs offering a refuel for cyclists and the general public.
 
The Hub has also been adopted as HQ for the Hebridean Cycle Club.
 
And, always a company to assist and benefit the local community, BeSpoke is registered with various operators and employers as part of the UK government’s Cycle-to-Work scheme; assists with the island council’s Outdoor Education Department to deliver Introductory Mountain Bike sessions on community bike trails; develops and delivers Cycle Skills courses to local school pupils and offers work in partnership with the island health board helping with Cardiac and Sports Rehab.
 
 
PBMA:  Do you have a favourite moment or story from your time in the cycling industry?
 
AG:  Although it might sound very cheesy, my favourite moment in time has to be the completion of the renovation work of Glen House and being able to open the doors to my own business in a premise that I literally rebuilt to welcome my first customers in.
 
 
PBMA:  What motivation or advice would you give to aspiring professional bicycle mechanics?
 
AG:  Learn. Learn. Learn. Constantly learn! The day that you think you know everything is the day that you should retire.
 
 
PBMA:  What is your favourite tool?
 
AG:  My least favourite tool is the internal routing kit! Although not my most favourite, a tool which does produce the most satisfying results is what I call my “gentle persuader” – a hammer! My favourite tool, however, would have to be my Park wheel-tuning stand because I can achieve amazing results with it, and I do love everything to be perfect!
 
 
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, we are still in need of nominations!! You don’t need to be a PBMA Member to nominate or be featured! (All that we ask is for no self-nominations, please.) Click here to learn more about our 2018 Mechanic Monday series, and here to learn more about how to nominate your favorite mechanic!

​A new week means a brand new Mechanic Monday feature to share! Today we are excited to introduce you to Matt Merullo of Riverside, 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.
 
Matt Merullo got his start as a bicycle mechanic by helping out in local shops in his home state of Connecticut as a teenager. After college, Matt literally worked his way across the country, going bike shop to bike shop, until he ended up as the Service Manager at Jenson USA in Riverside, California. A journey like that doesn’t come without stories – and we are happy to let Matt share his with you in his own words!
 
 
PBMA:  How did you become involved in cycling and/or cycling mechanics?
 
MM:  At any early age I remember my Dad bringing home clapped-out mountain bikes that he picked up free at the local drop off center. These bikes were in rough shape much of the time; however, they were some of my first victims. I would swap parts, ditch parts, or add parts, [and I would] just mix and match trying to piece the together the raddest assortment of random parts. I say “rad” but what I really mean is 3x8, freewheels, bar ends, and caliper brakes. My Dad took me mountain biking for my first times, and from there, the progression of riding and wrenching never really stopped. I was always a tinkerer with things a kid and bikes were no different. As I got older the toys got bigger: RC race cars, Jet skis, Jeeps, and bikes never left. Getting my driver’s license meant I always had a ride to the bike park. Diablo (now Mountain Creek New Jersey) was the closest to me growing up in Connecticut. Life was snowboards in the winter and either bikes or the lake in the summer, and that’s how it was for a long time. Then I went and got a Bachelor’s Degree in Outdoor Education and Johnson State College in Vermont. During those four years, I spent each summer working at various retail shops with in the resort town of Stowe. I loved being the “shop guy.” The final summer, I was fortunate enough to get my break in the bike industry.
 
From the earliest days walking into the bike shop with my Dad, I could picture myself working behind the service counter. In the spring of 2014, I reached out to all the bikes shops in town hoping to land a job. Well, with no bike shop experience on the resume it was a challenge to be considered. Then a buddy referred me to the owner of the Nordic Barn in Stowe. They had a rental fleet of Jamis hybrids that got heavily used during the tourist seasons in town. What was super exciting is they had just hired the best mechanic in town [as a] partner, and had a new bike shop on bottom floor of the building. With the new shop came new brands; Intense and Rocky Mountain bikes were flooding the shops that summer. With good recommendations from various shop owners in town, I was hired on as one of two bike mechanics of Mansfield Cycles. I was greener then green, but I listened, observed, followed instruction and had the best experience of my working career that summer. From there, I moved across the country and began working at of the best bike shops in SoCal. It’s been bikes all day every day since then, and I couldn’t be more stoked to work in this industry.
 
 
PBMA:  Do you have a favorite moment or story from your time in the cycling industry?
 
MM:  It’s hard to put a finger on a favorite moment over the past five years in the industry. Something special about being a bicycle mechanic is the fact that you can truly make someone’s day each day you’re at the shop. There’s always the spare part or piece in the back, a labor charge on the house, or the extra ten minutes you can spend cleaning someone’s bike (even if you know it’s going right back to being a garage ornament). It’s the little things that sometimes go the furthest with our customers. Some of these decisions have led to me having great working relationships with so many great members of the cycling community.
 
 
PBMA:  What motivation or advice would you give to aspiring professional bicycle mechanics?
 
MM:  Take advantage of all your resources! Today, so many companies have unbelievably awesome service documents and even videos to help you become an expert on their product. Many of the same [companies] offer technical training at both internal and external events and some will even come to you for a more intimate educational experience for you and your shop. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, call the tech centers, and use your dealer services.
 
The online training modules are gold. I feel this is truly some of the best industry education out there. Take your time with these. Don’t feel like you need to rush through and cheat yourself out answers just to hit your completion goals. These videos and quizzes are in place for you to learn and better your career in the industry, take advantage of that!
 
 
PBMA:  What is your favorite tool?
 
MM:  Someone once told me you can judge a good mechanic by the number of homemade tools they use. My favorite must be my nipple driver. It’s just a black j-bend spoke folded up into a nice ergonomic shape with a brass nipple thread on backward and crimped, leaving just a few threads exposed. It the best for wheel builds!
 
 
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, we are still in need of nominations!! You don’t need to be a PBMA Member to nominate or be featured! (All that we ask is for no self-nominations, please.) Click here to learn more about our 2018 Mechanic Monday series, and here to learn more about how to nominate your favorite mechanic!

Anthony Trujillo is no stranger to the wrench, working for major suspension manufacturers since the late 90's he's been in the trenches and now produces tools for mechanics with an emphasis on suspension.

How did you get started in the cycling industry?
I obtained my BS in Mechanical Engineering from California State University (Chico) in 1997 and focused most of my efforts for an entry level position in outdoor sports from golf to bike racks. I lucked out having a friend who was doing a summer internship at FOX in the Powersports Division which he had no interest in pursuing.  He gave my info to the Engineering Managers for Off-Road/Bike and Powersports and I went on two-bike ride interviews at the end of '97 and was hired in early '98.  I spent the first year and a half in the Powersports division and then transferred to the bike department after a managerial shakeup.

Bikes on dirt have always been my #1! Thanks to older brothers, I was thrown on the BMX track when I was like 5, in 1977.  Growing up with older cousins and uncles who liked 4x4 camping trips, I grew up happily getting dirty, wheelin', and riding dirt bikes.  I think it was 1986 when I got my first mountain bike.  I focused in on suspension while I was getting my degree because it seemed the hardest and best use of the degree in the cycling industry.  Despite some serious downs, I've been grateful and stoked for most all of my cycling industry experiences.

You have worked (or done work) for some major brands, tell us about the various roles and how they build upon one another.
Yeah, I've seen and done a bit too much to cover it all!  It's been a blessing and a curse what I've seen and done.  Starting my career as an entry level mechanical engineer with close to nine years at FOX allowed me to grow and learn in an environment that required me to wear many hats supporting multiple departments.  I took care of BOM's (a complete build list for a product consisting of all the individual parts, SKU's sourcing...), generated 2-D drawings for all the departments, and was the resident IT guy during the first few years, then adding on circuit and chassis design once in the bike department.

I remember well when FOX bicycle rear shocks were only OEM and still have the internal document communicating to the company that hiring Mike McAndrews (you can read "Mick's" interview by clicking his name) did not mean fox was going into the fork business... HAHA Right!

The direct hands-on experience I had with manufacturing and production departments under the same roof was invaluable.  Working directly with Bob Fox, Mick and John Marking wasn't so bad either.  For most of my time at FOX, there were only two of us engineers for shocks and two for forks.  I learned a lot from those others guys!

Specialized (SBC) had been working on their integrated suspension department for just a couple years before I was brought over to that amazing team.  Mick at the lead with Brian Lampman working solely on SBC forks and Fernando Hernandez as in-house machining and suspension technician.  I came in to essentially fix the SBC brand shocks and design/develop new ones. It was an amazing opportunity to work with a completely new clean slate and with frame engineers.  The micro brain chassis and circuit layout for the Epic is something I'm quite proud of and which SBC still uses today.

SBC was my full court press experience working with Taiwan for manufacturing and production.  It was great to be on the OEM side of the fence to understand that perspective from one of the major bike companies.  These experiences helped me later wearing a sales hat for X Fusion (XF) and Marzocchi.

X Fusion is another suspension name that many readers will recognize.  Tell us about your time there.
My time at X Fusion was a result of a long history with them as a supplier for parts to FOX and being the sole supplier to the SBC brand of shocks.  Their products had slowly improved over a decade and after raising their quality level while at SBC, I was happy to work with them and help move their product to a higher level.  It was great to provide them with a new look and line of shocks and improve their forks so they could compete in the higher end market. I am most proud of designing the Vector Air DH shock while at XF. 

Tell us about OSO, how did this come about?
I started Off Street Only (OSO) in ’11 as a sole proprietor in an attempt to take what I learned from FOX, SBC, and XF to support anyone who would hire me.  It did work out for the most part quite well for six years!  It was the last four years contracting for FOX, while super grateful, I was banging my head against the wall seeing what products were coming out from all the companies in the mtb industry.  The marketing seemed to be above the engineering in many cases and, along with other factors, I had that building energy of ‘WTF, do your own products already!’ and I just couldn’t ignore it any longer.  That, plus the timing of my long-time friend and ex-coworker, Vincent Chen, asking me to get in the bike biz with him. He’s the owner/founder of Racing Bros out of Taiwan and they are doing quite well on the Powersports side of things.  Together I expect we can produce what we know can be achieved with our coupled experience.  I decided to take the leap and go all in and incorporated OSO in ’17. 

OSO is still new with much more to come. Currently the Global Headquarters are happily my garage!  Right now we have a range of fork and shock dyno's that are designed to make suspension work easier at the manufacturer, service and shop levels.

What's so special about a shock dyno?  Why would a shop want to invest in one?
This is something I took for granted, a shock hand dyno is pretty much a must have for every suspension company's R&D lab and production line.  With a trained arm, you can quickly and easily diagnose a shock for errors and or check that it was built correctly.  You will see every service center and suspension race trailer with one too.  I understand if a shop doesn't do air sleeve maintenance, they might not be interested in one for the service area.

If they do, and want to do a good shock review and ever get into the damper, they would need a hand dyno.  Having the shock on a dyno allows you to feel any issues without it being masked by tires, linkage, drivetrain and awkward seat pushes. The shock dyno will also last a long time. My plan is to update mounts to fit new products as they become available.  Having used many variations of a hand dyno for two decades, I thought it was best to offer my own designs to the masses.

What's your favorite tool... you can't say a hand dyno!?
Oh... easy.  Digital caliper.  I am always reaching for my calipers.  Whether I'm designing parts on my computer or putting parts together in the lab.  Always within reach to either measure something or gain a visual reference on a feature.

***PBMA Technical Workshops registration now includes an entry to win a Shock Hand Dyno from Anthony and OSO... click here for details***