BREAKING The Rules with Bike Farmer

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  • Опубликовано: 24 ноя 2024
  • Interview with Andy aka The Bike Farmer who owns a small bike shop in rural Wisconsin catering to non-cyclists. We also talk about his recent success on RUclips and what it means for the future of his shop.
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Комментарии • 377

  • @miatomi
    @miatomi 8 месяцев назад +145

    man, I've been addicted to this guys channel lately, his shop is very close to my in-laws, I need to head up there. russ always with his finger on the pulse

  • @SurpriseMeJT
    @SurpriseMeJT 8 месяцев назад +93

    "People just want to buy a bike, not a culture or identity". Well said. I feel that here in France, it's very much like that.

    • @No_ReGretzky99
      @No_ReGretzky99 8 месяцев назад +4

      USA is getting this way with everything 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😢😢😢

    • @SurpriseMeJT
      @SurpriseMeJT 8 месяцев назад

      @@No_ReGretzky99 It's why I left. The American culture is garbage.

    • @Koen030NL
      @Koen030NL 7 месяцев назад +6

      @@No_ReGretzky99 Its because they have been preaching cosumerism for the past 70 years or so. At least thats what I think.

    • @matztertaler2777
      @matztertaler2777 7 месяцев назад

      here in Germany, it is all about the culture they want to fit in : Ebike and Gravel is overwelming represented., Nearly everyone you see in traffic rides a ebike today.

    • @ditto1958
      @ditto1958 5 месяцев назад +2

      Most people- I wrote that onto intentionally- MOST people in the area where I live ride on pavement and they don’t ride up a lot of hills. Not all, but most. Most people would be best served by light bikes with skinny wheels and tires. Yet in the 80’s and 90’s the bike companies told everyone they needed “mountain” bikes. They looked cool and also rugged. But they were heavy and had huge knobby tires. Not good for pavement. Then they sold us all “hybrids” that weren’t good for paved roads OR trails. Bicycling could be way more popular if the bike companies would market and sell bikes to people that work good for what they are going to get to use them for.

  • @derekarcher8495
    @derekarcher8495 7 месяцев назад +13

    Who doesn't love a 30 year old Trek hybrid? So much of this video resonated with me. I run a small workshop from home and actively avoid the industry trends and associated malarkey. 98% of my customers are families who just love riding bikes and I really enjoy getting them back on the road and keeping them mobile. I'm not going to get rich doing, but I am enriched by it. Keep up the great work both of you and thanks for this video, I loved it.

  • @BossMan-yu1og
    @BossMan-yu1og 7 месяцев назад +9

    The key to sustaining the industry is advocating and rallying for more bicycle and pedestrian friendly infrastructure; especially in the U.S.! People aren't riding bicycles because they can't! It's too dangerous. As a society we need to move away from the car centricity. Bring back our downtowns. Recreate walkability and community. Personally, we need to follow in the footsteps of the Netherlands.

  • @52blackshadow
    @52blackshadow 3 месяца назад +5

    The mention of the Schwinn Varsity...when I was a kid, that was my first "good" bike. Came straight out of the Chicago factory, just for me in a beautiful metallic green. I remember it well and wish I still had it.

  • @davidmurphy9151
    @davidmurphy9151 8 месяцев назад +68

    The "trick" is to have bike companies support bike infrestructure the same way car companies pushed freeways.

    • @iMadrid11
      @iMadrid11 8 месяцев назад +16

      Now the car companies are vehemently anti-bike. They see protected bike lanes as a threat to their business. Since bikes allow you to zip through traffic without delay. When cars see empty protected bike lanes and segregated bus rapid transit lanes. They see them as parts of the road taken away for cars. When in actuality benefits move more people traffic than private cars with usually just 1 person driving a car.

    • @christopherharmon9336
      @christopherharmon9336 6 месяцев назад +2

      @@iMadrid11 You're going to see transit organizations fight bike lanes and especially e-bikes in the not too distant future. When "the poor" discover e-bikes, public transportation is done. The public transit industry claims they exist to help society, but what do they build? $2500 per month apartments, called Transit Oriented Developments (TOD) around stations, and stations which go to sports arenas. Transit is nothing but man-made waterfront property.

    • @telepopepic
      @telepopepic 6 месяцев назад

      A big YES!

    • @holben27
      @holben27 5 месяцев назад

      ​​@@iMadrid11no they're not. Car companies aren't lobbying against bike infrastructure. They're too busy lobbying to squash foreign competition.
      I think you overestimate the the size and threat of the bike industry

    • @kudosbudo
      @kudosbudo Месяц назад

      @@holben27 im not sure about that...

  • @tomruth9487
    @tomruth9487 3 месяца назад +7

    Years ago we started a bike shop in Portland Ore. Two of us were bike mechanics and our shop was centered on repairing bikes and selling parts at a discount. We did sell new bikes, but we realized that it was not our main means to survive. We really didn't sell a lot of fancy bikes, just bikes for the community. It is an interesting formula, but it was easier 35 years ago.

  • @498lbrw
    @498lbrw Месяц назад +2

    Hi! Love your channel & been a fan for years - since you were in L.A. I've been riding various iterations of "my bike" since I was 5. Now that I'm 72, I've renounced cars altogether, and riding my bike is my primary means of exercise, entertainment, and running errands. It's been 5 years since I've owned a car. So Bravo to both of us!

  • @DavidMolloy-x1m
    @DavidMolloy-x1m 8 месяцев назад +47

    Hi Russ - I was hoping you'd connect with the Bike Farmer so this was a real treat. I love all aspects of cycling but it's refreshing to hear someone talk about cycling for 'normal' people. Keep up the great work!

    • @gearmonger8616
      @gearmonger8616 8 месяцев назад

      It must be so great to be so normal, so smart and so anti-everything. Really great to hear.

  • @xvdifug
    @xvdifug 8 месяцев назад +44

    Excellent interview, Great things happen when the two BEST youtoob Bike Channels get together!!!

  • @TheTWhite
    @TheTWhite 8 месяцев назад +18

    Been watching the entire catalog from Andy, The Bike Farmer! I love his style, desire to keep old bikes rolling, and he loves the utility of the simple machines. Great!

  • @newoldsteel
    @newoldsteel 8 месяцев назад +10

    The collab we needed! This is my mission too because you can have a decent bike for a few hundred bucks and invest the rest. Plus recycling quality durable parts is another awesome perk!

  • @billincolumbia
    @billincolumbia 8 месяцев назад +6

    Russ, thanks for being such a key part of this sensible biking community. It was great seeing Andy on here. He's a lot of fun, and i enjoy his stuff.

  • @gilabear11
    @gilabear11 8 месяцев назад +8

    This was a great discussion.
    Bike Farmer, Path Less Pedaled, and Erie by Cycle are currently my go to cycling channels.
    You guys get it.
    I've been a serious cyclist since 1978, but kinda stopped with road bike technology at downtube shiters, and I still ride a rigid mtn bike (custom steel, however... very fun).
    Gila Proven!

  • @enriquevillasenor9386
    @enriquevillasenor9386 8 месяцев назад +5

    You hit nail on the head. Andy is honest, funny, and shows he isn’t perfect. It also helps that he knows his stuff around a bike.

  • @123moof
    @123moof 8 месяцев назад +6

    Maddening for me over the years were all the brands that the likes of Trek would buy up and slowly grind into boring me-too copies of the rest of the lineup before killing them off. Klein and Gary Fisher in particular stand out as really iconic bikes that just withered on the Trek vine.

  • @ianthompson6268
    @ianthompson6268 8 месяцев назад +12

    "Practical bikes for practical people" is something I can get behind gladly. I'm a relatively high-end roadie/cx racer and love working on simple cruisers etc. and do it regularly. I manufacture grips for cruisers too. Any type of cycling is good. Just purchased the Bridgestone font Partypace shirt 🙂

  • @jeffandersen6233
    @jeffandersen6233 8 месяцев назад +8

    Great to see WI own Bike Farmer on with you. Very good questions Russ.
    I keep my 40 year old Trek with a rack for grocery shopping and find no real need for disc brakes or carbon frames. Appreciate kindred spirits.

  • @bikebikerides
    @bikebikerides 8 месяцев назад +25

    Really great to hear from another shop that is more or less a one person show - and are succeeding. Make me wonder whether shops like that (incl ours) are better navigating the post-boomlet waters than the bigger shops.
    Thx Russ!

  • @tonyjennison3199
    @tonyjennison3199 8 месяцев назад +18

    THere's a bloke in the UK with a channel called 2nd Life Bikes. If you don't know him check him out he rescues 'crusty' bikes and sells stickers to put on them, There's the three horsemen of the tube.

    • @baileyf764
      @baileyf764 8 месяцев назад

      Gary’s projects - the fourth horseman

  • @scmorton8
    @scmorton8 8 месяцев назад +5

    Fun to watch two of my favorite cycle youtubers chatting on here. Love the focus on practical cycling. Keep up the good work.

  • @sveablu
    @sveablu 8 месяцев назад +7

    Wow. My two favorite bike guys in one video! I love both of you for different reasons. Keep it up, guys.

  • @goergeerwoll
    @goergeerwoll 8 месяцев назад +19

    It's funny to hear this as a dutch person. Over here a lot of practical bike shops for practical people is the norm and not the exception.

  • @ecnaruaL
    @ecnaruaL 8 месяцев назад +15

    the Dick Cavett of bike youtubers interviews the George Carlin of bike youtubers. Love it.

  • @SignorNessuno65
    @SignorNessuno65 8 месяцев назад +5

    At 58 years old, I finally decided to purchase a high-end bike. I've always rolled around on cheap Schwinns. I had my heart set on a Trek, Specialized, Gary Fisher or Giant. Oh Boy! The price of the base models! They must be making those things out of solid gold! Guess I'll stick to Schwinn and modifying them to my liking.

    • @DR_1_1
      @DR_1_1 8 месяцев назад +1

      So you expected a "high end" bike under $1000...

    • @richardwolf6269
      @richardwolf6269 8 месяцев назад

      Go to bikes direct. Or pink bike or Craig’s list where you can find great deals on used high end bikes.

    • @johnwinn3254
      @johnwinn3254 8 месяцев назад +3

      Check 2nd hand 5 yrs and older.bikes depreciate quickly

  • @rsrnsrwds
    @rsrnsrwds 8 месяцев назад +2

    Been following The Bike Farmer for a while now. Glad you found him and did this video. You both are so authentic and down to earth!

  • @themoodyteam
    @themoodyteam 8 месяцев назад +15

    6:38 ‘Practical bikes for practical people’, truly a path less pedalled 😊

    • @gearmonger8616
      @gearmonger8616 8 месяцев назад +2

      Then where do the hundreds of "normal" bikes I see every week come from, if no one sells them?

    • @daniellarson3068
      @daniellarson3068 8 месяцев назад

      @@gearmonger8616Somebody buys those bikes sold in the Big Box stores.

  • @mikespanner3096
    @mikespanner3096 3 месяца назад +1

    Great interview 👍. Been a bike mechanic for 32 years. I really love working on bikes. Started in 92 till now. Just left the bike shop in was working at . Making a career change. I am still going to continue working on bikes out of my garage. I love bikes and do like a lot of the technology that bikes have today but I do agree that there is a lot of bikes out there that are way too expensive and complicated for most people. Bikes are an Amazing machine and it’s beauty is how simple and pure they are. That has been lost in a lot of bikes lately. I love building and riding frankenbikes. So much fun building a bike out of parts collected and making your own creation. I believe everyone should be able to have a good quality bicycle that is built well and is fun to ride. 😊

  • @slowwerthensnot
    @slowwerthensnot 8 месяцев назад +25

    It’s not flashy but services are always great money makers

  • @AliceCochrane
    @AliceCochrane 7 месяцев назад +2

    I was a racer and worked in a bike shop in the 90's. But thinking about getting back into biking after about 25 years... i've been astonished at some of the changes and trends in the bike world. Fat tyres, weird ratio's, disktopia, 'steel is deceased',.and much more.

  • @JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage
    @JohnsVintageRoadBikeGarage 8 месяцев назад +2

    Great video. I think Andy has it right. I works for Wisconsin Cycle Supply/GT bicycles/Riteway for 10 years. Before that I ran a shop. We were told to force dealers into a mold if they wanted to carry Our brand. Suppliers would force dealers to buy more than they need to. Bike shops have become homogenized. There's nothing more boring than a trek store. Now after promoting these brands for decades, the suppliers are now screwing the dealers. They are biting the hand that feeds them. Andy is doing it right! Great video.

  • @old_surfer
    @old_surfer 20 дней назад

    Don't know how I missed this. My two favorite bike guys together. I've followed advice from both of you. Thanks for being on RUclips.

  • @dennisfloyd8514
    @dennisfloyd8514 8 месяцев назад +3

    I hate “polished”. That is exactly why I watch your RUclips channels. As well as Listen to live music and love a well used bike.

  • @johnshepherd708
    @johnshepherd708 8 месяцев назад +1

    You guys are a breath of fresh air. Real people, great advice and a normal perspective. In so many special interest areas people become esoteric, isolated and out of touch with regular people with balanced lives. Bikes, audio gear, cameras and musical instruments all come to mind. It gets so out there that customers just shut down and exit their interests. It is an eye opener when you walk into a shop with a focus of any of the areas that I just mentioned . You get THE look of the people working there and they size you up, evaluate you to see if you are worthy. As a result of that many customers just leave and never come back. Their interest declines and they just choose to not participate.
    You both are rather counter culture and it's nice to see you follow your truth and sharing it with others....keep up the great work and keep offering practical offerings to normal people.

  • @JohnPilling25
    @JohnPilling25 8 месяцев назад +4

    Russ,Andy. Love both your approach's down to earth simplicity. Great idea for a get together.❤

  • @ronyerke9250
    @ronyerke9250 Месяц назад

    It sounds like Bike Farmer could make a fun video tearing down his first few suspension forks. Mistakes can be fun to watch, struggles too. It's very relatable.

  • @jackiegammon2065
    @jackiegammon2065 4 месяца назад +1

    As someone who has a very similar but different path than bikefarmer, it definitely is an interesting and very stressful at times life. I've always been on a bike regardless of the time of year, but an interesting piece of this is being a female doing all of this. Although I love to work as a mechanic, I will always love riding so much more. Thanks for sharing this video, and all of the videos that you spend so much time working on.

  • @bikenraider99
    @bikenraider99 8 месяцев назад +4

    Two my favorite biking RUclipsrs. Appreciate it guys!

  • @leerjet18
    @leerjet18 8 месяцев назад +1

    Love this. I had been watching both you guys. I also seem to like working on bikes even more than riding them.

  • @ericivy8888
    @ericivy8888 7 месяцев назад +1

    Didn't know about the Bike Farmer and am excited to deep dive on this fellow Wisconsinite's channel! Thanks Russ!

  • @jimsandlin4802
    @jimsandlin4802 8 месяцев назад +12

    My two favorite bike curmudgeons on one screen! Love it. Excellent interview as always. BTW Russ, thx for the recommendation of the Surley LHDT and wider tread. I'm loving it. Def what I needed for touring.

  • @stevevanness4195
    @stevevanness4195 8 месяцев назад +3

    Great conversation! I feel I'm halfway between you two & a racer. Seems like bikes got better & less expensive (when adjusted for inflation) from the 70s until I bought my most recent bike in 2017, a Carbon Fiber Kestrel RT1000, the last rim brake bike they made. Then everything went crazy price & tech wise. Basically, the same bike the following year with disc brakes was more than two times as expensive & heavier and things continue to get more complex & expensive.

  • @Tokoroegao
    @Tokoroegao 8 месяцев назад +3

    Guys, another nice biking channel that is pretty down to earth is "shifter"... He's canadian talking about bike commuting and sensible technology and useless equipment and city development.

  • @JimLBon
    @JimLBon 7 месяцев назад +1

    This is awesome. I used to ride a Sirrus. Carbon fiber, hydro's, 2x9, etc. I gave it to my dad a year ago to start riding a 1988 Stumpjumper. Now I also have a 90-91 Stumpy as a project 'gravel' bike. I don't regret rim brakes and 3x drivetrains one ounce.

  • @Astronomater
    @Astronomater 8 месяцев назад +5

    Wasnt sure if his mojo was offputting with negativity when his viral videos were made, but i love his restoration videos and i am converted.

  • @hippiebits2071
    @hippiebits2071 8 месяцев назад +3

    Really cool to see this. I’ve watched quite a bit of Bike Farmer lately. Seems like a down to earth guy.

  • @roddymacd6284
    @roddymacd6284 7 месяцев назад +1

    I worked in a Trek dealer in 2008, and the road bikes were great(madone), but the mtb's especially the EX8 and above were something ground breaking! No longer in the industry but have a soft spot for more practical end of the market.

  • @WayneDang74
    @WayneDang74 8 месяцев назад +2

    You two and Paul Suchecki are my favorite biking channels.
    I always tell people when they ask if I’m a cyclist. I say nope. I just ride a bike.

  • @JamesStevensonPhoto
    @JamesStevensonPhoto 2 месяца назад

    Two of my favourite recently discovered RUclipsrs, I’ve already learned so much from both of you! Enjoyed this chat a lot. Keep up the great work fellas, greets from Vancouver!

  • @athbhreith7391
    @athbhreith7391 3 месяца назад

    I was shopping for a bike and one Andy’s videos was sandwiched between two GCN videos. His counter to “cyclist culture “ is so rare. Thanks for taking the time to sit down with him, he seems way more than just the character I perceived him to be.

  • @escgoogle3865
    @escgoogle3865 8 месяцев назад +1

    Subbed, solid content. Watching him take apart old cup and cone BB's without talking over the top, +1.

  • @brianboschma
    @brianboschma 8 месяцев назад +3

    Nice to get together with the Farmer.

  • @lonestarlaurel
    @lonestarlaurel 8 месяцев назад +1

    This was an unexpected vid event! A real treat listening to you two. Thanks for what you do and this particular video. May the opportunities to make your dreams come true present themselves. I believe in that. Get ready. Oh! You already are! Happy trails. 🐾🎶

  • @m.talley1660
    @m.talley1660 8 месяцев назад +1

    Great interview. Bike Farmer drew me in with one of his Rando ride videos and then going over his equipment - later he gave us a chance to watch Dave Wages (Ellis Cycles) build a frame.
    Being rando-curious means I'm not his bread and butter viewer but he hits some notes that catch me.
    This makes me feel like suggesting 'Psychic Derailleur' as a worthy interview. He's backed off from Youtubing but speaks to the alt-bike world from/with a shop experience background.

  • @bikeyclown4669
    @bikeyclown4669 8 месяцев назад +1

    I grew up in a working class community. It supported a bike shop, and I worked 5 seasons there. This guy's approach to a bike shop reminds me of that shop. That bike shop also made most of its money in repairs, and focused on selling mid- to low priced bikes that people in the community could afford. I still prefer shops like the one I worked in. It was friendly and not at all pretentious like so many shops can be.

  • @THECONTROVERSIALCYCLIST
    @THECONTROVERSIALCYCLIST 8 месяцев назад +4

    I loved this podcast, bike farmer is a class act 👍👍👍 Guys you are a diamond in the rough and take me back to cycling growing up in the 80s & 90s. Hand me down bikes, shopper, your mums, your dad's ig you lucky, first road bike 2 sizes to big so you grow into it. Steel is real, MTBs hard tail n front back...Oh those days....Beautiful ❤

    • @cadriver2570
      @cadriver2570 8 месяцев назад

      Not sure about that - his comment replies on his channel are pretty childish and mean spirited.

    • @THECONTROVERSIALCYCLIST
      @THECONTROVERSIALCYCLIST 8 месяцев назад +1

      @@cadriver2570 Is this true or it you expecting nice replies to comments that are passive aggressive just because they disagree and think you shouldn't be allowed to speak, even when it is the truth.. So what is this?? Do you want to back this statement up with evidence to a comment made for Bike Farmer that is genuine... Care to explain Cab driver??

    • @cadriver2570
      @cadriver2570 8 месяцев назад

      @@THECONTROVERSIALCYCLIST Speaking of classy, nice reply. I simply read comments on his channel and his replies.

    • @THECONTROVERSIALCYCLIST
      @THECONTROVERSIALCYCLIST 8 месяцев назад +1

      @@cadriver2570 OK mate no explanation for what you said but everyone is entitled to an opinion. So here's mine on you like you had on me...
      You are either gate keeping for Bike Farmer, scared or just generally lurking in the shadows playing mind games.. Whatever it is upto you 👍

    • @sertaoexpedicoes
      @sertaoexpedicoes 8 месяцев назад

      I'm with you! t's a generational issue/feeling.

  • @tblakemusic
    @tblakemusic 8 месяцев назад +1

    Andy is the man. His personal collection is incredible too! Beautiful bikes

  • @godfellas483
    @godfellas483 7 месяцев назад +1

    When I buy a bike, I'm not entering into competition, or buying into a lifestyle. We need more bike shop owners like this. And manufactures need to get back to basics and support the "bike shops" that are selling their bikes. Sell what works. And stop the upsell. I bet the Bike Farmer makes a lot of "cyclists" angry. Good. The industry needs that adjustment...😎

  • @vaquerosupreme3189
    @vaquerosupreme3189 8 месяцев назад +1

    Great conversation. Love the no-nonsense approach to riding bikes. These days I always have a smile when I'm out riding in normal clothes and in Party Pace.

  • @markconnelly1806
    @markconnelly1806 8 месяцев назад +4

    One point to consider is that most people don't ride bikes. Most cite road safety. Most kids don't bike anymore. Many companies focus on racers and serious cyclist crowd cause thats is mainly the only crowd buying many bikes and upgrades.

    • @BirdmanDeuce26
      @BirdmanDeuce26 8 месяцев назад

      Yeah, it's difficult to talk about "where have all the practical bikes gone" while not talking about the true underlying issue, which is the lack of safe bike/non-motorized vehicle infrastructure available in car-centric cities and towns for those practical bikes to exist. This is one of the reasons e-bikes have exploded in popularity (and not just for squids avoiding working towards their motorcycle licence) - e-bikes, with their motors, are the only bicycles capable of meaningfully keeping up in mixed traffic, without asking their riders to become MVDP.

    • @DR_1_1
      @DR_1_1 8 месяцев назад

      In Europe there is some bike commuting locally, but a good part are e-Bikes now, the rest are young people who will switch to cars once they have enough money. Decathlon and similar shops provides a good part of these bikes for the common man.
      I suppose the real market is also upper end, people who buy the latest tech, higher prices meaning higher margins for the business.

    • @richardwolf6269
      @richardwolf6269 8 месяцев назад +1

      Cycling infrastructure in most places suck! Our car culture makes people fat, lazy and angry!

  • @kaelcampbell1553
    @kaelcampbell1553 8 месяцев назад +1

    Thanks for the interview. One thing that could save the industry is kids bikes. My parents bought 5 konas one year for us and turned me into a cyclist. My siblings ride bikes a bit and all bought bikes for their kids, but none as enthusiastic as me. Kids bikes in the 200/400$ range would create new cyclists, and the thing is they grow out of them!

    • @markconnelly1806
      @markconnelly1806 8 месяцев назад

      Department store bikes are in that price range, but most kids don't like riding. It's either video games or traditional sports.

    • @kaelcampbell1553
      @kaelcampbell1553 8 месяцев назад

      @@markconnelly1806 Yes, department store bikes that are crap in that range. Every toddler grinning from ear to ear on a run bike and kids smiling as they ride past kids walking to school would disagree with you. Bike stores can sell tons of kids bikes and all the accessories to parents who are cyclist and do well. How do you get new customers who buy lots of bikes? Start with kids!

  • @marklarsen8
    @marklarsen8 8 месяцев назад +1

    This was great! Thanks for bringing the Bike Farmer to a wider audience. Between the two of you, I’m thinking I might need to put more time into my bike biz and less time being a wage slave.

  • @RoyFauntleroy
    @RoyFauntleroy 8 месяцев назад +3

    "Umpteen different options for that bike" is music to my ears!

  • @flapcast
    @flapcast 8 месяцев назад +1

    Thanks guys. I got a ‘94 Trek 750 and another 8 bikes just about the same.

  • @bonbonflippers4298
    @bonbonflippers4298 8 месяцев назад +1

    Before covid the last time i rode a bike was 9years old. During start of covid i got back into riding basic $50 used bikes. I had to learn everything in fixing and tuning entire bikes. I've gone the full circle. I currently have 4 expensive bikes but i am no longer interested in buying ANY expensive bike. All I look for now is second hand simple bikes.
    Takes a bit of time before peope wake up and smell the burning coffee that what you see in marketing is not what you actually really need. Brainwashing is a thing in media. Glad Farmer is an advocate of practical use bikes

  • @haqitman
    @haqitman 8 месяцев назад +1

    Russ, you're an excellent interviewer! Great questions, really get Andy talking. This was fun, reminded me a bit of the Grant Peterson one.

  • @markholm7050
    @markholm7050 8 месяцев назад +4

    The Riv cap was an instant clue that this guy was going to be off the beaten track.

  • @jimd.226
    @jimd.226 2 месяца назад +1

    Just stay true and real to yourselves don't cater to others. The world needs more of this!😊

  • @jppac8815
    @jppac8815 8 месяцев назад +2

    Would’ve loved for you guys to talk about e-bikes and how that impacts the future of the bike market

    • @richardwolf6269
      @richardwolf6269 8 месяцев назад +1

      Certainly better than cars and for older cyclists with worn out knees a godsend!
      Most older bikes can be converted to an e-bike rather inexpensively.

  • @ak4good
    @ak4good 8 месяцев назад +1

    Really enjoyed this chat. Found it inspirational even though I'm not aspiring to be a youtuber or have involvement in the bike industry. My connection to bikes is as a user learning to do my own maintenance, my day job is in tech, and passion is adventure and art (atm primarily photography). I think I found this inspiring because a way to find purpose and direction seems to often be just stumbling through opportunities as they present themselves, and what ends up fulfilling is a novel(ish) mix of things that have mostly already been done by someone in some way. So cheers and kudos, and keep being inspired and inspiring! 🙏🤘

  • @ronnisullivan9794
    @ronnisullivan9794 6 месяцев назад

    Just started watching bike farmer so was happy to see you chatting with him. I agree with many of his rants about the bicycle industry. I like that you both keep it simple.

  • @decleafs4
    @decleafs4 7 месяцев назад +1

    In a word..."Genuine". Thanks very much, gentlemen!

  • @josephhaddakin7095
    @josephhaddakin7095 8 месяцев назад +1

    You mentioned Oceanside LBS. That brings back memories. I bought a Masi 3V from Two Wheel Transit bike shop in Oceanside in 1985. I think they've been gone for many moons now. Oops, that might have been in Huntington Beach. It was a long time ago.

  • @VickiKech
    @VickiKech 8 месяцев назад +1

    Russ, one of my fave videos of yours was about Laura getting a custom BW bike. I'd love it if you could interview Georgina Terry, who builds custom bikes. This interview with Andy is a really fun and interesting confluence of channels I enjoy. I'm a fan of his YT channel too. Good luck, Andy & Russ, hang in there!

    • @PathLessPedaledTV
      @PathLessPedaledTV  8 месяцев назад +1

      We've done an interview with Georgina Terry!

    • @VickiKech
      @VickiKech 8 месяцев назад

      @@PathLessPedaledTV ok...found it & saved it to watch later.Thx!

  • @ifrit35
    @ifrit35 8 месяцев назад +1

    This was an interesting discussion and it put things into perspective. The bike farmer simply seems to be advocating for recreational cycling and recreational bikes. And this doesn't seem to be as much of an issue over here in Europe. I mean we do have equivalents to cheap walmart bicycles at supermarkets and people do buy these things but the most common bicycles on the road are from Decathlon and they usually are made fairly well for less than 500 euros. So at least we have options.
    I like his sarcastic approach and I can also understand why some content creators would avoid alienating their viewers. So yes, it is refreshing to see someone have an idea, making a good video about it, and put it out there in hope that it does well enough, in that order. And obviously it's not going to resonate with everyone but being too polite and too careful makes for bland content. And that's true for all medias, hence why TV lost its appeal for many as you guys mentioned it.

  • @Modrunnermusic
    @Modrunnermusic 8 месяцев назад +1

    I thoroughly enjoyed this. Been wanting to get something like this is Orangeburg SC. There are no bike shops and the community is in need of a walkable and bike infrastructure.

  • @sdmike1141
    @sdmike1141 8 месяцев назад

    Nice convo with two of my “must follow” creators! Thanks. Cheeseheads rock!!

  • @billromano5844
    @billromano5844 8 месяцев назад +2

    This is great! Love the Bike Farmer! He’s like a nice version of Durian Rider. That would be a crazy interview for you to get! Also really like your connections with Bike Sauce, Spindatt and Lockedin. One on ones with those last two would be great. 👍

  • @hananas2
    @hananas2 8 месяцев назад +2

    It's kinda funny seeing what feels normal and good for me is basically the stuff that I got into when I started to really get into bikes in 2018, so like because I got into MTB first, 1x11 and disc brakes are the perfect balance of performance and reliability for me, but I hate internal routing and electronic shifting.
    Although if you ask me now: belt drive, internally geared hubs and mechanical disc brakes are the best for people who ride a lot.
    For people who don't, I think it's all about singlespeed or geared hubs and dual pivot caliper brakes. I still really really love my classic singlespeed comfy ladies bike and I really need to get it back up and running again.

  • @camt1818
    @camt1818 8 месяцев назад +3

    I remember the day he posted his bike shop asshole video in the Steel is Real fb group. I had seen it recommended it to me for days on RUclips. Watched it that day and just kept watching. One of my favs lately.
    Also, newest member of the alt cycling network??

  • @FrankZen
    @FrankZen 2 месяца назад

    I'm a recreational rider and do my own maintenance and I totally agree with the whole disc brakes thing. As long as I maintain my stuff, it's rim brakes all the way. Never had a problem in the rain. Rode the whole five boro bike tour in the rain on rim brakes.
    My buddy has a mobile bike shop and he does pretty well. He does farmers markets and fairs too.

  • @DefaultUsername156
    @DefaultUsername156 8 месяцев назад +7

    Bike farmer is awesome!

  • @RodMesa-e2t
    @RodMesa-e2t 8 месяцев назад +2

    Hey! My two favorite bike people! This is great!

  • @rlm4471
    @rlm4471 8 месяцев назад +1

    Love all of this. In most markets, there is a huge gap between the high end race-oriented bike shops and Walmart. Nobody really serves the average person who just wants a decent bike to ride recreationally.

  • @FrankZen
    @FrankZen 2 месяца назад

    Great episode! I just found Bike Farmer a couple of weeks ago. Good to get his insight.

  • @Ey_up
    @Ey_up 8 месяцев назад +2

    What a great duo to discuss the state of the industry!
    In the words of Steely Dan: You go back, Jack, do it again, wheel turnin' 'round and 'round.
    Post WW2, Raleigh UK made bicycles for the people...then in the 1960s came the Mini- both very affordable in their own right but still both, for the people.
    Now we have an industry that's trying to create customers...do you really need drops and a change of clothes for commuting?
    The bike industry may have driven it's largest consumer market away by creating faux bike racers out of us?

    • @Andy_ATB
      @Andy_ATB 8 месяцев назад +1

      Yeah, far too many in the industry are performance orientated......

  • @ajkauly3682
    @ajkauly3682 4 месяца назад

    thanks for this! It is encouraging to meet the customer's need instead of pushing them into modern prices, all advancements are not needed by all riders. I rebuild traditional pedal bicycles in Michigan most my customers are low to mid income, many commuters who use their bikes as utility, not often by choice. I often do Full rebuilds for $50 to $100, it takes 3 to 7 hours, but if they come back to me in the future its worth it for both of us, because subsequent work and results on a properly reubuilt bike is great. If they don;t though, its tough for me financially.

  • @BrianSantero
    @BrianSantero 8 месяцев назад

    What a great installment of my two faves! Would love to hear you guys chat more often especially now there's an across the pond aspect!

  • @RicLevine
    @RicLevine 7 месяцев назад

    I just discovered the Bike Farmer and LOVE his direct approach and cynicism!!

  • @sethchapman8001
    @sethchapman8001 2 месяца назад

    Both of y'all have great channels, I love the non-cyclist approach to bikes. Really cool that Bikefarmer was inspired by a luthier. My father is a luthier and I grew up watching him build and repair guitars. It's where I got inspiration to be a craftsman, though I make jewelry and toys.

  • @Mike-vd2qt
    @Mike-vd2qt Месяц назад

    Tubeless tires, disc brakes... I recently wasted another three hours trying to install tubeless tires, frustrated, gave up, and took the mess into my LBS. A few days later I purchased a steel frame bike with cantilever brakes and 36 spoke wheels tires and tubes. I can change a flat in ten minutes. And I can replace canti brake pads in about 15 minutes. Keep your bike simple. Happy trails. ☮

  • @lkflrs
    @lkflrs 8 месяцев назад +1

    Awesome! I love both of these channels!

  • @BillSmithPerson
    @BillSmithPerson 8 месяцев назад +1

    Great interview. I’m a big fan of the Bike Farmer channel.

  • @centeredcycling.isbipedalt9544
    @centeredcycling.isbipedalt9544 8 месяцев назад +1

    Andy is the man. His experienced perspective based upon witnessing a brief era of decent quality is something that resonates with me. I watched the same degeneration of quality occur in bicycles. Shimano and Campy should make available parts to change sti/ergo brifters 8,9,10,11 speed, interchangeable. Planned obsolescence is, of course, not sustainable. The culture of business, here in the States, is way too focused on high volume turnover for massive profits and that needs to be reigned in. Trek doesn't know what they are doing. Don't fall into the success qualification as a standard. They became the first billionaire bicycle company due to the success of Lance Armstrong. It's nothing but a collection of "agreeable executives" licking the boots of an heir, who fancies himself Presidential material. If they had to start over in the current "free market" they wouldn't survive. Andy, thank you for introducing me to "Path Less Pedaled". I'll be adding this to my morning/weekly selection along with I know a guy, GCN, Cade Media, WEDU and what ever bike race is happeneing here on the RUclips, while I tinker on bikes.

  • @elliottmarksy
    @elliottmarksy 8 месяцев назад +3

    Great podcast, would love to see an interview with BikemanforU

  • @donaldpell4543
    @donaldpell4543 8 месяцев назад

    Great discussion. Our views connect from the get go. Enjoy your ride. The Schwinn Varsity was great, but I first enjoyed the 3 speed "English Bike" Schwinn Racer.

  • @hrhbucket4268
    @hrhbucket4268 8 месяцев назад +1

    I like BikeFarmer's channel also. I used to be addicted to BikeMan4U but he became an oyster farmer. BikeMan4U was great but I think the economic reality may have been a factor in the end.

  • @TheTofertowe
    @TheTofertowe 8 месяцев назад

    Great interview. I've enjoyed both of your channels, and this crossover was interesting.
    I've learned a lot from both of you, so thanks Russ and Andy.

  • @No_ReGretzky99
    @No_ReGretzky99 8 месяцев назад

    Man andy seems like a cool dude to work for and be friends with very positive and love ghis channel first video and subbed

  • @manchesterexplorer8519
    @manchesterexplorer8519 7 месяцев назад +1

    The industry tries to make every potential customer , especially new customers think it's all about racing . The fact is that 95% of people riding bikes are not cycling a time trial as they just want to ride around for an hour. E-bikes are also taking over , as someone who resides in a small city that has a series of rail trails in the area , I'm also seeing a lot more people riding E-bikes as I'd wager it's close to 40% riding E-bikes.