BREAKING The Rules with Bike Farmer
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- čas přidán 11. 03. 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 CZcams and what it means for the future of his shop.
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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
Yeah, I get it - I found Bike Farmer a few weeks ago and love the sarcasm and self-deprecation. He works like I do in my garage. I have some classic Italian steel but everything about them is "practical".
"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.
USA is getting this way with everything 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😢😢😢
@@No_ReGretzky99 It's why I left. The American culture is garbage.
@@No_ReGretzky99 Its because they have been preaching cosumerism for the past 70 years or so. At least thats what I think.
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.
The "trick" is to have bike companies support bike infrestructure the same way car companies pushed freeways.
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.
@@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.
A big YES!
Excellent interview, Great things happen when the two BEST youtoob Bike Channels get together!!!
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!
It must be so great to be so normal, so smart and so anti-everything. Really great to hear.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
6:38 ‘Practical bikes for practical people’, truly a path less pedalled 😊
Then where do the hundreds of "normal" bikes I see every week come from, if no one sells them?
@@gearmonger8616Somebody buys those bikes sold in the Big Box stores.
"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 🙂
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.
Gary’s projects - the fourth horseman
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. 🐾🎶
Wow. My two favorite bike guys in one video! I love both of you for different reasons. Keep it up, guys.
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.
Fun to watch two of my favorite cycle youtubers chatting on here. Love the focus on practical cycling. Keep up the good work.
Both these guys are fun to watch!
Want bicycling to become the biggest hobby in America.
the Dick Cavett of bike youtubers interviews the George Carlin of bike youtubers. Love it.
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.
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.
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!
Thanks guys. I got a ‘94 Trek 750 and another 8 bikes just about the same.
Great conversation! Thank you for this! I lived the glory days of spandex unitards and cadence computers, but
with grocery, fuel, taxes, medical, and all general life costs so flippin' high, my bikes have migrated to practical steel upright go anywhere bikes that I built up myself with quslity used parts, learning via trial and error, youtube, etc. I can't imagine buying a new bike in today's economy, but I am not wealthy and on a retirement budget. Most new mainstream bikes today also have no soul.
The Riv cap was an instant clue that this guy was going to be off the beaten track.
It’s not flashy but services are always great money makers
Russ,Andy. Love both your approach's down to earth simplicity. Great idea for a get together.❤
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.
Two my favorite biking CZcamsrs. Appreciate it guys!
Awesome! I love both of these channels!
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!
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.
So you expected a "high end" bike under $1000...
Go to bikes direct. Or pink bike or Craig’s list where you can find great deals on used high end bikes.
Check 2nd hand 5 yrs and older.bikes depreciate quickly
Subbed, solid content. Watching him take apart old cup and cone BB's without talking over the top, +1.
Great interview. Two of my favorite channels.
Great interview! Real down to earth… keep it up!
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!
Great conversation gentlemen!
Really cool to see this. I’ve watched quite a bit of Bike Farmer lately. Seems like a down to earth guy.
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.
Russ, you're an excellent interviewer! Great questions, really get Andy talking. This was fun, reminded me a bit of the Grant Peterson one.
Great video, I enjoy watching both of you guys ❤
Such a good conversation. Love it really cool insight
Nice to get together with the Farmer.
Bonus video! …..from two guys I greatly respect as relating to bicycles! Awesome stuff! Thanks, Key West Rick
"Umpteen different options for that bike" is music to my ears!
Nice convo with two of my “must follow” creators! Thanks. Cheeseheads rock!!
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! 🙏🤘
Hey! My two favorite bike people! This is great!
Love this. I had been watching both you guys. I also seem to like working on bikes even more than riding them.
Supremely awesome sesh !! I'm exprrimenting w/ boycotting car ownership atm because it's such a racket for shareholders !! From fuel to repairs its a rediculous scheme to funnel short term profits into shareholders pockets (and many fall for it thinking there are no other choices )!! Trying to use both bikes and PEVs to avoid these greedy schemes = not easy BUT the movement is growing !
love his channel so much. great interview
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.
I hate “polished”. That is exactly why I watch your CZcams channels. As well as Listen to live music and love a well used bike.
You both are great perspectives for enjoying riding. Cheers ☕️
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.
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.
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 ❤
Not sure about that - his comment replies on his channel are pretty childish and mean spirited.
@@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??
@@THECONTROVERSIALCYCLIST Speaking of classy, nice reply. I simply read comments on his channel and his replies.
@@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 👍
I'm with you! t's a generational issue/feeling.
This is cool. My two favorite bike related channels.
Thanks for this. Excellent.
Didn't know about the Bike Farmer and am excited to deep dive on this fellow Wisconsinite's channel! Thanks Russ!
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. 👍
Andy is the man. His personal collection is incredible too! Beautiful bikes
Thoroughly enjoyed this video!
Two of my favorites in one video, Sweet.
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.
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.
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.
Luv this episode! 👏👏👏
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.
Man andy seems like a cool dude to work for and be friends with very positive and love ghis channel first video and subbed
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.
In a word..."Genuine". Thanks very much, gentlemen!
Great interview. I’m a big fan of the Bike Farmer channel.
The longest I've heard BF go without an oops :)
I was in the bicycle industry for over 35 years including working in Taiwan for two years. I’ve considered getting back into design/manufacturing, but it seems like the bicycle industry now has lost its way and they don’t really know where to go, there’s a lot of money spending marketing products that most people don’t want don’t need or can’t afford. There is definitely an underserved market for basic bikes and keeping them running.
good stuff guys. Thanks
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 CZcams. Watched it that day and just kept watching. One of my favs lately.
Also, newest member of the alt cycling network??
I enjoyed this conversation
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.
Great interview with a great guy.
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.
Best show on yt in awhile! Thanks.
Bike farmer is awesome!
Nice. 2 of my favorite bike CZcamsrs.
Good conversation
Appreciate the insight
Thanks!
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.
Legend wearing Grado's too 🙂
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!
We've done an interview with Georgina Terry!
@@PathLessPedaledTV ok...found it & saved it to watch later.Thx!
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.
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.
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.
Cycling infrastructure in most places suck! Our car culture makes people fat, lazy and angry!
Similar to channel I Know A Guy bicycles. Talk to him too. Also from small town WI. All of you good to watch.
Wonderful insight
I just discovered the Bike Farmer and LOVE his direct approach and cynicism!!
Andy is the Bob Ross of the online bike community.
Russ, I know you do Q&As, but have you yourself had an interview in recent years? I think it would be an interesting video. Great interview!
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!
Department store bikes are in that price range, but most kids don't like riding. It's either video games or traditional sports.
@@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!