autoteller Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Any bike messengers on here? I just got a brand new job today as a bike messenger and so far it fucking rules, i just get to ride around the city all day checking out girls in skimpy clothes and occasionally give some guy in a suit stuff. I'll probably still think it's awesome until i get doored though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TripleSuplex Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 firsto and what city you in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TripleSuplex Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 firsto and what city you in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrashcat Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 congrats on the job man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeking Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 cue KOH with his uphill-both-ways-barefoot-in-the-snow stories of boston in january. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercer Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Sounds like a really cool job to me, I'd do it if I wasn't doing what I'm doing now but, most messengers are complete douches. Don't turn into one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bahleediddy Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I did. In the best and worst weather of Chicago. It was 9 degrees the last days at my job before I moved. It was fun, then it sucked too when the weather blows. No benefits, sheisty bosses. Elitists attitudes. But riding off daily hangovers was great. Seeing a lot of girls and different parts of the city. People that messenger in midwest to east coast weather know whats up with winter bikes, or parts that last only a season because of the salt and sand they put on the streets. Plastic bags over your socks before you put on your shoes. Head to toe layers and layers. Trekking through a lot of inches of snow on road tires. etc. Fun while it lasted. Wouldn't want to do it again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimendk Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 how does payment work? is it all commission or do you get a flat rate? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_gacy Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 My buddy did it for a while and it seemed pretty cool, until things got over run w/ tight pants wearing track bike riding dirty smelly scensters. He claims though that if you ever need to grab some weed, ask a messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screambloodygore Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 bunch of my friends do it, keep it a job, not a lifestyle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autoteller Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 ima be doing it in boston. mainly downtown/longwood area, but there are times ( i've been told ) that i'm gonna have to take a ride out to quincy, but not without DAMN good rewards. essentially it's a 400/week flat rate if i get taken on full time, but if i do some good work, i'm liable to get cash stacked onto that, i guess there are some dudes that just get lucky and have days where they just have run after run right next to eachother and can get like 6-700 at the end of the WEEK. but yeah, i know what you mean about bike messengers. i got a lot of looks today because i don't look like a conventional bike messenger. i'm riding a bike from the 80s that's been fixed up, and it's a non-fixie, so i've gotten some flak. some cock just rode up next to me and was like 'HAH'. no idea why. i just was on my way without any bullshit. i've been doing the office job thing for awhile, and really.i'm sick of it. i'd rather deal with stuck up bike messengers that'll split a joint with me if they see me smoking some bud on my bike than some bitch that got a lucky break at 23 and now won't promote anyone that isn't from the hood, which was the case in my last job, motherfuckers that were there for 2 months were getting promoted when my numbers were higher, and i was there more. either way. 400 a week is pretty decent, considering i still do tech support on the side. thanks for the awesome replies though. i really appreciate it. - oh, and the first week is commission. but i get at least 280 bucks a week on unemployment, and i timed it so it's my last two weeks on unemployment so i'll be all set regardless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shai Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 I did it for about 10 years in three different cities. Probably the two most important things is to make sure your bike is in good working condition and to wear a helmet. Get one of these- -and keep your manifest (job sheet) INSIDE the compartment so you won't lose it. You don't want to lose a manifest. Carry the following- -Basic tools (multitool, monkey wrench, tire levers, patch kit, pump) and a couple extra tubes. Make sure nothing on your bike can be easily removed...you can use hose clamps to secure your wheels if they aren't bolt on. -An extra key for your lock with you somewhere other than where your main key is. -A rain shell. (you never know) -A couple of garbage bags to keep things dry. (see above) -$20 in cash or a checkbook in case you have to pay for something and the client didn't give you the money. This happens with court filings a lot. Also helps in case of emergencies. -Front and rear flashers (some cops are sticklers about this). Put on sunscreen in the morning and drink a lot of water. Try to get to sleep early and eat well for the first month or so till you get used to the workload. You should do this anyway but it helps starting out. Don't carry food, anything that's fragile enough to get broken in a crash or anything you can get arrested for (drugs, weapons, etc.)....well, food is okay if you can get some screwtop Nalgene containers. Fragile stuff you can wrap up. Try not to let shit in traffic get to you. It's not always easy but it will save your sanity if you can let most shit roll off of your back. If you do get pissed enough to do something wild, make sure you can get the hell out of there....it's almost always a bad move because there's a good chance whatever you do will catch up with you but shit happens. Be safe and ride defensively. No package is worth a trip to the hospital or your life. The best policy is to be friendly with your coworkers but getting caught up in the messenger scene can be a real timewaster. Unless that's what you're into. If anyone tells you anything different from what I told you, they're lying to you. That's about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autoteller Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 congrats on the job man expect calls like 'WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU, MEET ME OUTSIDE IN 5 MINUTES WITH A LIGHTER' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shai Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Oh yeah, when you want to get a new bag (you will) this is a good local (New England) bag company. http://www.baileyworks.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-walk Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Wear a helmet and don't listen to your iPod while you're riding. You need your eyes and your ears. Thats all I really have to say about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autoteller Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 baileyworks is an awesome company, but i have one of these fuckers on the way right now http://www.chromebagsstore.com/kremlin-olive-black-stripe.html 3000 cubic inch space Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shai Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 I'm not a big fan of Chrome bags since a friend of mine fell wearing one and cracked a couple of ribs on the buckle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LosingMyMind Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 I don't know much about bikes but I find it odd that guys who are riding all day use fixies. Surely you would want the variety of gears to help you if it was your job. I imagine it's a different story to general hipster posing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-walk Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 My buddy was a messenger for 4 years and rode a 18 speed all day. He hated riding fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TripleSuplex Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 believe all that shai has to say he knows oooooooo he knows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojangles Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 I used to be one when I was younger. It rules until I got hit by cars 3 time in one year. Riding in blizzards sucks too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shai Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 The best argument in favor of riding a track bike is that there's fewer parts and it's easier to fix/maintain. On the other hand, quality parts are expensive and when something goes wrong it's usually major. Perfect example- I just fixed ink face's bike recently because the hub stripped out. I can ride pretty much anything and get the job done, so all of the "it's a better, more efficient ride" arguments don't really hold water with me. If you want to do what all the cool kids are doing, at least be honest about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojangles Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 My buddy was a messenger for 4 years and rode a 18 speed all day. He hated riding fixed. 18 speed all day son! FUCK a fixed gear. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autoteller Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 i'm good on a single speed, maybe later on i'll get another bike to run with, but for the summer/fall, i'm golden. maybe in the winter i'll end up getting a better bike more suited for new england shit winters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ink face Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Perfect example- I just fixed ink face's bike recently because the hub stripped out. . oh yeah shai i meant to tell you about this, the next day i was at a bar and some dude came up and asked we could trade rear wheels, as they were the same make and model and he liked the colr of mine, so i told him the hub was stripped out on one side and he was still down with it. point of the story got a brand new back wheel and tire and 2 cogs on the cheap cheap. still riding the free wheel though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shai Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 In my opinion, the best bike to ride is a mountain bike with a basket and a rear rack. It's not as fast, but if you get doored you essentially have a front bumper that will take most of the impact. Also, it's a lot easier to carry weight, and that's where the money is. If you're in a flat city a beach cruiser with a basket is a good bet...they're about as easy to maintain as a track bike and they're cheap, plus there's nothing on them that your average bike thief will look twice at. Second place would be to ride a touring/cross bike with a rear rack. Every month or so you're going to get stuck with something that will NOT fit in your bag and will either have to go on a rack or your handlebars...and riding with shit on your handlebars in traffic is no fun even if you've done it a thousand times. As far as winter riding, it's all about fenders, clipless pedals and shoes (Time ATACs/Sidi Dominators all day) and the right clothes (wool base layers/socks and waterproof shells- Gore-tex doesn't really cut it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojangles Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Good call on the mountain bike Shai! I rode a GT Timberline for a year when fixey's were coming into play and everyone was like "Dudemaster, you need to step up yo' game!" and I was all like "Naw." A mountain bike may not be flashy but it's like driving a dependable American car. P.S. Winter riding...Cut a wide, plastic wiffle ball bat in half and use it as a fender. Works like a dream. Put a grocery bag on your seat too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-walk Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 i'm good on a single speed, maybe later on i'll get another bike to run with, but for the summer/fall, i'm golden. maybe in the winter i'll end up getting a better bike more suited for new england shit winters. I ride a single speed daily back and forth to class and whatever. Gets the job done and is low maintenance. Do whatever you feel is comfortable. On down the line you might get sick of it but take care of it then. Good luck with it all, but seriously wear a helmet. I can't stress that enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bahleediddy Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 double strap bags ftw. well i'm just getting sick of the damage done from so much weight on one shoulder. chrome is ok. everyone has their little exclusive homemade niche bag though. shai was on point with the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autoteller Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 shai - hop on irc, i'd like to chat with you a bit about this. or anyone that wants to drop some knowledge. mibbit.com irc.12oz.com #12oz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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