82 Kalgoorlie Cres.
Fisher. ACT
02 6288 5186
How long have you had the store for?
Back Bone has been open for almost 6 years (this September!) that have flown by incredibly fast.
What was the reason for starting it?
I was just tired of not being able to get the parts I wanted when I wanted. There wasn’t really any other good BMX stores in OZ at the time that I thought were really worth supporting. My local bike shop tried hard but it was just frustrating and so I thought I would give it a crack myself. I knew with a good shop the scene would grow and inevitably there would be more people to ride with, sounded good.
How many people work there?
In total with full time and part times and casuals, we employ 6 dudes including myself. Big shout out to our current staff and all the dudes that have worked here in the past you guys are rad and have helped shape Back Bone to what it is today, thanks.
What is the most satisfying thing about running the shop?
Being 35 years old & still being involved in something I am truly passionate about. Meeting and talking and just generally dealing with like minded people is a treat! Seeing kids get psyched when they walk in or when they get their bike fixed or whatever, the look on their face is priceless and reminds me of being a kid. I also get really psyched on getting stickers and t-shirts back from the printers with Back Bone on them, I am really proud of that!
Do you do mailorder?
Yes, we do mail order it enables us to stay 100% BMX only and still keep the doors open. I also think it gives riders in rural areas the opportunity to get the parts they have been chasing. We pride ourselves on our fast and efficient mail order service and hopefully that stops kids from buying overseas.
We genuinely try really hard to support the Australian BMX scene whether that be through our competitive pricing or sponsoring an event (big or small) and even local AUS riders. I also think that customers appreciate that they can ring or e-mail up a real BMX rider when they have a question about products & we give them advice that we believe in ourselves. Or at least that’s something that I enjoy about mailorder.
What has been the most random thing that has happened in the store?
We have a few, from a chick walking in with a syringe asking if we had anything she could steal?? I just said no get the fuck out while pointing a pair of scissors at her, hahaha. This one time in the old shop there was a phone box across the road that did more business deals then any of the shops put together, anyway this dude was yelling in the phone like crazy and then this 4wd comes screeching into the car park, the dude on the phone jumps in his laser which gets rammed in the ass end a split second later he starts it up and just floors it up the curb and straight off the 3 stair, the dude in the 4wd then jump onto his bonnet and was yelling and pumping his fist in the air, it was so funny I nearly pissed myself. True story.
The most common question asked by customers is?
Lately a common question is will the brake pads wear down the colour on my rim, the answer is YES. I reckon that’s why half the kids don’t run brakes these days.
Does the shop have a team?
We do have a team, we also have a huge extended family all over the globe. As well as people, we sponsor all kinds of comps, jams, charity events, school fetes and probably some other important events. I am psyched on our team, they are all a bunch of sick dudes as well as sick riders, so to check out most of the team jump on our web site – they’re all over the dribble page.
How many times a day do you get asked for scooter wheels?
We never get asked for scooter wheels – do they still sell scooters??
Do you offer work experience for school kids?
In the past we have offered work experience, in fact most of our employees at one stage have been through here on work experience. Last year we did not take on the work experience program, we had so many kids coming through (even from interstate!) and I was just finding it hard to give them the time they deserved and I gave it a rest. But we are back on this year, we even had Jack Gruber who’s in the latest issue of FP! I enjoy having them come through.
Where can we find out more about the shop?
Hopefully this interview & the photos we provided will give a bit more of an insight who would like to know what the store is like behind all the products & what drives & inspires us. I think a lot of people know what the store looks like but we thought it’d be cool to show how things when your order is packed or e-mail is answered & this interview seems like the platform to show that we are more than just a faceless store.
Aside from that, come into our store here in Canberra & say g’day, give us a bell on 02 62885186 or checkout our website and from there you can even send us an e-mail.
