Hubert Kickinger: A hairdresser who now also sells and repairs bikes

In 1984 Hubert Kickinger began an apprenticeship as a hairdresser. Since then, the 54-year-old has kept his scissors and comb in his hands. In 1999 he became self-employed. “There were times when I had twelve employees in two hairdressing shops. Before the outbreak of the corona pandemic, there were five of us, now I’m alone. It’s generally becoming more and more difficult to find staff,” says Kickinger.

Now the Innviertler is breaking new ground. Kickinger opened his “Räderei” last weekend right next to his “Abschnitt” salon on Brauhausgasse. “This idea had been buzzing around in my head for years. The catalyst for opening my own bike shop was the Corona period. Sales have certainly fallen by around 25 percent. That’s why the idea of ​​a second professional pillar has become more and more concrete for me,” says Kickinger.

He discovered his passion for cycling at a young age. “As a teenager I competed in races all over Austria. In 1993 I bought my first mountain bike and also took part in numerous competitions.”

Passion for vintage bikes

Kickinger started collecting vintage bikes 20 years ago, and he is particularly fond of models from the 1980s. “But I also have bikes from the 1950s,” says the Rieder entrepreneur. In the meantime, the collection of “retro classics” has grown to more than 50 bikes. “The warehouse for this is in a former stable on a farm,” says Kickinger.

Video: Hubert Kickinger

In the “Räderei” there will be a suitable offer for all target groups. “The bike boom is getting bigger and bigger. More than 60 percent of the bikes sold are e-bikes. Personal advice and service are my top priority. It doesn’t matter whether it’s racing bikes, children’s bikes, grave bikes or e-bikes: I offer everything, of course bicycle repairs,” says Kickinger. It was a happy coincidence that the approximately 80 square meter business area, which borders directly on his hairdressing salon, became vacant.

It starts

This week is Kickinger’s first with the new “work rhythm”. He works as a hairdresser on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The “Räderei” is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays. “I’m happy to open on Mondays by prior arrangement,” says Kickinger, who approaches the new challenges as an independent entrepreneur with an “extremely positive feeling”.