Heather Erdmann
Rehoboth – For many, bicycles are merely a means of transportation, but for 33-year-old Rodrick Jansen, they are a craft, a passion, and a family legacy. The son of Asser Jantze founded Scrap Dealers in 1997. Later, the younger Jansen took over the family business officially on the May 8, 2023.
Since then, he has transformed the collecting of scrapyard metals into a custom bicycle repair and sales hub, blending his hobby with entrepreneurial skills. Jansen’s business (Custom Repair Bicycle Shop) operates from the Rehoboth Town Council Industrial stall in Block H.
Jansen’s love for bicycles began when he was six or seven years old, and he started fixing them seriously in 2023. His first sale was a second-hand combo deal for a brother and sister, priced at N$2 300. A self-taught cycle repair specialist, Jansen formalised his skills by acquiring a health and fitness certificate from Rehoboth Town Council (N$900) and a second-hand goods certificate from Nampol (N$1000).
Jansen is assisted by his 20-year-old cousin, Cherome Gariseb, while his 25-year-old brother Kendrick Jansen, who is the co-owner of Custom Repair Bicycle Shop, works in Noordoewer in the south of Namibia. The shop caters for a wide range of toddler bikes (12–14 inches), BMX and stunt bikes (20 inches), mountain and road bikes (26–29 inches), fat bikes for adventurers, and e-bikes. Jansen on his part only performs basic maintenance on the e-bikes.
Frequent customer Johny Boois shared his experience of buying a bicycle for his four-year-old daughter.
“I found this shop because the owner lives next door, and I’ve known him for years. The bikes here are much cheaper than in the big stores; I paid N$300 for a bicycle that would have cost over N$900 elsewhere,” Boois said.
He praised Jansen’s work, noting that all bicycles are fitted with new tires, brakes, and components, making them durable and comfortable. “My daughter is very happy with her bike, and it will last for years. I even promote this place to others, so they can see for themselves how bikes are built like brand-new,” he said.
Interested customers can order via Facebook or WhatsApp. Payment options include full upfront payment or a 30% deposit for repairs. Bicycles are delivered using local transport services (Nampost or 7-seaters). Thursdays and Fridays are typically the busiest days, as families and cycling enthusiasts prepare for weekend or Sunday rides.
Pricing is structured around the bicycle type and service. A full service included brakes, gears, tyres, and chain work and would cost N$350, while half service would equate to minor adjustments; Tightening of screws, oiling breaks or chains and that would cost N$150. Bikes range from N$400 for toddlers’ bikes with training wheels to N$2 500 for 29-inch mountain bikes. Stunt bikes, priced between N$1 000 to N$1 500, are the most popular, while the most repaired bikes include 26- and 29-inch mountain bikes and children’s bicycles.
Jansen uses a hands-on approach with his tools: wrenches, sockets, Allen keys, grease, chain oil, tubeless tyres, a compressor, sandpaper, primers, thinners, and car paint sourced from garages or local painters. He even built a DIY stand for wheel alignment. The repair process is methodical: dismantling the bike, removing old paint with paint remover, sanding, applying primer, painting the frame and parts, and reassembling. Small bikes take a day or two, while mountain bikes typically take a week. Call-out services cost N$50.
Another resident, Johan van Wyk from Block F, praised Jansen’s dedication and reliability. He explained how Jansen even helps younger riders, noting that a 13-year-old he knows received a custom bicycle that Jansen repaired personally. “He doesn’t just fix a bike; he takes the time to make sure it works perfectly. The kids learn from him, and the whole process teaches responsibility,” Van Wyk said. He added that Jansen’s honest and timely service has earned him the trust of many families in Rehoboth. “When he repairs a bike, people know it will be done right,” he said.
Despite his vision, Jansen faces challenges. Parts are often difficult to source, limiting how many bicycles he can repair at a time. His busiest season is during the holidays, when he earns between N$6 000 and N$7 000 per month, but income earlier in the year drops to around N$4 000. Jansen hopes that one day he can partner up with big suppliers like Cymot or Cycletec Adventure Centre that could one day provide a steady supply of parts to help him expand his operations.
Looking ahead, Jansen dreams of establishing a shop in town where he can display finished bicycles, sell small parts, and offer drop-off services for larger repairs. He envisions a future team of six employees, with a small office in town for customer interactions and a workshop at the industrial stores for full-scale repairs. “If I can fix it, I will,” he said, wiping grease from his hands. “People trust me with their wheels, and that means something.”
Jansen’s philosophy is simple: “If you fall, don’t stay down. Get back up again.” His craft blends skill, patience, and creativity, allowing him to provide tailored solutions while staying true to his love for bicycles. For Jansen, cycling isn’t just a hobby, it’s a culture, a business, and a legacy rolled into one.
Photo: Heather Erdmann