Make your mark as a mechanic and restore vintage bikes with Laureline

By Laurène Philippot
Updated on 2026-03-03
Interviews, Inspiration
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In this episode of the La Sportive Outdoor podcast, I welcomed Laureline, head of vintage bike repair and restoration shop Vintage Queen Bike Repair, who shares her adventures as a vintage bike mechanic on YouTube and Instagram.

Laurène Philippot
Laurène Philippot
Laurène is the magazine's creator. An avid cyclist, hiker and trail runner, she's always keen to discover new places, especially in the mountains!

Summary

  1. Listen to the podcast
  2. Watch the interview
  3. Episode summary
  4. To follow Laureline

Listen to the podcast

Watch the interview

Episode summary

Laureline, cycle mechanic and content creator at the head of Vintage Queen Bike Repair, has set herself a singular mission: to prove that vintage bikes are “really cool” and that we should stop throwing them away.

In this podcast episode, she shares her atypical journey from business school to her workshop, where she brings mechanical nuggets from the 70s to the 90s back to life.

Off the beaten track

Nothing predestined Laureline for bicycle mechanics. A good student, she followed a prestigious path: Bac S, literary preparatory classes (Hypokhâgne and Khâgne) then a Master’s degree in business school.

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It was financial reality that caught up with her at the end of her studies: to repay a 30,000 euro student loan, she became a bike-taxi driver in Nice. Unable to afford a new bike, she turned to second-hand models costing 50 or 60 euros, which she learned to restore herself.

Her real apprenticeship came at the Via Velo workshop in Nice. Under the wing of Roger, a volunteer from the association, she spentdays observing and getting her hands dirty.

In 2015, she launched her first business, Once Upon a Bike, before officially creating Vintage Queen Bike Repair in 2017. Contrary to popular belief, her brand name refers not to the “little queen” but to her favorite character, Evil Queen, from the Once Upon a Time series!

Establishing yourself as a woman in the workshop

The transition to professional status was not without its pitfalls, as Laureline had to face up to the prejudices of a very male-dominated environment. Whether working for a sports superstore or in her own workshop, she was often confronted by customers asking to “talk to the mechanic”, who didn’t expect her to be able to solve complex technical problems.

On social networks, where she first communicated to differentiate herself, she also suffered a wave of “mansplaining” from a very male audience, and is now amused by some of the comments. On the strength of this experience, she has also made it her mission toshow women that mechanics is not a field reserved for men.

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Daily life in the restaurant business: between passion and challenges

Working on vintage bikes is a constant challenge, as each part can become a little battle between mechanic and machine. Laureline enjoys “pure mechanics” and projects that challenge her, especially those that other bike shops have turned down.

She has a particular affection for certain brands and models, such as Bianchi for its famous celestial green, Peugeot which is made in France and internationally famous, or Mercier.

Laureline has over 150 bicycles awaiting restoration, and whole bags of period pieces, either purchased as lots or donated by subscribers.

A vision focused on transmission

Today, Laureline is more than just a fixer; she’s a true content creator. Each YouTube video represents between 6 and 8 hours of editing for a short format, and can take up to two weeks of work for longer formats.

Her next goal, her “Holy Grail”, is to reach 100,000 subscribers on YouTube and Instagram. She hopes to create a massive community capable of spreading the message that old bikes deserve a second life.

At the same time, she is developing a coaching business to help other enthusiasts develop their networks and skills.

Her advice to women who are still hesitating to take the plunge into mechanics is simple and straightforward: ” Go for it “, without worrying about derogatory remarks.

To follow Laureline