Cycle mechanic
Cycle mechanics build, repair and service all kinds of bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters.
Also known as: Bike mechanic, bicycle technician, e-bike repairer
- Starter salary£23,000 a year
- Experienced£30,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 44 a week
What you'll do
As a cycle mechanic, you could:
- talk to customers to identify problems with their bikes
- estimate the cost of repairs and give quotes
- carry out repairs and maintenance tasks like safety checks
- build new bikes to customer specifications
- order spare parts, keep a log of stock and process paperwork
- attend cycling events to provide repairs and technical support
Working environment
You could work at a store or in a workshop.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- problem-solving skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- customer service skills
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to sell products and services
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a cycle mechanic
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- specialist private training courses
College
You could take a course to get a qualification and some of the skills needed to be a cycle mechanic.
Courses include:
- cycle maintenance
- cycle mechanics
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply for a place on a Bicycle Mechanic Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This can take between 1 and 2 years to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Work
You could start as a retail assistant in a bike shop or bike hire outlet. You could then apply for a job as a trainee mechanic if they have a repair workshop.
You'll need good customer service skills, a keen interest in cycling and some knowledge of cycle repairs.
Other routes
You could study for technical cycle maintenance qualifications offered by an industry body like Cytech .
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a workshop supervisor, head mechanic or training instructor.
You might also become self-employed and set up a bike repair business .
You could work for a sporting organisation, like British Cycling , who employ specialist mechanics to work with the British racing team.
Guides for this industry
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