Bicycle Mechanic

On a bicycle mechanic apprenticeship course, you’ll help build, repair and service all kinds of bicycles.

Cycling is growing increasingly popular as a method of transportation and leisure activity, with an increasing variety of bicycles accessible, some with complex technology, making it an exciting and diverse industry to work in.

When a bicycle is brought in for repair or service, or when an ‘in-house’ bike has to be made, rebuilt, or repaired, diagnostic tests are performed to determine the route of the problem, and then the correct steps are taken to resolve it. When components are not readily available, you will order with a distributor or manufacturer to get them.

Bicycle repairs may be as simple as replacing cables or tyres, but they can also need more sophisticated methods like altering a frame or repairing brakes and gears.

You may even build your bike or wheels. Following that, whether it’s a repair or a new build, safety checks are required. This job may need customer interaction and the submission of necessary paperwork.

What you’ll learn

On a bicycle mechanic apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

• Identify flaws and design a remedy whilst using specialised bicycle diagnostic instruments.
• Use a bike work stand correctly to safely and securely hold a bicycle on the correct part of the frame.
• Remove and replace sealed cartridge bearings using the appropriate tools.
• Service cable-operated brake systems, including adequate cabling size and routing, and the use of necessary replacement components and torque settings.
• Straighten a derailleur hanger and service derailleur gear systems by correctly sizing and routing cabling with the correct spare parts and torque settings.
• Identify the different crank and bottom bracket standards, remove and replace crank arms and bottom brackets, and tap and face the bottom bracket shell.
• Identify chain wear; consider compatibility problems while keeping the chain line in mind; split and install a fast link-based chain accordingly.
• Remove and replace forks while remembering how to trim a fork steering column to size. 
• Remove, replace, and service a headset while keeping size in mind.
• Examine the frame alignment of a bicycle.
• Perform a quality assurance inspection on the completed construction/repair work.
• Upon completion of the build/repair, complete handover, including advice on further and future work required, adjustments to operation, necessary ongoing maintenance, and paperwork preparation as appropriate.
• Serve customers/clients in any area of the store required; refer them to a more senior colleague or request help; Search for aftermarket sales.
• Catalogues (both hard copy and online) may locate components and make orders to satisfy customer requests.
• Use the manual approach and the workshop logbook, and any associated documents.
• Handle complaints while complying with the employer’s and manufacturer’s guidelines.
• Determine when something has failed or is no longer fit for its intended function.
• Maintain sufficient tool maintenance and the workplace’s general cleanliness and tidiness.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• Depending on the employer, but likely GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience.
• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment consists of three distinct assessment methods: 

• Practical demonstration 
• Interview, underpinned by a portfolio of evidence 
• Test

Duration, level and potential salary upon completion

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 2 Bicycle Mechanic Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.