Careers in the industry
Have you ever considered working as a mechanic for your career path? How about within an upcoming industry that is growing in popularity, excellent for the environment and plays a key part in dramatically improving people’s health?
Cycle mechanics build, repair and service all kinds of bikes, with excellent cash incentives and career prospects to travel and work all over the globe.
What to expect as a bicycle mechanic
As a bicycle mechanic, your top responsibilities include building, repairing and servicing all kinds of bikes. You’ll talk to your customers about any problems with their bicycle, identify the faults and decide what repairs are needed.
Day-to-day work as a cycle mechanic can include a range of responsibilities, such as:
- building a bike from scratch to a customer's specification
- identifying problems with a bike and discussing solutions with the customer
- estimating the cost of repairs and giving quotes
- carrying out services and safety checks
- carrying out repairs and replacing parts
- cleaning, degreasing and lubricating bike parts
- giving advice to customers
- ordering bike parts and logging stock
- liaising with suppliers and dealers
- attending cycling events to provide repairs and technical support
- using various tools and chemicals, like cleaning products and greasing agents
What it takes
There are no set entry requirements to be a bicycle mechanic, but it’s certainly good to have some knowledge and experience of working with bikes. If you don’t already have this, you could start as a retail assistant in a bike shop and apply for a role as a trainee mechanic. In this case your employer may even pay for your training.
You'll find it useful to have recognised qualifications by studying for the technical cycle maintenance courses offered by Cytech. Cytech technical are a set of courses which encompass the basics of cycle mechanics right through to dealing with the most advanced and high-tech components and parts.
You could also get into this job through a bicycle mechanic intermediate apprenticeship such as the work-based training programme offered by Activate Cycle Academy. This apprenticeship is the only training scheme available that includes Cytech certification as part of the programme. On completion, the apprentice becomes a fully trained, professional master technician in bicycle mechanics.
Other skills that it would be useful to have as a bicycle mechanic include:
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- customer service skills
- the ability to sell products and services
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- problem-solving skills
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Where a bicycle mechanic career could lead you
As you begin to grow in experience, not only does this lead to a salary increase, but also the opportunity to progress in your career. With 3 to 5 years' experience you could become a head mechanic at the shop in which you work.
There is also the opportunity to become self-employed and set up a mobile bike mechanic business, or open your own shop. Information and advice on opening your own bike shop can be found on The Cycling Experts website.
As an experienced and qualified cycle mechanic you could also move into teaching other mechanics by working for companies such as Activate Learning Academy or Spokes People, training providers for Cytech, the internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle technicians.
Support the British racing team and explore the globe
Once you have gained some experienced there is then the opportunity to work for a large organisation such as British Cycling, who employ specialist mechanics working for the British racing team. British Cycling have exciting opportunities available at their headquarters at the HSBC UK National Cycling Centre in Manchester and in regional posts around the UK.
As a bicycle mechanic your skills are valued across the globe, meaning there are plenty of opportunities for working and living abroad. This includes working as the mechanic on cycling holidays for companies such as TDA Global Cycling, wherein you will tour beautiful locations and play a key part in giving customers the experience of a lifetime. Holiday destinations across Europe in locations such as the French Alps and Copenhagen place great value in a qualified and experienced cycle technician meaning that the possibilities for travel are endless.
Diversity in the cycling industry
Throughout the pandemic women took to two wheels in record numbers, encouraged by quiet roads and mandated daily exercise, while for the first time Black, Asian and minority ethnic Londoners were as likely to have cycled in the previous year as white Londoners (CyclingIndustry.News, 2022).
To encourage diversity in the industry further still, in the autumn both Bike for Good cycle charity in Glasgow and Broken Spoke Bike Coop in Oxford launched cycle mechanic training and mentorship programmes aimed at women and non-binary people. The schemes offered training and support for six people up to a level where they can pass the Cytech technical two qualification with Activate Cycle Academy.
Both Bike for Good, and Broken Spoke see its new mechanics programmes as about creating a larger pool of skilled mechanics with a broader diversity.
Case studies
Suzanne Read, Operations Manager at Activate Cycle Academy and Cytech Master Technician
Highlight of working in the cycling industry:
“If anyone had told me 34 years ago that I would be doing what I do now - travelling around bike shops and sharing a passion with good folks who are as passionate as myself - or that I could have made a career out of my love of cycling then I would have thought they were pulling my leg, and yet, here we are, 34 years in, still loving what I do, still passionate about bikes and the industry, something that was brought home to me today, on visiting one of my Apprentices in Warrington. His mentor told the Apprentice that it was my passion that had engaged him to buy a bike from me in the early 00's (GT iDrive 4.0), that then ignited his own love of MTBing, and led to his own career in the industry!”
Key advice for those joining the industry:
“What advice would I give my younger self, or anyone coming into the Industry? Don't worry what others think, be yourself, embrace your passions and do what makes you happy. Very few people planned to come into the Cycle Industry from day one, and yet we find ourselves here, enjoying what we do and making a living from it. Oh, and go and get your qualifications yourself or find an Apprenticeship, don't wait for anyone else to provide them - as some companies do not currently provide them.”
Julian Thrasher, Head of Training for Shimano at Madison, Cytech Senior Technician and e-bike certified
H
ighlight of working in the cycling industry:
“During my time in the industry I visited hundreds of shops, met loads of really excellent mechanics (some of which I’m privileged to call friends now) and was involved in developing higher level courses reflective of the changes that were happening in the road, mountain (and latterly ebike) markets. I got to attend trade shows and do on stage presentations and some filming, I was very proud to have been involved with the Britain’s Best Bike Mechanic competition hosted at our workshop and to be on a judging panel with Mark Ingham from British Cycling and Godfather of tools Calvin Jones from Park Tool, definitely a career highlight!”
Key advice for those joining the industry:
“I would say to anyone looking to work as a mechanic in the cycle trade that the first step is to take a course run by professionals. This will help you to understand correct working procedures. It’s very easy to develop bad habits by working on your own and by watching how other people work and adopting best practice, you will stand the best chance of being the best you can be. From here it’s time on the tools and always remember to keep an open mind-set. There is always something new to learn.”
Lee Niven, Business Owner of OTEC Bikes
Highlight of working in the cycling industry:
“After years working in the cycling industry and enjoying a wide range of cycling activities, I went to University in York and studied sports science and education, supplementing my income in bike shops and oddly operating a bicycle rickshaw in York city centre.
Marriage and a honeymoon by bike led to a long spell travelling around the world, casual work in various bike shops and riding adventures riding Europe's high passes on fully loaded touring bikes ending up in Austria.
Upon returning to the UK I taught, worked in bike shops and worked events - even the DH world cup on occasion. I ultimately found a perfect fit teaching Cytech - a fabulous opportunity and a great fit.
I currently own my own bike shop, Hire Business, Cycle event support business and PJCS Cytech training in Milton Keynes - it keeps me busy!”
Key advice for those joining the industry:
“If I could give one piece of advice to future industry employees - it would be Flexibility and diversification.
A qualification as a PE teacher gave me great flexibility in employment choices and I would urge prospective industry members to ensure they collect any qualifications they can along their journey - Who knows what will be helpful or relevant as you develop.
Multiple strings to your bow will help you weather the inevitable moments of chaos and disruption both personally and as a business.”
William Angle, Business Owner of Trail Labs LLC
Highlight of working in the cycling industry:
“I have attended dozens of MTB events all over the US, to represent my brand and inform people that we are here. My business really started to grow in early 2019 where I began training technicians to be employees and we started an online retail branch of the business. Trail Labs now has five employees and has serviced over 4,000 MTB suspension components. Retail sales and service work went through the roof over the last two years.
“The cycling industry has grown substantially and it has not been able to keep up with demand. Our service business was primed and ready for the boom as more products were being used and needing preventative or restorative maintenance. ”
Key advice for those joining the industry:
“I would encourage anyone interested in pursuing a cycling career to attend the Cytech programs. This professional training gives you a solid foundation in cycling mechanics, and the necessary skills to be successful.”
Graeme Freestone King, Director & Head Technician, Velotech Cycling Ltd
Hi
ghlight of working in the cycling industry:
“Velotech was offered the opportunity to be Campagnolo's UK Service and Warranty Centre and the two aspects of my life - my lifelong love of bicycle mechanics and a newfound passion for technical training came together as we re-initiated the Campagnolo ProShop programme to run alongside of the Velotech Cycle Mechanics accreditation.
Working so closely with Campagnolo has opened many more doors, as have my long-standing relationships with several events organisers, allowing me to help set up Service Corps Ltd with three partners in 2015 - a business that provides skilled, accredited and insured mechanics to events and teams.”
Key advice for those joining the industry:
“Keeping a completely open mind is one of the most essential skills a mechanic can have - there's always more than one way to do everything - this was underlined almost every day, working with the guys in the field at at HQ, at ATG.”
