ACT member picks up rare ‘team’ win of bike mechanic award from industry publication
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News
An ACT member has picked up a ‘Mechanic of the Month’ award in a rare win for an entire team.
The award, run by BikeBiz in partnership with Bikebook, crowned the Devils Bykes team after public nominations highlighted the Brighton workshop’s collective approach.
The Brighton-based shop, an ACT member for four years, was nominated as a whole, prompting judges to recognise the full team rather than a single mechanic.
Matt Bentham, owner of Devils Bykes, said the shop’s work is fundamentally collaborative, adding that customers “see the team rather than an individual,” and that the nomination “made it clear credit had to go to everyone.”
“As a city shop we see everything from commuters to aero TT bikes, and a lot of high-end road bikes need regular seasonal care,” Matt said. “The industry has changed quickly, especially with electronics, and staying current is now essential. Bikebook has become central to how we manage jobs, and after trying it briefly we just didn’t look back. Training helped me get started – Cytech Level 3 laid the foundation – but nothing replaces the learning you do in the workshop every day.”
Arun said his pathway into the trade came naturally through a lifelong involvement in cycling, explaining that he joined Devils Bykes as an apprentice a year ago and quickly realised “there was far more to learn” than he expected.
“People assume bikes are simple, but new technologies and a lack of standards mean you need to understand the principles behind everything you do,” Arun said. “I learned by working on my own bike, then my family’s, which sometimes led to a few arguments and shop visits, but it helped me build confidence before meeting Matt and joining the team.”
Dan described the workshop as consistently busy, with three full-time mechanics handling a wide mixture of work every day, and said the job demands strong problem-solving skills.
“I’m a full-time mechanic, and our days are packed with all kinds of repairs,” Dan said. “Problem-solving is essential, and the tools matter too – our ParkTools disc brake facing tool is one we couldn’t live without, because it lets us get brakes running perfectly even when the starting point is frustrating. I’ve learned on the job from other talented mechanics, and that hands-on style suited me best.”
The team said the award reflects the reality of modern workshop life, where shared experience, daily learning and close collaboration shape the quality of service customers rely on.
To read the full interview with the team at Devils Bykes, as well as information on how to nominate for future Mechanic of the Month awards, click the link here.