My World of Work

You are here

Home // My Career Options // Cycle mechanic

Cycle mechanic

bike mechanic
Bookmark
Garage services
Produce

Career outlook for cycle mechanic

Average UK salary

£29,640

Currently employed in Scotland

8,400

"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would build, repair and service all kinds of bikes. You’d talk to your customers about any problems with their bicycle, identify the faults and decide what repairs are needed.

You would:

  • Investigate problems with a bike and discuss solutions with the customer
  • Estimate the cost of repairs and give quotes
  • Do routine bike services and safety checks
  • Carry out repairs and replace parts
  • Clean, degrease and lubricate bike parts
  • Give advice to customers on cycles and cycling
  • Order bike parts and keep a log of stock
  • Liaise with suppliers and dealers
  • Take bookings for repairs and process paperwork

You might also build a bike from scratch to a customer’s specification.

At cycling race events and charity bike rides you could do repairs and give technical support if any problems arise.

Working conditions

Hours

You will work 35 to 40 hours a week. Depending on your place of work, you may be expected to work shifts including Saturdays, Sundays and some evening hours. Some employers will expect you to work overtime.

Environment

You will usually work indoors in a workshop. If you are working for a large cycle shop or retail chain, then you will be part of a team of mechanics. You may also work for an online bike retailer, which means you could be on your own in a workshop, building new bikes for customers. The work can be quite physically demanding and you will be on your feet a lot of the time. As you will be using various tools and chemicals in this job, such as cleaning products and greasing agents, you need to be aware of your own health and safety. You will usually be provided with protective clothing such as overalls and some form of eye protection.

UK employment status

Full-time

77%

Part-time

7%

Self employed

16%

Search course options

Thinking about your future? There are lots of courses available that could interest you. Use our course search to explore course options.

Find courses

Search job opportunities

If you're looking for your new career our job search can help you. Discover interesting opportunities and decide your next steps.

Find a job

Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Time management
  • Taking initiative
  • Developing a plan
  • Attention to detail
  • Understanding
  • Problem solving
  • Evaluating

Skills Explorer

Your skills can help you choose the career that's right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.

Our Skills Explorer tool will help you understand what skills you have and match them to jobs that might suit you.

Use the Skills Explorer tool

Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

There are no set entry requirements to enter this role. Most employers value a good general education.

Useful subjects

  • English
  • Maths
  • Technologies subjects such as practical metalwork

You will also need

Knowledge and experience working with bikes.

Helpful to have

Recognised industry qualifications such as Cytech certification.

Qualifications that demonstrate practical mechanical, engineering such as City & Guilds Introductory Qualifications in Vehicle Systems, Body and Paint Maintenance and Cycle Mechanics (SCQF level 3).

Customer service and ICT or business qualifications may also be of value.

SQA Cycling Awards (SCQF level 1/2) can offer a helpful introduction to cycle maintenance.

Qualifications in cycle coaching may also be useful such as SQA Mountain Biking qualifications (SCQF levels 4-6).