Bicycle mechanic

The types, applications and unique characteristics of all types of bicycles, tricycles, recumbent and other pedal, hand and electrically-assisted powered bicycles (e-bikes), other derivatives and the associated technology.

Diagnostic and assessment principles required to service, repair and modify the mechanical aspects of bicycles to meet manufacturer specifications and customers’ or clients’ requirements.

The latest developments to bicycles, bicycle components and tools and equipment.

Legislation and required compliance within the bicycle industry, including bicycle Regulations (for example, BS ISO 4210.2 (2015), standard for electric bikes EN15194 (2015), and all future modifications or updates; the safe disposal and recycling of associated waste (including waste oils, cleaning fluids, batteries, tyres, etc).

Bicycle repair shop operations including ordering, stock control, correct use of documentation such as receipts, order forms, repair forms.

Types of customer interaction and customer service techniques including when to contact the customer, the tone that should be adopted, appropriately timed and follow up communication – both verbal and well written; adjusting approach to take account of customers’ or clients’ needs including cultural requirements.

Principles of selling and upselling bicycle and bicycle products and calculating discounts.

Health and safety legislation, policy and practice; manual handling, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH); how to ensure the safety of customers and mechanics (risk and hazard identification); correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Operation of manual and computer booking systems and EPOS (Electronic Point Of Sale) systems.

The rights and responsibilities of an employee and employer, including awareness of Equality and Diversity Legislation.

Costing principles, cost hierarchy of appropriate parts, assessment of component compatibility, time required to fix; summarising in a quote.

Manufacturer specifications - when and where to use them.

Principles of handling hazardous goods including Lithium ion batteries, their safe handling, storage and shipping of damaged items, emergency procedures, knowing when to ask for third party advice.

Standard operating functions of bicycles in normal use, when failed or is not fit for purpose, such as parts that regularly break or go missing and need to be replaced, including chain wear features.

Duty care to customers for example, health and safety.

Information technology applications used in the bicycle workshop environment, including excel, databases and search engines.

Manufacturers’ and organisations’ warranty policies, what they cover and what they don’t and procedures that must be followed.

Project management techniques; planning and the importance of meeting project deadlines.

Investigating causes of defects and maintenance issues; problem solving.

Who to contact about common defects and how to address them.

Use specialist bicycle diagnostic equipment to identify fault and formulate a plan to solve the problems; identifying when it is uneconomical to proceed.

Use cycle workstand correctly to safely and securely hold a bicycle on the appropriate part of the frame.

Service a cup and cone type hub, identifying worn parts and correct replacements.

Remove and replace sealed cartridge bearings using appropriate tools.

Service cable operated brake systems, correctly sizing and routing cabling using the correct spare parts and torque settings.

Bleed hydraulic brake systems.

Service derailleur gear systems, correctly sizing and routing cabling using correct spare parts and torque settings; straighten a derailleur hanger.

Tap the crank arm threads.

Identify the different standards of cranks and bottom brackets; remove and replace crank arms, bottom brackets and tap and face the bottom bracket shell.

Identify chain wear; assess compatibility issues, taking account of chain line and correctly split and install a quick link based chain.

Tape road handlebars.

Remove and replace a set of forks, taking account of the correct way to cut a fork steering column to size. Hydraulic fork servicing, disassemble and clean stations and cartridges and re-grease properly.

Remove, replace and service a headset, taking account of sizing standards.

Perform alignment checks to a bicycle frame.

Hand-build a wheel of differing complexities (for example, from simple 3-cross to manufacturer specific wheel systems) in the patterns required for non-disc, front disc and rear disc to the required tolerance and correctly dished and tensioned.

Set up and adjustment of internal gears.

Conduct quality assurance check of build or repair work completed.

Complete handover once completed build or repair is finished, including advising on further and future work required, changes to operation, required on-going maintenance and complete paperwork as appropriate.

Serve customers or clients on any required area of the store; refer them on to a more senior colleague or to ask for help; seek after market sales.

Communicate via suitable means with customers (telephone, text, email, social media) in order to ensure good service is maintained.

Use catalogues (hard copy and online) to identify parts and order to fulfil customers needs.

Use manual system and workshop diary and complete any associated paperwork.

Deal with complaints, following employer and manufacturers policies.

Identify when something has failed or is not fit for purpose.

Maintain proper tool maintenance and general workshop cleanliness and tidiness.

Have a safety first behaviour – always use appropriate safety equipment and PPE and has customers’ safety in mind.

Work efficiently as a member of the workshop team; takes account of deadlines; takes responsibility to deal with or report issues.

Behave in a manner that aligns with the company ethos, including prompt timekeeping, smart presentation of self and working area and good personal hygiene.

Takes responsibility for keeping own knowledge and skills up to date.

Act with integrity, honestly advising customers; demonstrates a passion for bicycles.

Acts as a responsible advocate for the business.

Results–driven attitude, working in an effective and efficient manner in order to comply with contractual terms and customer expectations.

Receptive to constructive feedback from peers and management and proactive in giving appropriate feedback to others.