Bicycle Mechanic Job Description, Key Duties, and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the bicycle mechanic job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they typically carry out.

It also highlights the major requirements that you may be asked to meet to be hired for the bicycle mechanic role by most recruiters/employers.

What Does a Bicycle Mechanic Do?

A bicycle mechanic repairs, maintains, and assembles bicycles for safety and efficiency.

According to the National Careers Service, the job of a cycle mechanic who are also called bicycle technician or bike mechanic includes building, repairing, and servicing of various kinds of bikes.

The bicycle mechanic job description entails carrying out diagnosis of mechanical problems, execution of repairs, routine maintenance, assembling new bicycles, customization of bikes, development of work with advice from customers, and maintenance of the workshop in a clean condition and tidy order.

Among the subsidiary tasks, the bicycle mechanic may also participate in parts and tools inventory management, customer service, assistance to sales, and monitoring novelties in technologies and techniques for repairing bicycles.

Mechanics can work with road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, and e-bikes.

A mechanic’s responsibilities can be as simple as brake and gear adjustment or as complex as wheel truing and alignment of the frame.

They are also expected to diagnose problems, conduct repairs, and carry out periodic maintenance checks, which will keep bicycles in good condition.

Mechanics engage in a wide range of activities using tools and technologies ranging from basic wrenches and screwdrivers to advanced diagnostic equipment targeted at high-performance bikes.

Mechanics may also be asked to assemble new bicycles, customize bikes to customer specifications, and advise customers on how to take proper care of their bicycles.

Most bicycle technicians report to a shop manager or owner, especially in retail or independent bike shops.

In larger operations, such as those found within sporting goods stores or bicycle manufacturing companies, they report to either a service manager or a lead mechanic.

They will work mostly in the bike shops, but the opportunities opening up are also in the sporting goods store, in the bicycle manufacturing company, or within any other service centers that specialize in bicycles.

Some mechanics may work for a cycling team, at a race event, or as an independent mechanic who runs their very own repair business.

While formal education is not strictly necessary, many employers prefer those who have completed specialized training in bicycle mechanics.

This training can be awarded through technical schools or community colleges and can extend to certification programs.

For example, the Bicycle Mechanic Certification is one that is highly regarded within the industry and that can be of especial benefit to job candidates.

On-the-job training is also quite common; here, a mechanic will be able to learn from their fellow professionals.

Not all regions view the role of a bicycle mechanic as being equivalently important.

In highly cycling countries like the Netherlands or Denmark, bicycle mechanics are in high demand.

Mechanics also play an important role in supporting those who depend on cycling for transportation in urban centers across the globe.

Employers often seek the services of a technical bicycle mechanic who has a passion for cycling.

Excellent communication skills, the ability to work well under pressure, and being attentive to detail are highly recognized and attractive to employers.

Employers also prefer people who are physically fit as the operations may be somehow demanding.

Bike mechanics may be expected to adhere to national and local laws that dictate safety standards.

For example, in the United States, the Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association, more commonly known as the PBMA, sets industry standards and offers certification.

In the UK, bicycle technicians are accredited through the Institute of the Motor Industry or IMI.

Bicycle Mechanic Job Description Example/Sample/Template

The bicycle mechanic job description consists of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

• Diagnose and troubleshoot bicycle issues
• Perform regular maintenance, including cleaning and lubricating chains, adjusting brakes, and inflating tires
• Repair or replace damaged or worn-out bicycle parts
• Assemble new bicycles
• True wheels to ensure they are aligned properly
• Adjust and tune gears
• Repair or replace brake systems. Install and repair bicycle accessories
• Conduct frame inspections
• Perform safety checks
• Do an estimate for the customers
• Keep the workshop clean and tidy
• Order supplies and inventory
• Advise customers on how to properly care for and maintain bicycles 
• Learn about new bicycle technologies and methods of repair
• Carry out installation and configuration of electronic equipment on e-bikes
• Assemble custom bicycles
• Do minor welding or metalwork
• Help in selling
• Participate in cycling events or races
• Train or mentor junior mechanics or apprentices
• Handle warranty claims
• Comply with all safety regulations and industry standards.

Bicycle Mechanic Job Description for Resume

If you have worked before as a bicycle mechanic or are presently working in that role and are making a resume or CV for a new job, then you can create a compelling Professional Experience for your resume by applying the sample bicycle mechanic job description provided above.

You can express the duties and responsibilities you have carried out as a bicycle mechanic in your resume’s Professional Experience by utilizing the ones provided in the above bicycle mechanic job description example.

This will show to the recruiter/employer that you have been successful working as a bicycle mechanic, which can boost your chances of getting the new job, especially if it requires someone with some bicycle mechanic work experience.

Bicycle Mechanic Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

The bicycle mechanic requires certain technical skills, industry knowledge, and a number of personal attributes to be success on the career and to qualify for hiring by most recruiters/employers, including:

• Significant experience with special tools and equipment used in bicycle repair, to include a wide range of hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment
• Mechanical Aptitude: A great, solid understanding of how bicycles work, to include gears, brakes, wheels, and frames
• Attention to Detail: This includes accurately diagnosing problems, precision in the repairs to be performed, and in rendering bicycles safe for use
• Problem-solving Skills: The capability to troubleshoot an issue and locate an effective solution quickly
• Physical Demands: Often requires frequency of standing, lifting heavy bikes, a lot of hand dexterity in the general performance of the job
• Communication Skills: Describe technical issues in non-technical terms to the customers; explain estimates and recommendations
• Customer Service: Strong customer satisfaction-oriented, positive interaction with customers, leaving them satisfied with their needs met
• Time Management: Able to multitask and maintain a timely schedule for deadlines, especially in an active and time-consuming shop environment
• Knowledge of Bicycle Technology: Maintained current state-of-the-art technology and innovation in the field of bicycles, including electronic shifting systems through e-bikes to carbon fiber frames.

Bicycle Mechanic Employment

According to survey data on Zippia, there are currently more than 14,760 employed bicycle mechanics in the United States.

However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, gives the number of employments for bicycle repairers or mechanics in the United States in its May 2023 report as 13,980.

Employment by Industry

The Industries with the highest levels of employment for bicycle repairers or mechanic in the U.S. according to the BLS include:

• Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Retailers: 12,000
• Rental and Leasing Services (5322, 5323, and 5324 only): 610
• Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance: 420
• Other Motor Vehicle Dealers: 160
• Other Amusement and Recreation Industries: 120

Employment by State

The States with the highest number of employment for bicycle mechanics, according to Zippia, include Texas and California, with 1,445 and 1,358 employments respectively.

Bicycle Mechanic Salary

The annual average salary for bicycle repairers is $38,320 as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistic.

However, Zippia gives the average yearly salary of bicycle mechanics in the United States to be $48,244.

Salary by Industry

According to BLS, the top paying industries for bicycle repairers include:

• Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only): $57,090
• Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services: $49,940
• Rental and Leasing Services (5322, 5323, and 5324 only): $45,810
• Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing $43,370
• Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance: $40,680.

Salary by State

The States with the highest salaries for bicycle mechanic in the United States include California and Nevada, with $50,956 and $50,414 on average per year.

Bicycle Mechanic Job Satisfaction

According to the pay scale survey, the median job satisfaction for mechanics of bicycles is 3.5 out of 5.

This, in simple terms, can be explained as they are averagely satisfied with their jobs.

Conclusion

This post has provided detailed coverage of the bicycle mechanic job description, highlighting the major responsibilities and duties that they typically perform.

It also provided information on the required skills, job prospects, remunerations, and job fulfillment for the bicycle mechanic career.

A bicycle mechanic is an important person that ensures that bicycles are not only safe to use but also achieve running efficiency.

To any enthusiast of cycles, this may be a quite satisfying job since one gets to interact with bicycles daily just like people of similar tastes.

With more people taking up cycling, mechanics will be in higher demand, hence job security.

Employers looking to hire competent bicycle mechanics can apply the job description examples provided above in making one for their company.