[ View All Other Bicycle Maintenance Topics ]

bicycle mechanic employment
Bicycle mechanic in India

Do you consider becoming a bicycle mechanic? You might be doing the right thing. Interest in bicycling sees a huge revival in major cities all over the world.

The Increase in population along with the costs of gas, maintaining a car and the huge amount of traffic are making people consider different options to commute in the city.

Also, new types of bicycles are increasing the technical and mechanical aptitude necessary for operation and maintenance of such bikes. All this translates into a very bright future for mechanic employment.

If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, then bicycle mechanic employment is readily available. Let's learn more about bicycle mechanic employment.

Is There is a Need For Bicycle Mechanics?

The answer is obvious: YES! Bicycle mechanic employment will boom in the long-term for several reasons:

  1. Increase in the demand for bicycles.
  2. Introduction of complex bicycles (carbon-bicycles, electric bicycles, etc.)

Key Requirements

Bicycle mechanic employment do require some basic skills, including the following:

  • The ability to work with multiple types of bicycles and use the relevant tools to identify and repair problems
  • Good communication skills. Being capable of talking straight forward with your client, telling him what the problem is, and what needs to be done to solve it
  • The ability to quickly and accurately estimate the time-frame and cost associated with repairing and tuning bicycles
  • Knowledge of painting and customizing bikes will be a huge bonus

How To Become a Bicycle Mechanic

There are several ways you can become a qualified mechanic:

  • Join a bicycle repair school.
  • Take on line classes.
  • Get experience while working as a junior mechanic in a bicycle shop.

For more information on the advantages and disadvantages of each option you are invited to read the page about bicycle repair school.

Bicycle Mechanic Culture

Being a mechanic in a local bike store is built around a hierarchical structure. Junior mechanics works under the supervision of senior mechanics.

Tip: E-Bikes maintenance is a rapidly expanding sector

Bicycle Mechanic

Electric bicycles are a fast, energy-efficient and stylish way of transport - what's not to like?

The market for electric bikes is expanding very quickly and there has been a corresponding increase in demand for mechanics that are conversant with the inner workings of electric bicycles.

The senior mechanics work on the more exotic bicycles like downhill bikes, free-ride bikes, expensive cross-country bikes, etc.

Once you start climbing the ladder you will be able to move from minor work to work that is more complex.

For example, like assembling bicycles from scratch and attaching new accessories, bleeding hydraulic brakes, repairing a downhill suspension fork, fixing hubs, fixing bottom brackets, adjusting the bike completely to fit the specific client.

Junior mechanics work mostly on second hand bikes for practice and begin by doing small-scale tuning, cleaning, lubricating and minor repairs. It's all for the better - if you are a junior mechanic you don't want to get your hands full of something you can't handle; all part of the learning process to become a professional mechanic.

Bicycle Mechanic Pay and Benefits

In general, mechanic employment does not pay much, especially for recruits. Relatively inexperienced mechanics usually make minimum wage or slightly more.

Bicycle Mechanic

More experienced mechanics can make as much as $30,000, depending on the work. However, one plus point is that you will generally have a lot of job flexibility. In a sense, you can easily find yourself working in another bicycle store without much hassle or set your shop, being your boss is nothing but gratifying.

An excellent way to start working would be to offer your work on a commission basis. The pay usually ranges from 25%-50% on major repair work and tune-ups. The more experience you have, the more work you can process in a day.

If you are looking for work, you could simply give in your CV to any bicycle store or just inform them that you are looking for work. Evidence of prior experience would be a good bonus, but eventually, your skills are what will help you rise through the ranks. In all honesty, if you are a bicycle rider, you should already have a bit of experience from maintaining your bike in optimal conditions, so it's not a start from zero in the learning curve. Don't get discouraged.

Tip: Join an established mechanic company before striking out on your own

Bicycle Mechanic

While there are a lot of perks to being your own boss, it's difficult to make any money without a customer base and without a good knowledge about what you are doing.

The better option is to join an established company and gain loyal customers through good work, then move on to start your own company when you're sure your customers will support your new business!

Summary

Being a mechanic is not about the benefits or large paychecks; it is mostly about passion. People who like to assemble, tune, repair, and even build bicycles out of passion are the ones who are most likely to become bicycle mechanics. If you are already a bicycle rider, you are well on track to become a professional bicycle mechanic. You love to ride, and you love everything that has to do with bikes, so why not step it up a notch?

[ View All Other Bicycle Maintenance Topics ]