How to Become a Bike Mechanic? Salary, jobs, Tips, etc.
How to Become a Bike Mechanic? Cycling is one thing; becoming a bike mechanic is quite another. It would lead you into a different domain of bicycling, one where you fix and maintain your bike rather than riding it.
Of course, as a biker, you are familiar with how to maintain your bike operating. Simple repairs may be performed, such as replacing a flat tire, oiling the chain, or mending a broken spoke. These are some easy tasks that you can complete on your own.
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A bike mechanic, on the other hand, will always come in useful for other difficult and exhausting chores. Have you ever considered becoming a bike mechanic? Being a bike mechanic entails mastering a set of skills and gaining technical knowledge in the areas of bike buying, maintenance, repair, and accessories.
To make it a long-term profession, you’ll need to get a certification. If you ever want to be a bike mechanic, we’ll walk you through the numerous paths you may follow.
How To Become A Bike Mechanic
To get started as a bike mechanic, you’ll need some repair expertise as well as a retail experience, as a position at a bike store may require you to work the sales floor or provide customer service in addition to fixing bikes. One of the most common methods a mechanic learns is through on-the-job training, where they observe and help a professional while learning vital skills before they can work on a bike on their own.
Another option is to attend an introductory bike repair course before joining the sector to acquaint yourself with the most common repairs and jobs.
This Bikehand Tool Kit comes with a range of most common bike tools. It is very easy to use for regular bike service, such as cleaning chain, changing tire, changing bottom bracket, adjust shifter and brake cables.
Related Article: How to Make a Bike Seat More Comfortable?
Education Requirements for Bike Mechanic
You don’t need professional qualifications to work as a bike mechanic. You don’t need to have a college diploma. To be a successful bike mechanic, you only need a high school diploma. However, there are other factors that companies look for, such as talents and experience.
A college diploma is not required to work as a bike mechanic.
To begin a profession in bike repair, you must have high school graduation. For the majority of bike shops and bike retail establishments, high school graduation is required. A bike mechanic can also obtain a General Education Development (GED) qualification. To work as a bike mechanic, you must attend shop courses or beginning mechanics.
Take Bike Repair Course/Bike mechanic course
Gaining technical knowledge about bicycles is essential. A simple repair course will teach you the fundamentals of bike repair and maintenance. It also teaches you the theoretical basis of various bicycle components and how to effectively fix them.
Bike Mechanic training course
Bike mechanics classes are available at several community colleges and may be found in the continuing education department. Bicycle assembly and tuning, as well as professional bicycle maintenance, are examples of courses.
You will learn the proper seat and handlebar positions, brake adjustments, and tire replacement after finishing the class. You can locate different classes in your neighborhood that fit you if you wish to grow over time.
Earning a Certification/ How to Become a Certified Bike Mechanic
Earning a certification is also an excellent method to improve your bike maintenance abilities. Although some bicycle mechanic credentials do not need it, it is extremely beneficial. Additionally, obtaining bike certificates can open additional doors for you to advance your professional bicycling career.
Certification might offer you a leg up on the competition and help you obtain the job you desire. It also means you’ve previously gone through extensive training to strengthen your mechanic abilities. Certifications will help you find work. It’s also an excellent place to start if you want to launch a shop in the future.
Bike mechanic schools provide instruction and certification to aspiring mechanics. In the United States, consider the United Bicycle Institute or the Barnett Bicycle Institute. In any case, you must complete the requisite training hours to receive your certificate.
To be admitted into the program, some organizations demand a year of experience, while others may ask you to complete a basic repair course. Before earning your certificate, you must pass both the oral and written exams.
If you do not enroll in United Bicycle Institute or Barnett Bicycle Institute, the Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association can certify you. You must pass both the written and performance tests to receive certification.
You’ll be asked to demonstrate your abilities in wheel installation, size and cable housing, brake adjustments, and modifying the settings of your seat or bike handlebars throughout the performance exam. You will also be required to pay a fee to get certified.
Getting the Much-Needed Experience
Apart from finishing a course and receiving certification, gaining valuable experience is also critical. The experience is another way of teaching and acclimating oneself to everything there is to know about becoming a bike technician.
Taking a course and receiving certification will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to work as a bike mechanic. However, gaining experience will offer you practical instruction that will allow you to use your talents in a real-world setting.
Working in a bike store is an excellent way to get expertise. This action will provide you with the necessary training in a real-world bike maintenance situation. It makes little difference whether you receive on-the-job training or an apprenticeship as long as you gain valuable experience.
Applying for a real job might also help you get experience. It is not necessary to start as a bike mechanic straight away. Another way to gain expertise is to work as an assistant to an experienced bike technician. Working with a competent technician will also allow you to pick their brains for valuable information about the task.
Bike Mechanic Salary & Jobs
Because more people are riding bicycles for various purposes, the demand for bike technicians has skyrocketed. The average hourly wage for a bike mechanic is $13.95 per hour, according to Payscale, an American compensation software, and analytics business.
According to the firm, an entry-level bike technician with less than a year of experience earns an average of $11.36 per hr in total earnings. This rate takes into account overtime wages, bonuses, and tips.
Meanwhile, an early career bike mechanic with experience of 1 to 4 years comes with an average total compensation of $12.77 per hour. A mid-career bike mechanic with 4-9 years of experience receives an average of $14.43 per hour of total compensation. An experienced bike mechanic with less than 19 years of experience is getting $15.27 per house, while those with more than 20 years of experience receive $16 per hour of total compensation.
Meanwhile, an early career bike mechanic with 1 to 4 years of experience earns an average total wage of $12.77 per hour. The average total income for a mid-career bike mechanic with 4-9 years of experience is $14.43 per hour. An expert bike technician with less than 19 years of experience gets paid $15.27 per home, whilst those with more than 20 years of experience are paid $16 per hour.
On the other hand, according to Glassdoor, an American company review website, the average annual income for a bike mechanic in the United States is $ 67,064 per year. The base compensation is anticipated to be $ 41,754 per year, with extra pay of $25,310 per year. Source
Becoming a Bike Mechanic in Different Countries
How to Become a Bike Mechanic Uk
In the UK, you must have finished your IGCSEs, which is akin to getting a high school diploma in the United States. It’s not just necessary if you want to work in a bike store or pursue more schooling to obtain certification.
How to Become a Bike Mechanic in Canada
In Canada, a high school diploma is sufficient to gain entry into most bike shops and to enroll in career-based learning courses.
How to Become a Bike Mechanic NZ
Some prior experience working at a bike shop.
A qualification and/or training in the bike business.
Knowledge and expertise with a variety of outdoor brands and products
Passion for the outdoors and firsthand knowledge of the equipment needed for varied activities in diverse locales
The ability to focus on small details.
able to do successfully and independently: Bleed brakes, service forks, and shocks, replace bearings, bearing overhaul, replace chain drive, tune gears including DI2, and build and true wheels.
How to Become a Bike Mechanic in Australia
To work in the field of bike repair and maintenance in Australia, you must have finished year ten. Alternatively, you can enroll at TAFE before beginning work in a bike store.
FAQ
How to Become a Bike technician
Most repair services have a high school diploma, whereas the minority either do not have one or have some college experience. Colleges may provide cheap, stand-alone bicycle repair courses, which may include access to repair shops.
How to Become a Dirt Bike Mechanic /How to Become a Mountain Bike Mechanic?
Mechanics for dirt bikes and motorcycles earn between $24 and $36,000 a year, depending on their experience, availability, and rates. To begin the coursework or training required to become a certified mechanic, a high school certificate or GED equivalent is usually required. Trade schools, community colleges, and some four-year universities offer these classes.
How much do bike mechanics make the UK?
Bicycle Mechanic Salaries in the United Kingdom
The average earnings for a Bicycle Mechanic are £19,223. Salaries vary from £14,013 to £26,368 per year. Bicycle Mechanics in the United Kingdom may anticipate a total pay value of £19,223 when extra pay and benefits are taken into account.
How much do bike mechanics make in Australia?
What does a Bicycle Mechanic earn in Australia? In Australia, the national average income for a Bicycle Mechanic is $50,622.
