Apprentice Cycle Mechanic

Freeborn are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Apprentice Cycle Mechanic to join their busy workshop. You will learn how to maintain and repair a wide range of big brand ebikes and bikes stocked by Freeborn, including Mondraker, Cube and Cannondale. If you live and breath bikes, this is the place for you!

An Apprenticeship with Freeborn is a great way to learn while you earn. You will receive technical training, an experienced mentor and a recognised qualification at the end.

Role Overview

Freeborn Bicycles are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Apprentice Cycle Mechanic to join their busy workshop team. You will learn how to maintain and repair a wide range of big brand bikes stocked by Freeborn, including Mondraker, Cube and Cannondale.

The role will involve:

• Carrying out repairs on a range of road and mountain bikes
• Completing Pre-Delivery Inspections, ensuring all new bikes meet British Standards
• Building wheels to a high standard
• Completing disassemble and re-builds of bikes

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training Provider: ACTIVATE LEARNING

Training Course: Bicycle mechanic (level 2)

What You'll Learn

• 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.