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A bike repairer inspects, diagnoses, and fixes bikes for customers. They may also perform other retail tasks such as taking inventory, stocking merchandise, answering customer questions, selling products, and working a cash register. Watch a video to learn what a bike repairer does:
How to Become a Bike Repairer
A bike repairer can learn bike repair on-the-job from an experienced worker. You may start off accomplishing easier tasks such as bike maintenance for customers and move onto more advanced bike repair as you learn about the components of a bike. A bike repairer must also learn how to repair various types of bikes, such as mountain bikes and road bikes. Electric bikes are even becoming popular and some bike repairers may specialize in eBike repair.
In addition to knowing the components of a bike, these workers are also familiar with various bike products. This way, they can educate their clients on the various products they may want to purchase and install on their bike. They would even make recommendations on when to upgrade a component and provided a recommended replacement.
Job Description of a Bike Repairer
A bike repairer inspects bikes to ensure they are operating effectively. Next, they diagnose the problem and recommend a plan of action to fix the bike. Did you know that along with repairing bikes, they may also upgrade them. For example, a customer could purchase different components for their bike and customize it to meet their needs. A bike repairer would also help with this should the customer need assistance.
A bike repairer will also provide general maintenance on bikes and educate their clients on ways to maintain their bike as well. These workers often work in a retain environment and may also be responsible to sell merchandise, give educational classes on bike repair or maintenance, and work a cash register when necessary. The International Bicycle Fund has a webpage consisting of free curriculum for students to include bicycle maintenance education programs (link opens in a new tab).
Bike Repairer Career Video Transcript
At small independent bike shops and large sporting goods stores across the country, bicycle repairers serve a range of roles, from helping first-time customers choose a bike that fits them, and teaching them maintenance techniques, to performing in-depth repairs and custom builds for serious cyclists. Replacing pedals or tires is usually a simple task that requires few tools and little time, but some bikes require specialized equipment or in-depth troubleshooting to diagnose and fix the problem.
Some bicycle repairers work only in the repair shop, dealing exclusively with metal, rubber and grease, but others focus on customer service, educating new cyclists about logistics, providing expert advice about gear and apparel, and even helping advanced cyclists design a bicycle from scratch to suit their specific needs. Bicycle repairers may work full- or part-time schedules, and opportunities for work may fluctuate seasonally as people tune up their bikes for the summer and store them away in the winter. Qualifications needed for bicycle repairer positions may vary from basic personal experience with bikes and a willingness to learn on-the-job, to a few years of bicycle repair experience. Customer service skills are a definite plus.
Article Citations
- National Center for O*NET Development. 49-3091.00. O*NET OnLine. This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. RethinkOldSchool, Inc. has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
- The career video is in the public domain from the U. S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.