Apprentice Cycle Mechanic

Summary

To maintain and repair all types of bikes. Our Apprentice will also be required to speak to and help customers, including sales. To organise test rides for our customers and to promote our range of bikes through social media and via the Giant Guildford website.

Wage

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Apprentices are paid for their normal working hours and training that's part of their apprenticeship (usually one day per week).

Training course

Bicycle mechanic (level 2)

Hours

5 days including one weekend day each week. Total hours per week: 37.50.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 July 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

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

What you'll do at work

Outline of day to day duties:

Cycle repairs and maintenance
Dealing with customers
Cycle sales
Answering emails
Organising the cycle repairs workshop
Organising test rides and demos
Taking customers out on escorted rides

Where you'll work

Sanford Garage
60 Epsom Rd
Guildford
GU1 3PB

Training

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

College or training organisation

ACTIVATE LEARNING

Your training course

Bicycle mechanic (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

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.
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.

Your training plan

Bicycle mechanic Level 2 (GCSE) Functional Skills TBC

Typical duration: 18 months + 3 months End Point Assessment
Day release
Dedicated Performance Coach
Functional Skills maths and English if needed.
Cytech online theory one
Cytech technical two
Cytech technical three

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 3-4 (D-C))

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Team working
Right Attitude

Other requirements

• Computer literate with an ability to use spreadsheets • The right attitude - you need to be interested in cycle maintenance and show enthusiasm for all bikes • Reading and writing skills - You will be dealing with money, prices and products so you need basic literacy and numeracy skills The role requires some lifting of heavy electric bikes and equipment.

About this company

Giant Guildford- we are a mid to high end cycle shop selling everything from kids bikes to full suspension trail bikes and Propel aero road bikes. Our workshop is fully equipped with the latest tools and equipment and our workshop manager has over 10 years of experience. We are the friendliest local bike shop in Guildford and support the local cycling community. We are part of Cadence Performance which owns and manages seven Giant Brand stores in Crystal Palace, St Albans, Shoreham by Sea, Twickenham, Paddock Wood and St Paul’s (London) & Guildford. We also have a number of websites where we promote our products and we also use social media channels to promote the business and products. www.cadenceperformance.com www.giant-guildford.co.uk

http://www.cadenceperformance.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

We’re hoping that once qualified the apprentice will accept a full time position within the business.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ACTIVATE LEARNING

Jenny Hyam

Jenny.hyam@activateapprenticeships.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000320396.

Apply now

Closes in 31 days (Friday 13 June 2025 at 11:59pm)

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