Bicycle Mechanic Apprenticeship
Freeborn
West Sussex (RH13 5QL)
Closes in 21 days (Saturday 23 May 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 1 May 2026
Contents
Summary
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!
- Wage
-
£16,640 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)
Apprenticeship Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Bicycle mechanic (level 2)
- Hours
-
40 hours per week. Normally Monday to Thursday and alternating Friday and Saturday. 9am to 6pm withApprenticeship in bicycle mechanics (ST0622) Level 2 (intermediate)Dedicated Performance CoachRemote (but the apprentice will have to attend a training centre to complete Cytech qualifications)Ongoing in the workplace18 months + (up to 3 months) for End Point AssessmentFunctional Skills maths and English if applicable an hour’s lunch break.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 1 June 2026
- 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
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.
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.
Where you'll work
Freeborn
2 Red Kiln Close
Horsham
West Sussex
RH13 5QL
Training
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)
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.
Training schedule
- Apprenticeship in bicycle mechanics (ST0622) Level 2 (intermediate)
- Dedicated Performance Coach
- Remote (but the apprentice will have to attend a training centre to complete Cytech qualifications)
- Ongoing in the workplace
- 18 months + (up to 3 months) for End Point Assessment
- Functional Skills maths and English if applicable
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Good manual dexterity
Other requirements
- Good manual dexterity, a passion for understanding how things work and an insatiable need to consume information about cycling
- Mature, punctual and reliable with a positive work ethic.
- Responsible and able to use own initiative.
- Willingness to continue learning whilst working.
- The Cycle industry is fast-paced and constantly changing. You must live and breathe bikes to keep up!
About this employer
Freeborn specialises in top quality electric bikes and equipment, and has a fully stocked superstore in Horsham.
The store has full workshop facilities and carries out all aspects of ebike and bike repairs, servicing and wheel building. Freeborn supply Cube, Mondraker and Cannondale.
After this apprenticeship
On completing your apprenticeship, you may be invited to stay on and become a permanent member of our team.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ACTIVATE LEARNING
Jenny Hyam
apprenticeships@activateapprenticeships.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000027737.
Apply now
Closes in 21 days (Saturday 23 May 2026 at 11:59pm)