Apprentice Cycle Mechanic
OFFCAMBER LIMITED
BLANDFORD FORUM (DT11 7PR)
Closes in 26 days (Saturday 25 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 29 June 2026
Contents
Summary
Offcamber are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Apprentice Cycle Mechanic to join their busy workshop.
- Wage
-
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Bicycle mechanic (level 2)
- Hours
-
TBC 40 hours
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 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
Are you mechanically minded, enthusiastic about bikes and ready to learn on the
job? What you’ll do
● Learn to service, maintain and repair bikes (road, gravel, MTB, e-bikes)
● Diagnose faults, replace parts and perform safety checks
● Assist with workshop organisation, cleaning and stock control
● Support the retail team with customer service and bike handovers
● Complete off-the-job training and any apprenticeship qualifications
Where you'll work
38 SALISBURY STREET
BLANDFORD FORUM
DT11 7PR
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
Level 2 Bicycle Mechanic Apprenticeship
18 months
Dedicated Performance Coach
Day release
Functional Skills maths and English - depending on previous qualifications
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
- Attention to detail
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
We’re looking for
● Aged 16+ and eligible to work in the UK
● Strong Interest in bikes and a basic mechanical aptitude
● Willingness to learn, punctual, reliable and team-oriented
● Good communication skills and a friendly attitude
● No formal experience required — full training provided
Offcamber 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 Offcamber, including Giant, Marin, Ridley and Orbea. If you live and breath bikes, this is the place for you!
About this employer
Offcamber Cycles is a family-run bicycle shop located in Dorset, offering a wide selection of bikes, parts, and accessories for all types of cyclists.
https://www.offcamber.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
What we offer
● Practical, hands-on apprenticeship starting September 2026
● Mentoring from experienced mechanics
● Day-to-day experience with a busy local bike shop
● Opportunities to progress within the business
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Opportunity to progress
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ACTIVATE LEARNING
Jenny Hyam
apprenticeships@activateapprenticeships.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000038998.
Apply now
Closes in 26 days (Saturday 25 July 2026 at 11:59pm)