DOL Apprenticeship
DOL Description
Type of submittal:
Initial
Occupation Title:
Bicycle Repair Technician
O*NET-SOC Code:
49-3091.00 - Bicycle Repairers 49-3091.00
Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP):
Over 2 years up to and including 4 years
Training Type:
Hybrid
Proposed Term:
Hours
Is this occupation part of a recognized apprenticable occupation?
No
Narrative Job Description:
A bicycle mechanic, also known as a bike mechanic or cycle mechanic, is a tradesperson who repairs, builds, and services bicycles. They may work at a bicycle shop or run their own business. Bicycle mechanics perform a variety of tasks, including:
- Evaluating bikes: Assessing the issues with a customer’s bike and determining a repair plan
- Repairing bikes: Fixing the bike’s issues, which may include cleaning and testing parts
- Safety checks: Ensuring that the repairs were effective
- Assembling bikes: Putting together bikes for customers and their employer
- Adjusting components: Changing the settings of the bike’s components, such as the lights, handlebars, seat, and stands
- Aligning wheels: Ensuring the bike’s wheels are properly aligned
Bike mechanics typically learn their skills through on-the-job training or an apprenticeship-like program
Work Process Schedule
-
Service Area Operations; Tool Use
105-183 Hours
- Basic knowledge of Service Area Operations for intake, inspections, and work order writing.
- Understanding the correct tools, their functions, and limitations, along with workplace safety.
- Fire safety and chemical safety (SDS).
-
Wheels
105-183 Hours
- Construction of the wheel and the materials used
- Components of the wheel as a complete unit
- Safe mounting and dismounting of tires (without damaging the rim)
-
Tires
108-180 Hours
- Tire anatomy
- Understanding the different types of mounting (hook, hookless, tubular)
- Ability to detect potential problems through wear patterns
- Tire removal and installation
- Reading and understanding tire sidewall markings and instructions
- Taping and setting up rim and tire for tubeless
-
Tubes
105-183 Hours
- Understanding the appropriate tube size for the tire in use
- Various valve types and their applications
- Tube composition and materials
-
Wheel Building
112-184 Hours
- Calculating spoke lengths
- Lacing patterns and the correct pattern for wheel applications
- Preparing the hub for lacing
- Preparing the rim for lacing
- Lateral and radial truing and dishing
- Understanding spoke tension
- Types of spokes, gauge, construction, and application
- Used wheel repair
-
Hubs
104-184 Hours
- Understanding the components of a hub
- Difference between a freehub and a freewheel
- Types and functions of bearings
- Inspection of damaged components, knowledge of worn parts, and replacement procedures
-
Freewheel and Cassettes
105-183 Hours
- Understanding of the difference between freewheels and cassettes
- Knowledge of the chain-to-sprocket interface
- Knowledge of gear ratios in relation to front chainrings
-
Chains
105-185 Hours
- Knowing the components of a bicycle chain
- Measuring and installing a chain correctly
- Using proper tools to inspect for chain wear
- Installing and removing a chain
- Cleaning and lubricating the chain
-
Cranksets and Chainrings
105-182 Hours
- Understand the components that make up a crankset
- Knowledge of different cranks
- Understand the makeup of a chainring
- Knowledge of bolt center diameter and measurement
- Ability to interpret markings stamped on a chainring
- Understand the relationship between gear ratios and the rear cassette
- Pedal installation, servicing, and repair
-
Bottom Brackets
104-184 Hours
- Understanding the interface with the frame
- Measure and determine the correct BB
- Determine the correct BB type for the frame
- Service and replace bearings
-
Rear Derailleur
108-186 Hours
- Knowledge of components that make up the derailleur
- Adjustment for shifting
- Relationship between cables and housings for shifting
- Capacity and chain wear
- Repair, replacement, or alignment of the hanger
- Understanding of the use of electronic shifting
-
Front Derailleur
108-186 Hours
- Knowledge of components that make up the derailleur
- Adjustment for shifting
- Relationship between cables and housings for shifting
- Capacity and chain wear
- Determination of braze-on or clamp mounts, along with adjusting both types
- Understanding of the use of electronic shifting
-
Brakes
108-180 Hours
- Understanding the types of rim brakes
- Understanding the types of hub brakes
- Adjusting mechanical brakes
- Bleeding and adjusting hydraulic brakes
- Components of a rim brake system
- Components of a hydraulic brake system
- Troubleshooting braking-related issues
- Understanding cables and housing
- Differences in fluids for hydraulic brakes
-
Headsets
105-183 Hours
- Determine the steer tube size and type
- Remove and replace the headset bearings
- Remove and replace the stem
-
Handlebars
105-183 Hours
- Knowledge of handlebar styles
- Determine reach, drop, rise, and sweep
- Correctly wrap road and tri bars
-
Frame Building and Design
105-185 Hours
- Understanding of geometry and handling
- Fitting
- Drawing to scale or using CAD
- Welding/Brazing of steel, aluminum, and titanium
- Machining and mitering of tubes and materials
-
Front and Rear Suspension
108-188 Hours
- Understand front forks, air side, damper side springs, and elastomers
- Understand rear shock air and coil springs
- Service, repair, and rebuild front and rear suspension components
- Knowledge of service intervals
- Knowledge of suspension tuning
- Knowledge of frame pivot points, bushings, and service components
-
E-Bike and Electric Shifting
104-184 Hours
- Safe Handling of Lithium Batteries
- Fire Safety for Lithium Batteries
- Safely Test and Replace Lithium Batteries
- Diagnose and Repair Most E-bike Failures
- Troubleshoot Malfunctions with a Multimeter
- Troubleshoot Malfunctions with Brand-Specific Diagnostic Tools
- Understanding Basic Electrical Wiring and Voltage
- Repair or Replace Faulty Components
-
Bicycle Fitting
111-196 Hours
- Understanding of basic mechanical skills
- Equipment inspection (wear, safety, correct installation of bike components and shoes/cleats)
- Torque settings
- Changing and replacing cleats — safety and positional accuracy
- Swapping a stem
- Preloading a headset
- Adjusting saddle position
- Understanding bike sizing
- Finding suitable bikes to achieve optimal frame dimensions
- Using a sizing cycle and computer software
- Static and dynamic assessment approaches
- Identifying appropriate resources for FIT assistance
- Basics of anatomy
- Understanding bike measurements