Becoming a bike mechanic

[squeakywheel]

Just curious: how do you become a bike mechanic in Australia? A quick Google search says there was a TAFE course, now discontinued as it's considered a 'lifestyle' course, or a course in Oregon (U.S.A.). Is there a training centre or some kind of apprenticeship system?

[koshari]

Experiance i would guess. Most of the practical knowledge is basicly mechanical with a bit of electric with regards to lighting and more recently di2.

Studying sheldons site, reading forums and tech docs will improve your item specific knowledge.
Mastering things like setting up drivetrains and building wheels only comes with practice.

[feral grasshopper]

Just curious: how do you become a bike mechanic in Australia? A quick Google search says there was a TAFE course, now discontinued as it's considered a 'lifestyle' course, or a course in Oregon (U.S.A.). Is there a training centre or some kind of apprenticeship system?

Couple of things I've come across:

http://www.99bikes.com.au/blog/velo-aca ... -everyone/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


http://www.bicycletrainingaustralia.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I went to Melbourne and did a week long course with the 2nd mob. It was a good start!

[Duck!]

TAFE courses do still come up, but on a very infrequent basis. Having a basic mechanical aptitude goes a very long way - it's how I learnt the vast majority of my stuff! In fact, I have no formal certification from any educational institution; the closest thing I have is specialist training in Rock Shox suspension servicing provided by SRAM Australia (these courses are only offered to people already in the industry, not the general public).

There is a swag of tutorial stuff all over the place, which most people learn a lot from, but like any skill, there are some people who can have all the theory in the worls stuffed in their head, but just can't put into practise - and yes, some of them wind up working in bike shops....

[hedgehog]

correct duck,skweekywheels bicycle mechanics is not that hard for someone who likes yousing tool,exseptions are wheels and setting the ride position,wheels need allot of consentration and take time to master,but we are
not all the same,you never no until you dont try,bicycle assembly is not an opinion,wheel biulding is not an opinion,but when we by a bike in most cases it is assemble based on opinions,even the wheels.
i thak all the people that but there bikes on the foot as free bee,its from free bikes i learnt to be mechanicly indipendant,may start from there,a cheep bike and 36 spoke wheels,if spokes are made from steel even better.

[HappyHumber]

....and yes, some of them wind up working in bike shops....

The rest of us just regurgitate theory back up on forums such as this as if we're the experts A bit of self deprecation there, Duck! and not a dig at you. It becomes more obvious after a while who contributes from hard experience on this and other forums. I'm not talking watching a video on particular task, then performing it on your own bike - but rather doing that and a myriad of other tasks day in, day out on other peoples bikes of varying quality and technology. That sort of breadth of experience.

@squeakywheel : it's an unregulated industry; unlike say being a Doctor, Dentist or Lawyer. A course may help, but natural aptitude and experience counts for a lot more. If you can edge your way into some work experience in a LBS that'd help and do something for your cred towards the next job if you decide to stick with it.


It's probably a bit like Management. The portion of people who are professional bike mechanics who shouldn't really be professional bike mechanics is probably a little too high. It was inconsistency of service I received originally that drove me to learn myself and forge myself a new hobby. That said, if I had to do it for a living I'd soon learn to hate it.

[hedgehog]

first of all pardon my spelling.
iv only bought 2 bikes in my life from new and on both the tension of the spokes was all over the place.
wheel hubs slitly over tight
one of the bikes had the bearing casing dammaged in the head stem.
and thay where not bottom end bikes or entrey level.
and no basic ride possition fitting was offerd.
sorry but the attitude is like (give us the money take the bike and get out of here)
but the marketting strategy is verry refined.

[3DKiwi]

Talk to you bike shop. I was a cycle mechanic for 9 years and started off in the bike shop being trained from no experience but this was a long time ago. Things could be different these days.

[hedgehog]

another option could be to find charety bike associations,they collect and fix bikes for people in need
they might have free mech. lessons

[RonK]

Just curious: how do you become a bike mechanic in Australia? A quick Google search says there was a TAFE course, now discontinued as it's considered a 'lifestyle' course, or a course in Oregon (U.S.A.). Is there a training centre or some kind of apprenticeship system?

If you are thinking of taking it on, let me warn you from years of experience in the automotive industry that dealing with the public can be a frustrating and thankless task.

[feral grasshopper]

If you are thinking of taking it on, let me warn you from years of experience in the automotive industry that dealing with the public can be a frustrating and thankless task.

Not just in the automotive industry! When one's efforts are appreciated however, it's kinda nice

[hedgehog]

being a pure blooded honest all rounder bicycle mechanich with a little give is just what bicycle industry really needs there are some but we need moore.
any one got some thing against that?well putt your name down and just kick me out of here!

[toolonglegs]

Just curious: how do you become a bike mechanic in Australia? A quick Google search says there was a TAFE course, now discontinued as it's considered a 'lifestyle' course, or a course in Oregon (U.S.A.). Is there a training centre or some kind of apprenticeship system?

If you are thinking of taking it on, let me warn you from years of experience in the automotive industry that dealing with the public can be a frustrating and thankless task.

I think it depends on the usage... cars are mostly just transport and most people don't really have that much of a personal connection to their car. If it's someones pride and joy, bicycle or car then it might be a different story. Being back in the motorbike trade working only on peoples pride and joy , I can say it's not thankless at all

[hedgehog]

@TOOLONGLEGS bonding with your ride trust mastering every aspect of the ride,respect and looking after,anticipating the wild ride in the movement
basicly it all comes down to bonding,no matter what you ride or drive,its how your convidance is

[toolonglegs]

Not really sure what your saying Hedgehog, all I am saying in relation to some mechanics jobs is that they probably are pretty thankless, especially in the auto trade... But that certain mechanics jobs are not.
I have looked after my own bicycles for 20 or 30 years... They aren't very complicated but then I am a motorcycle mechanic so can fix most things. If I can't a couple of questions n here points me in the right direction
If I had my time over again I would have expanded my fitter / turner and welding experience and would have enjoyed making my own.

[Ross]

http://cyclingtips.com/2016/03/every-wo ... institute/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AUbicycles]

Traditionally a mechanic learns hands-on in a bike shop. The problem with the Tafe Course was that it was really long.

Bicycle Industries Australia - the trade organisation for bike business in Australia is seeking to bring Cytech Training to Australia. This is a UK system which has become a recognisable standard, both for shops hiring and also for customers looking for good shops - a bit like a quality mark.

The plan was to start up in 2016 - you can find details here:
http://bikeoz.com.au/index.php/employment-and-training" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[squeakywheel]

Thanks everyone for all the great info

[MelodyWheels]

Aptitude and experience will take you a long way, but there is a massive need for genuine professional training and development in the industry. A bit of food for thought:

Service ideas for mechanic nerds
http://www.wheelfanatyk.com/blog/4808/

[AslanMane]

Out of curiousity my search engine skills found the following:

Australian Certifications in Bicycle Workshop Operations

Cert 2, NSW, 8 days $1,500
http://www.bmti.com.au/course-list/

Cert 3, QLD, 1 day a week for a year, $6,000
https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/17982/ce ... operations