Bicycle Repairers

Bicycle Fitter

Bicycle Mechanic

Bicycle Repair Technician

Bicycle Repairman

Bicycle Service Technician

Bicycle Technician

Bike Mechanic

What is a Bicycle Repairer?

Bicycle Repairers are skilled technicians who specialize in maintaining, repairing, and servicing bicycles. They possess a deep understanding of bicycle mechanics, including the intricate workings of the various components such as gears, brakes, wheels, and drivetrains. These professionals diagnose problems with bicycles brought in by customers, conduct repairs, and perform routine maintenance to ensure optimal performance and safety. Bicycle Repairers often work in bike shops, sporting goods stores, or independently. Their role involves not only technical skills but also customer service, as they interact with clients to understand their needs and provide expert advice on bicycle care and upgrades. With the rise in cycling popularity, especially for transportation and recreation, the demand for competent Bicycle Repairers has significantly increased, making it a vital career in promoting sustainable practices and health-conscious lifestyles.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$28670.0 - $48910.0

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

Tasks

Install and adjust brakes and brake pads.
Help customers select bicycles that fit their body sizes and intended bicycle uses.
Align wheels.
Assemble new bicycles.
Sell bicycles and accessories.

Technology Skills

Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
Data base user interface and query software
- Pedal Powered Software Bicycle Repair Man
- RepairTRAX
- Upland Consulting Group Repair Traq
Electronic mail software
- Microsoft Outlook
Point of sale POS software
- LightSpeed Cloud
Word processing software
- Microsoft Word

Tools Used

Specialty wrenches
Engine or vehicle stands
Hex keys
Air pumps
- Floor pumps
- Minipumps
Screwdrivers
- Phillips head screwdrivers
- Straight blade screwdrivers

Knowledge

Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

1 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R19,301pm

How to Know if You Are Ready to Become a Bicycle Repairer in South Africa

The cycling industry in South Africa is experiencing a significant professional shift. No longer just a hobbyist's pastime, bicycle mechanics is now a specialized technical field. With 1 active jobs currently available and an average monthly salary of R19,301pm, the career path is both viable and growing. Notably, industry data shows a steady upward trend in compensation, with average earnings projected to rise from approximately R16,985 at the start of 2024 to over R21,232 by December, reflecting the increasing demand for high-end technical skills.

Is Bicycle Repair Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before committing to this trade, consider whether your natural temperament and cognitive style align with the demands of a modern workshop. Successful technicians typically possess the following traits:

Mechanical Aptitude: Do you have a natural curiosity for how things work? You should enjoy taking components apart and understanding their internal logic.
Precision and Attention to Detail: Modern bicycles utilize high-performance materials like carbon fibre and electronic shifting systems where a millimetre can be the difference between peak performance and mechanical failure.
Critical Problem-Solving: Can you diagnose a "ghost creak" or a shifting misalignment by looking at the symptoms and isolating variables?
Physical Resilience: The role requires standing for long periods, manual dexterity, and the strength to handle heavy e-bikes or mountain bikes.
Customer-Centric Mindset: In the South African market, you aren't just fixing machines; you are helping commuters get to work safely and athletes achieve their personal bests.

A Day in the Life of a South African Bicycle Technician

Your day typically begins in a bustling workshop, often attached to a retail store in cycling hubs like Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs, Sandton, or the cycling-heavy corridors of KwaZulu-Natal. The morning is usually dedicated to "quick-turnaround" repairs for commuters who need their bikes back by the afternoon.

As the day progresses, you will move into more complex tasks: bleeding hydraulic disc brakes, servicing intricate suspension forks, or updating the firmware on electronic drivetrains. You will interact with a diverse range of clients—from weekend warriors preparing for the Cape Town Cycle Tour to professional racers. Throughout the day, you must meticulously document your work and manage your time to meet strict collection deadlines, all while maintaining a clean and organised workspace.

Education & Upskilling

In South Africa, there are several pathways to becoming a qualified technician. While many start through informal apprenticeships, formalising your skills is essential for career progression and higher earnings.

TVET Colleges and Learnerships: Many Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges offer mechanical engineering N-courses that provide a solid foundation in tool use and mechanical principles.
Specialised Short Courses: Look for internationally recognised certifications such as Cytech (Technical Training for the Bicycle Industry), which are increasingly sought after by high-end South African retailers.
Brand-Specific Training: Major manufacturers like Shimano and SRAM offer online and in-person training modules for their specific components.

It is crucial to understand that continuous learning is non-negotiable. As e-bikes and integrated cockpits become the industry standard, a technician who does not regularly update their skills through new certification programmes will quickly find themselves obsolete in a rapidly evolving market.

Next Steps

If you have a passion for mechanics and a drive for precision, a career in bicycle repair offers both stability and the satisfaction of tangible results. The increasing salary benchmarks across South Africa indicate that now is the perfect time to enter the trade. Are you truly prepared for the technical rigour of a modern workshop? Test your readiness now by taking our comprehensive career assessment to see if you have the aptitude to excel in this thriving industry.

Skills

Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Abilities

Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

Less than high school diploma

0 %
High school diploma or equivalent

0 %

or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Some college, no degree

0 %

Work Activities

Selling or Influencing Others
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Detailed Work Activities

Install vehicle parts or accessories.
Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
Explain technical product or service information to customers.
Assemble mechanical components or machine parts.
Align equipment or machinery.

Work Interests

Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.