What’s a bike mechanic’s job?

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A bicycle mechanic builds and repairs bicycles, including difficult tasks like tying up a broken wheel, derailleur service, and repairing bent or damaged frames. They assemble new bicycles, provide maintenance and repairs, and may work with racing teams or in design and research.

A bicycle mechanic builds new bicycles and repairs used ones. From basic assembly to repairing damage, the bicycle mechanic is tasked with making all types of bicycles not only enjoyable to ride, but also safe. Of all the different types of services a bike mechanic can provide, perhaps none is as involved as tying up a broken wheel. Other difficult repairs for the mechanic are derailleur service for the bike’s gearshift mechanism and repairing bent or damaged frames. With exotic materials and composites being used in the modern bicycle, the mechanic must be trained in many different methods of mechanical design.

One of the most basic tasks of a bicycle mechanic is to assemble a new bicycle. It is usually a routine task, with most of the assembly already done by the manufacturer. The simple addition of sub-assemblies, which have been omitted from the bicycle to allow it to be packed in a box, is all that is required of the bicycle mechanic before the customer receives the bicycle. It is also common for the customer to return to the mechanic for annual maintenance and for any necessary repairs. This typically includes tire lubrication and repair, as well as installing new braking components.

Other types of bicycle repair opportunities beyond the normal bicycle shop stem from the competitive bicycle world. Often, racing teams such as BMX (mountain biking), mountain biking, and endurance racing will use a bicycle mechanic to maintain the team’s equipment. These bikes are usually made of lightweight materials that require a certain level of expertise to properly repair and maintain. From lightweight alloys to carbon fiber, bicycle frames and wheels are often difficult to repair when damaged, even for the most trained bicycle mechanic.

For some, the ultimate job for a bicycle mechanic is working in the field of design and research. The creation of new designs for frames, wheels, and crankset systems can result in the bicycle evolving from a primitive toy to an advanced mode of transportation. The riding position and component location are two of the bike’s most redesigned features since its inception. Commonly redesigned and improved by a bicycle mechanic, the modern evolution of the machine has allowed people to achieve previously unattainable speeds, duration and durability while riding. From the high-wheeled, single-speed bikes to the multi-gear racing bikes of today, bicycle advancements and ingenuity can often be attributed to advances in the mechanic.




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