Getting a qualification to mend bikes - worth it ???

Avoneer

Hi All,

I've been fixing bikes on and off over the years, but really want to push doing this to actually make some money.

Is it really worth forking out to get a proper Cytech qualifications in order to push myself and advertise more and crucially get paid ?????

Pat...

Herbsman

Only you can answer that...

ugo.santalucia

Not worth if you are doing it from your garage... cytech 1 is children stuff and cytech 2 costs too much to be viable if you don't have a proper business.
Besides, I don't think it's a requirement in the industry

lpretro1

Consider the courses at the Bike Inn www.bike-inn.co.uk - this leads to the C&G and is an excellent qualification - added advantage you can do it in two weeks but you can separate the weeks if your time is constrained. This will take you beyond the Cytech qualification. There is no legally required qualification for bike mechanics but if you are setting up in business I think you would want to have one behind you to reassure potential customers that you know what you are doing. Also you will need to obtain proper business insurance as you will be in the realms of public liability, product liability and a whole host more stuff once you start getting paid. It is a completely different ball game from doing your own or your mates stuff! You will also need to consdier setting up trade accounts for parts etc. You will need references for these. You will need to inform HMRC that you are going into business as well as this will affect your tax situation. Of course if you are looking for employment in a shop then that wouldn't matter. Good luck

Diogenes

lpretro1 wrote:

There is no legally required qualification for bike mechanics but if you are setting up in business I think you would want to have one behind you to reassure potential customers that you know what you are doing.

Didn't stop Halfords :twisted:

D

on-yer-bike

Diogenes wrote:

lpretro1 wrote:

There is no legally required qualification for bike mechanics but if you are setting up in business I think you would want to have one behind you to reassure potential customers that you know what you are doing.

Didn't stop Halfords :twisted:

D

Didnt stop most bike shops Ive experienced.

mikenetic

I've been doing the new C&G level 2 qualification, got my final session in a couple of weeks. I've been fixing and fettling bikes for years, both my own and those of my friends.

I've found it useful to round out my knowledge, and to see how a (much) more experienced mechanic approaches certain problems. It also included wheelbuilding, which is something I had no experience of.

The one thing that is really good, if a bit stressful at times, is that each part of the course is practically assessed against strict time limits. Being able to do things well, in a reasonable period of time, is an important skill if you're looking at doing things commercially.

Pottering about is one thing, prepping, lacing, tensioning and truing a wheel from scratch in 90 minutes when you only learnt how to do it the day before is another matter!

giant_man

on-yer-bike wrote:

Diogenes wrote:

lpretro1 wrote:

There is no legally required qualification for bike mechanics but if you are setting up in business I think you would want to have one behind you to reassure potential customers that you know what you are doing.

Didn't stop Halfords :twisted:

D

Didnt stop most bike shops Ive experienced.

But especially Halfords .....