Mechanic Apprentice Program

See also the Staff Development Hours page.

Application

Every new mechanic who would like to begin committing to a shift at the BK will take the Mechanic Quiz to assess knowledge and proper naming of tools and bicycle parts. All applicants should also possess proficiency in the following skills:

• Patch and install tubes (fix flats)
• Install, maintain, and adjust chains
• Breaking and re-attaching
• Check for excessive wear
• Install, maintain, and adjust Brakes
• Side pull
• Center Pull
• Cantilever
• V-Brakes
• Install, maintain, and adjust Derailleurs and Shifters
• Front
• Rear
• Index Shifting
• Friction Shifting
• Install, remove, and adjust cranks and pedals
• 1 piece cranks
• Square taper cranks
• Install, Overhaul, and adjust bearing systems
• Hubs
• Threaded and Threadless Headsets
• Bottom Brackets
• Wheels
• Properly true them
• Install and remove freewheels
• Install and remove cassette
• Properly name all of the parts of the bicycle
• Properly name tools

Applicant's test will be assessed on the spot by a staff member. Applicants who do not possess all (or at least 95%) of the above skills and do not "pass" the test are encourage to volunteer as an apprentice mechanic (see below).

An applicant who meets all of the above criteria but who is very unfamiliar with or new to the shop (or has little to no experience working in an environment similar to the BK) is encouraged to first spend some time involved with the shop as a patron before volunteering to mechanic and become staff.

An applicant who meets the above criteria and is familiar with our shop and how we function as a whole and work with our patrons may begin working a regular shift as a mechanic. We will have a copy of the shop handbook on hand, and will ask applicants to read the handbook at the time of application.

Apprenticeship

Apprentices should possess the following basic maintenance skills at the time of their application. These skills may be acquired either independently & outside of the BK, by taking the BK’s Basic Tune-up class, or by participating in the EAB program:

• Patch and install tubes (fix flats)
• Install, maintain, and adjust chains
• Breaking and re-attaching
• Check for excessive wear
• Install, maintain, and adjust Brakes
• Side pull
• Center Pull
• Cantilever
• V-Brakes
• Install, maintain, and adjust Derailleurs and Shifters
• Front
• Rear
• Index Shifting
• Friction Shifting

Shadowing

This is a broad term that defines the time an apprentice will spend in the shop with their mentor. All apprentice mechanics will be expected to attend a regular shadowing session during their mentor mechanic’s weekly shift. They will also be expected to practice learned skills on their own projects outside of the shadowing sessions. Shadowing time may consist of actual shadowing, practicing teaching a learned skill to a patron, or anything else that the mentor feels would help the apprentice’s progress. An apprenticeship should last a minimum of 2 months, which can applied towards time spent volunteering to become staff.

Mentor Mechanics

Mechanics interested in being a part of the apprenticeship program can volunteer to be a Mentor Mechanic. Each Mentor Mechanic will have one apprentice. We will match the mentor to the apprentice according to which mentor’s shift an apprentice can commit to attending. Primarily, they will act as a guide to help the apprentice reach the completion of the program, and will be the person who knows and decides when an apprentice is ready to graduate to mechanic status. Mentors should be willing to stick with their apprentice through the duration of their apprenticeship.