We have crowned our first Mechanic of the Month winner. With over 100 votes for a variety of mechanics throughout the UK, Christopher Jackson of Cadence Cycleworks was crowned winner.
In May, we launched our ‘Mechanic of the Month’ in partnership with Bikebook to champion bicycle mechanics around the UK. Nominations are open to the public via BikeBook, allowing anyone to nominate their favourite mechanic. Monthly winners will be featured on the BikeBiz website through an interview, also receiving a digital badge to use on their online platforms.
My journey into bicycle mechanics began in Melbourne, Australia, back in 2015. I’d just moved out there and took part in the Cycle Messenger World Championships (CMWC), which was an incredible introduction to the city’s cycling culture. Soon after, I got my first job in the bike industry, completely green at Reid Bikes. I worked there for six months, learning the basics of bike mechanics and instantly fell in love with the process of understanding how bikes work.
After a short stint working regionally, I returned to Melbourne with no job lined up. I happened to ride past Bike Force Docklands, a premium road bike shop owned by former Australian track cycling champion Bill Gordon. I walked in, intimidated by the Pinarellos and Williers, and asked if they were hiring. To my surprise, Mel the shop manager called me the next day and offered me a job. I spent nearly a year there, learning everything about high-end road cycling, a new world for me after a decade on track bikes.
From there, I moved on to Total Rush, Australia’s leading Specialized dealer, where I continued to build my technical knowledge, particularly around boxed bike builds and cutting-edge tech. After that, I moved to Germany and shifted into the marketing side of the cycling industry, working with brands like Gore Wear, Canyon, and Cinelli.
Eventually, I moved to London, and once again wanted to get back on the tools. I cycled around the city visiting bike shops, and landed at Machine Bikes on Tower Bridge Road, just as the first lockdown hit. The shop was slammed, and I had to learn fast. It was intense but rewarding, and that period gave me a deep education in everyday bike servicing and repairs.
After almost two years there, I joined Brompton’s marketing team as their Global Social Media Manager, which was brilliant, but I missed the hands-on aspect of the workshop. So I moved to Todmorden with some savings and set up Cadence Cycleworks, a small, independent workshop that combines my technical skills and marketing background. The long-term goal is to grow, bring in staff, and work with premium brands while making cycling in Todmorden cool as anything.
I run Cadence Cycleworks, a small, independent workshop in Todmorden, West Yorkshire. It’s just me in the shop, plus my two huskies who keep me company, but I handle everything from servicing and repairs to customer relationships and marketing. It’s a hands-on operation that allows me to offer personalised, high-quality service while building a community around the local cycling scene. My vision is to grow the business, move into a bigger premises, take on staff, and eventually give back by mentoring the next generation of mechanics.
My day usually starts around 10 am, after getting my huskies settled in, they chill out in the shop and have become part of the customer experience. I start by checking Bikebook to see what jobs are lined up, while having a coffee and doing a bit of stock take.
Deliveries typically arrive around lunchtime, setting me up for the next day’s work. On an average day, I try to work through two to three premium services. The terrain around Todmorden is hard on bikes, wet, hilly, and rough, so I do a lot of bearing work. Wheel bearings and bottom brackets are common culprits, and replacing them is a regular part of my day.
There’s a bit of a stereotype that mechanics are grumpy wizards hidden away in the back of the shop. While there’s some truth to that, I think one of the most important aspects of being a great mechanic is communication sharing knowledge with customers.
Even simple things like teaching someone how to clean and align their drivetrain can make a huge difference. It helps avoid costly repairs and builds trust. Working on my own, I feel lucky that my customers genuinely appreciate the work I do. There’s nothing better than watching someone ride off on a freshly serviced bike with a few upgrades and a bit more understanding of how their machine works.
The Park Tool CC-2 chain checker is probably my most-used tool, so many bikes come in with chains that are well past their best. It’s a small tool that prevents much bigger issues down the line.
That said, I’ve got a real soft spot for copper grease. It’s not the flashiest thing in the workshop, but future me always thanks past me when a bolt comes out cleanly because I used it.
Job-wise, I’ve actually grown fond of internal headset bearing replacements, especially when upgrading to quality Enduro bearings. It’s a job some mechanics hate, but I enjoy the precision. And the most satisfying moment? That has to be when a tubeless setup seats perfectly on the first go, nothing beats that ‘pop’ when the bead locks in.
Before Bikebook, I was relying on Post-it notes, an old notebook, and a calendar that was never quite up to date. It worked just about, but it wasn’t efficient, and things could easily slip through the cracks.
Then I came across Bikebook at a trade show and was seriously impressed. I set up an account soon after and haven’t looked back since.
It’s completely transformed the way I manage the workshop. My customers love having live oversight of their bookings and repairs, and nothing gets added to a job without their approval, which builds trust. The digital service reports add a real premium feel to the experience, and they’re essential for repeat visits when a bike comes in for its second or third service, I can instantly see exactly what was done previously.
Overall, it’s made the business more professional, efficient, and customer-friendly. It’s become an absolutely vital tool for how I run Cadence Cycleworks.
Patience is key, some jobs can be fiddly, repetitive, or frustrating, especially when you’re diagnosing a mystery issue or dealing with seized components. You’ve got to be methodical and not rush the process.
Curiosity is what keeps you evolving. The tech in this industry moves quickly from new standards and materials to ever-changing brands and component systems. A great mechanic is someone who wants to keep learning, keep asking questions, and keep improving their knowledge.
And finally, communication. It’s not just about fixing bikes, it’s about building trust with riders. Being able to explain clearly what needs doing and why, in a way that empowers the customer rather than alienates them, is just as important as turning a spanner.
In the end, you’re not just working on bikes, you’re helping people get the most out of their riding, and that takes a bit of empathy too.
love this question, because honestly, I don’t think formal qualifications are essential to becoming a great bike mechanic.
I started with zero experience and no formal training, just a genuine passion for bikes and a willingness to learn. Most of my knowledge has come from being thrown in the deep end, learning on the job, asking questions, and making mistakes (and fixing them!). That kind of real-world experience is invaluable and, in my opinion, often more useful than a certificate.
That said, continuous learning is absolutely vital. The industry is constantly evolving, whether it’s internal routing, electronic drivetrains, or new materials, so staying curious and keeping up with the changes is crucial. Whether you’re reading tech manuals, watching service videos, or learning from other mechanics, there’s always more to take on.
So while I don’t believe you need a formal qualification to get started, you do need drive, resourcefulness, and a commitment to growth if you want to stay relevant and do the job well.
There’s been a massive shift in both technology and rider culture over the past decade. The biggest changes I’ve seen include the rise of disc brakes, electronic shifting, internal cable routing, and tubeless setups, all of which have made modern bikes far more complex to work on than even just a few years ago.
Mechanics now need to be comfortable with hydraulics, torque specs, software updates, and advanced diagnostics, not just the basics. Staying up-to-date is non-negotiable if you want to keep delivering quality work.
Rider culture has evolved massively too. Cyclists today are more clued-up and invested in their kit. There’s a growing interest in premium components, marginal gains, and custom builds, which has raised the standard for mechanics and workshops alike. Riders expect not just excellent service, but a bit of education and insight along the way.
Not to mention the fashion, white shoes, 165mm cranks, and 37mm handlebars are suddenly everywhere! Style and tech are becoming more intertwined, and as a mechanic, you’re expected to understand both function and form. People want their bikes to perform like a race machine and look the part too.
All of these shifts have made the role of a mechanic more technical, more specialised, and honestly, more exciting. It keeps the job fresh and creatively challenging.
I came into the industry after floating from job to job, never quite fitting in, never really finding what I loved or even feeling like I was fully living. But everything changed when I started working with bikes. It wasn’t just a career move; it was the start of everything falling into place, both professionally and personally. The bike industry gave me purpose, structure, and community, and for me, that was life-changing.
So my advice to anyone starting out is: don’t worry if you feel lost right now. This trade has space for people who don’t fit the mould. You don’t need formal training to get started. What you need is curiosity, a willingness to learn, and pride in doing things properly.
Be patient with yourself and with the work. Mechanics isn’t always glamorous, but it’s deeply satisfying when you do it right. Ask questions, learn from your mistakes, and surround yourself with people who know more than you.
And remember, this job isn’t just about bikes, it’s about people. You’re giving someone the freedom to ride, to feel good, to go faster, or to feel safe. That’s something to be proud of.
What do I wish I’d known when I started? That this could be more than just a job. That it could be a passion, a calling, and a turning point. It was for me.
Follow Chris on Cadence Cycleworks Instagram for the latest updates from his workshop.
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