Mechanics and bike fitting: who does the work.

Why this site gives no procedures

This site names maintenance and fitting tasks and says who does them, but gives no procedures: that work belongs with trained people who can see the bike in front of them. The regulators' notices point the same way: recall notices and official battery guidance, set out below, send owners to authorised dealers and professionals.

Bike mechanics: the Cytech scheme

Cytech is a training and accreditation scheme for bicycle technicians, owned by the UK cycle industry through the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT). The ACT says it has been developed over more than 30 years. It lists the levels as:

These are the ACT's own descriptions of its scheme. We did not research mechanic qualifications in other countries, so none are listed. The tasks named in our sources, such as servicing, set-up and assembly (Cytech Technical Two) and battery care (New York City's consumer guidance), are named here only; no procedures are given.

Bike fitters: the IBFI scheme

Cycling Industry News reported on 30 May 2016 the launch of the International Bike Fitting Institute (IBFI), a non-profit accreditation scheme for bike fitters. Under it, fitters earn credits for skills, qualifications and experience, which place them at one of four certification levels. The same report said the scheme was endorsed at launch by organisations including Medicine of Cycling. We did not research other fitting qualifications.

Fitting within the racing rules

In UCI racing a rider's position is limited by the rules, and a fitter working with a racer works within them. As reproduced in the Japan Cycling Federation's copy of the UCI clarification guide (uploaded March 2026; edition date unconfirmed):

• Article 1.3.013: the saddle tip must be behind the vertical through the bottom bracket spindle.
• Article 1.3.014: the saddle may tilt no more than nine degrees and must be 24 to 30 cm long.
• Article 1.3.023: in time trials, the extension's reach and height and the saddle setback are limited by the rider's height category.

The figures are on the time trial position rules page.

The UCI on modifying equipment

The UCI's guide (commentary on Article 1.3.002) says modifying competition equipment away from what the manufacturer supplied is prohibited for safety reasons. Its examples are changing a saddle's length, adapting approved wheels, filing off the safety lugs on fork drop-outs, and adding tape. No modification not made by the manufacturer is authorised without the UCI's prior approval. The guide also tells mechanics and riders to be aware of the ISO 4210 bicycle safety standard before modifying or adjusting any component. ISO 4210 is described on the frames and materials page.

What recall notices and regulators tell owners

• US CPSC recall 25-177 (13 March 2025; manufacturer BMC Switzerland AG, importer BMC USA Corporation) and Health Canada's Cube Agree C:62 fork recall (13 January 2026; manufacturer CUBE Bikes, distributor EUCAN Distribution Inc.) direct owners to stop using the affected bike and contact an authorised dealer for the remedy (in the BMC notice, a free inspection and fork replacement).
• OPSS (27 February 2025) advises getting professional help for e-bike conversions and repairs, and using parts the manufacturer recommends.

Recent recalls are listed on the recalls page.

What this site does and does not cover

This site does not recommend any shop, mechanic or fitter.