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Maintain cycle wheel and tyre systems

URN: IMICY04
Business Sectors (Suites): Maintenance and Repair - Cycle
Developed by: IMI
Approved on: 30 Mar 2022

Overview

This standard is about maintaining cycle wheel and tyre systems, including building a  wheel, identifying tyre wear/defects, tyre sizing and tread patterns, repairing a puncture and removing and replacing tyres, so that the cycle is reinstated to a safe and roadworthy condition. 

In this standard the term ‘cycle’ includes pedal-propelled vehicles with two, three or four wheels. It may also include pedal-assisted e-bikes:
• Road legal up to 15.5 mph with a motor with an output of up to 250w
• E-cycles used for other purposes

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

P1 use suitable personal protective equipment throughout all cycle wheel and tyre maintenance activities
P2 ensure the cycle and the work area are safe prior to work commencing
P3 support your removal and replacement activities by reviewing:

P3.1 cycle technical data
P3.2 cycle tyre maintenance procedures
P3.3 legal requirements  
P4 identify components relevant to cycle wheels
P5 prepare, check and use all the equipment required following manufacturer’s instructions
P6 carry out all cycle wheel and tyre maintenance activities following: 

P6.1 manufacturer’s instructions
P6.2 industry recognised methods
P6.3 your workplace procedures
P6.4 health, safety and environmental requirements
P7 work in a way which minimises the risk of:

P7.1 damage to the cycle, its systems and components
P7.2 damage to your working premises or the environment
P7.3 injury to self and others
P8 identify punctures, defects and sizing of cycle tyres
P9 identify valve types, correct use and pressures
P10 remove and replace cycle tyres, valves and associated components
P11 use suitable testing methods to accurately evaluate the performance of the wheel and tyre 
P12 ensure the reassembled system performs to the cycle operating specification and meets any legal requirements prior to return to the customer  
P13 promptly report any problems or issues relating to the cycle’s condition or conformity  to the relevant person(s) 
P14 ensure your records are accurate, complete and promptly passed to the relevant person(s) in the format required
P15 complete all cycle maintenance activities within the agreed timescale
P16 promptly report any anticipated delays in completion to the relevant persons(s)

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

Legislative and organisational requirements and procedures
K1 the health and safety legislation, environmental requirements and workplace procedures relevant to cycle wheel and tyre maintenance activities and personal and cycle protection
K2 your workplace procedures for:
K2.1 recording cycle wheel and tyre maintenance information
K2.2 the referral of problems
K2.3 reporting delays to the completion of work
K2.4 personal protection
K3 how to isolate scrapped tyres and dispose of waste materials in your workplace following environmental requirements
K4 how to work safely avoiding damage to other cycle systems, components and units and injury to self and others
K5 the importance of documenting cycle wheel and tyre maintenance information
K6 the importance of working to agreed timescales and keeping others informed of progress
K7 the relationship between time and cost
K8 the importance of promptly reporting anticipated delays to the relevant person(s)

Use of technical information
K9 how to find, interpret and use sources of current technical information for cycle wheel and tyre maintenance activities
K10 the importance of using the appropriate sources of technical information
K11 the standard sizes set by ETRTO (European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation) and how to interpret other sizing methods

Tools and equipment
K12 how to select, prepare, check and use all the cycle wheel and tyre maintenance tools and equipment required

Cycle wheel building and hub maintenance
K13 how to identify the components in cycle wheels
K14 how to determine correct spoke lengths in cycle wheels
K15 how to identify appropriate and compatible hub for wheel building
K16 how to lace and tension a cycle wheel

K17 how to establish radial and lateral trueness and dish to agreed standards
K18 the features of stress relieving spokes
K19 how to compare spoke tension against recommendations
K20 how to remove and replace cycle hub bearing components for the types of cycle on which you work
K21 how to test and evaluate the performance of the wheel against the cycle operating specifications and any legal requirements, including hub assessments
K22 the manufacturer’s specification for the type and quality of components to be used

Cycle tyre maintenance
K23 how to identify the major components relevant to the removal and replacement of cycle wheels, tyres and inner tubes and the repair of punctures.
K24 the common sizes of relevant components
K25 the function of relevant components *
K26 how to locate a puncture and identify its cause
K27 the advantages and disadvantages of different cycle *tyre systems
K28 how to remove and replace cycle tyres for the types of tyre systems on which you work
K29 how the rim type affects the tyre fitting method
K30 how to test and evaluate  the performance of replacement cycle tyre system components and the reassembled system against the cycle operating specifications and any legal requirements
K31 the manufacturer’s specification for the type and quality of components to be used
K32 the relationship between rims, tyres and associated inflation pressures
K33 cycle manufacturer's data regarding maximum tyre size

Scope/range

1. **Testing methods** are:

1.1 sensory
1.2 functional
1.3 measurement

2. Components are:

2.1 wheels
2.2 tyres
2.3 inner tubes
2.4 fasteners
2.5 repair patches
2.6 valves
2.7 rim tapes

3. Wheel building tools and equipment include:

3.1 wheel jig
3.2 dial test indicators
3.3 wheel building tools
3.4 spoke calculation software
3.5 measuring equipment
3.6 hand tools
3.7 spokes, hubs and rims

4. Tyre repair tools and equipment include:

4.1 cycle stand
4.2 inflation equipment
4.3 pressure gauge
4.4 wheel removal equipment
4.5 tyre removal equipment
4.6 puncture repair equipment
4.7 sealants

5. Hub assessments for:

5.1 seal damage
5.2 bearing wear and faults
5.3 axle trueness
5.4 free hub body 




6. Cycle tyre systems are:

6.1 clincher and inner tube
6.2 tubular 
6.3 tubeless

7. Rim type*s* are:

7.1 aluminium
7.2 carbon fibre
7.3 steel
**

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

This section contains examples and explanations of some of the terms used but does not form part of the standard.

*
*
Agreed timescales
Examples include industry recommended work times, job times set by your company or a job time agreed with a specific customer

Conformity
Examples include conformity to approvals and specifications, UK and European legal requirements where applicable

Cycles
In this standard the term ‘cycle’ includes pedal-propelled vehicles with two, three or four wheels on which the rider sits. It may also include pedal-assisted e-bikes:
• Road legal up to 15.5 mph with a motor with an output of up to 250w
• E-cycles used for other purposes 

Fasteners
To include, nuts, bolts, locking devices, clips, quick release skewers, thru-axle types

Sizing
To include European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO)

Sources of technical information
Manufacturer manuals and data


Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

30 Mar 2025

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

IMI

Original URN

CY04

Relevant Occupations

Cycle Technician, Advanced Cycle Technician

SOC Code

5223

Keywords

Cycle; tyre; rim; puncture repair; tread; wheel; spokes; hub;