Recommend a GOOD bicycle maintenance course

[Bigtallfatbloke]

Ok I want to get serious about knowing how to fix and maintain my bike. I have picked up a lot of info on this board and have been watching on line videos at Biketutor, however I would really like to get my hands dirty on a bike mechanic course or something.

I googled bike maintenance courses but, well i cant tell what is good and what isnt, what i need and what i dont etc.

Also it would help if it were local and that means in Essex/East Anglia region.

Does anybody know of one that might suit? Anybody been on one? Run one even?

I want to have the ability to fix anything on my bike when on tour or at home.

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

The one day intensive course looks exactly what i need...but I need it in SE england.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Or you could ride north and get some more touring in on your way to the course.

 

[palinurus]

The Bike Inn are somewhere around your way I think. Haven't used their services myself tho'

http://www.bike-inn.co.uk/

 

[Dayvo]

I hope to do the two-week course at Bike Inn sometime this winter (as a kick up the arse to get me into the across States ride I want to do in two years time, as I also want to be able to do anything, repair-wise.). They are based in Spalding, in Lincolnshire.

Otherwise there is this lot:

http://www.atg-training.co.uk/images/stories/documents/ATG Cycles Brochure.pdf

I've not really read through it so I don't know what's on offer.

 

[dmoan]

BTFB, you might have some luck with this list (from the CTC website)

http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4804

 

[MichaelM]

......... however I would really like to get my hands dirty on a bike mechanic course or something.

For a bit of fun....

Take a 5mm allan key (you may need a 4 and a 6 as well, and maybe an 8 for the cranks, and a chain tool, a chain whip/cassette tool...), walk up to your bike and strip it down to the frame, you'll get as far as the frame with headset and BB.

Clean everything, change the cables and rebuild, see if the gears brakes etc still work.

Then there's the hubs... 15 and 17mm cone spanners and grease.

If you screw something up try some online help. If tht doesn't work go and give the lbs a laugh!

The home mechanics mantra....

There are two L.H. threads on my bike.
The L.H.S. pedal, and the R.H.S. BB cup.
There are two L.H threads on my bike....

 

[GrahamG]

I'm with MichaelM. Just take everything apart, although I was a bit of a wimp here and waited until I got a bike for free (old knacker) to take to pieces. It's one of those things that is really not that difficult once you get over the initial paranoia, plus there is just so much help online via Sheldon Brown/Park Tools/Forums you are never stuck for too long (unless you just don't have the tool!).

 

[robbarker]

But to strip a bike down properly, including bottom bracket, wheelhubs, and wheels, and then put it back together with correct lubricants, bearing adjustment, cable lengths, torque settings, rebuilt wheels true and propelry tensioned and so on, then PDI to BS 6102, without damaging any components or tools and sorting out problems such as seized threads along the way takes a bit more skill and knowledge.

You have to start somewhere though and the basic assembly of main components is easily self-taught. Doing it properly does require investment in some more specialist tools.

Park Tools "repair help" is your friend if you want to start on the right foot doing it properly and not bodging things, which 90% of home mechanics seem to like doing.