Intermediate Bicycle Mechanics Course – 1 Weekend – CBD

A comprehensive 2-day course designed as an in-depth and hands-on review of bicycle mechanics for novice riders of all ages. After completion, you can ride with confidence, knowing you can tackle all the basic mechanical tasks for a day-ride or a regular daily commute.

Runs for 2 days over a weekend, 9am-5pm.

(Can also be completed over 5 weeks 5.30–8.30pm)

Tyres and Tubes Theory

• Types of Tyres, Clincher, Tubular and Tubeless tyre 
• Sizing of tyres and tubes; what size tube/tyre do you need for your bike?
• Why punctures occur and what causes them.
• Tyre pressures for different types of tyres and conditions.
• Demo of tubeless tyre setup

Practical

• Getting your wheels off and on your bike, both front and rear wheels (including internal gear hubs and single speeds).
• Tyre lever technique and usage, getting your tyres off and back onto your wheels
• Tube, tyre and pump technique, pumping your tyres effectively
• Patching a tube with a puncture repair kit 

Brakes

• Brake pad diagnosis and replacement, including disc and rim brake systems.
• Brake adjustment
• Cables: Cable diagnosis, lubrication, cutting to size, seating of ferrules, stretching and tensioning. Brake cable vs. Gear cable; outer and inner cables.
• Demo of brake cable replacement 
• Other problems that may occur with brakes

Gears

• Types of drivetrains – derailleur, single-speed, multi-speed hub gears, how gear shifters work. 
• Gear adjustment – derailleur limits, cable tension adjustment.
• Gear cable replacement on your own bike or a demo bike.
• Demo of derailleur hanger alignment. 
• Other issues that may affect gear shifting.

Drivetrain

• Gear theory – gears for different conditions – range, number, gearing advantage
• Cleaning chains and cassettes
• Cassette/freewheel removal and fitting
• Chain removal, using a chain breaker
• Chainring sizing removal and fitting
• Theory: Chain measurement, sizing and replacement

Bearings

• Loose ball bearing hub servicing
• Threaded Bottom bracket removal and fitting 
• Demo: Press Fit Bottom bracket removal and fitting.
• Headset adjustment and stem fitting.

Booking Policy

Booking cancellations more than 7 days before the course date will be refunded less a 15% booking fee. Any cancelations within 7 days of the course date cannot be refunded.

FAQ

Should I bring my own bike?

We definitely encourage this so you can undertake servicing and mechanical tasks on your own bike as part of the course. However, if you cannot bring your bike, we have plenty of demo bikes available for you to practice on.

What should I wear?

Preferably old clothes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. We provide protective gloves to keep your hands clean and wash-up facilities are available on site. Closed-toe shoes in the workshop are required.

Where is the course being held?

This course will be held in our new Goldsbrough Lane space in the CBD. The entrance to Goldsbrough Lane is at 550 Bourke St, Melbourne. Our space is near the corner of Little Bourke St and Ramsay Lane.

Do I need to have any prior experience?

The course has no prerequisites, however some basic bike knowledge is assumed. If you have any questions, just get in touch at bookings@goodcycles.org.

Are there any restrictions on course participation?

We cater for all riders and all bike types. We have no age limits other than those 16 or under require an adult enrolment at the same time.

The course is very hands-on and class sizes are limited to eight to ensure appropriate attention to all participants.

Who teaches this course?

The course instructor will be one of Good Cycles’ highly qualified, professional trainers with many years of practical experience, both in the workshop and on the road.