Bike mechanic training - Newcastle or electronic

[enuenu]

I want to learn how to maintain my bikes properly (2003 Specialized Enduro & 2011 Camber). I will be buying myself a new bike soon (Remedy/Enduro/Genius or similar). What are the best online courses or DVD/book sets out there? I've seen the Park Tool Website and the Big Blue Book. Maybe there are even better resources out there.

Maybe a comprehensive You Tube series exists? However most You Tube videos I have seen skim all the details.

I've seen some DVDs/books advertised that go into "How to change a tyre", "This is how you adjust your seat". Too basic. I've been working on bikes all my life based on trial and error and can solve most basic problems, but I'm sure I'm not doing it all properly and bikes are a lot more complex now than when I was a kid (disc brakes, through axles, bottom brackets etc).

I want to learn how to strip and service EVERYTHING on the bikes including shocks and forks, truing wheels etc. Is this a bridge too far? Maybe shocks and forks require $1,000s worth of tools? I don't mind investing in specialist tools I don't already own. I have two sons coming up on dual suspension bikes and the cumulative cost of having their bikes constantly at the LBS will be through the roof soon.

I'm after comprehensive training materials that are up to date. I live in Newcastle NSW Australia in case anyone knows of a place there I can attend face to face training.

Thanks

 

[pink poodle]

I want to learn how to maintain my bikes properly (2003 Specialized Enduro & 2011 Camber). I will be buying myself a new bike soon (Remedy/Enduro/Genius or similar). What are the best online courses or DVD/book sets out there? I've seen the Park Tool Website and the Big Blue Book. Maybe there are even better resources out there.

Maybe a comprehensive You Tube series exists? However most You Tube videos I have seen skim all the details.

I've seen some DVDs/books advertised that go into "How to change a tyre", "This is how you adjust your seat". Too basic. I've been working on bikes all my life based on trial and error and can solve most basic problems, but I'm sure I'm not doing it all properly and bikes are a lot more complex now than when I was a kid (disc brakes, through axles, bottom brackets etc).

I want to learn how to strip and service EVERYTHING on the bikes including shocks and forks, truing wheels etc. Is this a bridge too far? Maybe shocks and forks require $1,000s worth of tools? I don't mind investing in specialist tools I don't already own. I have two sons coming up on dual suspension bikes and the cumulative cost of having their bikes constantly at the LBS will be through the roof soon.

I'm after comprehensive training materials that are up to date. I live in Newcastle NSW Australia in case anyone knows of a place there I can attend face to face training.

Thanks

I'm pretty sure that the local WEA or TAFE will have a course or 2 for you. You could also hit up a few of the local bike shops and ask if they do training courses on bike maintenance. One used to, but they shut down not long ago.

 

[melonhead]

I know that DRIFT BIKES in Kotara occassionally run maintenance workshops. Would not be as comprehensive as you would want, but you would definitely get something out of it.

 

[Ky1e]

Youtube and a bit of self belief are all you need. I do it all except damper services and wheel building on my bikes. Never done a course.

 

[redbruce]

All you need:

http://www.pinkbike.com/u/spoiledgoods/channel/Tech-Tuesday-Videos/

 

[EsPeGe]

I've seen the Park Tool Website and the Big Blue Book. Maybe there are even better resources out there. Maybe a comprehensive You Tube series exists? However most You Tube videos I have seen skim all the details.

When I bought my Pivot I wanted to do the same thing. So I completely stripped and rebuilt my old 2006 spec enduro. The big blue book is good as a guide but you have to remember there are so many standards out there it couldn't cover them all. I also watched a shitload of youtube/pinkbike videos. I don't mess with suspension except for the air sleeve service which is easy. I'm also yet to true a wheel. I completely stripped and serviced my Pivot after Thredbo opening weekend which was a mudfest and it's working a treat so I'm happy.

I want to learn how to strip and service EVERYTHING on the bikes including shocks and forks, truing wheels etc. Is this a bridge too far? Maybe shocks and forks require $1,000s worth of tools? I don't mind investing in specialist tools I don't already own. I have two sons coming up on dual suspension bikes and the cumulative cost of having their bikes constantly at the LBS will be through the roof soon.

For me the most frustrating thing is as you mentioned, buying a shitload of tools that you may use only once and they all cost a mozza! Luckily you have the young-uns so you'll at least get a bit more use out of them than most. I had to actually make some tools, a headset cup press for example. If you have been tinkering for years already, have a bit of mechanical nouse and a good relationship with your LBS, IMHO I don't think you need a course.

 

[enuenu]

Thanks for all the tips. I bit the bullet today, bought a stand and enough tools to get the cranks and bottom bracket off. I'll service this part of the bikes and go from there. The Park Tool Website seems to have a lot of good videos. Wish me luck

 

[EsPeGe]

Thanks for all the tips. I bit the bullet today, bought a stand and enough tools to get the cranks and bottom bracket off. I'll service this part of the bikes and go from there. The Park Tool Website seems to have a lot of good videos. Wish me luck

Careful..... The hours will disappear so fast when tinkering with bikes. It's easy to become a recluse when working on your bike. Enjoy.

 

[bikeyoulongtime]

Good luck!

I'm a self taught mechanic, having come by the school of fucking up my own bikes a lot before attempting to fix bikes for other people. I'm also a scientist, and have worked in the field with stuff that is worth a shopful of high end mountain bikes, bolted things on to helicopters, blah blah.

Bike mechanicing is not rocket science, but as with anything mechanical there's always a bit of feel to it, and a measure of OCD helps

Park tool/pinkbike tech tuesdays are great! Suspension servicing videos exist all over the show, Google is your friend. Just bear in mind that the mechanics in the videos always make it look easy - for first time jobs I generally take an open ended timeframe and a few beers

Probably the tool investment is the biggest thing. For years I got by with a $200 park tool roll and a bahco socket wrench set. I just shelled out for a $450 suspension service toolkit - but holy crap, it'll outlast my cycling career. My kids will fight over it... But then, over the next 12 months I'm aiming to tool up a pretty complete garage workshop.

anyway, enjoy the path, it's pretty satisfying making your bikes run like they should.

 

[enuenu]

Cheers all for the encouragement

 

[link1896]

Thanks for all the tips. I bit the bullet today, bought a stand and enough tools to get the cranks and bottom bracket off. I'll service this part of the bikes and go from there. The Park Tool Website seems to have a lot of good videos. Wish me luck

Good luck, if you get stuck, YouTube, Google or here will have the answer. Many skilled people here with many years of experience.

 

[spoozbucket]

I just shelled out for a $450 suspension service toolkit - but holy crap, it'll outlast my cycling career. My kids will fight over it... But then, over the next 12 months I'm aiming to tool up a pretty complete garage workshop.

That's an expensive set of circlip pliers!

What's in the kit, shaft clamps and things for rear shocks?

 

[bikeyoulongtime]

That's an expensive set of circlip pliers!

What's in the kit, shaft clamps and things for rear shocks?

This stuff:



Those multigrips in back are the boss of all multigrips, ever. They close parallel, and have flat clamps for gripping wrench flats on internal parts without munching them. Bushing tools for shocks, seal introducers, a bunch of flat sockets, a nice ratchet, the boss of all pin spanners, a nice pick

Overkill for my current needs - but I'm thinking of the future here.

Tool nerd nirvana.

 

[link1896]

That's an expensive set of circlip pliers!

What's in the kit, shaft clamps and things for rear shocks?

shaft clamps are available as service parts from fox and SRAM, SRAM will no doubt happily supply with their friendly attitudes to service, the others, pfft keep dreaming. I've had people ask me for shaft clamps during my enquiries.

This stuff:

View attachment 322222

Those multigrips in back are the boss of all multigrips, ever. They close parallel, and have flat clamps for gripping wrench flats on internal parts without munching them. Bushing tools for shocks, seal introducers, a bunch of flat sockets, a nice ratchet, the boss of all pin spanners, a nice pick

Overkill for my current needs - but I'm thinking of the future here.

Tool nerd nirvana.

that is the business. Add some plastic picks, verniers, a soft jaw vice and you're set.

 

[tomacropod]

This stuff:

View attachment 322222

Those multigrips in back are the boss of all multigrips, ever. They close parallel, and have flat clamps for gripping wrench flats on internal parts without munching them. Bushing tools for shocks, seal introducers, a bunch of flat sockets, a nice ratchet, the boss of all pin spanners, a nice pick

Overkill for my current needs - but I'm thinking of the future here.

Tool nerd nirvana.

Tidy kit, those guys do some cool stuff.

Don't forget the SAE hex keys for fox forks. Ultimately, you'll need about six circlip pliers as well.

As for the op, learning stuff with friends is easier and more efficient. Share skills and tools with riding buddies.

- Joel

 

[bennyp1]

Thanks for all the tips. I bit the bullet today, bought a stand and enough tools to get the cranks and bottom bracket off. I'll service this part of the bikes and go from there. The Park Tool Website seems to have a lot of good videos. Wish me luck

Good work. I have been doing the same thing over the last six months. Aldi stand and tool kit. I did most of my 1x conversion, including pulling the cranks and doing the chainring. I will admit I had some help with the rear mech setup. Apparently my hanger was quite bent. Good luck.

 

[ianganderton]

Are there recognised qualifications in Australia for bike mechanics?

I'm self taught. Was forced to by crappy local bike shops not being up to the job. Back in the day my lbs refused to service my new fangled suspension forks! So I had to learn to do it myself. From there it was easy enough to learn the rest

I've never got to grips with building and truing wheels though. Hubs with cones I've never managed to adjust successfully either

 

[Rider_of_Bikes]

This stuff:

View attachment 322222

Those multigrips in back are the boss of all multigrips, ever. They close parallel, and have flat clamps for gripping wrench flats on internal parts without munching them. Bushing tools for shocks, seal introducers, a bunch of flat sockets, a nice ratchet, the boss of all pin spanners, a nice pick

Overkill for my current needs - but I'm thinking of the future here.

Tool nerd nirvana.

Who makes this kit??

 

[EsPeGe]

This stuff:

View attachment 322222

Those multigrips in back are the boss of all multigrips, ever. They close parallel, and have flat clamps for gripping wrench flats on internal parts without munching them. Bushing tools for shocks, seal introducers, a bunch of flat sockets, a nice ratchet, the boss of all pin spanners, a nice pick

Overkill for my current needs - but I'm thinking of the future here.

Tool nerd nirvana.

Where's the hammer????

 

[link1896]

Who makes this kit??

unior tools

http://www.uniortools.com