Courses

The following programs are available as separate modules, a complete set, or in sets that include only some of the programs at a discount. Contact us to request more information.

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TECHNICAL PROGRAMS

Bicycle Assembly & Maintenance (BAM)

This forty-hour program provides skill training for the purpose of assembling and adjusting new bicycles, plus basic maintenance procedures that expands the suitability of this program to include those who do basic repairs in a shop, fleet maintenance, and home mechanics. This course is popular with professionals and enthusiasts alike, and is the place to start if you have little or no experience.

The BAM program is suitable for the complete beginner who wants to reach a level of comfort with all the everyday procedures that might be performed by a home mechanic, professional assembler, or the pro mechanic who's responsibilities will include routine services and "tune-ups."

If you are starting with a very basic level of knowledge, and want to achieve the highest possible level of training, take this program as a preparation for Bicycle Repair & Overhaul, which follows after a few-day break.

Interested in wheel building? This course can be expanded to include this topic by taking the Spoked Wheel Lacing (SWL) supplement.

For more specific information about this program, take this link: BAM details

Bicycle Repair & Overhaul (BRO)

This eighty-hour program provides training in all the most common and advanced skills and knowledge of a bicycle mechanic, including frame preparation (milling and basic aligning), bearing service, drive-train service, wheel building, wheel repair, brake service, basic suspension service, component fit and compatibility, wear and failure analysis, and troubleshooting. This course is popular with professionals and enthusiasts alike, and is the place to start if you have more than a fix-your-own-flat level of bicycle mechanic experience.

For the complete beginner who wants to attain the high level of knowledge and skill the BRO program offers, we recommend taking Bicycle Assembly & Maintenance (BAM) as preparation for the BRO program. If the combination of the BAM and BRO programs are more time than you can afford, you can take the BRO program alone. It does include all the basics, in addition to the advanced material, but if taking this program without the benefit of taking the BAM program first, you should be mentally prepared for an intense learning experience.

For more specific information on this program, take this link: BRO details

Suspension Service & Tuning (SST)

This three-day program fully acquaints the mechanic with service of a wide variety of current popular front and rear suspensions, and tuning techniques for all types of suspension systems. During the class you will have an opportunity to work on several models from each of the major manufacturers, including Cane Creek, Cannondale, Fox, Manitou, and RockShox. Spring changes, travel changes, oil changes, damping-system service, seal service, and bushing service are all covered in this in-depth program, which is designed to bring you to the highest level of skill attainable for suspension-service specialists.

For more specific information on this program, take this link: SST details

Spoked Wheel Lacing (SWL)

This program is a three-hour supplement to Bicycle Assembly & Maintenance that covers the skill of assembling a hub, spokes, and a rim into a wheel. Enrollment is limited to those taking the BAM program, and would not be of any value to anyone as a stand-alone program, because the information builds on topics included in the BAM program. Note: The material in this program is included in Bicycle Repair & Overhaul (BRO), so if you are enrolling in the BRO program by itself, or in the BAM and BRO courses together, this program is unnecessary except for the purpose of getting extra repetition.

BUSINESS PROGRAMS

Effective Sales of Service (ESS)

This is a one and a half-hour training program in the specialized skills it takes to be effective at selling repair work to customers. It is only offered as a supplement to Bicycle Repair & Overhaul, and cannot be enrolled in by itself. Learn the techniques needed to optimize customer satisfaction and shop profits in this detailed tutorial.

For more specific information, take this link: ESS details

Managing the Service Department (MSD)

This is a seven-hour program about setting up and managing a bicycle shop service department for optimum efficiency, quality, and profitability. It is only offered as a supplement to Bicycle Repair & Overhaul, and cannot be enrolled in by itself. This program is based on using computerized management tools for pricing labor, managing mechanic's productivity, scheduling mechanics, managing mechanic's quality, and managing replacement parts and tool inventories.

For more specific information, take this link: MSD details

CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

BSE Technician 1 (assembler)

This is a half-day hands-on exam that tests an individual’s skill at assembling bicycles and performing everyday repairs and adjustments. Three months of verifiable professional experience is required for acceptance into this program.

For more specific information, take this link: BSE Tech 1 Exam details

BSE Technician 2 (mechanic)

This is a seven-hour exam of the practical skills and knowledge that are required to be a bicycle mechanic. It consists of a three-hour written exam and a four-hour hands-on exam. Six months of verifiable professional experience is required for acceptance into this program.

For more specific information, take this link: BSE Tech 2 Exam details