Professional Repair and Shop Operation

Who Will Benefit:

• Beginner Mechanics
• Career Oriented Mechanics
• Those Seeking Industry Certification

Prerequisites:

None.

What You’ll Learn:

This is a comprehensive two week professional level course for students with limited bike shop experience. The goal of the class is to prepare students to work in a bicycle shop, or to perform professional level service at home. Great emphasis is placed on hands-on learning of all the component systems of the bicycle, as well as a study of the bicycle as a complete unit. The information presented is applicable to all types of bicycles. This course also provides a solid foundation on service department operations to understand and improve existing services or for those seeking to start their own business.

Some of the Mechanic Topics We Cover Include:

Some of the Shop Operation Topics Covered Include:

• Employment Opportunities
• Starting a Small Repair Shop
• Start-Up Costs
• Tool Selection
• Service Department Operation
• Customer Service
• Service Writing
• Labor Rates
• Sources of Supply
• Establishing Accounts

Tuition Information

The tuition cost for the two week Professional Repair and Shop Operation course is $2,550 plus a $250 registration fee is required with your signed class application.

Special Advanced Seminar Discounts Apply if Taking This Class!

Join the hundreds of previous students who have taken advantage of a great offer. We are presently offering an additional $100 discount off the Advanced Mechanics Week if you sign up for both the Professional Repair and Shop Operation Course and the Advanced Mechanic Seminar Week consecutively. This discount is in addition to our standard discount of $100 off our Advanced Mechanic Seminar Week if you take all three seminars. That’s a total savings of $200 off the Advanced Course, plus you can save on travel expenses by taking them both at once!

Class Schedule & Registration:

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Advanced Certification Seminars

The following classes are short seminars, 2 to 3 days in length, designed for experienced mechanics, or previous graduates who have completed our Professional Repair and Shop Operation course. They are intended to take the mechanic to the next level and achieve the status of master mechanic. Although these classes are scheduled to be taken in sequence as an entire week, they can also be taken individually. A substantial tuition discount is offered when taking both seminars together.

• Monday and Tuesday: UBI & DT Swiss Certified Wheel Building – $900 tuition, plus a $100 registration fee ($1000 total) (Wheelset included in tuition!)
• Wednesday through Friday: Certified Suspension Technician – $900 tuition, plus a $100 registration fee ($1000 total)
• Entire Week – Both Classes: $1,800 tuition, plus a $100 registration fee ($1,900 total)

Students will get to select, and keep, the wheelset they build in class. This wheelset is included in the tuition price.

The wheel set will be graded and safety checked before leaving UBI. UBI will have wheel boxes available for purchase and can assist with getting them shipped within the U.S. if a student cannot physically take the wheel set with them.

A wheel build selection worksheet will be sent to the student about 45 days before class begins (due to pandemic-related supply issues). The student is to let UBI know, at that time, what wheels they want to build and keep.

DT Swiss Wheel Options

Special Advanced Seminar Discounts Available!

We are currently offering an additional $100 discount off the Advanced Mechanics Week if you sign up for both the Professional Repair and Shop Operation Course and the Advanced Mechanic Seminar Week consecutively. This discount is in addition to our standard discount of $100 off our Advanced Mechanic Seminar Week (both seminars). That’s a total savings of $200 off the Advanced Course, plus you can save on travel expenses by taking them both at once!

UBI/DT SWISS CERTIFIED WHEEL BUILDER

Monday and Tuesday

Who Will Benefit:

• Experienced Mechanics
• Graduates of our Pro Class
• Career Oriented Mechanics
• Those Seeking Certification

Prerequisites:

Previous graduate of our Professional Repair and Shop Operation course or a minimum of 1 year experience as a professional bicycle shop mechanic. Previous wheel building experience is also highly recommended.

What You’ll Learn

This course is suitable for experienced mechanics who have had some prior wheel building experience or those students who have taken our Professional Repair and Shop Operation course who would like to build on that foundation. We cover the most advanced topics of wheel building, from the theory and physics of the rotating wheel, to varied lacing patterns. Our primary goal is to start you on the path to becoming a master wheel builder. Students will build and keep a high quality set of wheels using some  DT Swiss components. Those students who pass the final certification exam will become UBI/DT Certified Wheel Builders.

Some of the topics we cover include:

• Customizing for the Discriminating Customer
• Hubs, Spoke, & Rim Selection
• Lacing Patterns
• Precise Spoke Length Calculation
• Wheel Design and Symmetry
• Wheel Dynamics and Loading
• Tool Selection

CERTIFIED SUSPENSION TECHNICIAN

Wednesday through Friday

Who Will Benefit:

• Experienced Mechanics
• Graduates of our Pro Class
• Career Oriented Mechanics
• Those Seeking Certification

Prerequisites:

Previous graduate of our Professional Repair and Shop Operation course or a minimum of 1 year experience as a professional bicycle shop mechanic.

What You Will Learn

Bicycle suspension is one of the most dynamic topics in the industry. With suspension systems becoming more advanced, and even beginner-level bikes coming equipped with suspension, demand for suspension technicians is high. Our 3 day seminar will bring you up to speed on all the current suspension systems, as well as prepare you to service most other systems on the market. By the end of the seminar, suspension theory will be demystified, and you will be intimately familiar with the workings of all the popular suspension fork and shock designs, as well as the various linkage and full-suspension frame designs on today’s market.

Some of the topics we cover include:

• Suspension Terminology and History
• Damper Design, Service and Tuning
• Spring Design, Service and Tuning
• Linkage and Frame Designs
• Suspension Upgrades and Tuning
• Safety and Liability

Tuition Information

The tuition for both Advanced Mechanic Seminars is $1,700. This represents a $100 discount if taken together, or they may be taken individually for the above prices. There is also an additional $100 discount offered if taking both seminars and the Professional Repair course back to back. A $100 registration fee is required with your signed class application. Click here for a schedule of classes. For more information, check our mechanics class FAQ page!

Additional Prerequisite Details

Students who do not meet the prerequisite for any of the Advanced Certification Seminars may still take the seminar as an audit, but will be ineligible for advanced certification.

Class Schedule & Registration:

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Home Mechanics Series

The Home Mechanic series is designed to complement the Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance course by offering three independent one day classes for the rider who wants to improve their mechanical knowledge of suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, wheels, and cartridge bearing replacement. We encourage students to bring a personal bicycle because it’s a great opportunity to learn on your own equipment, and your bike gets a service. If traveling with your bike is inconvenient, we will have classroom equipment to work on.

There is no prerequisite for the series, you can register for each class independently, and these are not certification classes.

HOME MECHANIC INTRODUCTION TO WHEEL BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE

Who Will Benefit:

• Home mechanics looking to maintain their wheels
• Home mechanics looking for an introduction to wheel building
• Self-reliant cyclist
• Graduates of our Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance course

Prerequisites:

None

What You Will Learn:

In this course we will discuss the components and design of modern spoked wheels, spoke calculation, construction, and maintenance. Students will learn about wheel truing and maintenance through an exercise of building one complete wheel. This class is a basic introduction to this complex topic. This course is not a substitute for what is taught in UBI’s Professional Repair and Shop Operation or our UBI / DT Swiss Wheel Building Courses. This course is not a certified wheel building course. This course is geared to the home mechanic looking to maintain their own personal bikes.

Some Of The Topics We Cover:

• Basic wheel architecture
• Wheel components
• Spoke calculations
• Building one wheel
• Wheel service and maintenance

HOME MECHANIC INTRODUCTION TO HYDRAULIC BRAKE BLEEDING

Who Will Benefit:

• Home mechanics new to bleeding hydraulic disc brakes
• Self-reliant cyclists with disc brakes
• Graduates of our Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance course

Prerequisites:

None

What You Will Learn:

In this class we discuss the architecture of modern disc brake systems, pad replacement, the different fluids used, and the tools required to service them. We will complete hands on brake bleeds on Shimano, SRAM, Magura and Hayes systems. This is an excellent opportunity to complete a full bleed and service on your personal bike if you choose to bring it to class.

Some Of The Topics We Cover:

• Basic architecture of hydraulic disc brake systems
• Types of hydraulic brake systems
• Practice on students bikes. SRAM, Shimano, Magura, Hayes

HOME MECHANIC INTRODUCTION TO SUSPENSION MAINTENANCE

Who Will Benefit:

• Home mechanics looking to increase their ability to maintain personal bikes
• Self-reliant mountain bikers
• Graduates of our Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance course

Prerequisites:

None

What You Will Learn:

In this class we discuss the basic design and construction of common forks and shocks, followed by a lower leg service and spring service on UBI forks, and an air can service on rear air shocks. We will discuss maintenance intervals, different types of suspension service, diagnostics, and suspension tools.

After registration, we will ask for details on your personal bike’s suspension and what parts you would like to install during class so we can order them in time for class to start. Please note: parts for personal bikes are not included in the cost of class. Students will pay for cost of parts on first day of class. Students may bring their own parts if they want.

Some Of The Topics We Cover:

• Basic fork architecture
• Types of maintenance
• Maintenance schedules
• Fork lower leg service
• Fork air spring service
• Basic rear shock architecture
• Rear shock air can service

Class Schedule & Registration:

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Continuing Education Seminars

UBI’s Continuing Education Seminars are designed for experienced mechanics, or previous graduates who have completed our Professional Repair and Shop Operation course. The goal of the seminars is to provide training in specific skills and technologies that will help you become a more complete mechanic. Topics vary from year to year in order to stay current with the latest bicycle technology.

Tuition Information

• FOX Master Tech Clinic – Registration Fee $450 – Tuition $450 — TOTAL $900
• UBI Disc Brake Seminar – Registration Fee $50 – Tuition $250 — TOTAL $300
• Shimano Di2 Course – Registration Fee $50 – Tuition $250 — TOTAL $300
• Dropper Post Seminar – Registration Fee $50 – Tuition $250 — TOTAL $300

FOX Master Tech Clinic

UBI is partnering with Fox Racing Shox to offer Fox Master Tech Clinics. This one-day clinic, designed for experienced bike mechanics. Instructors will give students the latest tips, techniques and hands-on training for servicing Fox forks.
FOX Master Tech Clinic

Who Will Benefit:

• Experienced Mechanics
• FOX dealers
• Career Oriented Mechanics

The clinics will be taught by UBI instructors. Here’s the exciting part: In addition to the knowledge gained in the clinic, each student, at registration, will choose a Fox fork to assemble and work on during class. At the end of the class, the student will keep the fork that they have chosen! Please note: due to supply issues related to the pandemic you may not receive your number one fork choice. We will ask you for a number one, two, and three fork choice and will do our best to see that you receive your first choice.

Prerequisites:

At the time of registration, the student must choose the fork he or she intends to use for class. This choice is final.

Student must either have taken our Suspension Technician course, or works in a shop.

What You’ll Learn

Students will learn the essentials of Fox fork design, service intervals, and a deep understanding of Fox suspension internals. Hands-on procedures include disassembly and reassembly of the damper cartridge and air spring in 32mm, 34mm, or 36mm stanchion fork selected prior to attending the seminar.

Tuition:

Total tuition is $900, which includes the Fox fork! A $450 NON-REFUNDABLE registration fee is due at the time of registration.

Fox Forks:

Clinic students can choose from the Fox forks listed below.

FOX Fork Choices (download PDF)

UBI DISC BRAKE SEMINAR

Who Will Benefit:

• Experienced Mechanics
• Graduates of our Pro Class
• Career Oriented Mechanics

Prerequisites:

Previous graduate of our Professional Repair and Shop Operation course or a minimum of 1 year experience as a professional bicycle shop mechanic.

What You Will Learn

This course is suitable for experienced mechanics or students who have taken our Professional Repair and Shop Operation course who would like to build on that foundation. We cover the most advanced topics of disc brake technology, from the theory of hydraulic brakes to the latest maintenance and overhaul procedures. The seminar covers disc brakes from various manufacturers and includes Shimano road disc brakes.

All students who successfully complete the seminar will receive a UBI Certificate of Completion

Some of the topics covered include:

• Set-up of Cable and Hydraulic Systems
• Bleed Procedures
• Line Replacement and Sizing
• Caliper Construction
• Frame/Fork Prep for Caliper Mounting
• Rotor Selection and Truing
• Lever Construction
• Tool Selection

Shimano Di2 Course

Who Will Benefit:

• Experienced Mechanics
• Graduates of our Pro Class
• Career Oriented Mechanics

What You Will Learn

This seminar will cover initial installation, set-up and adjustment of Shimano’s Di2 shifting systems.

Seminar attendees will have the opportunity to assemble a complete bike with both internal and external wire routing.

Once assembled, adjustments and customization will be accomplished using laptops and tablets exposing the attendee to both wired and wireless software interfaces. Shifting speed, synchro and semi-synchro shifting, shift lever/button configurations and locations will all be explored.

Tuition Information

The non-refundable registration fee is $50 and the tuition is $250 for a total of $300.

Dropper Post Seminar

This one-day clinic is designed for experienced bike mechanics. Instructors will give students the latest tips, techniques, and hands-on training for servicing dropper posts with specific emphasis on the RockShox Reverb dropper post.

Who Will Benefit:

• Experienced Mechanics
• RockShox Dealers
• Career Oriented Mechanics

Prerequisites:

Students must either have taken our Suspension Technician course, or work as a professional bicycle shop mechanic.

What You Will Learn

Students will learn the essentials of dropper post design, service intervals, and a deep understanding of the components in the dropper post system. Hands-on procedures include disassembly and reassembly of the RockShox Reverb dropper post, hydraulic lever bleed, in addition to understanding the common troubleshooting procedures.

Tuition:

Tuition is $250 with a $50 non-refundable registration fee due at the time of registration for a total of $300.

Class Schedule & Registration:

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Mechanic Certification & Graduate Benefits

UBI is the most respected training institute in the bicycle industry. For this reason, there are more graduates from UBI working in the field than any other national mechanics school. We are proud of this record and continue to expand and improve our curriculum as technology changes.

UBI offers two types of certificate programs. Our Certificate of Completion is awarded to all students who successfully attend every class session and complete all required course work. This certificate is available for every class we offer. For those who wish to be employed in the bicycle industry, or for experienced mechanics who would like advanced certification, we offer our Certified Bicycle Technician program. This certificate means the student has passed a rigorous testing procedure and has been certified by United Bicycle Institute to be proficient in the given discipline.

Those students who do not wish to be tested, or who take the test and do not receive a passing grade, will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. Our Certified Bicycle Technician program is available through our Professional Repair and Shop Operation class and Advanced Mechanics Seminars. We also offer a special certificate, in conjunction with DT Swiss, to successful graduates of our UBI and DT Swiss Certified Advanced Wheel Building Seminar.

Special Graduate Tool Discount

For each UBI class you complete, you receive a special purchase discount from United Bicycle Supply, allowing you to purchase tools at near wholesale prices. With the discount, students are able to buy tools at a price that most bicycle shops pay.

1Mechanic Classes FAQ

Below are the most common pre-class questions students have asked about our mechanics classes. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at any time.

1. Are there prerequisites for any of the mechanics classes?

• The Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance and Professional Repair and Shop Operation classes do not have any prerequisites. Students enrolling in the Advanced Certification Seminar Week must have successfully completed a professional-level bicycle mechanics course, or have worked as a bicycle mechanic in a shop for a minimum of one year.

2. Should I take Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance before enrolling in the Professional Repair and Shop Operation class?

• We don’t require that students take the Introduction class before the Professional Repair class. However, we find that students do better in the Professional Repair class if they already have at least some basic experience as home mechanics. If you don’t have some basic bicycle mechanics skills, or if you’re not confident in your skills, you will definitely benefit from taking the Introduction class first.

3. What about class size and student/teacher ratio?

• UBI has experienced mechanics instructional staff and one of the best student/teacher ratios in the industry. We limit the class size to 16 students in the Introduction and Professional classes, and 14 in the Advanced Certification Seminar week. Our student/teacher ratio in the Introduction and Professional classes is typically 5/1, and in the Advanced Seminars is 4/1.

4. What is a typical class day?

• The school opens at 7:45 am and class meets from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. There will be several short breaks during the morning and afternoon. The lunch break is one hour long, give or take a few minutes, and begins between noon and 12:30 pm. On the final day of class we try to conclude by 4:00 pm to accommodate travel schedules. Tuesdays and Thursdays the classroom shop facility is open until 7 pm for an open work session.

5. Do I need to bring any books or other materials to class?

• We provide all manuals and study materials for our mechanics classes, and the cost is included with your tuition, so there are no additional materials you need to purchase before attending UBI, and no hidden costs. We suggest that bring anything that helps you with note-taking such as sticky notes or highlighter pens. You are welcome to audio record lectures, provided the recording device does not interfere with the orderly conduct of class.

6. How should I dress for class?

• You will be working in a shop environment, so dress in comfortable work or casual clothes, and wear sensible shoes. No open-toed shoes are allowed in the classroom. UBI will provide shop aprons, gloves and protective eyewear when needed.

7. When can I work on my own bike?

• If you are enrolled in our Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance course, we encourage you to bring your own bike, and you may work on it during class hands-on sessions in addition to our evening sessions.

• Students in our Professional Repair and Shop Operation and Advanced Mechanics courses are not permitted to work on their own bikes during class. You must work on bikes and sub-assemblies provided by UBI. No personal bikes are permitted in the classroom during class hours in the Professional Repair and Advanced Mechanics courses.

• Students in most mechanics classes may work on their own bikes in the UBI shop during our optional evening sessions, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 pm to 7 pm. There is no additional charge for these evening sessions, and a UBI instructor will be on hand to assist.

8. Can I ship my bike to UBI?

• Most students find it more cost-effective to ship their bikes to UBI via UPS or FedEx ground or using a service like BikeFlights rather than checking it on their flights. Send it to yourself c/o UBI at our street address, 401 Williamson Way, Ashland, OR 97520. If your bike arrives before you do, we’ll keep it safely locked up until your arrival. UBI is closed on weekends, so if your bike has arrived before you have, it will not be accessible until the first Monday of class.

9. What type of bicycle should I bring?

• Ashland has superb mountain and road biking, so it’s difficult to decide. In general, the single track trails above Ashland get some snow by mid-December, although there are several lower-elevation trails that are open even in cold weather. Ashland has great road riding year-round, however.

10. Do I receive a certificate upon completion of the class?

• Yes. All students who successfully complete any of our classes receive a Certificate of Completion. Students enrolled in the Professional Repair and Shop Operation and Advanced Certification courses will receive additional technical certifications if they pass the required tests in those courses.

11. Can I get a job after completing this training?

• Many graduates have gone on to become successful shop and race mechanics, or have acquired jobs with large bike companies. For example, UBI graduates are now working at Trek, Specialized, Mavic, Felt, FSA, Moots, Seven Cycles, Shimano, Fuji, Bike Friday, Raleigh USA, Quality Bicycle Products, Industry Nine, Chris King, Sea Otter, and many other companies. We regularly receive requests from shops, distributors, and manufacturers looking for our graduates and we maintain an extensive job listing page on our website.