HOW'S THE HEAD, SCOTTY?

Head's fine, stomach on the other hand...

Should really stop hiding out here and go out and sell some more stuff.

Another vote for yes if it was in chch.

I'm in ... let me know when and where

Another yes for Chch (any Chch shops or mechanics looking on here (hint hint)??)

Hagley Community College run courses, these seem to be more along the lines of 'how to adjust your gears' kind of thing, fairly basic.

I'd be keen on an 'advanced' course - I've built up/upgraded two mountain bikes, restored a 1960's classic bike and have started building wheels to upgrade my (cheap s/hand) mtb from v brakes to bb7's. I'd be interested in wheelbuilding tips, sorting out stuff like choosing the right bb and chainline, swapping headsets, stripping and servicing forks. Most of what I've learnt is from books like the Zinns guides (these are fantastic, in the Chch library) and it would be great to pick up some tips. BTW - how do you become a trained/qualified bike mechanic, there doesn't seem to be ANY training out there...

cheers
Megan

meganh wrote: BTW - how do you become a trained/qualified bike mechanic, there doesn't seem to be ANY training out there...

cheers
Megan

It's almost a "catch 22" with being a mechanic....
You have to be working in a shop - usually for 6 months to be considered to be sent on the course.
Then it's a 2 day course run by the shimano parts distrubutor
One day of the course is theory, with a test based on the Barnetts cycle manual.
Second day is the practical assessment, and you don't actually know if you've passed the practical till after the course is finished.

Last I heard they were trying to get some kind of apprenticeship scheme going, with recognized course credits, But I haven't heard anything new about it.

You pretty much need to be working in a shop to learn all advanced stuff. The polytech used to do a course on (basic) bike maintenance (I did it 7 years ago) but I don't know if it's still going.

If you know any people who are mechanics you could ask them if they would be nice enough to show you a few things, it's pretty hard to get a job in the industry (In Chch at least) right now.

bob do you know where the closest place would be for me to a beginners bike mechanic course?

emildev wrote:bob do you know where the closest place would be for me to a beginners bike mechanic course?

You're in the Hawkes bay, Not sure, My advice would be to get in touch with your local shop, or club, and see if they organize any workshop courses.
Or..., if you can get a few people (say 5-10 people) interested, Pm me and let me know, as I could possibly do a road trip workshop.

I want.

And I want my boy to too.

You should advertise in different areas and then run the courses. You'll get loads of people.

We will run courses on demand at the end of the sumer in store in CHCH. Ratio is 1:4 normally, can do specicific areas of the bike but getting the basics perfect is the main goal. Areas covered are cleaning/lubing, gears brakes, bearings, wheel repair. Courses are hands on, with theory homework.

If your keen send us a mail subject "Workshop courses" to info@basicbikes.co.nz

I could also be keen either in the tron or in Tga depending on the time of year (uni in Hamilton, home for summer in Waihi).

Or to learn some things you dont know how to do you could always go down to your LBS when your bikes getting serviced and ask the mechanic nicely (beer also helps) if you can observe

Hell yeah.....I'm in TGA and I will be a definite starter

whc wrote:Hell yeah.....I'm in TGA and I will be a definite starter

Cool, noted, I'll give you an update.
as soon as my hand is right again, and Christmas is over and done with, I will definitely be looking at running something in january.
Possibly one in the Waikato too