Beginners Bike Maintenance

The first step into bike mechanics for those with little or no prior knowledge

A young woman with brown curly hair watches our tutor demonstrating how to check the brakes on a silver bike.
Where
Bristol
When

Regular courses

Price

£90

About the course

Our practical course is a great starting point for anyone new to bike mechanics. Our fully qualified tutors teach the essentials in a clear, jargon-free way. You’ll leave feeling confident to keep your bike running safely and smoothly.

Course content

Our five-hour course covers:

  • A simple overview of a bike design.
  • Setting-up your bike for comfort and efficiency.
  • Cleaning and lubricating your bike.
  • Essential safety checks.
  • Fixing a puncture.  
  • Setting up brakes.
  • Setting up gears.

Bring your bike!

You’ll be able to work on your own bike, if it’s in reasonable working condition. To arrive fully prepared, please read the ‘how is it taught?’ section in our FAQs below.

Private courses

You can book a private course for up to six learners at our workshop for £540. Alternatively, for an additional charge, we can come to you (within a 50-mile radius of Bristol). Contact us for a quote.

Who can take these courses?

This course is for anyone who is completely new to bike mechanics and wants to learn the basics. You must be aged 18 or over to attend this course. If you're 16-18 you can attend with written permission from a parent or guardian.

Learner benefits

Learners can enjoy a 10% discount on a range of products from our bike workshop, including professional toolkits, bike parts and accessories.

Looking for something more advanced?

Check out our other training courses.

More info and FAQs

More questions? Check below for more information.

Where is it taught?

Our courses are taught in our professional training centre in Bristol.

Travel and parking

There is secure bike storage on-site, but no car parking. If you’re coming by car you can park in the surrounding residential streets. Nearby Gloucester Road is well served by buses.

How is it taught?

Our courses are taught in small groups (max six). Each learner will be equipped with a set of tools, gloves, aprons and teaching notes. To make sure you get the most from the course, please bring a bike in reasonable working condition. If you need to use a bike for the day, please contact us before booking.

Cancellations and refunds

To find out about our cancellation and refund policies, read our full terms and conditions.

What others say

"Polly was great, very respectful, explained things clearly and empowered us to feel confident."

Afua

"The course way surpassed my expectations! With a small number of people in the class it was fun and really enjoyable!"

Will

Meet the tutors

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Bristol

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Derby

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Cytech courses

The internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle technicians

A young woman in glasses fixing back wheel of a bike at the Life Cycle Hub.

About Cytech

Cytech delivers training and promotion of technical skills to the cycle trade and enthusiasts worldwide. Developed for the cycle industry over 30 years ago by the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT), Cytech courses have empowered technicians to keep pace with rapid technological advances and evolving customer needs.

The Cytech journey is a comprehensive range of technical courses designed to take even the most inexperienced mechanic and mold them into a master professional cycle technician.

Having built our reputation delivering quality bicycle mechanics training for almost a decade, our courses combine expert tuition from experienced trainers with great facilities and a supportive learning environment. Browse our courses below.

Theory one

Theory one is your first step toward becoming a fully qualified cycle technician. Suitable for all cycle trade employees, Theory one consists of an interactive online distance learning course, providing a strong foundation for candidates to build their career.

The course can be completed in your own time, at home or at work on a laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone. You have two months to complete the course. Learn more about Theory one.

Course length: Between three - nine hours

Price: £150

Enquire now
A smiling woman posing with a bike she's learnt how to fix at Life Cycle Hub.

Technical one - practical

Technical one is a practical course that will see candidates able to work safely and efficiently in the workshop environment. Technicians qualified to this level can build new bikes to a high standard.

There are two parts to Cytech Technical one. Both need to be completed to receive the full Technical one qualification:

  • Cytech Theory one
  • Cytech Technical one practical

Learn more about Technical one.

Course length: Two days (practical only)

Price: £450

Book Tech one (practical)
Cytech tutor showing a student how to adjust break cables on a bike.

Technical two

Technical two is the industry standard for professional cycle technicians worldwide. Technicians qualified to this level can build, service and repair most types of bicycle and have a firm understanding of the basic engineering principles under which all bicycle components work. Learn more about Technical two.

Course length: Eight days

Price: £1,500

Book Tech two
Cytech tutor showing a student how to build a bike wheel.

Technical three

Coming soon! Technical three represents the pinnacle of technical proficiency. This level can be attained only by experienced cycle technicians with a full understanding of the advanced engineering behind high-end, performance cycles.

Technical three is taught on a modular basis. Technicians who are qualified to this level can install and calibrate top-level electronic groupsets, service complex suspension systems and hydraulic brakes; and build high-performance, lightweight and robust wheelsets which are specific to purpose. Learn more about Technical three.

Enquire now
Male and female mechanics examining a bike together at the Life Cycle Hub.

Home Mechanic

Coming soon! The Cytech Home Mechanic course is designed to give the enthusiast a good level of mechanical ability covering a comprehensive range of cycle maintenance areas.

This course will give you the confidence to carry out repairs and servicing whilst also learning when a task should be carried out by a more experienced technician. Learn more about Home Mechanic.

Enquire now
A young woman in glasses fixing back wheel of a bike at the Life Cycle Hub.

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