V
Visual
Technical diagrams, colour-coded parts, live demonstrations and component maps make complex systems easier to understand.
Keep It Urban
CYCLE MAINTENANCE ACADEMY.
Hands-on training that gives participants the confidence and professional thinking to understand, maintain, repair and safely operate bicycles.
Course 01Essential Maintenance
Course 02Advanced Mechanics
Course 03Bare-Frame Build
Course 04Women’s Confidence & Mechanics
Course purpose
LEARN WHAT TO DO — AND WHY IT WORKS.
Participants do not simply learn to fix a bike. They learn bicycle engineering, how components interact, how to diagnose faults, how to work safely and how to explain a repair professionally.
Every course combines practical mechanical skills, tool handling, safety awareness, problem-solving, cycling confidence, environmental sustainability and employability skills.
A
Auditory
Clear explanation, group discussion, fault diagnosis spoken aloud and the language used with customers.
R
Read / Write
Checklists, service notes, tool guides, inspection sheets and personal maintenance records reinforce each session.
K
Kinaesthetic
Hands-on removal, adjustment, repair, testing and rebuilding. Participants learn by doing real mechanical work.
Technical visuals on this page are original UrbanBikeGuy teaching graphics. Sheldon Brown’s copyrighted online bicycle technical library is linked as an attributed reading resource rather than reproduced.
01
8 weeks · beginner to intermediateESSENTIAL CYCLE MAINTENANCE.
For new cyclists, bike owners, community groups, young adults, schools, colleges, housing association residents, workplace schemes and anyone wanting practical independence.
Individual£85
Group 3+From £380
Commercial£350
Corporate£400–£500
Wheels, tyres, tubes & spokes
Understand the foundation of the bicycle and learn how wheels are constructed, checked and repaired.
- Rim, spokes, nipples, hub and axle
- Bearings, tyre bead and valves
- Road, MTB, hybrid and e-bike tyres
- Tyre size, pressure and tread
- Wheel and tyre removal
- Puncture finding and repair
- Tube sizing and pinch punctures
- Basic truing and spoke tension
- Rim wear, cracks and damage
- Aluminium and carbon rims
Bicycle braking systems
Learn how the bicycle’s most important safety system creates reliable stopping power.
- Rim, V, cantilever and caliper brakes
- Mechanical and hydraulic discs
- Levers, cables and calipers
- Pads, rotors and hydraulics
- Inspection and adjustment
- Cable and pad replacement
- Alignment and disc adjustment
- Hydraulic awareness
- Wet-weather performance
- Cost and tool requirements
Gears & derailleur systems
Understand rear and front derailleur systems and diagnose common shifting faults.
- Jockey wheels and cable tension
- Limit and B-screw adjustment
- Rear indexing and alignment
- Front cage alignment
- Chain movement
- Clicking and jumping gears
- Slow shifting
- Chain dropping
Drivetrain systems
Trace how a rider’s power moves through the bicycle to the rear wheel.
- Chain and chainrings
- Crankset and cassette
- Freewheel and bottom bracket
- Pedals
- Measuring chain wear
- Cleaning and lubrication
- Chain replacement and tools
- Traditional and 1x systems
- Electronic shifting
- Internal gear hubs
Bottom brackets, cranks & pedals
Work safely around the centre of the bicycle and diagnose common noises and wear.
- Square taper and cartridge
- External bearings
- Press-fit systems
- Removing crank arms
- Identifying bottom brackets
- Checking bearing condition
- Diagnosing creaks
- Basic replacement
- Historic and modern development
Hubs, bearings & wheel systems
Keep front and rear wheel systems running smoothly through inspection and servicing.
- Front and rear hubs
- Freehub bodies
- Bearings and axles
- Identifying worn bearings
- Hub servicing and grease
- Adjustment techniques
- Hub play and movement
- Axle problems
Headsets, frames & structure
Understand the steering system and assess the bicycle’s structural safety.
- Bearings, cups and spacers
- Stem, fork and steerer
- Component removal
- Cleaning and reassembly
- Checking headset play
- Aluminium, steel and carbon
- Frame damage
- Safety checks
Full assessment & practical exam
Complete a professional bicycle inspection and demonstrate the core service tasks.
- Wheels, brakes and gears
- Chain and bearings
- Safety issue diagnosis
- Basic service
- Brake adjustment
- Gear adjustment
- Puncture repair
- Safety inspection
- Essential Maintenance Certificate
02
8–9 weeks · professional mechanicsADVANCED BICYCLE MECHANICS.
For experienced cyclists, aspiring mechanics, employment programmes, young people interested in cycling careers and existing mechanics ready to deepen their skills.
IndividualFrom £150
8-week group£1,000
CertificateAdvanced Mechanic
OptionalWeek 9
Professional workshop skills
Workshop organisation, professional tool selection, torque settings, measuring components and fault diagnosis.
- Torque wrench
- Cable cutters
- Bottom bracket tools
- Cassette tools
- Chain whips
- Bearing tools
- Alignment tools
Advanced wheel building
Spoke calculations, tension, three-cross and radial patterns, stress relieving, building and truing a wheel from a bare rim.
Advanced brake systems
Hydraulic brake servicing, brake bleeding, rotor alignment and advanced brake diagnosis.
Advanced gear systems
Multi-speed and electronic systems, Shimano/SRAM systems, advanced indexing and compatibility issues.
Complete drivetrain overhaul
Remove the drivetrain, measure wear, replace components and correctly install chains and cassettes.
Suspension & mountain bikes
Suspension forks, shocks, air pressure, setup and a practical basic suspension overhaul.
Custom bicycle building
Frame selection, geometry, sizing, performance requirements and component compatibility, followed by a frame-up build.
Professional repairs & diagnostics
Advanced noise diagnosis, frame problems, electrical issues, e-bike systems and high-end bicycle servicing.
Work experience assessment
Complete a full bicycle rebuild, customer assessment, service quotation and clear repair explanation.
03
Specialist group pathwayBARE-FRAME BICYCLE BUILD.
A focused, picture-led and hands-on course that turns a bare frame and a collection of parts into a complete, correctly fitted and safely operating bicycle.
FormatGroup only
PricingAsk for quote
OutcomeComplete bicycle
MethodVARK practical
Design the build
Define rider needs, bicycle purpose, frame geometry, size, budget and realistic performance requirements.
Map compatibility
Match wheel standards, headset, bottom bracket, drivetrain, brakes, cockpit and finishing kit to the selected frame.
Prepare the frame
Inspect structure, prepare threads and contact surfaces, install the headset and understand correct torque practice.
Build the rolling chassis
Fit the fork, cockpit, wheels, tyres, tubes and braking components while checking alignment and safety.
Install the drivetrain
Fit the bottom bracket, crankset, cassette, chain, pedals and gear system with correct setup and lubrication.
Cables, hoses & controls
Route controls cleanly, set brake and gear systems, diagnose friction and make precise adjustments.
Fit, finish & test
Set rider position, complete bolt and torque checks, bed in components and conduct a controlled test ride.
Present the finished bicycle
Complete a professional quality-control inspection, explain the build choices and create a future maintenance plan.
04
8 weeks · women-onlyWOMEN’S BIKE CONFIDENCE & MECHANICS.
A supportive environment where women develop practical skill, physical confidence and mechanical independence. Some components demand strength and awkward lifting, but tools, technique, teamwork and persistence make difficult work achievable.
Per person£100
Length8 weeks
DeliveryFundable
Final outcomeRepair + build
Possible funded delivery through councils, housing associations, women’s organisations and community funding.
Getting to know your bicycle
Bicycle parts, how bikes work, choosing the right bike, fit and essential safety checks.
Wheels & puncture confidence
Fix punctures, change tubes, check tyres, remove and refit wheels, and inspect wheel safety.
Brake confidence
Understand brake types, adjust systems, change pads and recognise safety-critical faults.
Gears made simple
Understand how gears work, make adjustments and solve common shifting problems without intimidation.
Cleaning & maintenance
Wash, lubricate and inspect the bicycle to prevent expensive repairs and extend component life.
Basic repairs workshop
Use essential tools, practise emergency fixes and develop a calm roadside problem-solving routine.
Cycling confidence & build skills
Bike fitting, riding position, safety awareness and route planning, plus guided disassembly and component installation.
Build, assess & celebration ride
Complete a bicycle check, maintenance task and supported build or rebuild challenge, then finish with a group ride and Women’s Cycling Confidence Certificate.
After eight weeks
Participants leave able to maintain and repair their own bicycles, diagnose common faults, problem-solve with confidence and apply their new industry skills to assemble or rebuild a bicycle. The aim is independence—not dependence on someone else every time a mechanical issue appears.
Training vision
FROM OWNER TO TECHNICIAN.
L1
Bike owner → Confident cyclist
Understand, maintain and use a bicycle safely.
L2
Confident cyclist → Skilled mechanic
Diagnose systems and complete increasingly complex repairs.
L3
Skilled mechanic → Professional technician
Work methodically, communicate clearly and deliver professional outcomes.