Bicycle Technician Course

Lesson 1 • Bicycle Frame and Fork Systems

Covers frame geometries, materials, and fork types used across bike categories. Establishes component vocabulary essential for all subsequent repair work.

Lesson 2 • Braking and Steering Components

Examines brake levers, calipers, cables, rotors, and handlebar assemblies. Links component knowledge to safety-critical systems covered in later chapters.

Lesson 3 • Fasteners, Torque, and Materials

Covers bolt standards, thread types, and torque specifications for common bicycle fasteners. Proper torque application prevents component damage and failure.

Lesson 4 • Workshop Setup and Tool Inventory

Establishes a professional workspace with proper bench height, lighting, and tool storage. Correct setup reduces injury risk and improves repair efficiency.

Lesson 1 • Tire Selection and Pressure

Addresses tire width, tread pattern, compound, and pressure ranges for different riding conditions. Correct tire choice directly affects safety and performance.

Lesson 2 • Wheel Removal Techniques

Teaches quick-release, thru-axle, and bolt-on wheel removal across bike types. Correct removal prevents dropout damage and is prerequisite to all wheel work.

Lesson 3 • Tube Flat Diagnosis and Repair

Covers puncture location methods, patch application, and tube replacement procedures. Accurate diagnosis prevents repeat flats and wasted materials.

Lesson 1 • Spoke Tension and Wheel Truing

Teaches lateral, radial, and dish correction using a truing stand and tension meter. Consistent spoke tension is the foundation of a durable, true wheel.

Lesson 2 • Spoke Replacement and Lacing

Covers spoke sizing, threading, and replacement of broken spokes on built wheels. Lacing patterns are introduced for complete wheel builds in advanced study.

Lesson 3 • Cup-and-Cone Hub Overhaul

Details disassembly, bearing inspection, cone adjustment, and regreasing of cup-and-cone hubs. Proper cone adjustment eliminates play and reduces bearing wear.

Lesson 4 • Freehub and Freewheel Service

Covers freehub body removal, pawl and spring inspection, and freewheel thread-on removal. Drivetrain engagement reliability depends on clean, lubricated ratchet mechanisms.

Lesson 1 • Chain Inspection and Replacement

Teaches chain wear measurement, master link use, and chain sizing for speed count. Timely chain replacement prevents premature cassette and chainring wear.

Lesson 2 • Rear Derailleur Adjustment

Explains hanger alignment, limit screw setting, cable tension, and B-screw adjustment. Correct rear derailleur setup is the most common and impactful tuning task.

Lesson 3 • Shifter and Cable System Service

Details cable and housing replacement, ferrule use, and shifter inspection for indexed systems. Fresh cables and housing restore shift precision lost to friction and corrosion.

Lesson 4 • Front Derailleur Adjustment

Covers cage height, rotation, limit screws, and trim adjustment for front derailleurs. Proper front derailleur setup eliminates chain rub across all gear combinations.

Lesson 1 • Brake Lever and Hose Service

Details hose cutting, olive and barb installation, and lever master cylinder inspection. Proper hose connections prevent fluid leaks and maintain hydraulic integrity.

Lesson 2 • Mechanical Disc Brake Service

Explains pad clearance, cable pull, and single vs. dual-piston caliper adjustment. Mechanical disc brakes require precise cable tension for consistent lever feel.

Lesson 3 • Hydraulic Disc Brake Bleeding

Teaches mineral oil and DOT fluid bleeding procedures, including syringe and gravity methods. Air-free hydraulic systems deliver consistent lever feel and maximum power.

Lesson 4 • Rim Brake Adjustment and Pad Service

Covers caliper centering, pad toe-in, reach adjustment, and pad replacement. Properly aligned rim brakes provide consistent modulation and minimize rim wear.

Lesson 1 • Chainline and Q-Factor Assessment

Covers chainline measurement, Q-factor definition, and spacer use to optimize drivetrain alignment. Correct chainline reduces wear and improves shifting across all gears.

Lesson 2 • Threaded Bottom Bracket Service

Covers cup removal, thread direction, facing, and installation torque for BSA and Italian shells. Correct thread direction and torque prevent loosening under pedaling loads.

Lesson 3 • Press-Fit Bottom Bracket Service

Explains press-fit bearing removal, shell inspection, and correct press-fit installation technique. Improper press-fit installation causes creaking and accelerated bearing failure.

Lesson 4 • Crankset Removal and Installation

Teaches two-piece, three-piece, and self-extracting crank removal and torque procedures. Correct crank installation ensures proper chainline and prevents spindle damage.

Lesson 1 • Headset Standards and Identification

Identifies threaded, threadless, integrated, and semi-integrated headset types by cup and crown race fit. Correct identification determines tools and replacement bearing sets needed.

Lesson 2 • Headset Bearing Adjustment

Teaches preload adjustment, play elimination, and rotation smoothness checks for threadless systems. Correct preload prevents bearing wear and maintains precise steering feel.

Lesson 3 • Handlebar Setup and Bar Tape

Explains handlebar width, flare, and rotation, plus professional bar tape wrapping technique. Correct bar setup reduces hand fatigue and improves control on all terrain.

Lesson 4 • Stem Fitting and Installation

Covers stem length, rise, and clamp diameter selection, plus correct torque on steerer and bar clamps. Stem position affects handling and rider comfort across all bike types.

Lesson 1 • Air Spring and Damper Cartridge Service

Covers air spring volume spacer adjustment, damper oil replacement, and shaft seal service. Advanced internal service restores full damper performance lost to oil degradation.

Lesson 2 • Suspension Fundamentals and Setup

Covers air spring, coil spring, and damper functions, plus sag and rebound setup procedures. Correct suspension setup is the starting point before any service is performed.

Lesson 3 • Fork Lower Leg Service

Details lower leg removal, foam ring and seal inspection, oil bath lubrication, and reassembly. Regular lower leg service maintains stiction-free fork action and seal longevity.

Lesson 4 • Systematic Fault Diagnosis

Introduces a structured diagnostic process using symptom mapping, isolation, and root cause analysis. Systematic diagnosis reduces repair time and prevents misdiagnosis on complex faults.