Bicycle Maintenance Course

Lesson 1 • Braking System Identification

Surveys rim, disc, and coaster brake types and their key parts. Recognizing brake systems prepares students for safety-critical maintenance later.

Lesson 2 • Bicycle Frame and Fork Basics

Covers frame geometry, materials, and fork types. Establishes the structural vocabulary needed for all subsequent maintenance tasks.

Lesson 3 • Drivetrain Component Overview

Introduces cranks, chainrings, chain, cassette, and derailleurs. Understanding drivetrain layout is essential before any adjustment or repair.

Lesson 4 • Cockpit and Contact Points

Covers handlebars, stem, seatpost, saddle, and pedals. Proper identification enables correct fitting and torque application in later work.

Lesson 1 • Work Stand and Bench Setup

Covers work stand selection, clamping techniques, and bench organization. A stable, organized workspace reduces errors and speeds up every repair.

Lesson 2 • Personal Safety and Hazard Awareness

Addresses cuts, chemical exposure, and eye hazards common in bike maintenance. Safe habits established here apply to every hands-on chapter.

Lesson 3 • Lubricants, Solvents, and Cleaners

Explains wet lube, dry lube, grease, and degreaser applications. Choosing the right product prevents premature wear and contamination.

Lesson 4 • Specialty Bicycle Tools

Introduces chain tools, spoke wrenches, bottom bracket tools, and cassette lockring tools. Specialty tools prevent damage that improvised methods cause.

Lesson 1 • Tubeless Tire Setup and Repair

Explains rim tape, valve installation, sealant injection, and plug repair. Tubeless systems require distinct procedures from clincher setups.

Lesson 2 • Inflation and Pressure Management

Covers floor pump use, pressure gauges, and recommended pressure ranges by tire type. Correct inflation directly affects handling and puncture resistance.

Lesson 3 • Tire Inspection and Replacement

Identifies wear indicators, sidewall damage, and tread cuts requiring replacement. Recognizing tire condition prevents blowouts and unsafe riding.

Lesson 4 • Removing and Installing Wheels

Covers quick-release, thru-axle, and bolt-on wheel removal. Correct removal technique is the first step in any tire or tube service.

Lesson 1 • Rim Brake Adjustment and Pad Replacement

Covers caliper centering, pad alignment, and toe-in setting. Properly aligned pads maximize braking power and prevent rim damage.

Lesson 2 • Mechanical Disc Brake Setup

Explains rotor alignment, caliper positioning, and pad gap adjustment. Mechanical disc brakes require precise caliper placement for even pad wear.

Lesson 3 • Hydraulic Disc Brake Bleeding

Covers bleed port access, fluid types, syringe method, and air purging. Bleeding restores firm lever feel lost to air bubbles or old fluid.

Lesson 4 • Rotor and Pad Inspection

Identifies rotor thickness limits, contamination, and pad compound wear. Timely replacement prevents brake fade and rotor damage.

Lesson 1 • Cassette and Chainring Service

Teaches cassette removal, cleaning, wear assessment, and chainring inspection. Worn sprockets cause chain skip and must be identified before replacement.

Lesson 2 • Rear Derailleur Adjustment

Teaches limit screw setting, B-tension adjustment, and cable tension tuning. Correct rear derailleur setup eliminates missed shifts and chain drops.

Lesson 3 • Front Derailleur Adjustment

Explains cage height, rotation, limit screws, and trim function. Front derailleur precision prevents chain rub across the gear range.

Lesson 4 • Chain Cleaning and Lubrication

Covers chain cleaning tools, degreasing steps, and lube application technique. A clean, lubricated chain is the foundation of drivetrain efficiency.

Lesson 1 • Spoke Replacement and Lacing Basics

Covers broken spoke removal, replacement threading, and basic lacing patterns. Replacing a spoke restores tension balance and structural integrity.

Lesson 2 • Spoke Tension Measurement

Introduces tension meters and plucking methods to assess even tension. Uneven tension causes premature spoke fatigue and wheel deformation.

Lesson 3 • Truing Stand Setup and Use

Covers truing stand mounting, caliper adjustment, and reference point identification. Accurate stand setup is prerequisite to any truing work.

Lesson 4 • Radial Truing and Dish Correction

Explains radial hop correction and dish measurement with a dishing tool. A properly dished wheel sits centered in the frame and fork.

Lesson 1 • Bottom Bracket Service

Explains threaded and press-fit BB removal, inspection, and installation. The bottom bracket transfers pedaling power and must spin smoothly.

Lesson 2 • Headset Removal and Installation

Teaches cup removal with a headset press and crown race seating. Correct installation prevents bearing damage from misaligned cups.

Lesson 3 • Cartridge Bearing Replacement

Teaches cartridge bearing removal, sizing, and press-fit installation in hubs and BBs. Cartridge bearings require replacement rather than adjustment.

Lesson 4 • Hub Bearing Adjustment and Repack

Covers cone adjustment, bearing repack with grease, and seal replacement. Properly adjusted hubs roll freely without lateral play.

Lesson 1 • Pre-Ride Safety Inspection

Establishes a repeatable ABC quick-check routine covering air, brakes, and chain. Consistent pre-ride checks catch issues before they cause failures on the road.

Lesson 2 • Chain Replacement and Sizing

Teaches chain length calculation, master link installation, and compatibility checks. Correct chain length prevents derailleur damage and poor shifting.

Lesson 3 • Full Bicycle Overhaul Procedure

Outlines systematic disassembly, inspection, cleaning, and reassembly of every system. A structured overhaul sequence prevents missed steps and reassembly errors.

Lesson 4 • Electronic Shifting System Service

Introduces battery charging, firmware updates, and micro-adjustment procedures. Electronic systems require software-based tuning alongside mechanical setup.