Bicycle Maintenance courses

mr socco · 12-01-2011 8:40pm #1

I know this has been done before but just looking for feedback from anyone who has participated in any maintenance courses. Only ones I can find are the Rothar courses and one in Plunkett College. Anyone done any of these and are they worth signing up for?

Unfortunately Mr. Skeffington seems to have left these shores.. Anyone out there to take his place??

Captain Havoc · 12-01-2011 10:13pm

Good question, I too would like to do one.

abcdggs · 12-01-2011 10:29pm

I can give some lessons if you were interested. I've been a mechanic in rothar for about a year now so should be able to help you out with anything you could need. If you're interested let me know.

07Lapierre · 13-01-2011 9:53am

http://bicycletutor.com/

Tackleberry · 13-01-2011 8:06pm

We'll be doing them in our workshop next month on Mon/Tues evenings - just putting the structure together now so maybe that'd sort you out!

It's in FitzCycles btw

horizon26 · 13-01-2011 9:20pm

mr socco wrote: »

I know this has been done before but just looking for feedback from anyone who has participated in any maintenance courses. Only ones I can find are the Rothar courses and one in Plunkett College. Anyone done any of these and are they worth signing up for?

Unfortunately Mr. Skeffington seems to have left these shores.. Anyone out there to take his place??

Where has Mr.Skeffington gone?

davey101 · 18-01-2011 9:46pm

just saw this on facebook and remembered this post.
http://www.biking.ie/bike-maintenance-classes

Classes seem to be filling up quite quick too.

Macha · 18-01-2011 10:43pm

http://rothar.ie/maintenance_workshops.htm

Ant · 19-01-2011 8:42pm

Plunket College in Whitehall also do bike maintenance courses. I haven't been to the classes but I saw last year that they took place on Tuesday nights. Here's their Brochure for 2010/2011 (PDF).

Edit: Just re-read thread and see that the OP is already aware of courses in Plunkett College and Rothar

Mr. Skeffington · 20-01-2011 3:20am

horizon26 wrote: »

Where has Mr.Skeffington gone?

Hi guys, Im over in Australia for the moment working and doing a bit of cycling. Not sure how long I will be over here. Am hoping to come back and ride a few races during the summer, maybe the RAS if im fit enough.

Well it looks like there are a few good mechanics around now, FitzCycles looks great would have loved to have visited the shop before I left on my travels, also Dr. Bike looks good.

Anyway happy cycling all and hopefully see some boardsies again if I get home anytime soon. Not many boards.ie jersey sightings over here

Beasty · 20-01-2011 4:05am

Mr. Skeffington wrote: »

Not many boards.ie jersey sightings over here

You're not looking hard enough:

P1000020.jpg?t=1295179392

(MCG on Sunday;))

captain P · 25-01-2011 2:26pm

Has anyone done the Rothar courses?
I'm trying to decide between doing either the beginner or intermediate class. I have a fair idea of most of the basics already, but at the same time don't want to miss anything :eek:.

abcdggs · 26-01-2011 12:03am

I help out in rothar on a regular basis, your best bet would be to call an ask for gabriel, he runs the courses so is probably the best person to ask.

omri · 26-01-2011 12:14am

davey101 wrote: »

just saw this on facebook and remembered this post.
http://www.biking.ie/bike-maintenance-classes

Classes seem to be filling up quite quick too.

95 euro seems bit much for something you can easily find on the web. The only thing you could benefit from having explained is:

Gears

* Indexing/adjusting gears
* Changing cables
* Setting limit screws
* B-tension
* When to replace your drivechain

As this always causes problems when you actually want to do it yourself, at least for the first time. Unless you have plenty spare cables/housing to experiment with

happytramp · 26-01-2011 12:33am

Hmmm, considering the wheelbuilding course in Rothar. Just got a lovely set of 80's super record hubs on decent rims but the spokes are rusty/corroded as hell. Might be the best excuse I'll ever find for re-building. Anyone tried building their own??

Captain Havoc · 29-01-2011 1:06am

Just signed up for the course starting this Wednesday.

happytramp · 29-01-2011 1:37pm

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Just signed up for the course starting this Wednesday.

Which one exactly?

Captain Havoc · 29-01-2011 4:35pm

happytramp wrote: »

Which one exactly?

The Build Your Own Bike one.

kippy · 29-01-2011 4:36pm

Save a bit of time and money:
http://www.youtube.com/

Captain Havoc · 29-01-2011 5:32pm

kippy wrote: »

Save a bit of time and money:
http://www.youtube.com/

Yes, I'm fully aware of bicycletutor.com, Lennard Zinn, I have the Big Blue Book from Park Tools but I'd still like to take the course.

happytramp · 07-02-2011 1:05am

How did you get on? Any good?

Captain Havoc · 07-02-2011 8:37am

happytramp wrote: »

How did you get on? Any good?

Yeah grand, we went over headsets and touched on bottoms brackets, the various types and how to put them into ****ty bikes aswell as good ones. It's an eight week course.

pprendeville · 07-02-2011 1:17pm

captain P wrote: »

Has anyone done the Rothar courses?
I'm trying to decide between doing either the beginner or intermediate class. I have a fair idea of most of the basics already, but at the same time don't want to miss anything :eek:.

I'm going doing the intermediate class this Saturday.

pprendeville · 07-02-2011 1:20pm

Captain Havoc wrote: »

The Build Your Own Bike one.

Is this in Plunkett College? Is it too late to sign up. Ddin't see anything on the brochure. How much is it?

Just called Plunkett College and this course didn't go ahead due to lack of enrolment.

Captain Havoc · 07-02-2011 8:15pm

pprendeville wrote: »

Is this in Plunkett College? Is it too late to sign up. Ddin't see anything on the brochure. How much is it?

Just called Plunkett College and this course didn't go ahead due to lack of enrolment.

Rothar, started last week, you could call and ask to join in, it's €150.

Daithi BC · 08-02-2011 9:29am

pprendeville wrote: »

I'm going doing the intermediate class this Saturday.

Let us know how you get on. I can't make it on Saturday, but I'm signed up for the intermediate course on the 5th of March instead.

pprendeville · 13-02-2011 4:22pm

Daithi BC wrote: »

Let us know how you get on. I can't make it on Saturday, but I'm signed up for the intermediate course on the 5th of March instead.

Not bad. If interior decor is important to you prepare to be let down. Also, bring some warm clothes if it's chilly outside.

As regards what we learned, mainly the following, all carried out on used mountain bikes:

Replacing gear and brake cables
How to determine whether your chain needs replacing (simple tool that's inseted between links but useful to know)
How to adjust the front and rear derailers to ensure smooth gear changes
Make-up of a headset
Adjusting the brakes

Good value I guess for €40 but a little bit disorganised.

Bicycle Maintenance courses

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