The Bristol Bike Project

Courses

Our bike maintenance courses have restarted! Please see below for details. All course enquiries to courses@thebristolbikeproject.org

Book your course by selecting the relevant date from the calendar below!

Scroll down for more information on the content of our courses or to purchase a voucher.

 

Here’s how it works…

We run two courses – one for the basics and another intensive course which gives a comprehensive overview of bicycle maintenance. Find out just how empowering and enjoyable cycle mechanics can be with a few tools and the right knowledge!

Bicycle Basics is our introductory course to understanding and maintaining your bike. It’s suitable for complete beginners who would like to learn simple repairs like fixing a puncture. Check out our Bicycle Basics course reviews!

Our Intensive Cycle Maintenance Course is over two Saturdays, tailored around your bike. Day 1 covers the most common repairs whilst Day 2 gets into the deeper workings of the bike. You can book both days or just one day if you prefer. No prior experience is needed – just the desire to get hands-on and skilled up! Each day has two tutors and is capped to six students, to ensure we can give you all the help you need in a relaxed and supportive environment. Check out our Intensive Cycle Maintenance Course reviews!

More information on what each course covers can be found in the boxes to the right. If you have any further questions or would like help deciding which course is right for you, get in touch by emailing courses@thebristolbikeproject.org

Making your booking…

Once you’ve decided which course suits you best, you can book via our courses calendar. By booking, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions.

Once you’ve completed a maintenance course, you can keep your knowledge fresh by tinkering with your bike at our weekly Bike Kitchen or Raise the Saddle. Or why not volunteer with us to further improve your skills and give back to your community at the same time!

What greater gift than the gift of knowledge!

Why not treat someone to a gift voucher for one of our maintenance courses? Select from one of the options below! Choose ‘Send as a gift’ to specify a separate recipient email and message – please note that this will be sent immediately.

Purchase a £40 Course Voucher – for Bicycle Basics (or 50% of an Intensive Bike Maintenance Course)
Purchase a £80 Course Voucher – for Intensive Bike Maintenance Course Day 1 or 2
  Purchase a £160 Course Voucher – for Intensive Bike Maintenance Course Days 1 and 2

Day 2

  • Hub bearing service (open type, not cartridge bearings found on high end modern hubs)
  • Servicing and fitting headsets
  • Complete drive chain removal and refitting, (removing cassette and cranks, all types)
  • Bottom Bracket service or replacement (cup and cone, cartridge and Hollowtech II, not press fit)
  • Replace a broken spoke
  • Introduction to wheel truing

Saturdays from 10.30AM to 4.30PM with a 30 minute lunch break.

Cost £80* per day. Tea and Coffee provided.

*We also offer an unwaged rate of £40.00 if you use your bike as your sole mode of transport and are not able to afford the full price. Email courses@thebristolbikeproject.org to book at this price.

Day 1

  • Complete bike checkover: fault finding and gauging wear on chains, rims etc.
  • Brakes: fitting new blocks and new cables. Setting up for optimum performance.
  • Adjusting disk brakes and fitting pads (if requested)
  • Gears: straightening the mech hanger. Setting limit screws. Calibrating for perfect shifting.
  • Fixing a broken chain by the roadside, using a multitool.
  • Replacing tires and tubes, and mending punctures.

Saturdays from 10.30AM to 4.30PM with a 30 minute lunch break.

Cost £80* per day. Tea and Coffee provided.

*We also offer an unwaged rate of £40.00 if you use your bike as your sole mode of transport and are not able to afford the full price. Email courses@thebristolbikeproject.org to book at this price.  

Basics

  • Removing wheels and fixing punctures
  • Brake adjustments ­
  • Braking and using gears
  • Ergonomics (setting up your bike to fit you)
  • Bike Repair Tools and Lubricants (what you need to keep your bike in top condition)
  • Cleaning and lubricating

Saturdays from 10.30AM – 1.30PM.

Cost £40. Tea and Coffee provided.

Terms & Conditions

Cancellations. Once booked, if you wish to cancel or rearrange your course date, you must tell us at least 5 days beforehand. Otherwise we cannot refund or rearrange your course. If you have to reschedule due to a positive COVID-19 test, please let us know as soon as possible and we will book you onto another date.

Vouchers. Vouchers must be used within 12 months of purchase. We can offer a refund within 30 days of purchase (please contact courses@thebristolbikeproject.org).

Types of bikes covered. Whilst we cover a wide range of bicycle types, we do not cover the following: suspension forks, bleeding hydraulic brakes, cartridge wheel bearings, hub gears, replacing press fit bottom brackets.

Fixing your bike. Doing the course is sure to make your bike run smoother. However, if your bike needs lots of work, you’ll need to be realistic about what can be achieved on the day. You can always bring it back to our Bike Kitchen or Womxn’s Night workshops.

Buying parts. New cables and brake blocks are included in the price of the Intensive Course Day 1. We also stock new and used parts should you want to buy them throughout any of the courses.

 

Other FAQs

Can I work on my own bike?

Yes! We encourage you to bring your own bike to work on at these maintenance courses so you can get to know its squeaks and creaks! We also have bikes here that you can work on if you’d prefer.

Do I have to do Day 1 of the Intensive course before Day 2?

The course is designed so that Day 1 and Day 2 are in a logical sequence, but there’s no requirement to do Day 1 before Day 2. You can book just one day or both but in a different order if you like!

I have a paper voucher – what should I do?

If you have an old style, green paper voucher from our previous booking system, these are still valid if purchased after March 2019. To redeem your voucher, please email us on courses@thebristolbikeproject.org

Why have the prices gone up and is my voucher for the old cost still valid?

Unfortunately our costs have risen significantly over time and after years of holding the prices as low as possible we have finally had to increase them. If you have an existing, valid voucher (or credit due to a course cancellation in 2020) please don’t worry, you will not have to pay extra. However, due to system limitations, if redeeming a voucher code when booking online we ask that you pay the extra amount via PayPal and email us on courses@thebristolbikeproject.org – we will then refund you as soon as we can.

What COVID precautions do you have in place?

We will try to maximise ventilation in the workshop, so please be prepared to wear a jumper! We also recommend the use of face coverings as there will be fairly close group work, especially during demonstrations or when receiving one to one assistance.

“The bike maintenance course is excellent- very knowledgeable and attentive staff, highly recommended!” Abby