Due to unforeseen events, we will not have the available instructors to conduct Park Tool School on January 10. There are spots open for the Spring Park Tool School, which is scheduled for March. For more information, email info@hubcitycycles.ca or call 250-591-2159.
How Much Time Does This Take?
Park Tool School is a 30 hour course, but you may want to spend extra time studying the Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair.
If you are hoping to snag a spot in our 2016 Park Tool School courses, you can get a jump on your studies by purchasing the book ahead of time. We will modify your course fees to account for your ownership of the book.
Do I Have To Take This Course To Learn Mechanics?
No! There are several options for you if you would like to learn bicycle mechanics at your own pace.
Instruction
Instruction is available by appointment – email info@hubcitycycles.ca or call 250-591-2159.
We offer instruction at the following rates:
$20/hr for non-Co-op members
$15.75/hr for Co-op members ($5 Co-op membership)
$10/hr for Co-op members with a monthly membership ($31.50 per 30 day month or $189 per calendar year *)
Fix a specific problem on your bike or learn how to lubricate, adjust, and tweak things so it runs perfectly.
* Co-op rates are even less for students and low-income individuals. $21 per 30 day month or $126 per calendar year)
Volunteer
Volunteering to build bicycles for sale at the Co-op is another way to learn mechanics. Like instruction, volunteering hours are by appointment. The bike you build or tune will be the property of (and eventually put up for sale by) the Co-op.
Volunteering isn’t always building or fixing bikes. We also need help to sort used parts, strip bicycles, organize the back, and sometimes carry things in and out of the shop. Volunteers can redeem volunteer hours to use shop tools and space to work on their own projects.
Is This Course Worth It?
Yup. If you lo
ok at the schedule, it’s designed to be taken on the weekend and in the evenings, when we’re not normally open.
The $350 course includes the manual and breaks down to $10 an hour, which is well below our most affordable instruction rates ($5 membership share plus $31.50/month for shop usage plus $10/instruction hour). You don’t have to purchase a membership share to take the course.
Four students per course means that you get important one-on-one time with the instructors and assistants while being able to problem-solve and learn with your fellow students. This is the ideal blend of individual and group instruction – small enough for focus, but large enough to enable learning by observation.
Park Tool School Schedule
WEEK 1
Sunday
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
INTRODUCTION
- basic bicycle maintenance
- flat repair
- rear sprockets
- hubs
Monday
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
- rim brakes
Thursday
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Review/Work Session
- 2.5 hours of independent work with staff available
WEEK 2
Sunday
10:00-3:00
- chains
- derailleurs
- shifters
- bike washing
Monday
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
- pedals
- cranksets
- bottom brackets
Wednesday
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Review/Work Session
- 2.5 hours of independent work with staff available
WEEK 3
Sunday
10:00-3:00
- brakes
- headsets
- frame & fork
- wheel truing
Monday
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
- hydraulic disc brakes
Wednesday
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- on-ride repairs & problem solving
COURSE EVALUATION
WRAP UP