Mechanic school
 

Friends,

I'm contemplating going g to UBI out in Oregon. I hear it's a great school and you learn a lot in the week. I know the proper way, volunteer in a shop and learn and all that, but I cant do that now because if my real job. After the school, there is a kids bike program around here I plan on working with and maybe a few hours in a shop if I can. Anyone been and can give it a year or nay?

It depends on how much you know and what you want to learn. I've considered classes like this, but when I read the topics, I already knew how to perform most repairs they offered.
But, if you have the time, the money and the desire; why not?

I am just a garage mechanic hobbiest, but I took a week long UBI class many years ago and enjoyed it. Even for things I already knew how to do,I picked up tips for doing them better. Also, I got to buy a bunch of tools at wholesale prices.

Thanks, it sounds like a good school. And im sure a week in Oregon probably never hurt anyone...I hear its beautiful. Gonna try and go in the April or June class. Beginning mechanic class.

While I agree that taking a course in bike mechanics is a good idea, even for the experienced wrench (and I have done much the same in my framebuilding) do know that there is still a degree of resentment (of those who went to a bike school) in the old guard LBS crowd. This is changing as the components are getting more complex and requiring more specific diagnostic methods, as major players are offering their own instructional courses (generally on line) and as the old guys who went to the school of hard knocks move on.

If a LBS job is a goal, check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/1036385879732518/ World Bicycle Mechanics Facebook Group. There's a movement starting to establish some sort of certification process for bicycle mechanics. There's talk about current and future classes and the attempt to coordinate the current players. Andy (who has mixed feelings about aging out just when significant changes in the LBS world are happening)

I attended UBI (pro mechanic classes, wheel and suspension seminars, and steel framebuilding, am going to do the Fox class in a few months) and now am a professional mechanic. It was a useful resource prior to working in the industry and also not a replacement for working in the industry. It was absolutely useful for my first bike job, and I think it's helped with my subsequent jobs simply because it shows an attitude towards the the work as a legitimate profession, though my work history matters much more now. The instructors are great and the program is well thought out. I think it'd be a good fit for you. When I attended it was a wide mix between amateur mechanics wanting to go pro (me), working mechanics continuing their education, people interested in nonprofit bike work, and serious amateurs. Beyond knowing service procedures, it teaches good work habits, etc. Ashland in June is lovely (assuming no nearby fires); some fantastic riding for road, mountain, etc.

I have a pal who just took their one-week course and loved it. Ashland is just a wonderful little town and southern Oregon is spectacular.