Barnett bicycle institute
 

I just got ready for my buddies viewing today and before i leave i find myself on there I think my addicted lol. But anyway i found this school in colorado (im in philly) and im thinking on going in september for all 4 courses they offer for bikes everything except the 2 buisness classes. Has anyone heard good things about this school? I'll be living there and paying for my own room and all 4 classes which is kind of a lot of money so im wondering i people have heard good things about it?

Its seems that if you ask people here on the west coast they will say UBI (United Bicycle Institute) is the best and when I used to live out east (Maine) Barnetts was considered the best... I have heard from a Barnetts grad that its super hard but well worth it, even if you dont graduate the program. UBI is right around the corner from my house, though, I love Colorado and would love to go to Barnetts...

Thanks for the info bro, atleast know I know its hard. I don't have much expiernce with bikes but im not gonna let that scare me.

egh, just use youtube and save your money.

or this

http://www.parktool.com/repair/

I will say this, only because too many shops want to see that paper is it worth going. All and really do mean all the best bike mechanics I have known didn't go to any bike schools. It was all good ole fashioned hands on learning. Passion drove them, a true love of bikes drove them. No school will give you that. Nor in the short time you will be there could they ever give you the knowledge that just sitting down and just working on bikes will give you. I'm not saying don't go, just to keep all this is mind. Never stop learning and don't think just cause your done there that you are done. This probly sounds redundant to you but I have met quite a few who have lost sight of all this... anyway good luck to you and enjoy your time there...

I agree with both TheBikeRollsOn and bleedingapple.

Maybe you should see about doing an internship at a local shop. There are a few kids who intern at the shop where I work who have learned a lot.

I've been looking to going to BBI myself. I want to take BAM and BRO combined, because I'll get a tuition discount. I think being certified in mechanics will allow you to become more transient, like you'll be able to find work from city to city rather than having prospective employers rely solely on good references. I live in Chicago, and the field is pretty competitive. I've learned a lot of basic bike repairs and maintenance since taking to the street a year and a half ago, but I think that knowing the absolutely correct way of making repairs (especially rare and mysterious ones) will give you and I an edge. I learned everything I know from dragging information out of shop mechanics and also going to free workshops run by volunteers. I feel like I have a lot of gaps in my knowledge. Plus, you get that sweet 10,000 bike manual. That thing is so cool.

Yeah im definately not going to call myself a mechanic when i get back, im gonna go do exactly what i would do if i didnt go and go get an apprenticeship at bells, my friend gave me his boys number that worked there he said i could come in whenever. But my dads offering to pay since he paid for college for my sister for 4 years, why not go? And definately agree with you on the city to city thing.

Good for you on the apprenticeship at Bell's! Those dudes (and girl, if she's still there) are awesome.

Thanks a lot Scrod, my friend from highschool came threw for me outta no where lol. He was kinda just like oh you like bikes I know all the guys at bells,Ill text my friend and see i can give you his number to talk to him.

I do agree it makes you way more marketable from city to city. Im am already a pretty good wrench, better than some school grads I've met. I will likely end up at UBI seeing as I would like to expand on my skills, and be able to get work when I eventually leave here. As far as the "rare and mysterious" bikes, that will come from getting one of those SOBs on the stand where you work LOL! I had a friend whose specialty was classic bikes. It was fun watching him work...

Yeah man definately, me not knowing much besides basic repairs I think i'll learn a lot and be ready to apprentice at a shop. I have a passion for bikes and wanna do anything I can to jumpstart me getting a job and doing what I love.