Bicycle maintenance and repair classes

Do you want to:

• Look after your own bike at home?

• Effectively deal with mechanical mishaps on the road or trail?

• Save time, money and frustration by preventing mechanical issues and unnecessary wear to components?

• Ride safer?

• Know when you should take your bike to a professional mechanic?

• Gain the confidence to take on your next great adventure, whatever that may be?
  
  

Hi, I’m Peter, and I teach bicycle maintenance classes at my home workshop in Millgrove in the beautiful Yarra Valley (just east of Melbourne; see more about how to get here below). 

My courses are for individuals or groups of two, which allows you to focus on what you want to learn and receive hands-on, attentive instruction.

Choose from five separate modules covering a variety of topics. You can do any combination of the five. If you want to learn things that don’t fit neatly into the module structure, no worries, I’m happy to teach you what you want. Simply use the contact form at the bottom of this page to outline your custom requirements.   

Module 1: Basic bike maintenance and repair (1.5 hours - no prior knowledge required)

Learn how to keep your bike running smoothly and safely, as well as how to fix a puncture with a traditional tubed tyre system (an essential thing to know even if you’re running a tubeless system). This module will also save you a lot of money over time in reduced component wear and fewer trips to the mechanic. You will learn:

• What tools you will need to perform basic bike maintenance and repairs

• How to prevent punctures

• How to fix a puncture

• How to clean and lubricate your chain, and how often to do this

• How to perform a basic safety check

• Wholistic bike care; how often to get your bike serviced based on bike type and usage

  
  
  

Module 2: Chain care in depth (30 mins - no prior knowledge required)

Did you know that most people (including many bike mechanics) maintain their chains in a way that significantly increases its rate of wear? Did you know that many of the most widely stocked lubricant brands perform poorly in simulated real-world testing?

More than any other area of bike maintenance, chain care is rife with myth, hearsay, empty marketing claims and plain false information. This matters because drivetrain components (chain, cassette and chainrings) often represent the biggest maintenance cost to bike owners.

Learning an evidence-based approach to chain care will save you a lot of money over time, particularly if you are running more recent 11, 12 or 13-speed groupsets from the major manufacturers.

Module 3: Tubeless tyre maintenance and repair (1 hour - knowledge of basic bike maintenance required. Specifically, how to remove and install a tyre and tube.)

Tubeless tyre systems offer fantastic performance benefits and the promise of fewer punctures, but they do have their potential pitfalls. Learn what these are and how to avoid them, and perform an actual repair on a donor tyre. This module gives you the best chance of living hassle free with tubeless. You will learn:

• An overview of how to manage tubeless tyre systems

• Approaches to puncture repair

• How to fix a puncture using a tyre plug (you will get to do this on a donor tyre. Bring your own plug tool if you want to try it out, or use the supplied one).

• How to ascertain sealant level and refill sealant.

  
  
  

Module 4: Brakes and gears (2 hours - knowledge of basic bike mechanics recommended)

Brakes and gears can go out of adjustment or have other issues between services, or on a trip. This module teaches you how to diagnose and resolve some of those issues, and to recognise when you need to go to the mechanic. You will learn:

• How set up and adjust brakes and gears

• How to replace brake pads

• How to replace brake and gear cables

• Hydraulic brake assessment and troubleshooting (does not include bleed procedure)

  
  
  

Module 5: Field repairs for adventure cycling (2 hours - knowledge of basic bike mechanics required)

Learn how to get yourself out of a sticky situation on the road or trail, and gain the confidence to take on that big adventure you’ve been dreaming of. This module teaches you:

• What tools and spare parts to take on a ride

• How to remove and install a chain

• How to remove damaged chain links

• How to set up an emergency single speed in case of derailleur failure

• How to use derailleur limit screws to ‘change’ gear in case of shifting failure

• How to replace derailluer hanger in case of bending or breakage

• How to replace a spoke using an emergency fibre spoke and a regular spoke. Includes the use of a mini cassette lockring tool

• How to true a wheel

LOCATION

Courses take place at my home workshop in Millgrove, Victoria 3799, a short drive east of Melbourne in the scenic Yarra Valley. If you want to get here by bike, I am located conveniently close to the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail which is a fabulous ride suitable for beginners and can be accessed via the Metro train network at Lilydale.

There is so much great cycling and sightseeing out here it’s worth making a weekend of it. There are plenty of gravel rides, the famous Mt Donna Buang road climb, and the new mountain bike trails of Warburton Bike Park. I’m happy to give you some local knowledge about where to go and what to do.

A BIT ABOUT ME

I have worked in the bike industry for ten years as a mechanic, a salesperson, a specialist wheel builder and content writer. In this time I have had thousands of conversations with bike riders of all abilities, from complete beginners to pro cyclists. This has given me an appreciation of the common difficulties faced by bike riders, as well as a wealth of technical knowledge and an ability to communicate this knowledge clearly and without using unnecessary technical jargon. 

I have also been an avid cyclist since I was a teenager. I have plenty of experience in every common discipline–road, mountain-bike and gravel–and have a particular interest in bikepacking and touring. I have toured extensively around Victoria, and once cycled unsupported from Adelaide to Alice Springs on remote outback tracks. 

I created these courses because my experience showed me how much people appreciated a bit of knowledge about how to look after their bikes, and I wanted to bring this knowledge to bike riders in a structured way that made it approachable and easy to understand. They are a product of years of thinking about how to help people enjoy bike riding more.  

This is my own sole trader business. 100% of profits go to supporting my business and family.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Each module includes an electronic document that summarises the module content, so you can remind yourself of what you’ve learned. All materials will be provided. All you need to bring is your bike and any tools you may want to learn how to use. Even if you don’t have a bike yet, one can be provided to you. Some of the materials used in the course will be available for purchase at the end. If we install a part on your bike in the process of teaching (eg cables, quick links), this is at additional cost to be advised at the time.

TESTIMONIALS

"I can't recommend Peter's course highly enough! At the start of the day the only thing I knew about bikes was that I wanted to ride one; 4 hours later I could fix a puncture, mend a damaged chain, and replace a spoke, amongst other skills. More importantly, it gave me a foundational understanding of bike mechanics to build on, and the confidence to kick off on my first bike tour across Australia. Peter is a friendly and patient teacher with a wealth of knowledge and an obvious passion for helping people to kickstart their own cycling adventures. Not only does his course make bike maintenance and repair intelligible to beginners – it also makes them enjoyable. Sign up and buy his book!" —Guy

“I have ridden bikes on and off over many years but have never learnt any maintenance or repair skills, relying on others to sort issues from punctures to gear and brake adjustments for me.

It was time to become independent allowing me to take on longer and more remote and adventurous rides. This is where Peter stepped in.

I have completed a one on one course with Peter that took me from puncture repair to gear and brake adjustment, chain repair, emergency fixes such as spoke replacement and how to do a basic bike service and general bike safety check.

It is wonderful to feel empowered with this knowledge and these skills. I now know a “cassette from a derailleur” thanks to Peter. Highly recommend this course.” —Maree

“Pete's a fantastic teacher; he has a great relaxed and non-judgmental approach. He's super patient and isn't phased if you ask him lots of questions or the same question over and over again (as was the case for me!). His workshop's really well set up - you can practice maintenance skills (changing a tyre, brake pads or fixing a puncture on a tubeless tyre). He's also helped me greatly in understanding the specifics of my own gravel and road bikes. I came away from the basic and tubeless tyre repair workshops with a much stronger understanding of bike maintenance. Thanks Pete!!!!!”—Ben

"I got so much out of Peter's class. He was able to tailor the content to my needs and work with my bike to help me get to know it well. I found him very friendly, very knowledgeable and very patient. I now feel much more confident that I'll be able to troubleshoot most issues I might encounter on an overnight gravel tour, and maybe help some friends out too!"—Geoff

PRICING FOR INDIVIDUAL CLASSES

1 hour: $90

1.5 hours: $130

2 hours: $160

2.5 hours: $190

3 or more hours: $70/hour (includes a half time break with a cup of tea and a biscuit)

Additional charge for module 3 tubeless repair (to cover single use materials): $10

Additional charge for module 2 chain care in depth (to cover single use materials): $10 

PRICING FOR GROUPS OF TWO

Group classes are also charged hourly as above. However it is harder to give an accurate time estimate for group classes, therefore the exact cost will be determined on the day depending on how long it takes. If both bikes are similar and you are happy to take turns practicing skills/being supervised, it can take a similar time to an individual class. If the bikes are different and you both want practice and closer supervision, it will take longer. I would suggest allowing up to 50% more time than an individual class. Alternatively, I can keep the class within a pre-determined time and budget and fit in what I can in that time.

PRICING FOR CUSTOM CLASSES

Custom classes are also charged hourly as above. 

BOOKING

See the calendar below for available times. To book, fill out the form at the bottom of this page with the following information:

• the module/s you would like to do (or custom requirements)

• the day and time you would like to do it

Please note: if you click on an available time you will see a time window (eg 11-5pm). You can choose any time within this window.

If you want to do two shorter sessions over a weekend, rather than one long day, just ask and I’ll see if I can make it work.

I’m happy to discuss or clarify any of the above details with you before/during your booking, so don’t hesitate to ask.