Should you go to bike mechanic school? | My Experience + Review of United Bicycle Institute

Way back in 2015 I was lucky enough to be able to attend United Bicycle Institute's professional repair and shop operations course. In today's video, I review and talk about my experience.
United Bicycle Institute's Website:
bikeschool.com/
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[@heyimamaker]

I took the pro class in the early 2000's after taking web development. I spent the next 6 years working in a bike shop, and then part time off and on as I shifted back into programming. I loved it, and would recommend it for sure!

[@tonycoffee7335]

she speaks the truth, I went to UBI ashland back in the day and I was able to get a job as a bike builder.

[@outlaw7x77]

I had been out of the industry for over 20 years when I opened my shop in 2005. Hydraulic Disc brakes were pretty new at the time and I was unsure of my skillset. Park Tool had a Tech Summit in San Jose, Ca. that I went to. What I learned from this "Summit" is that I already knew pretty much everything they had to teach me...Hayes, Shimano, SRAM were all there, plus Fox, and ROCKSHOCKS were there too. But I am glad I went because then I knew, that I knew my stuff. Plus I learned that Calvin from Park Tool is a big DICKHEADCA. I also agree, On The Job Training; I.E. bike assembly out of boxes is BY FAR the best entry level training you can get. Assembly knowledge leads straight into repair work. The comes Shocks, Seatposts, wheelbuilding etc...

[@DanTuber]

What did Calvin do/say?

[@corbinwantland7669]

Great Video. Yeah I would say that diagnostics and figuring out part compatibility mainly comes from experience, research and determination to figure out the problem. Also getting help from more experienced mechanics are a great options as well!

[@bocaj628]

I’ve kind of wanted to go to UBI but I’ve slowly been learning from my mechanics and on my own I think I’d fall in the to basic for me boat. Sounds like a super great experience.

[@mattdimarino5894]

Thank you for such a solid review! Amazing video 😊

[@zachbaker5259]

Great perspectives and insights. Thank you for sharing.

[@ronniec8038]

Cool. Always good to know how to repair things.

[@channingvenegas9984]

Thank you so much for this info Cali!! Ive been pondering on this for awhile and now I know its not really needed for what I've already learned. Lol😉

[@kuraitabinin]

Just enrolled in the same course at the Ashland campus starting in March! Thanks for the review!

[@dwmoreair885]

Great video great outlook on life. You will be at 100k subscribers before you know it. Working on mtbs is fun and KZbin has most of the answers

[@uniworkhorse]

Thanks for the tips, guess I'll have to decide what I really want and if it's worth!

[@9d4officialmusic47]

Experience is the best teacher for sure I haven't gone to school for it. I worked at a shop and learned a lot I been doing it for 6 years I'm 26 and people tell me I know more then people who been doing it for 30 years and have degrees in it. It's also depends who teach u as well. At the end of the day everyone's different go down the path u need to and if u work at a shop and u are a shimano dealer go to the b2b education site and it teaches you about tools and other aspects to make you a well rounded mechanic and have you ready to take on the world (side tip) good luck guys

[@byronabueno]

Great video! Thanks for the info I just needed. Looks like I'm going to UBI

[@philipcaldwell3187]

Excellent overview!

[@kickingYYC]

Thank you. Very insightful

[@RB-jq6gh]

Good for you girl!.🔧

[@carlosalmeida8713]

I finished medic school a year ago... now I work 24 hours on and 48 off as a medic. I would like to start a bike shop for my days off. Seems doable. Plus I love bikes.

[@David_a_journeyman_curmudgeon]

😄 I'm a medic and I want to do the same thing!

[@DOUBLE0SEVUN]

Did you start it? How’s it going?

[@bille7585]

Thanks for the Review at the end. Now I know if I *do go in September... I need to go to the Portland location, not the Ashland. I'm concerning myself more for working on ROAD BIKES. -wish there was a Bike Mechanic School here in SoCal

[@thenobleone-3384]

I had a mountain bike last yr and both tires flatten. I knew someone obviously messed with them. Never go to bad areas or where people target u. I worked as a delivery driver last yr

[@MC.243]

Wish they had a school in So Cal.

[@2dollarbill650]

I spent 15+ years in the bike industry. From the late 80s to the early 2000s. I would say learning on the jod was by far the best way.

[@escoClashRoyale]

not every employer has time for thst

[@2dollarbill650]

@@escoClashRoyale i agree nowadays. Back then we also smoke and drank in the shop (after hours of course)

[@houseofpills]

@@escoClashRoyale Then get a job at a co-op or attend open shop

[@escoClashRoyale]

@@houseofpills goin to moto mech school

[@bootchop88]

@@escoClashRoyale but the pay isnt worth going to school for.

[@lulun3724]

Thank you, I just want to learn the basic. My community has classes that are 2 hours once a week for like 6 weeks. Taking the class during summer

[@callie_waldschmidt]

If you have any specific video requests, I'm about to start filming more mechanic videos and would love some ideas!

[@bentsound]

Great ending!

[@livinlarge1247]

Great video: thanks. Work at bike shop, Ashland = MTB.

[@dansotelo228]

I own a small professional specialty bike shop near downtown Seattle. After the economic meltdown in 2008, just about every pro bike mechanic was let go. Later when the economy started to recover (THANK YOU OBAMA), many never came back as they either went inside the bicycle industry or elsewhere. At that point, I recently semi-retired from the bicycle industry and went into the music business. Here is where my son intervened and convinced me to sell my music business and start a small private bike shop because Seattle was in need for good mechanics. He was spot on, as we started in our back yard, we were soon flooded with bikes, and it has not stopped ever since. My son is a professional golfer by trade got hired by a golf chain, had to leave. So I hired a person who recently graduated from the Portland School who paid tons of money to go thru some of their toughest courses. "It was a total disaster"... I don't know what they taught this person but it was complete & utter nonscense. I sadly had to let him go, as he would argue with me that I demanded procedures that the Portland school deemed necessary... Stay away from that school, Callie Waldschmidt is correct.

[@cecilecorpuz5735]

Best way to learn is to get a job in a Bicycle shop then go from there but then of course the people in the shop will need to know their stuff as well, I like younger people who will have no experience this way I'm able to currupt them to fixing bicycles my way.

[@MrAllinclubs]

Surprised the instructors didn't know much about MTB because we have to some great MTB trails around here in Portland.

[@OliverBalint]

I took the course in the 90's (Ashland, OR) than landed a job in Austin, TX at Free Wheel.n Bicycles. 2 months later I learned I just didn't enjoy the work so I moved to Hawaii and became a beach bum :) thx for vid

[@jamestaylor3075]

Beach bum eh. How's the pay?

[@OliverBalint]

@@jamestaylor3075 more than a bike mechanic lol

[@OliverBalint]

@Joe Braxton Lacked the daily adrenalin I needed ; )

[@bootchop88]

i used to go to that shop.

[@Sanosan5249]

I know im a bit late to comment But anywhere i tried to get a job at bicycle shop in San Diego they want to see you got training somewhere because it saves them time having to training you from the ground up. I have experience fixing my own bikes but having a certificate would help them see what you can do. So im in the process of signing up for UBI as a veteran using GI bill it seems like the only school so far that accepts it. I wouldnt go if it werent for the Gi bill.

[@adventurewhitasiam]

Tel me Where you from ? What brought you loved mountain biking? For my part, I ride with a Spheric SMT. It's a Quebec design!

[@stonecrestproduction]

I love your video. I love mountain biking and looking to continue that passion into my semi-retirement years. And thought that becoming a mechanic might be a good opportunity to stay active while making a little money. Did you notice in the class others of the 50+ age bracket? Just curious. Thanks.

[@outlaw7x77]

Never too old to wrench.

[@andrerodriguez7603]

Plenty of information on repairing, maintaining your own bicycle on KZbin. As long as you are mechanically proficient, you will be okay. Also buying the proper bike tools helps. These can be expensive, but worth every cent.

[@rpiereck74]

I am a licensed aircraft mechanic, and I'm looking to switch industries one of these days. I am tired of my industry's crazy work hours (night shift is the norm), high noise levels, excessive paperwork, and immense responsibility. I have a good knowledge of bicycle mechanics, having built and rescued a few dozen bikes in over twenty years. I am currently teaching myself to build a wheel. What would you recommend I concentrate on for a future career move?

[@kris4645]

Intelligent young woman! 😊

[@trdriver430]

Great info Callie. Been considering if the cost of admission is worth it. Thank you

[@callie_waldschmidt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jacobperez5977]

How do I get certified in EBIKES?

[@hipsince9856]

How old were you when you went to mechanic school?

[@ravichandel8690]

how to apply for apprenticeship in united bicycle institute

[@se9865]

What are the chances that a guy who is nearly 40 getting hired as an entry level mechanic? (I'm in the tacoma area, if that makes a difference).

[@callie_waldschmidt]

I think you have good chances if you have enthusiasm and a good attitude. If you show that you are willing to learn and be humble about your knowledge, you'd be just fine!

[@dansotelo228]

I run a small professional bike shop near Seattle. Back in 2012 was overwhelmed with work as I spoiled my customers with what I think is the best of the best in technical service. So I set out to find a very good, very experienced mechanic so I can train them to the next level of professional service. I went thru 3 mechanics, two were certified by the same school in Portland Organ in their most advanced classes. I was shocked as they only knew what I thought was just basic stuff. I kept telling them, that every single bike that comes in (even if brand new) the derailleur hanger must be checked and aligned before doing any kind of work on it. At first they looked at me like I was crazy, saying the Portland school said it was unnecessary unless it was involved in an accident. I told them, I'm sorry those are my rules, even if its a new bike build. For about a week they would do it and then when they thought I was not looking they would avoid it. I would point it out that it must be done my way or I have to let them go. And it was simple things like this that I had to let them go. That school, even their top-level classes is just basic. As I get older I'm thinking of starting my own professional school here in Seattle, only taking on about 4 or 5 students every two months, who are very serious about this profession. It will be expensive but when they leave my school they will be true professionals.

[@callie_waldschmidt]

That sounds like a great idea! I think with the rate that the bike industry is growing right now, that could work out really well for you!

[@TheJdcanfield]

Thanks Dan. Let us know when it opens. I am a semi-pro bike builder South of Austin. Now that middle-age is here, I need to become a refined builder for the next 25. Interested beyond fundamentals as articulated. Built a few Cervelo Dura-Ace units and learned some vintage Campagnolo-Legnano production. Get this thing started and I'm on the way... find me at [e-mail]

[@sksariful6087]

Hi

[@Wannaridebikes]

I fix broken bikes. And never worked a bike shop. I get free bikes. That are thrown out or just plain free what I do is fix them up and donate back out. So I can do probably everything to a bike but one thing I lack maybe not all the way fork rebuild I’m not great I just follow how I take it apart and put it back that way it came apart. Brake bleeds ar easy. Just do it. I took my own rim I taco’d. Bike mechs will not touch. What I did. Was. Loosen up all spokes then took 2x4 s. And layed rim on it and just bend til it was straightish. I put it in the tru tighten up got it very close to straight. Now I did not fix the dish of it. …now I needed a smoke on my one rim I snapped so I took that rim and the taco’d rim. Do you know what the bike tech told me….the broken spoke one was in bad shape. But he said the taco’d one was ok. So do bike techs know ….not all do. Just saying.

[@chadrat39]

No, especially if youre mechanically inclined with cars and others. Bikes are super simple physics

[@Wannaridebikes]

There is a easier way to take off gloves.

[@dandydon6049]

All talk no action. Didn’t see one bike.

[@escoClashRoyale]

bicycles???????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[@houseofpills]

Yeah dude the title says it all-- UNITED BICYCLE INSTITUTE

[@hendriksiering9077]

A course?? Cute! xD You won´t get a job in Germany with that! Here you have to get trainee for 3.5 years, before get hired as a mechanic in a workshop!

[@NJDDChristianDance]

Marriage material!

[@mynamemyname156]

Are you single 😅

[@stefengriff7956]

You don't need all of this bullshit they have on bikes today, seems people have forgotten the KISS principal.

[@batterybuilding]

Keep It Single Speed?

[@ellerybice3787]

You should refine your diet as to eliminate sugar, and soda if you consume it. Your facial complexion is showing signs of a bad diet.

[@qo3398]

why isnt she washing the dishes