Mechanic Clinics

First, we dump out our riding packs and show you all the things we carry and explain why.  Then, we all get to work!  Our mechanics will show you how to make some of the most common on-trail repairs and adjustments, and you’ll do each one with your own hands - several times - to build that knowledge and confidence you’ll need when something goes haywire on the trail.  Please bring your own tool-filled pack and bike so you become familiar with your own equipment.

Skills covered:

• Identify common bike repair tools

• Identify common safety and first-aid supplies

• Fix a broken chain using a Master Link

• Fix a punctured tire with a plug tool

• Make basic adjustments to the drivetrain/shifters

• Make basic adjustments to brakes/levers 

Details:

• Prerequisites for this class: Curiosity

• Duration: 2 hrs

• Cost: $50 

• Location: Colorado Boy Depot, 687 N Cora, Ridgway

• Class size:  2-18 students

Consistent cleaning and preventative maintenance on your bike can lead to longer component life, less time in the shop, and significant cost savings on repairs.  Plus, your bike will just ride so much better!  You’ll go home with a list of regular maintenance schedules and the knowledge & confidence to do what needs to be done to keep your bike in top shape all season.  Please bring your own bike!

Skills covered:

• Perform common safety checks on all systems

• Perform common wear and service interval checks on all systems

• Clean your drivetrain

• Properly apply lubrication 

• Clean stanchions 

Details:

• Prerequisites for this class: none

• Duration: 2 hrs

• Cost: $40 

• Location: Colorado Boy Depot, 687 N Cora, Ridgway

• Class size:  2-18 students

Scared of getting a flat out there in the middle of nowhere? In this workshop, we’ll show you how to perform regular maintenance & checks on your tubeless setup to help guard against flats.  

Skills covered:

• Remove tires from the rim

• Apply rim tape

• Add sealant - with tires off the rim, and by just removing the valve stem

• Reinstall tires and inspect bead to ensure it is fully seated

• Plug a hole

• Patch a blown sidewall

• Determine ideal air pressure for different terrain

Details:

• Prerequisites for this class: none

• Duration: 3 hrs

• Cost: $110 + materials fee

• Location: Colorado Boy Depot, 687 N Cora, Ridgway

• Class size:  2-6 students

Note:  If you are not already running a tubeless setup on your bike, but want to go tubeless, contact us to determine whether your wheelset is tubeless ready and get an estimate of an additional materials fee for tubeless tires.

In this class, you’ll learn all about how the magical suspension actually works.  We’ll take a look inside a fork, learn the anatomy of all the parts, and explain how each of the moving pieces work together.  Our mechanics will help you set up your own suspension, both to your weight and riding style, and teach you how and when to make adjustments to all those dials. We’ll ride a few obstacles to test out different settings and explain the practice of “bracketing”, which will enable you to make micro-adjustments to your own bike on the trail.  Bring your bike and your fully-loaded pack that you usually ride with.  

Skills covered:

• Understand the anatomy of a fork & rear shock

• Identify the difference between high-speed and low-speed compression & rebound

• Understand dampening

• Set sag in rear suspension

• Add proper amount of air to front fork

• Understand how and when to adjust compression and rebound settings

• Learn how to bracket

Details:

• Prerequisites for this class: you must have a bike with at least front suspension

• Duration: 3 hrs

• Cost: $110

• Location: Colorado Boy Depot, 687 N Cora, Ridgway

• Class size:  2-6 students

Brakes are arguably the most important system on your bike, and when they’re not functioning properly, it’s downright dangerous.  In this clinic, our mechanics will teach you how your hub-style disc brakes work as a system, and how to check for wear on all the components of the system.  You’ll learn the step-by-step process for bleeding your brakes and replacing brake pads - by doing it yourself on your own bike with our guidance.    

Skills covered:

• Identify the components to the disc-braking system

• Assess the wear-level of each component and when to replace

• Adjust brake levers

• Bleed brakes

• Replace brake pads

Details:

• Prerequisites for this class: you must have a bike with disc brakes 

• Duration: 3 hrs

• Cost: $110 + materials cost

• Location: Colorado Boy Depot, 687 N Cora, Ridgway

• Class size:  2-6 students

NOTE:  We’ll contact you before the class to make sure we order the right parts for your bike.  You’ll get all the parts you need to perform your own brake service during the class, and a bleed kit and mineral oil to take home.

There are few things more frustrating than when your gears won’t shift when you need them to on the trail.  In this course, you’ll learn about all the parts of the drivetrain, and how they all work together as a component.  Our mechanics will teach you how to inspect your drivetrain for wear, and you’ll replace your own cables and chain with our guidance.  We’ll then head outside where you’ll make several adjustments to your own drivetrain while riding, so you can feel what these adjustments actually do.  

Skills covered:

• Identify the parts of the drive train (cassette, cog, derailleur and chain)

• Assess the wear-level of the cassette, cog, cables and chain

• Replace cables

• Measure and install a new chain

• Set high and low limit screws on rear derailleur

• Index cables through the barrel adjuster

• Make micro-adjustments to the drivetrain while riding

Details:

• Prerequisites for this class: none 

• Duration: 3 hrs

• Cost: $110 + materials cost

• Location: Colorado Boy Depot, 687 N Cora, Ridgway

• Class size:  2-8 students

NOTE:  We’ll contact you before the class to make sure we order the right parts for your bike.  You’ll get all the parts you need to perform your own drivetrain service during the class.  If your bike doesn’t need one of the parts (a new chain, for example, because your old chain isn’t worn yet) you'll bring that part home so you can do your own service in the future. 

We’re not saying mountain biking is “dangerous”, but it’s not put-put golf, either.  You should be prepared to triage the most common injuries and medical conditions you may encounter out on the trail.  Through lecture and hands-on scenarios, you leave this class more confident of your ability to help yourself or someone else until professional rescue crews arrive. 

Skills covered:

• Identify the critical first-aid supplies to carry in your pack

• Practice triaging the most common injuries/conditions seen in mountain biking

• Learn how and when to contact professional rescue/medical assistance

• Learn what to do while waiting for professional rescue/medical

Details:

• Prerequisites for this class: none 

• Duration: 3 hrs

• Cost: $110

• Location: Colorado Boy Depot, 687 N Cora, Ridgway

• Class size:  2-12 students

NOTE:  Although all of our instructors hold current Wilderness First Responder certifications, this is not a NOLS-sponsored class, and will not result in a certification.  This class is intended to provide a baseline of knowledge every rider should possess to be prepared to render emergency aid until first responders arrive.