Bicycle Assembly and Repair Technician
Program Overview
Program Mission Statement:
The principle mission of the BIEA | Bicycle Assembly and Repair Technician Certificate is to prepare students for immediate employment in technical positions in the bicycle industry, to prepare students with the skills to meet challenges and position themselves for future success.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Student will demonstrate ability to assemble and repair all types of bicycles currently in use.
Applicable Courses: BIKE1000, BIKE1010, BIKE1020, BIKE1030, BIKE1040, BIKE2010, BIKE2020, BIKE2030, BIKE2040
Apply foundational skills and knowledge to continuing professional development in response to changes in bicycle technology.
Applicable Courses: BIKE1000, BIKE1010, BIKE1020, BIKE1030, BIKE1040, BIKE2010, BIKE2020, BIKE2030, BIKE2040
Apply knowledge of systems and measures to find solutions to novel repair situations.
Applicable Courses: BIKE1000, BIKE1010, BIKE1020, BIKE1030, BIKE1040, BIKE2010, BIKE2020, BIKE2030, BIKE2040
Student is able to provide solutions that balance business, customer, and professional goals.
Applicable Courses: BIKE1000
Demonstrate ethical conduct in all job and personal cycling activities that maintains an image appropriate for the profession.
Applicable Courses: BIKE1000
Semester One
Introduction to Bicycle Mechanics: BIKE 1000
Credits: 2 (lecture 1, lab 1)
This course provides and overview of the cycling world and lays the groundwork for bicycle workshop usage. This course examines the wide variety of cycling disciplines, their histories, and usage. You will also learn the fundamentals of tools and workshop usage for further practice of bicycle mechanics. You will participate in discussions and writing assignments exploring cycling.
Topical Outline:
Bicycle as an Object and Activity
Introduction to Professional Mechanics
Fundamentals of Tools
Materials and Standards
Bench and Workspace Setup
Workshop Safety
Learning Outcomes:
Describe from image or description different bicycles and what features and uses delineate them.
Assessment: 80% of students will correctly identify 75% or more of sample bicycles and uses on a written exam.
Demonstrate professional behavior and safety best practices at all times.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on a list of standards and practices common in the lab.
Describe general and specialty tools and their applications.
Assessment: 80% of students will correctly identify 75% or more of sample tools and uses on a written exam.
Demonstrate selecting, setting, and applying torque to fasteners using a torque wrench.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric in a physical demonstration of tool usage.
Able to describe materials and their properties, where, why and when they are used.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric assessing mastery of material properties in an essay.
Measure and describe parts in metric and SAE units.
Assessment: 80% of students will correctly identify 75% or more of sample parts on a written exam.
Prerequisites: Enrolled in all BIKE 1000 level courses.
Grading: A-F
Basic Bicycle Mechanics: BIKE 1010
Credits: 2 (lecture 1, lab 1)
This course covers basic, yet key aspects of bicycle repair. You will learn the important aspects of tire and tube repair, including modern tubeless systems. You will also learn the selection and installation of rider touch points and common accessories of a bicycle.
Topical Outline:
Pneumatics
Rider Interfaces: Handlebar/Stem/Post/Saddle
Rider Fit and Biomechanics
Add-on Accessories
Learning Outcomes:
Demonstrate safe, observant, and efficient tire/tube replacement.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of tire and tube replacement.
Predict and discover most common causes for flat tires, how they can be mitigated, and the most effective repair.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric evaluating an essay on tire/tube common causes of failure and best practices
Confidently set up successful tubeless tire installations.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of tubeless tire installation.
Assess bicycle sizing and perform basic fit of bicycle to a rider.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of bicycle sizing best practices.
Adapt to challenges in installing common accessories and components.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of installation of selected accessories and aftermarket components.
Prerequisites: Enrolled in all BIKE 1000 level courses.
Grading: A-F
Bicycle Braking Systems: BIKE 1020
Credits: 4 (lecture 1, lab 3)
This course covers braking systems, the primary safety devices on bicycles. You will learn to work with all major brake types, including hydraulics. You will have the opportunity to work with these systems hands on and use knowledge gained in tool selection and proper usage.
Topical Outline:
Caliper Brakes
Cantilever Brakes
Disc Brakes
Diagnosis and Repair of Common Braking System Problems
Ancillary Components
Learning Outcomes:
Identify and describe different brake types.
-Assessment: 80% of students will correctly identify 75% or more of relevant samples of braking systems.
Describe appropriate applications for brake types, and benefits/disadvantages of type.
-Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher when describing brake dynamics in an essay.
Able to select, size, cut, route, and install cable and housing, pads, rotors, calipers and levers.
-Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of brake installations.
Use hydraulic principles to diagnose, repair, and bleed fluid type brake systems.
-Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of hydraulic brake inspection and repair.
Recognize, diagnose, and solve common brake system problems.
-Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric evaluating problem solving in brake repair.
Prerequisites: Enrolled in all BIKE 1000 level courses.
Grading: A-F
Bicycle Drivetrain Systems: BIKE 1030
Credits: 4 (lecture 1, lab 3)
This course covers, in-depth, bicycle drivetrains. You will learn the theory and practice of bicycle drivetrains. You will use knowledge of various cycling disciplines and apply them to drivetrain design, selection and repair. You will work hands on to diagnose and repair drivetrain components.
Topical Outline:
Drivetrain History and Development.
Drivetrain Component Selection and Compatibility
Drivetrain Component Installation
Diagnosis and Repair of Common Drivetrain Problems
Special Considerations for Electronic Drivetrains
Learning Outcomes:
Choose appropriate drivetrain combinations for major cycling activity types.
-Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on a rubric scoring essays on selecting drivetrain properties.
Determine appropriate replacement parts for repair of all components of drivetrain.
-Assessment: 80% of students will correctly identify 75% or more of the correct replacement parts on a multiple choice exam.
Be able to select, install, and adjust the following parts: Chainring, cassette, freewheel, front and rear derailleur, shifters, cables and housing.
-Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of drivetrain component installation.
Recognize, diagnose, and solve common drivetrain problems.
-Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric evaluating problem solving in drivetrain repair.
Update firmware and components of an electronic drivetrain
-Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of computer-drivetrain interfaces.
Prerequisites: Enrolled in all BIKE 1000 level courses.
Grading: A-F
Ball Bearing Systems: BIKE 1040
Credits: 3 (lecture 1, lab 2)
This course covers assemblies that use bearings as a means of rotation. You will learn to diagnose, adjust, and repair all major bearing systems on a bicycle.
Topical Outline:
Headsets and Cartridge Bearings
Wheel Hubs and Loose Ball/Caged Bearings
Bottom Brackets and Industry Standards
Pedals
Bearing Presses and Pullers
Learning Outcomes:
Apply skills and outside resources to indentify, select, and install headset cups and bearings.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of headset installations.
Choose correct bottom bracket types based on measurements and database of standards.
Assessment: 80% of students will correctly identify 75% or more of example bottom brackets and standards on an exam.
Rebuild hub bearing systems applying critical observations on conditions and functions of components.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of wheel hub overhauls.
Press and remove bearings and bearing carriers in various configurations.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of press fitting bearing systems.
Able to mount and dismount common pedal systems.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of pedal and cleat installation.
Prerequisites: Enrolled in all BIKE 1000 level courses.
Grading: A-F
Semester Two
Bicycle Wheel Repair and Assembly: BIKE 2010
Credits: 4 (lecture 1, lab 3)
This course covers the critical bicycle wheel system. You will learn the theory and implementation of the wire spoke wheel. Evaluation, repair, and new wheel construction will be covered. You will discuss the component selection process and demonstrate the assembly of wheels from scratch.
Topical Outline:
Spoked Wheel Theory
Wheel Truing and Repair
Wheel Building
Learning Outcomes:
Describe static and dynamic forces in a wire spoked wheel.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on a rubric scoring essays describing wheel theory.
Demonstrate how to adjust spoke tension to repair wheels.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of wheel repair and straightening.
Select and install a new spokes into a complete, damaged wheel.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning calculation and replacement of spokes.
Able to lace and tension a new wheel from parts.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of assembly and tensioning of a wheel.
Prerequisites: Successfully completed all BIKE 1000 level courses. Enrolled in all BIKE 2000 level courses.
Grading: A-F
Suspension Systems: BIKE 2020
Credits: 3 (lecture 1, lab 2)
This course covers the most common suspension systems, their use and repair. You will assemble and repair both front and rear suspension components. You will learn the theory of common suspension geometries.
Topical Outline:
Suspension Forks
Rear Suspension Systems
Dropper Seat Posts
Learning Outcomes:
Disassemble and reassemble commonly specified suspension forks
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of suspension fork rebuilding.
Disassemble and reassemble commonly specified rear shocks
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of rear shock rebuilding.
Able to replace rear suspension pivot components.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of suspension pivot rebuilding.
Determine and set front and rear suspension sag for users.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of suspension sag setting.
Disassemble and reassemble 2 commonly specified dropper seat posts.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of dropper seat post rebuilding.
Select, install, and adjust a dropper seat post on a bicycle.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of dropper post installation.
Prerequisites: Successfully completed all BIKE 1000 level courses. Enrolled in all BIKE 2000 level courses.
Grading: A-F
Electric Bicycles: BIKE 2030
Credits: 2 (lecture 1, lab 1)
This course covers electrically assisted bicycles and their additional specific components. You will become familiar with electric bicycle technologies including the current designs. You will have hands on experiences in riding and repairing specific components, while drawing on already gained knowledge in all aspects of bicycle repair.
Topical Outline:
History and usage of electric bicycles.
Electric bicycle defined classes.
Motor and Battery types and configurations.
Basic electrical circuit knowledge
Special safety concerns when working with electric bicycles
Troubleshooting special electric bicycle issues.
Learning Outcomes:
Describe federally defined e-bike classes.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on a rubric scoring essays describing electric bike classes.
Describe different e-bike motor and battery configurations and their differentiation.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on a rubric scoring essays on motor/battery configurations.
Use factory diagnostic tools to update, configure, and diagnose e-bike issues.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of computer/bike interfaces.
Assemble, configure and deliver a ready-to-ride Electric Bicycle.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of electric bike processes.
Prerequisites: Successfully completed all BIKE 1000 level courses. Enrolled in all BIKE 2000 level courses.
Grading: A-F
Service Department Operation: BIKE 2040
Credits: 2 (lecture 1)
This course covers the daily and seasonal operation of service departments. You will understand, implement, and manage a repair queue. You will be able to anticipate material and labor needs in a working shop.
Topical Outline:
Service Writing
Service Department Operation
Business Principles in Bicycle Retail
Learning Outcomes:
Role play repair check-in, customer feedback, repair estimation, repair delivery.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on rubric concerning physical demonstration of customer/mechanic interactions.
Describe theory of the two track repair queue system.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on a rubric scoring essays describing repair workflow.
Schedule staff and repairs to meet business demands.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on a rubric scoring essays describing labor resources and scheduling.
Evaluate inventory and calculate reorder of shop parts and accessories.
Assessment: 80% of students will score ‘Satisfactory’ or higher on a rubric scoring essays describing shop resources and stocking of inventory.
Prerequisites: Successfully completed all BIKE 1000 level courses. Enrolled in all BIKE 2000 level courses.
Grading: A-F