If you need more information about any of the courses listed below please just get in touch and we will be happy to explain each in more detail
Please note that a 20% deposit will be taken at time of an online course booking.
Find out how The Bike Inn offers support and unique opportunities to Bike Inn Graduates:
Bike Inn courses IMI Accredited and OFQUAL Approved
Level 2 Bicycle Mechanic. Online Foundation Phase
Four-week, tutor supported, virtual phase which includes online tutorials, quizzes and practical tasks to complete at home or work. This allows you to study all the theory remotely at your own pace and carry out some practice of the physical skills needed in the on-site phase. This is a flexible and progressive way to study, supported by the course tutors. We’ll be there for you via online meetings, tutorials, email or phone calls to answer all your questions, and ensure you are not left feeling alone during your learning.
The online training starts with a mandatory welcome video meeting on the Saturday immediately prior to the first Monday of the phase. It is essential that you able to attend this video meeting. There are other video meetings/tutorials throughout the phase that you need to attend, as they form an integral part of your learning and assessment.
The virtual phase is a mandatory element to allow progression onto the intense, on-site practical phase, both of which are required to achieve the IMI Level 2 Qualification in Bicycle Mechanics. However, if you only wish to gain the knowledge, you can just do this phase, and achieve the Bike Inn certification.
We provide additional course content over and above what is required by the qualification, because we believe this to be essential if you are looking to work in the cycle industry.
Course Content:
- Health and safety
- Workshop practices
- Relevant legislations
- Tool selection
- Bottom brackets
- Headsets
- Brakes
- Manually operated gears
- Hubs
- Wheel building
- Basic hydraulics
- Tyres
- Trade suppliers
The phase culminates with a Bike Inn Foundation Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics.
The cost of this course is £630.00
IMI Level 2 Bicycle Mechanic. On-Site Practical Phase
The pre-requisite for this phase is the Level 2 Bicycle Mechanic–Online Foundation Phase.
This week is intense, we don't hide or apologise for that. The week is required to achieve IMI Level 2 Certification. Having learned the theory with our online virtual phase and practiced as much as possible on your own or your friends' bikes, the assessment week runs as follows:
Day 1: IMI Online multiple-choice question papers. These are closed book assessments that must be taken and passed at our premises.
Day 2: Routine cycle maintenance. Brake and hydraulic practical.
Day 3: Wheel building, plus time put aside for theory resits where necessary.
Day 4: Wheel Building part 2 - Change a cycle frame; a complete strip and rebuild. You will be assessed on each individual system.
Day 5: Continuation of Day 4, plus time put aside for theory resits where necessary.
This week is a fully immersive learning experience, conducted with individual progression as the priority. You will have the support and feedback of the tutors throughout this phase.
At the end of this week, you will possess more knowledge and technique than most cycle mechanics gain in their foundation training. This could springboard you into the cycle industry if this is your chosen path.
The course culminates with an assessment of competence, and if successful an IMI Level 2 Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics (600/5835/3).
Course cost: £1260.00
Our Professional Training (which will also enable you to attain your IMI Level 3 qualification) can be completed in one of two ways:
Those who have already passed the IMI Level 2 certificate here at the Bike Inn can study the theory modules online over a designated one month period, followed by a one week immersive practical course and assessment, delivered here in Cumbria.
£1980.00 per person
for the IMI Level 2 graduates 'top up' course
Alternatively, for those wanting to qualify from the beginning through to Level 3, we run the complete programme which comprises 4 separate training elements. We are also approved to provide this course through the ELCAS scheme, for those exiting from HM Forces. Please Book the Part 1 Bike Inn Virtual Theory and Foundation course to start your qualification.
£3150.00 per person
for the full 4 units
The IMI Level 3 course carries on from the course materials within the Level 2 qualification above, and goes on to cover the following...
Frame geometry and a detailed look at how this affects bikes
Advanced hydraulics, including rear suspension and dropper posts
Advanced wheel systems and complex wheels
Higher end group sets
In depth diagnostics of all electronic group sets
Electric Bikes - Legislation, the current technology, battery management, conversions, diagnosis and maintenance on all major manufactures
An introduction into performance bike fitting
An introduction into cycling coaching
After completing the course you are able to:
• Enter the bike industry at the highest level
•Set up your own Cycle repair mobile shop or shop to the highest standard
• Work in a professional bike shop
• Support Cycling teams
• Support Cycle events
Further Information:
The four separate training elements for those starting out and wanting to achieve this qualification from scratch are as follows (to be completed in the order presented, but over a time period and course dates to suit you):
4 Weeks Virtual Theory & Foundation Training (including IMI Level 3 modules 1-4)
2 Days Practical Wheel Building, at our premises in Cumbria
4 Weeks Virtual Professional Training (including IMI Level 3 modules 5-8)
1 Week Intensive Professional Practical Training & Assessment, at our premises in Cumbria
Assessment to gain the Professional qualification entails an element of short essay writing, in addition to the virtual multiple-choice questionnaires, which must be completed in your own time and submitted and assessed before you can receive your qualification.
20% deposit required to book either option
Bike Inn Accredited Courses
The four-week virtual allows you to study the theory remotely in your own time. This phase is supported by the course tutors and includes video theory presentations and online tutorials. Successful study of each virtual element is required to progress onto the next one. Successful completion of the virtual phase is required for you be able to attend the on-site phase. The onsite phase has a half day for revision, update and introduction to test equipment and tools. This is followed by one and a half day of practical assessment tasks. On completion of the course, you will have access to Bike Inn materials for 2 years. (This course does not include an IMI Qualification. If you wish to gain a unit certificate, it is possible but at an additional cost of £40.00)
Course Information:
- Four weeks of the virtual learning phase and two days onsite practical assessment
- An introduction to e-bikes
- Regulation applicable to the L1-L3 category of electric vehicles.
- Electrical theory
- Motor theory
- Battery theory
- Control system theory
- Tools required in addition to 'regular' bikes
- OEM and aftermarket bike systems
- Diagnostics, fault finding, and the limits of economic commercial repairs
- Use of OEM diagnostics systems
- Strip and rebuild hub motors
- Conversion Kits
The course culminates with a Bike Inn assessment, and if successful, a certificate of competence.
The course costs £ 850.00 per person
Two-week, tutor supported, virtual phase which includes online tutorials. This allows you to study all the theory remotely at your own pace. The virtual phase prepares you for the intense on-site practical phase. On completion of the course, you will have access to Bike Inn Materials for 2 years. (This course does not include an IMI Qualification. If you wish to gain a unit certificate, it is possible but at an additional cost of £40.00)
The course aim is to give people the confidence to offer a bike fit service to a consistent, high standard. It is a great starting point to get you established on the road to becoming a professional bike fitter. We will cover the skills needed to complete a full bike fit, including sessions on the bike fit process, anatomy and physiology, bike mechanics, static and dynamic assessment, bike measurements and an introduction to discipline specific fitting.
Course content:
- Bike fit process: pre-fit interview, assessment, baseline measurements, adjustments and follow-up.
- Anatomy and physiology: an overview of the body systems involved in cycling, focusing on the main muscle groups involved in creating the pedal stroke and some of the reasons behind common bike fit issues.
- Bike measurements: understanding stack & reach, bike geometry, methods of measuring and recording angles, lengths and positions.
- Static and dynamic assessment: cleat position, saddle position and handlebar adjustment to create a cycling position with stability, comfort, aerodynamics, or power transfer as the focus of the bike fit process.
- Bike mechanics: learning what can be adjusted or changed in a basic bike fit session; for example stem, saddle, cleats and headset.
- Tools required, safety checks and torque settings.
- Discipline specific fitting: introduction into the differences involved in road, off road, triathlon and E-bike specific fitting.
The course culminates with a Bike Inn assessment, and if successful, a certificate of competence.
The course costs £675.00 per person
One-week, tutor supported, virtual phase which includes online tutorials. This allows you to study all the theory remotely at your own pace. The virtual phase prepares you for the intense on-site practical phase. On completion of the course, you will have access to Bike Inn Materials for 2 years. (This course does not include an IMI Qualification. If you wish to gain a unit certificate, it is possible but at an additional cost of £40.00)
- Maintenance requirements
- Problem solving, diagnostics and fault finding
- Electronic gearsets from:
- Campagnolo
- Shimano
- Rotor and Rotor Hydraulic system
- SRAM
- Advanced mechanical groupsets from:
- Record
- Super record 12 speed
- Ekar 13 speed
- Rotor 12 speed
The Bike inn is a Campagnolo pro shop
The course culminates with a Bike Inn assessment, and if successful, a certificate of competence.
The course costs £600.00 per person
One-week, tutor supported, virtual phase which includes online tutorials. This allows you to study all the theory remotely at your own pace. The virtual phase prepares you for the intense on-site practical phase, where you will have the opportunity to become a 'master' wheel builder. On completion of the course, you will have access to Bike Inn materials for 2 years. (This course does not include an IMI Qualification. If you wish to gain a unit certificate, it is possible but at an additional cost of £40.00)
Course Content:
- Parts compatibility
- Tools required
- Hubs: Construction, features, spoke attachment and critical dimensions.
- Rims: Types, sizing, ERD, hole stagger, eyelets and joints.
- Spokes: Types, materials, butting, threads, nipples length calculation.
- Lacing using a variety of rim, hub types and lacing patterns
- Tightening and truing of wheels to industry tolerances
- Recognition of faults in wheel building
- Repairing and/or conversion of hubs to take more sprockets.
The course culminates with a Bike Inn assessment and if successful, a certificate of competence.
The course costs £450.00 per person
One-week, tutor supported, virtual phase which includes online tutorials. This allows you to study all the theory remotely at your own pace. The virtual phase prepares you for the intense on-site practical phase. On completion of the course, you will have access to Bike Inn Materials for 2 years. (This course does not include an IMI Qualification. If you wish to gain a unit certificate, it is possible but at an additional cost of £40.00)
Course Information:
- Suspension theory and application in cycles
- Fault/failure diagnosis and repair options
- Coil and air spring systems, both in theory and practical
- Damper design, features and applications
- Suspension set up procedures
- Servicing levels, requirements and methods, for forks, rear shocks and seat posts
The course culminates with a Bike Inn assessment, and if successful, a certificate of competence.
The course costs £600.00 per person
Our Cyclist's General Maintenance course is for those who want to know more about their own bikes but don't need the in-depth knowledge required to enter the industry. If you do require a deeper insight than this course offers, then please refer to our IMI Level 2 and 3 courses.
We invite you to bring up to two bikes of your own for the two intensive workshop days. The training is tailored towards your bike(s) and your own individual requirements.
Course Information:
- Tool Selection
- Bottom Brackets
- Headsets
- Brakes
- Gears
- Hubs
- Basic Wheel Truing
The course cost is £340.00 per solo booking, or £290.00 per person if booked as a pair. Club/group rates available; please contact us for details.
Though this course is currently in development, it will comprise both virtual and on-site phases as with our established courses. We anticipate a virtual phase of 3 weeks to allow flexible remote study and an on-site phase of 5 days in our well-equipped facility.
The course content is expected to be:
- Introduction to frame elements and their function
- Frame geometry and how it affects bicycle handling
- Basic bike fitting using a bike fit bicycle
- Material properties and selection
- Tools required
- Techniques in frame tube joining
- Welding and brazing techniques
- Creating a frame design using software
- Practical sessions that are structure to allow you to construct a frame for a cycle with no suspension, that you will be able to take away with you at the end of the course
Please contact us if this course is of interest to you.
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