Education Feedback

A survey about bicycle mechanic education

Question Title

* 1. Please check all that apply:

I have attended a mechanic course at United Bicycle Institute

I have attended a mechanics course at Winterborne Bicycle Institute

I have attended a mechanics course at Appalachian Bicycle Institute

I have attended a mechanics course at VeloTech

I have attended a mechanics course offered by Cytech

I have attended a mechanics course offered by Specialized

I have attended a mechanics course offered by Trek

I have attended a mechanics course offered by Barnett Bicycle Institute

I have attended a mechanics course offered by The Bike Teacher

I have attended a mechanics course offered by The Bicycle School

I have attended a mechanics course offered by Cycle Systems Academy

I have attended a mechanics course offered by Susitna

Question Title

* 2. Please check all that apply:

I have completed training offered by SRAM

I have completed online training offered by Shimano

I have completed in-person training offered by Shimano

I have been to a Park Tool School (Tech Summit) event

I have completed training offered by Campagnolo

I have attended a wheel or frame building class at United Bicycle Institute

I have passed Barnett Bicycle Institutes BSE certification test

I have attended technical training sessions offered at Interbike in the past

Question Title

* 3. What qualities do you most value or look for when hiring a new mechanic? (choose all that apply)

Friendly

Works fast

Knows everything

Prior customer service experience

Owns their own tools

Prior shop experience

Has been to a bicycle school

Has had some manufacturer direct training

Has management experience

Has budget making / management experience

Has experience ordering stock for the store / service department

Has service writing experience

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* 4. Do you think an industry-standardized baseline (i.e. a specific set of skills) would be useful for the hiring of new mechanics?

Yes

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* 5. If you were sending someone to a school to learn to be a bicycle mechanic, which of the following qualities would you most value in that institution? (chose all that apply)

Cost

Quality of instructors

Duration of training

Completion outcome aka the person is certified at completion at acceptable levels

Class size

Location

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* 6. Is online training for bicycle mechanics acceptable to you?

Yes

Question Title

* 7. Assuming that online training is acceptable, looking forward (choose all that apply):

That would be enough for me / my staff.

I would still seek out hands-on training.

It needs to be a combination of video, print and tests.

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* 8. Manufacturer training should be (choose all that apply):

Presented in the shop by the sales rep.

Presented in a clinic environment.

Made available even if your location doesn't carry the brand.

Be free.

An endorsement upon successful completion of the training.

Question Title

* 9. Thinking of certification (check all that apply):

It is meaningless.

It could set me apart from my competitors.

It will help build my resume.

It will help my customers understand my knowledge.

It should consist of multiple levels.

It should be a requirement to receive manufacturer specific training.

Question Title

* 10. What speciality skills do you think require specific training (check all that apply)?

Wheel Building

Suspension Service

Suspension Tuning

Frame Repair

Bicycle Fit

Electronic Components

Torque (use of tools, proper torque)

Tire / Tube (tubular, tubeless, UST, pressures)

Race / Event Support

Service Writing