Professional Repair and
Shop Operation Class
Thursday, December 8, 2005
Bike Fit and New Bike Assembly
Previous | NextToday was to be the last real day of class with lecture and hand-on exercises. On Friday, the official final day, an overview of shop operations is presented in the morning, an important aspect of the class, but it didn't involve much in the way of hands-on activity. The test would be administered in the afternoon.
Evans was the instructor again for a discussion of bike fit. Over the course of the two weeks I had grown to enjoy Evans' sense of humor and appreciate his extensive knowledge of bicycle technology. He went through a systematic method for determining proper bicycle fit without the use of expensive bike fit equipment. He did show us the Serotta Size Cycle. Used by Serotta dealers, the contraption is an almost infinitely adjustable frame, allowing adjustment of most of the tubes, seat, and handlebars to provide a very accurate fit.
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| Evans explains the Serotta Size Cycle | Mark | Evans checks out work |
The written exam is required for certification, but the daily hands-on exercises that the instructor checks are also part of the certification process. The final exercise, the new bike assembly, is basically the hands-on final exam. Two local shops had provided us with boxed bikes that teams of two would assemble during the course of the afternoon. Mark from Chicago was my partner, and we took turns assembling the various components, usually splitting up the work by front and rear components. Without too many problems, we got the bike assembled. It was my job to adjust the front derailleur. I chose to do it since it's not one of my strong points, and it took a long time to finally adjust it so that there was no rubbing and it shifted smoothly onto all chainrings.
The test ride was fun. Being a recumbent rider, it was appropriate that our bike was one of the new crank-forward bikes with a very laid back riding position. Due to the unusual frame geometry, it attracted several other test riders, including John of UBI. We weren't the last to finish, but it was close. That will teach us to follow all of the directions, which included removing almost all threaded parts in order to apply lubrication.
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| View from the hostel | John's test ride |
Most of the hostel-mates decided to get together at a local watering hole to celebrate the end of classes. Most people would be leaving the next day, so this was the last chance for many to get together. I stayed behind as it allowed me some time at the hostel to myself to do some more cheating, or rather studying. Just as I was getting into bed, the others returned, obviously having had a good time. I was thankful for the earplugs that I packed.
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