Down amongst the dry and often charred hills of Ashland, Oregon is the United Bike Institute (UBI), a school offering two courses in bicycle mechanics as well as several frame building classes. The course descriptions were enticing and having learned all I could about repair from books, I decided it was time to take the plunge and REALLY learn bike mechanics. I noticed that during July, UBI would be offering basic and advanced mechanics courses back-to-back, so I called up and reserved a spot with a downpayment. The total cost of the basic course was approximately $800 and the advanced was around $500. I was happy to find out that because I was registering for both at the same time, I'd receive a $100 discount.
As July approached, I received written confirmation of my reservations, as well as a guide to Ashland, which included a map, a list of restaurants, entertainment and lodging (hotels/bed & breakfasts/campgrounds). Being a graduate student on a tight budget (and having already spent a lot of money on the courses), I stayed at the youth hostel in town, which is barely a mile from the school. A stay at the hostel costs $13 per night for non-American Youth Hostel (AYH) members, and $11 per night for members, with membership costing $25. Upon informing the hostel staff that I was coming to town to attend the UBI, I was told that I'd receive an additional $1 discount per night. The total cost for my 18 day stay, including membership, was $205 dollars. Other accommodations were too expensive for me to consider, although several students stayed at the Minerva Guest House, a dormitory suite, costing around $18.50 per night, which is in the same building as the school. Due to the Minerva House's close proximity, some students almost literally rolled out of bed and into the classroom each morning (sporting some very interesting "bed-head" hair styles). I enjoyed having accommodations away from the school, and the short and leisurely morning ride was nice. OK, so it was a sprint 90% of the time - I need my beauty sleep! The hostel was nice, all guests do a chore in the morning to help keep the place clean, and it offers a little more privacy than the guest house. Although the hostel is closed daily (i.e. everyone must leave), from 10 AM to 5 PM, and hostel doors are locked at midnight, we were in class weekdays from 8AM to 5PM (one hour for lunch and a ten minute break every hour), and were too tired to stay out late anyway.
The school is a little difficult to spot since it occupies a nondescript spot in a small commercial/industrial development. Additionally, it is located on the second story of the structure, which was a little inconvenient for those who wanted to use the facilities to repair their bikes. The classroom is basically a large room with seven or eight fully stocked workbench areas, an instructor's bench, and seating for the students.
Although many students had previous bike repair experience, the instructors required no prior knowledge of bike repair. The first topics covered in the basic class were how to use a vernier caliper and a thread gauge, two very important tools for the bike mechanic. After that, the different areas of a bicycle were systematically covered, including a wheel build and a "final" exam consisting of a bike assembly. The advanced class started with a wheel build using much finer components than in the basic class (students also had the option of using their own components as well as using lacing patterns other than "3-cross"). Frame geometry, materials, joining processes, alignment and preparation were also part of the advanced class (students can learn several of the joining techniques in other UBI classes). The instructors did an excellent job of covering the many design variations of bike components, such as: friction and index shifting, downtube, thumb, bar-end, and under-the-bar shifters, centerpull, sidepull, cantilever and U-brakes, loose-ball-cup-and-cone bearing systems, needle bearing and sealed bearing systems. The list goes on and on. I also appreciated that, for a given repair task, the instructors would show several different manufacturers' tools and explain why they had a preference for a certain tool. This is especially important considering that the students will either purchase tools for themselves, or have some input in purchasing for a shop they work at.
There were a few significant perks of being a UBI student.
- Students received notebooks with the class syllabus and step-by-step instructions on repair techniques. There was adequate room in the notebooks to add my own comments and reminders, and I expect that they will be handy for some time to come.
- Students had the option of buying their reference copy of Sutherland's Handbook for Bicycle Mechanics, which I consider indispensable.
- All students had access to the classroom after hours in order to work on their technique, catch up on an assignment, or just tune up their own bike. Considering the value of the tools in the school, I found this trusting atmosphere of very refreshing, and it fostered a respect for the owner and instructors among the students.
- The school posts job openings at bike shops around the country that inform them of vacancies.
- Bike shops in Ashland gave students a 10% discount on purchases (which came in handy when I decided to buy a set of rims for the advanced wheel build).
- During each course, students had the opportunity to order items through United Bicycle Parts, which normally only sells to registered bike shops, at a mere 10% markup.
- As if that were not enough, once students had completed each repair course, they received a coupon, good for one year from the date of issue, to order from United Bicycle Tool Supply at a 10% discount.
What did I learn? Too much to explain here. Was it worth it? Although expensive, I feel that I have gained a skill that will be with me forever, and on that will more than pay for itself in saved repair costs or employment. What would I have done different? Although I liked taking both classes back-to-back, I would rather have done it at a time in the year when it was not so hot - during my stay it was 100-110°every day, and the school's underpowered air conditioner simply gave up after lunch. Also, I would have visited the Rogue brewpub, located in town, and the swimming hole in Lithia Park more often!
It seems that UBI's biggest competitor is Barnnet's Bicycle Institute, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I've never gone there, so I can't comment on their operation (if anyone wants to send me, I'd be happy to do a "taste test") but they appear to command a lot of respect among mechanics I talk to. For more information on UBI call 541-488-1121. You can find the number for Barnnet's Bicycle Institute in the back of Bicycling Magazine.
ADDENDUM
Since I attended UBI, the school has moved down the street to a 4000 square foot building, divided roughly in half between the mechanics classroom and the frame building classroom. The entire facility is now on the ground floor, so you don't have to lug bikes and tools upstairs, and it is now air conditioned! In addition, UBI's roof is home to an 8.5 kw photovoltaic system, the largest private solar electric system in Ashland. It provides about 60 per cent of the school's annual electricity needs. You can visit UBI at: www.bikeschool.com.