I'll soon know more than nicklouse....

BlackSpur

Perhaps that's an exaggeration!? I've been told if all goes well with me as a Saturday lad in my LBS (2 months so far, nothing broken yet!) there's a possibility of me being put through Cytech!
This is something I would love to do and it would be so useful! Has anyone out there done the Cytech course (I presume it is the basic one)? What exactly does it involve?

Anonymous

i would say it is deffo an exageration , from what i can gather you wont learn anything a couple of bike builds wont have taught you, but there is alot to be said for a qualification which proves you know what you already know.

BlackSpur

The guy I was talking to about it is now a fully fledged mechanic (having done the course on Saturdays) and has got 9 qualifications out of it, including wheelbuilding. I'm not sure exactly what it would involve so I'll give hima good grilling on Saturday!

Anonymous

wheel building looks like a difficult skill to learn, i often wish i could give it a go but im not sure if i have the patience.

rob cole

Cytech is a great idea if you are new to bike wrenching as it will give you a solid base to work from, and its always really good to get a professional qualification

the problem with working for a small LBS, is that they often can't afford it (for older staff as under 25s get it paid for by the government) and they can't have their staff taking time off as it leaves the workshop unattended

I have no formal training, but can do everything apart from servicing rear shocks....learnt everything "on the job" over the years including wheel building, fork servicing, hydraulic brake servicing and working on a wide range of bikes - from bmx and road to cyclocross and mtb

alot of working professionally as a mechanic is being quick, efficient and thorough, which comes from experience, and also being innovative to solve problems, and having the knowledge to tackle anything that comes through your doors....

I would love to do the Cytech qualificiation but its too expensive and i don't have enough time off work....

Jimbob_no5

how much is cytech course to do? was suposed to be sent on one with a mate from work but the boss says we cant do it now only one full time qualified mechanic and us that know as much but not qualified

nicklouse

kona_cowan_rider
have a look in the tech links sticky there is info there and contact numbers etc....

Jimbob_no5

cheers nick

MontanaGMT

There was talk of this course where I used to work a while back. The advantages of having this on your CV wasnt great coz I worked on low-medium end casual bikes.

supersonic

It is only the higher cytechs that are any good really - some good courses. The basic one is very simple, and I think most of us would breeze that. A level one cytech unfortunately isnt a mark of a good mechanic, though it is a start and it is good these are now being recognised. However I'd still go on experience if booking a bike in. Some of the very best mechanics don't have any Qs at all!