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BikeBiz editor Daniel Blackham is sent to Spokes People in Milton Keynes to complete Cytech Technical One
This piece first appeared in the February edition of BikeBiz magazine – get your free subscription here
The idea of sending BikeBiz to study the Cytech Technical One course was conceptualised by former editor, Alex Ballinger.
Primarily, it was to help the team gain a better understanding of what you – the trusted reader – experiences on a daily basis.
To do this, there are few better places than Spokes People, based on the outskirts of Milton Keynes, and run by Darren Hyland and Lee Niven.
Hyland has been involved with bikes for as long as he can remember, across BMX, triathlon and MTB. With two decades in education, teaching engineering amongst other things, he left to pursue the dream of working in the bike industry.
Initially spending five years working as a bike mechanic, he set up his own mobile mechanics business. This led to him becoming a Cytech trainer and educator.
Niven has worked with bikes for more than 30 years, witnessing the changes in technology, the rise of e-bikes and is well-equipped to answer any question that may crop up throughout the training.
He is an MIAS and Cytech trained instructor and has even wrenched for Norco Factory Racing in the Downhill World Cup Championships.
It’s fair to say that anyone training at Spokes People is in safe hands.
DAY ONE
The course starts with dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s of workshop practices and safety.
Most importantly though, the introduction is used to gauge people’s current knowledge of bikes, tools and their general familiarity with a workshop environment.
This then informs the pace at which the two-day technical will be taught.
The ratio of the class is also kept sensible.
For this Cytech Technical One in early January, there are six ‘students’ under the tutelage of Hyland and it’s highly unlikely to ever exceed this on any other course.
For more involved courses such as Technical Two, Technical Three or the E-bike masterclass, the ratio is reduced further to ensure attention isn’t spread too thin.
Each pupil has a fully-equipped workstation, decked out with leading brands and there is a wealth of bikes of varying ages and conditions to keep it as realistic as possible.
Day one covers the bulk of the practical training to be expected from an introductory course.
There is a detailed tutorial on checking frame alignment, lubricants and greases, headset bearings and cockpit setup.
Woven into these teachings are nuggets of information that can only be delivered by someone who has worked on bikes for many years.
This is followed by a demonstration on cable operated disc and rim brake systems with students encouraged to make it wrong and then fix it on their own workstand.
Gear adjustment is next with cables and both front and rear derailleurs covered in depth with students tasked to achieve smooth shifting across the range.
Before you know it, day one is in the history books.
DAY TWO
Part two of the Technical kicks off with torque settings and the pitfalls of going too far either way.
Attention then turns to tyres and tubes with a brief demo on removing and fitting both before everyone has a go themselves.
Completing the teaching element is fitting pedals alongside the basics of wheels with a truing demonstration and the difference between cassettes and freewheels all explained in a clear and simple way.
To pass Cytech Technical One, all attendees have to pass an assessment.
In short, the task is to address all of the content that has been learned in the previous day-and-a-half.
In this case, all workstands have a bike in that has been tinkered with to simulate a bike fresh out of the crate.
Each student has to go through a traditional PDI checklist ensuring that all tasks have been completed and then the tutor will come round, check all work and offer feedback if required.
CONCLUSION
Did I pass the qualification? Yes.
Am I now qualified to walk into a bike shop and crack on? No, of course not.
But Cytech and its providers didn’t claim that I would be.
As with all practical learning, the Cytech Technical One provides the foundations on which to build on – ideally to Technical Two and so forth.
For some people in the industry, Cytech may not be the chosen path and that’s ok
But, just like any other recognised qualification, it should be encouraged and seen as a valuable asset.
As long as it’s being taught by experienced and trusted providers like Spokes People, then the future of bicycle mechanics is in good hands.
To learn more about Spokes People, visit: spokespeople.co.uk
