Build Your Own Bike Course

Learn how to build your own bike (and take home the finished product) with our Home DIY courses in Sydney!

This course is designed to teach you the fundamentals of restoring a bicycle under the guidance of a skilled instructor. By delving into each individual part and its function, you will gain a deep understanding of a bicycle's inner workings. You will learn how to disassemble, correctly reassemble and make adjustments to ensure your bike is safe and performs well. Whether you want to build your dream bike or simply gain a deeper understanding of how bikes work, this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need.

Please note: You will be able to keep the bike that you built over the course. Please note almost all consumable parts (such as cables, chains, brake pads) are new parts; and other non-consumable parts are recovered or reconstructed from recycled parts and bikes.  There is no extra fee for parts or for the bike itself - these are covered in the course fee.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Understand how to identify parts and diagnose problems with your bicycle.
• Confidently install and adjust parts and components of a bicycle.
• Perform basic maintenance and servicing tasks.
• Deepen your understanding and appreciation of bicycle safety.
• Build a bike using recovered and reconstructed parts.
• Take your bike home with you!

Course content

What will be covered in this course?

Day 1

Morning session

• In this pre-session you will select a bike.
• We'll start triaging the bike and diagnosing the issues that need attention, then outline the best plan to restore the bike to full roadworthiness.

Afternoon session

• In this session we'll cover bearing systems.
• We'll learn to identify and adjust the bearing systems, and how to overhaul if necessary.
• We'll also cover installing stems and handlebars.

Day 2

Morning session

• This session will focus on the wheel.
• We'll inspect rims for wear, and cover basic truing.
• We'll cover rim tape, tyres and tubes, including a 'fix-a-flat' session.

Afternoon session

• In this session, we'll cover brakes.
• You'll learn about rim brakes, as well as an overview of other types of brakes such as mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes.
• We'll also cover cable, housing and pad replacement.

Day 3

Morning session

• In this session, you'll learn about gears.
• We'll cover front and rear derailleurs.
• We'll learn about drivetrain wear and how to clean and maintain it.
• We'll also cover cable, housing as well as chain and cassette replacement

Afternoon session

• The final session will cover fine-tuning and final adjustments.
• We will make final adjustments to the brakes, gears, and overall setup, as you test ride and finetune your newly restored ride
• We'll discuss and advise the ongoing servicing for your new bike, including tips and tricks to prolong the life of your components and some handy tools you can invest in for at home and on the road.

Intended audience

Who is this course for?

This course is ideal for anyone who wants to learn to build their own bike, whether you are a complete beginner or have some experience working with bikes. No prior knowledge or skills are required, although an interest in cycling and a willingness to learn are essential!

Please note: all attendees must be 18 years old or over.