Training made simple

Training by Cytech Master Technicians

See our sessions

Recently completed the evening beginner maintenance course with James. The course was taught incredibly well, I learned everything I had hoped and more. James does a great job of making the session interesting and interactive. Really pleased!

Spent two days last week completing Velotech Bronze training with James at recyke y bike. Great course and a great teacher, Really exceeded my expectations. Already looking forward to Silver!

Recently completed the Velotech Bronze, Silver and Gold bike maintenance qualifications with James. I couldn’t recommend Recyke Y’ Bike enough. Very knowledgeable, very professional, very well delivered. Thank you!

Why train with us?

We believe everyone should have the chance to learn hands-on bike maintenance, whether you're fixing your own ride or building skills for the future. Our training is friendly, practical, and delivered by experienced mechanics who’ll meet you at your level. When you train with us, you’re not just gaining knowledge, you’re supporting a social enterprise that puts people and community first.

Man training a women

Learn practical, hands-on skills

Build confidence by getting stuck in with real tools and real bikes, no experience needed.

Support your local community

Every course helps fund our charitable work and gives back to people who need it most.

Train with experienced mechanics

Our friendly team will guide you every step of the way, whatever your skill level.

Get the most from your own bike

Learn how to keep your bike safe, smooth and road-ready with simple, useful knowledge.

Our training sessions

We run a range of courses for all levels, from basic bike care to more advanced maintenance and repair. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, we’ve got something for you. Our sessions are open to individuals, groups, and organisations, and all profits go straight back into supporting our charitable work.

£55 2.5 hours

Basic Bike Maintenance

On this course you will learn the basics of looking after your bike and how to fix it when things go wrong!
On this course we will cover:

  • The M-Check – The pre ride safety check of your bike
  • Removal, refitting & securing of wheels
  • Tyre and inner tube replacement
  • Puncture repair kits and how to use them
  • Checking for signs of wear
  • How to lubricate and clean your bike.
  • Basic tools and how to use them

Available at Byker only

Find out more

£65 3 hours

Intermediate Bike Maintenance

On this course we will cover:

  • Gear set up, including limit screws, cable tension and indexing
  • Brake setup & adjustment on common systems
  • Brake pad replacement on common systems
  • Chain removal, cleaning and refitting
  • Cassette/Freewheel removal and refitting
  • Headset adjustment
  • Intermediate tools and how to use them

Available at Byker Only

Find out more

£325 2 days (12 Hours)

Velotech Bronze

Accredited Course that is pass or fail and includes certification in the fee. This is the first step to becoming a qualified bike mechanic.

The course will include:

  • Workshop practices, Health and Safety, British Standards and Pre-Delivery
  • Inspection documents.
  • Assessing and adjusting a bicycle with PDI sheets
  • Assessing wheel trueness.
  • Adjustment of hubs
  • Rim Brake adjustment and basic explanation of hydraulic and disc brakes
  • Bearing adjustment
  • Basic gear systems
  • Headset bearing assessments
  • There is a multiple-choice quiz and practical assessment at the end of the course as part of the accreditation process.

Available at Byker only

Find out more

£325 2 Days (12 Hours)

Velotech Silver

Accredited Course that is pass or fail and includes certification in the fee. This is the second step to becoming a qualified bike mechanic and requires Velotech Bronze, Cytech Level 1 or equivalent to be completed prior to starting the course.

  • Replace a brake cable (inner and outer) and correctly set the brake
  • Replace a set of brake pads and correctly set the brake
  • Assess the alignment of a gear hanger and correct it where required
  • Replace an index gear system cable and correctly set the indexing
  • Replace a cassette and chain and correctly set the indexing
  • Demonstrate the ability to service hubs
  • Demonstrate the ability to service two types of headset
  • Demonstrate the ability to remove cranks and to service different types of bottom bracket assembly
  • At the end of the course, there is a multiple-choice question paper and practical assessment as part of the accreditation process.

Available at Byker Only

Find out more

£325 2 Days (12 Hours)

Velotech Gold

Accredited Course that is pass or fail and includes certification in the fee. This is the final step to becoming a qualified bike mechanic and requires Velotech Silver or equivalent to be completed prior to starting the course.

The course will include:

  • Strip and reassemble a bicycle, replacing or modifying parts in the process showing an understanding of the technical considerations around those operations
  • Strip and service / maintain hubs, bottom brackets and headsets to industry standards
  • Fit a replacement spoke into and true a conventional wheel
  • Bleeding a Shimano hydraulic brake
  • At the end of the course, there is a multiple-choice question paper and practical assessment as part of the accreditation process.

Available at Byker Only

Find out more

£60 Per hour

1-1 Training Courses

(Additional person for 1-2 session £30 per hour)

This is 1-1 training and can cover anything. Whether you are a seasoned home mechanic looking to upskill electronic gears and suspension skills or a beginner looking to repair punctures and safety check your bike this is an opportunity to have the undivided attention of a Cytech Master Mechanic. We have years of experience in mechanics and training the next generation of cycle technicians. On this course we can work on your own bike (providing this is serviceable at the discretion of the mechanic running the course) or you can work on one of our training bikes available on site. These sessions are available both at Byker and Chester le Street.

Find out more

FREE 1.5 Hours

Women's Only Sessions

Byker: Last Tuesday of every month
Chester le Street: First Wednesday of every month

On the last Tuesday of each month we hold a free drop in session for women. Each month has a themed lecture demo and there’s an opportunity to carry out your own maintenance and repairs supported by friendly female mechanics. You only pay for any parts you use.

Find out more

Support us

Help us keep up the good work

Partner with us
Donate

FAQ

We may already have an answer to your question.

  • Do you offer accredited courses?
    Yes. Our Velotech courses are industry recognised, accredited courses that have certification included in the course fee.
  • Can I bring my own bike to work on?
    Yes. With most of our courses you can bring your own bike to work on. This is at the discretion of the mechanics running the course and we reserve the right to not allow your own bike to be worked on depending on condition, bike type, safety and skill level.
  • What can I cover in a 1-1 session?
    Anything! We can cover anything bike related in a 1-1 session from puncture repairs right through to wheel building. The more complex the subject the longer you may need to book. For example wheel building will need a few hours to complete, puncture repairs could be covered in great depth in a 1 hour session.
  • Do I need prior experience to be on the Velotech Course?
    No. We would suggest that a good level of cycling knowledge and understanding of a bike will be beneficial but our trainer will teach all the practical skills required to pass the course.
  • Do I automatically get a certificate for completing the Velotech?
    No. Each Velotech module finishes with a short practical assessment and multiple choice question paper to make sure the knowledge and skills have been achieved. If these are failed you will not pass but they can be re-attempted once the skills and knowledge have been practiced.
  • Can I do all the Velotech courses back to back?
    No. As of October 2023 Velotech requires that there must be a minimum of 4 weeks of consolidation of knowledge in between each course. This is an opportunity for you to practice the skills you have learnt in each module. Our courses are spaced 4 weeks apart to allow you to achieve this in the least amount of time but you can book longer gaps apart if you wish.
  • My employer will pay for the course. How do I arrange this?
    We have supported many employers to upskill staff to become mechanics with Velotech Qualification. This can be done by emailing jack@recyke.bike who can arrange the bookings and invoice for payments.