Jessica Strange: My Cytech journey
Posted on in Cycles News
Total Women's Cycling staff writer Jessica Strange is one of Cytech's most recent candidates having completed her Cytech technical one course with ATG Training last month. In her latest article for the online magazine she reveals what it's really like to go through the Cytech journey...
Being a staff writer for the world's bestest most awesome cool women's cycling website means that I occasionally get sent bikes for testing out and reviewing. While I've learnt to build them up from the box, I've always had someone to check out and make sure the bike it fit for testing purposes. If there is an issue with the bike, I freeze up: "what is that noise?" - "Is that supposed to be like that?" - "It's fine, if I don't touch that bit"...
That wouldn't do, so I enrolled myself onto a Cytech mechanics course.
Being the most basic of newbies to bike mechanics, I thought it best to start off at the bottom...
Cytech: Theory one and Technical one
Having enrolled online for Cytech theory one, I was granted access to the computer based learning hub on their website. From there, it was simply a case of studying the course material online, watching their videos and completing a multiple choice test at the end of each chapter.
This theory course gave me the basic understanding for Technical one, and I'm so glad I did it. Even just from the online course, I quickly learnt how little I really knew about my bike, and I began to worry. Greases, oils, lubes, hazardous chemicals, and even correctly changing an inner tube and checking tyres, it was all new to me. With my notebook and pen, I jotted down everything I didn't know... which was about 90% of the material.
Having successfully passed each chapter of the theory course, I felt excited and apprehensive in equal measures about the Technical one class. There are a number of schools that teach Cytech courses. The closest one to me being in Stafford at the ATG Training centre.
I fully anticipated being the only girl in the class, but it still didn't prepare me. I'm like an easily startled deer in new group dynamics. Thankfully our trainer, Jim Burley, settled my anxiety with his welcoming nature... that, and there was free tea on offer!
Jim told me that not many females come through the training centre doors, which is a shame. Although the few women to have attended courses have done just as well, if not better than the boys, he thinks it would be great to see more women in the bike mechanics industry, and I couldn't agree more.
The workshop was an OCD's dream. All the tools had a home, everything was clean and open and that alone got me excited for learning. We began with the theory basics, mostly what had been covered in the Theory one course. Jim then led us into bike safety checks - The M Check.
After the demonstration, each of us were given a bike to assess. We pointed out problems, potential hazards and anything else we weren't sure on. With a list as long as my arm - because I'm a picky kinda girl - Jim came over to inspect. His assessment was on how vigilant I was to noticing problems, and whether I knew what I would do to fix them.
And then... our bikes were sabotaged.
Chains and rear mechs were removed, and we had to fix them.
Jim demonstrated the correct way of attaching a chain to the bike, along with the rear mech. Once fitted to the bike, we had to fix the sabotaged derailleur so that gears would shift smoothly. As much as I had paid attention to the demonstration, it was so easy to forget the small things, drop the quick links and mix up the lock screws. After much fiddling around and checking my notes, I got my rear gears to shift correctly, and even fitted a new gear cable from the lever to the mech.
In a similar fashion of demonstration and practical assessment, the group and myself made our way through the front mech, to the V-brake system and finally onto the wheels themselves.
It felt like there was so much to squeeze into the two days, and for that reason alone, I realised just how little I really knew about bikes. Once Jim had signed off each stage of the course, we all passed our Technical one course with flying colours. I can't tell you how amazing that felt.
The Outcome
After successfully complete Theory one and Technical one of the Cytech bike mechanics course, I feel so much more confident when working on my bike. Just piecing together what parts are called, what they do and how they should work feels so rewarding.
- Key Skills Covered:
- How to carry out an M check
- How to change an inner tube
- How to fit a chain
- How to fit and adjust front/back derailleurs
- How to fit and adjust cable operated brakes
It's surprising to me that there aren't more women getting their hands dirty with bike mechanics. It's hugely addictive to tinker away on the old steed, and it's really rewarding to know that you "did that", or you "fixed that" with confidence and conviction.
Before my Cytech training, I felt unsure about a lot of things when it came with bike mechanics. I was heavily dependent on other people to help me out, and I realise in many ways that can be a burden.
Although I was nervous, the only female in class and I took a lot longer to complete my tasks than the boys, everyone was super lovely in the group, encouraging and helpful and I've come away loving the world of cycling even more - I didn't even think it possible!
You can read Jessica's full review of her Cytech journey so far here.
For more information about the Cytech qualification, you can head over to the website.
Useful links
If you have any other queries please contact us.
The Cycling Experts is brought to you by the Association of Cycle Traders.