SKILLS INFO
Mastering the fundamentals of bike riding and bike maintenance is like building a strong foundation for a house. Without a solid base, everything else feels shaky and prone to collapse. We believe that in building a strong foundation, you’ll benefit in the short term with more enjoyment and the long run for advanced skills. At cycleWiz, we teach in a way to make it easy for the rider to understand and practice. We provide clinics, private lessons, and private group sessions.
Our bike riding instruction service is your gateway to that dream! It’s never too late to learn to ride a bike. No matter your age or experience level, we’ll guide you from learning about your bike to riding in a safe and supportive environment.
• DROP BAR • CLIPLESS PEDALS • SKINNY TIRES • FRONT & REAR DERAILLEURS • MECHANICAL / ELECTRONIC DRIVETRAIN SYSTEMS
Drop bars, clipless pedals, and skinny tires can be intimidating. We are here to help you through the process of learning how to clip in and out of the pedals, adapt to drop bars, shift front and back gears, and navigate the road with skinny tires.
• OFF-ROAD RIDING • TIRE SETUP • TIRE PRESSURE • TERRAIN TRACTION • SUSPENSION
So you know how to ride a bike on pavement and extend your riding to off-road trails. We go through the nuances of dirt riding with tires, tire pressure setup, surface types and traction, managing gearing, and suspension (for MTBs).
MTB & GRAVEL INSTRUCTION
• BODY POSITIONING • BIKE & BODY SEPARATION • BRAKING • SHIFTING
In this two-part series, Dirt Fundamentals 1 starts with establishing the “where” for positioning the body, hands, and feet. With off-road riding, other essentials with braking and shifting are vastly different with limited traction surfaces such as loose dirt, sand, gravel. We establish the “when” and “how” guidelines for dirt riding.
• CORNERING • CLIMBING • DESCENDING
The second part of the Fundamentals series focuses on techniques for riding not in a straight line and flat path. Cornering techniques focus on turning and leaning the bike and body. With dirt riding, hills are part of the ride. Body positioning, being in the correct gear, timing of gear changes, and braking techniques are taught for ascending and descending changing terrain gradients.
• ROCK DODGE (OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE) • FRONT WHEEL LIFTS • REAR WHEEL LIFTS • COMBINED LIFTS
Unlike riding a road, trails often present features such as rocks, ruts, and occasional curb when moving between trails. Trail Skills covers techniques in getting over trail features. This session requires the rider to have mastered the fundamentals.
• WHEEL LIFTS • SWITCHBACKS • ROLL DOWNS / LEDGE DROPS • ROCK DODGES • ADVANCED DESCENDING
We offer topics beyond the basics so that you can tackle features found at popular San Diego County trail locations.
Bradley Bike Park: • BASIC JUMPING • PUMPING • BERMS
These are taught at Bradley Bike Park in San Marcos and require flat pedals.
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTION
• BEFORE A RIDE MAINTENANCE • ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Learn what you should be doing for your drivetrain and tires before a ride. Learn the routine maintenance that is needed to keep your bike running in top condition.
• TIRE REPLACEMENT • TUBE REPLACEMENT • TIRE PLUGS • WHEEL PSI • WHEAKE PAD/ROTOR REPLACEMENT • WHEEL TRUING & DISHING
Learn how to replace a tube or tire, add sealant to tubeless bikes, shim and plug a tire. Learn how to dish and true a wheel.
• CUTTING A CHAIN • INSTALLING A CHAIN • CHAIN MASTER LINKS
Learn to measure chain wear, remove a chain, install a chain, and properly care for your chain
• HEADSET & STEM ADJUSTMENTS • HOOD PLACEMENT • HOW TO WRAP YOUR BARS
Learn about the mechanical or electronic systems (SRAM AXS only) that power your drivetrain, how to fine tune shifter controls, and how to adjust derailleur screws
• BRAKE BLEED • ROTOR REPLACEMENT • BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT
Learn how align disc brakes, identify brake pad wear, how to replace your brake pad, and how to maintain your brakes
• HEADSET ADJUSTMENTS • STEM ADJUSTMENTS
Learn about your headset, basic maintenance, and make adjustments.
• PLUGGING TIRES • PATCHING TUBES • CHAIN REPAIR • FLAT KIT TOOLS
Learn how to use your multi-tool and do repairs on your bike in emergency situations.