« The Best of the Best! Insane singletracks, 6400m of vertical drop, in a superb atmosphere among riders! Just like in Finale 🇮🇹, but in the Valais Region 🇨🇭 🇨🇭 ☀️Can't wait for the next outing with Chris and Exoride! »
Cours de mécanique · VTT & E-Bike · Switzerland
MTB and e-bike mechanics course for beginners in the Valais: fix it yourself and never get stranded again
A day in our Exo'base workshop, in Orsières, fifteen minutes from Martigny and easy to reach from anywhere in the Valais and the Chablais.
2 riders max.
- Group
- 2 max.
- Start
- Orsières 13h00
- Languages
- FR EN DE
In short
The highlights
A day in our Exo'base workshop, in Orsières, fifteen minutes from Martigny and easy to reach from anywhere in the Valais and the Chablais. A mechanic teaches you the moves that matter: punctures, broken chains, derailleur adjustment and basic maintenance. Enough to head home self-sufficient on the small repairs, avoid being stuck at the side of the trail and space out your visits to the bike shop. No prior knowledge required, bring your own bike.
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The repairs that save a ridePuncture, broken chain, derailleur out of tune: the most common failures, learned in the workshop and done with your own hands.
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Your tools, on the trail and at homeTogether we go through what belongs in your pack, and which tools are worth having at home.
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A full workshop at your disposalRepair stand, professional tools and a mechanic who answers all your questions.
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You learn on your own bikeYou leave with a bike checked from top to bottom and the moves already practised on your own kit.
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More self-sufficient, fewer trips to the shopThe small jobs you can do yourself no longer go through the bike shop till.
Day by day
The program
Introduction to bicycle maintenance and repair
This introduction to basic bike maintenance and repair makes you self-sufficient on your own bike, fast. The goal is simple: know how to sort out what is easy to sort out, spot what needs a professional, and never again end up pushing your bike home for want of one move or one tool.
On the programme
- Cleaning and checks to do before every ride, then at regular intervals
- Setting up your position on the bike
- Basic maintenance of the drivetrain, brakes and wheels
- Common repairs: punctures with inner tubes and tubeless, broken chain, derailleur adjustment, changing brake pads
- The tool inventory: what you carry in your pack on rides, and what is worth having at home
Everyone brings their own bike: you learn on your own kit, you use the course to give it a full check-up, and you leave with the moves already practised rather than with a page of notes.
Ready to become self-sufficient? Small group, limited places: book yours.
135 CHF per person
What is included
Included
- Professional mechanic (fr/en/de)
- Use of the workshop and its tools
- Parts and accessories for the repair exercises
- A workshop bike for demonstrations and exercises
- A guided inventory of the tools to carry with you and to keep at home
- A full check-up of your own bike during the course
- Course notes to take home
Not included
- Spare parts for your own bike, if the check-up shows the need (optional)
- Personal tools and wear parts, which we sell on site if you want to equip yourself (optional)
- Anything not listed under « Included »
Options at registration
Book them in the registration form. Give us your size, we handle the rest.
Ready to ride
Your equipment
Your bike
The course is best followed with your own bike: you learn on your own kit and leave with a machine checked from top to bottom.
- Your MTB or e-bike, in the state you usually ride it: no need to clean or prepare it, that's exactly what the course is about
- If you already have wear parts (brake pads, chain, tyres), bring them: we fit them together during the course
Can't bring your bike? No problem: the workshop provides a bike for demonstrations and exercises.
Your tools
Nothing is compulsory, the workshop is fully equipped. But if you already own tools, this is the right moment to go through them with the mechanic.
- Your current tools, if you want to check they're suitable and complete
- The contents of your riding pack: multitool, tyre levers, tubeless plugs, pump or cartridges
- Your spare parts, to check they really match your bike
During the course we go through what actually needs to go on the trail with you, and which tools are worth buying for home. You'll know what to buy, in which order, and what you can do without.
And if you want to equip yourself straight away, we sell the recommended tools on site as well as common wear parts, brake pads, chains, derailleur hangers, tubeless plugs: you leave with your bike checked and the essentials already in your pack.
What to wear
On the day
- Clothes you don't mind staining: chain grease doesn't always wash out
- Something to write with, if you like keeping a record of what you learn
Before you book
Good to know
Required level
This course is an introduction: it's open to anyone who wants to become self-sufficient on repairs and basic maintenance, with no prior knowledge. If you already master these moves and want to go further, brake bleeding, pads, wheel truing and deeper servicing, have a look at our intermediate mechanics course instead.
Location and times
The course takes place in the equipped workshop of our Exo'base, in the Orsières area, over a full day. Allow about fifteen minutes from Martigny, forty from Sion or Monthey, and an hour from Aigle and the Chablais. Parking on site. Exact times are confirmed with the practical details after registration.
What you can do by the end of the day
Fix a puncture with an inner tube or tubeless, get a broken chain running again, adjust your derailleur, change brake pads and run the checks before every ride. You also know which tools to carry and which to keep at home, and you can spot what needs to go to a professional.
Ready to sign up?
Convinced? Small group, limited places: hit the registration button and book yours.
Want to run this course just with your group, family, friends or club? We offer it privately too: send us your request.
A doubt, a question? Write to us, we answer quickly.
Your guide on this ride
Christian
Swiss Cycling certified MTB guide and instructor · founder of Exoride
Chris has been mountain biking intensely since 1989 and has been a professional mountain bike guide since 2010.
He was product manager and team manager for a famous mountain bike brand.
He is also at the front during the adventures he guides, during which it is necessary to know bike mechanics inside out to respond to all breakdowns.
Since 2010, he has had the pleasure of offering these mountain bike mechanics courses and is delighted to share his knowledge in the field.
They rode with Exoride
Reviews
« Awesome day!!! Whether you're a beginner or comfortable on the MTB trail, Chris guides you with great technical advice, patience and happiness..!!!A great new feature at EXORIDE: e-MTB courses, with tips on how to handle these latest-generation machines and use them to their full potential on the terrain, downhill and.... uphill..!!!Have fun with EXORIDE !!! »
« Enduro Maroc is top-notch, with impeccable organization, trails that are as challenging as they should be, and long, long, long descents in a magnificent setting. And for the foodies, the food is amazing. It doesn't feel like an organized tour, but more like you're on the trails you would have chosen with your group of friends, with the shuttle as a bonus. Bravo, Christian! »
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes, and we recommend it: you learn on your own kit and use the day to give it a full check-up. No need to clean it beforehand, that's one of the topics of the course.
Do I need any prior knowledge?
None at all. The course starts from scratch: first the basic checks and the tools, then the most useful repairs.
Do I need to bring my own tools?
No, the workshop is fully equipped. If you already own tools, bring them: we check together that they're suitable and complete.
Which tools should I actually buy?
That's an important part of the day: we go through what really needs to go on the trail with you and which tools are worth having at home. You leave knowing what to buy, in which order, and what you can do without.
Can I buy equipment on site?
Yes: we sell the tools we recommend on site, as well as common wear parts, brake pads, chains, derailleur hangers, tubeless plugs. The mechanic advises what suits your bike and your riding, without selling you what you don't need.
Does this course really save money?
The small jobs learned during the day, derailleur adjustment, pad changes, puncture repairs, are the ones that come up most often. Doing them yourself spaces out your visits to the shop and, above all, keeps your bike out of the workshop in the middle of the season.
What if I break down mid-ride?
That's exactly the point of the course: knowing how to repair on the spot with what's in your pack, rather than walking home or calling for help.
What's the typical participant profile?
Riders of all ages and all riding levels, often people who ride regularly and are tired of depending on a shop for the smallest adjustment.
Where do participants come from?
Our workshop is at the Exo'base, in the Orsières area, fifteen minutes from Martigny. Most participants come from the Central and Lower Valais, from around Martigny, Sion or Monthey, and from the Vaud and Valais Chablais, Aigle and Bex included. The drive is worth it: you go home with your bike checked over and the moves learned for the season.
How many people per group?
A small group, so that everyone has room to work on their bike and to ask the mechanic questions.
Who teaches the mechanics courses?
A professional mechanic who repairs MTBs and e-bikes daily and has been running these courses since 2010. He knows every common failure and enjoys passing on what he knows.
Is the course suitable for e-bikes?
Yes: the moves taught apply to both regular MTBs and e-bikes. The specifics of the motor system are covered, except for the work reserved for the manufacturer's service network.
Can this course be booked privately?
Yes, with family, friends or your club, on the date that suits you: send us your request.
Guided gravity
Ready to ride?
This departure is full. Pick another date, or go private.
Same spirit, same practice
Other rides
Tour
Tour
ShuttlesWith friends, family or your club
This ride as a private event, on your date
The same program just for your group, any time of the season. Tell us your level, your dates and your group size: we get back to you quickly with a proposal.
Stay in touch
Don't worry, we ride way too much to have time to flood your inbox.
135 CHF · 29 Oct 2024
full · waiting list
Waiting list
The levels, made clear
First tracks
Wide paths, rolling doubletrack, the odd loose rock. MTB without traps, to build pleasure and confidence.
You'll relate if
- comfortable on gravel and forest roads
- the word singletrack intrigues you more than it speaks to you
- you are discovering braking on loose ground
Singletrack bliss
Narrow but flowing trails: moderate roots and rocks, wide switchbacks, a few spots where you pick your line.
You'll relate if
- you ride singletrack regularly and enjoy it
- tight switchbacks still make you dab a foot sometimes
- you brake hard without locking up in the rocks
Technical ground
Rock gardens, steps, tight switchbacks, off-camber: the terrain demands clean lines and active riding.
You'll relate if
- tight switchbacks without dabbing, almost
- 30-40 cm steps do not stop you
- you read the trail several metres ahead
Committed
High mountain, exposed sections, big steps: places where mistakes cost, precise riding is mandatory.
You'll relate if
- you ride what many carry
- exposure does not cloud your judgement
- you stay in control on the steep even when tired
Easy
Short outing, minimal climbing: shuttles or lifts do the work, frequent breaks.
You'll relate if
- 2-3 h out
- under 300 m of climbing
- no training required
On an e-bike, one physical grade lower is often enough: ask us.
Active
Half to full mellow day: we pedal, but the pace leaves time for the view.
You'll relate if
- 3-5 h out
- 300-700 m of climbing
- occasional exercise is enough
On an e-bike, one physical grade lower is often enough: ask us.
Sporty
A proper MTB day: hours in the saddle, real climbing, punchy sections. You need juice, not a palmares.
You'll relate if
- full day, 5-7 h including breaks
- 800-1'200 m of climbing
- regular sport, endurance follows
On an e-bike, one physical grade lower is often enough: ask us.
Enduring
Big days or back-to-backs: climbing stacks up and the pace stays high.
You'll relate if
- 1'500 m+ of climbing, or several days in a row
- regular training
- fast recovery is part of the game
On an e-bike, one physical grade lower is often enough: ask us.
Between two grades? Halves (2.5) exist: aim higher if you are fit, lower if you are coming back.
Not sure? Write to usWe will advise you honestly, even if it means suggesting mellower.See the full page