« 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
Intermediate MTB and e-bike mechanics course in the Valais: bleeding, pads and wheel truing
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.
1 riders max.
- Group
- 1 max.
- Start
- Orsières 14h00
- 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. You already have the basics and want to go further: bleeding brakes, changing pads, truing a wheel and deeper servicing of your bike. Enough to keep your machine at its best all season, save on routine maintenance and know exactly when a job belongs in a professional workshop. Bring your own bike.
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Brakes that bite againA full bleed and a pad change: the job that transforms how the bike feels, learned with your own hands.
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True a wheel yourselfSpokes, tension, wobble: you learn to read a wheel and straighten it on the truing stand.
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Deeper servicing, step by stepDrivetrain, bearings, fine adjustments: everything that keeps a bike healthy over time, suspension aside.
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A professional workshop at your disposalRepair stand, specific tools and a mechanic guiding you live on your own bike.
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Fewer trips to the shop, better targetedRoutine maintenance you handle yourself and save on; the workshop you keep for what really needs it.
Day by day
The program
Become independent in the maintenance and repair of your bike
This course is for riders who can already fix a puncture and adjust a derailleur, and who want to take the next step. We work on the jobs that call for method and a few specific tools: bleeding, pads, truing, deeper servicing. These are the most frequent operations over a season, the ones that add up on the budget when you always hand them over, and that you can perfectly well take on yourself once you've done them once.
On the programme
- Braking system: diagnosis, pad change, full bleed, lever setup
- Wheels: reading a wheel, spoke tension, truing on a stand, bearing check
- Drivetrain: chain and cassette wear, fine adjustments, replacing wear parts
- In-depth checks: headset, bottom bracket, torque settings
- Specific tools: what is really worth investing in to work at home
Suspension is not covered: servicing it calls for particular tools and a particular environment, and we would rather point you to a specialist service than skim over the subject.
Everyone brings their own bike: you work on your machine, with the mechanic guiding you, correcting you and lending a hand when needed. You leave with a bike brought back up to standard, the moves already practised, and a clear idea of what you can do at home and what deserves a professional's bench.
Ready to step up? Small group, limited places: book yours.
220 CHF per person
What is included
Included
- Professional mechanic (fr/en/de)
- Use of the workshop and its specific tools
- Consumables for the exercises: brake fluid, practice parts
- A workshop bike for demonstrations
- An in-depth check of your own bike during the course
- Advice on the tools worth investing in
- Course notes to take home
Not included
- Spare parts for your own bike, if the check shows the need (optional)
- Personal tools and wear parts, which we sell on site if you want to equip yourself (optional)
- Suspension servicing, which belongs to a specialist service
- 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 followed with your own bike: you learn on your machine, and it goes home brought back up to standard.
- Your MTB or e-bike, in its usual state: slightly spongy brakes and a wheel with a small wobble are the best material to work on
- If you've already bought wear parts (pads, chain, cassette, brake fluid matching your system), bring them: we fit them together
- If you can, note the brand and model of your brakes before coming, it saves time on the bleed
Can't bring your bike? The workshop provides one for demonstrations and exercises.
Your tools
Nothing is compulsory, the workshop is equipped, specific tools included. But if you already own equipment, this is the moment to review it.
- Your current tools, to see what you're actually missing for this level of servicing
- Your bleed kit, if you have one, to check it matches your brakes
- Your spare parts, to confirm they're compatible
During the course we sort out which tools are genuinely worth investing in for home use and which are better left to a workshop. And if you want to equip yourself straight away, we sell the tools we recommend on site, along with common wear parts.
What to wear
On the day
- Clothes you don't mind staining
- Something to write with: settings and torque figures stick better on paper
Before you book
Good to know
Required level
This course assumes the basics are covered: fixing a puncture, refitting a chain, adjusting a derailleur and running the pre-ride checks. If that's not the case yet, start with our beginner mechanics course, you'll get far more out of this day.
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
Diagnose and bleed a braking system, change pads, true a wheel on a stand, check bearings and headset play, measure drivetrain wear and replace the relevant parts, all to the right torque settings. You also know which tools to buy to work at home.
Suspension
It is not covered in this course. Servicing it calls for specific tools and a specific environment, and it's wiser to leave it to a specialist service. We do show you how to recognise when a service is due.
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
What level do I need for this course?
You need the basics: puncture, chain, derailleur adjustment, pre-ride checks. If that's not the case yet, start with our beginner mechanics course, you'll get far more out of this day.
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes, that's the whole point: you work on your machine and it goes home brought back up to standard. Spongy brakes and a slightly buckled wheel are even the best material to work on.
Does the mechanic work on our bikes?
He guides you, corrects you and lends a hand when needed. The idea is that you do the job yourself, but never alone in front of a difficulty.
Is suspension covered?
No. Servicing it calls for particular tools and a particular environment, and we'd rather point you to a specialist service. We do teach you how to recognise when a service is due.
Does this course really save money?
Bleeding, pads, truing and drivetrain servicing are the most frequent jobs over a season. Doing them yourself is a real saving over the year, and the course usually pays for itself within one season. Bigger jobs and suspension remain the workshop's business.
Do I need to bring my own tools?
No, the workshop is equipped, specific tools included. If you already own equipment or a bleed kit, bring it: we check together that it matches your bike.
Which tools should I actually buy?
During the day we sort out which tools are genuinely worth investing in for home use and which are better left to a professional. We sell the tools we recommend on site, along with common wear parts.
Is the course suitable for e-bikes?
Yes: the jobs taught apply to both regular MTBs and e-bikes, except for the work reserved for the manufacturer's service network on the motor and battery.
How many people per group?
A small group, so that everyone has a workstation and the mechanic's attention.
Who teaches the mechanics courses?
A professional mechanic who repairs MTBs and e-bikes daily and has been running these courses since 2010.
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.
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
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220 CHF · 14 Dec 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