APPALACHIAN BICYCLE INSTITUTE

Welcome

Appalachian Bicycle Institute was born from the love of bicycles and the love of teaching. With well over 20 years of experience as a professional bicycle mechanic, and over 16 years of teaching bicycle mechanics classes, I have greatly enjoyed helping people learn how their bikes work, and how to keep them working well. My school is designed to demystify bicycle mechanics, so the student will feel confident, competent, and happy with their bicycle. Whether the student is a home mechanic trying to keep up his own bikes, or a professional mechanic seeking to improve on her skill set, ABI has classes for everyone.

Located in beautiful Western North Carolina, the school sits happily among organic gardens, and beautiful long-distance views. I invite you to come out and enjoy the relaxed environment while cultivating a skill set that will serve you well. Many classes are offered on weekends to fit into many lifestyles, and priced to fit most budgets. My endeavor is to enrich your cycling experience and your life in a unique way. I look forward to seeing you!

Jenny Kallista

founder, instructor

Appalachian Bicycle Institute

Asheville, North Carolina

appalachianbicycleinstitute@gmail.com

828-712-6612

2020 classes and schedule

scroll through to see all classes offered for 2020

(be sure to click on more events)

email registration questions to appalachianbicycleinstitute@gmail.com

ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE CLASS

Event Details

ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE CLASS

A FOUNDATIONAL CLASS. YOU WILL LEARN HOW EACH COMPONENT ON YOUR BICYCLE IS ADJUSTED AND MAINTAINED, FINISHED WITH AN INTRO TO WHEEL TRUING. SOME COMPONENTS WILL BE COMPLETELY OVERHAULED AS TIME PERMITS. COME AWAY WITH A GREAT UNDERSTANDING OF WHEEL, BEARING, SHIFTING AND BRAKING SYSTEMS.

FEE: $450, TWO DAY CLASS

FEBRUARY 22-23, APRIL 10-11, JUNE 13-14, AUGUST 1-2,

SEPTEMBER 26-27, OCTOBER 30-31, NOVEMBER 20-21

5-DAY IMMERSION CLASS

Event Details

5-DAY IMMERSION CLASS

THIS EXCITING CLASS WILL IMMERSE THE STUDENT INTO A WEEK LONG EXPERIENCE IN BICYCLE MECHANICS, COVERING ALL THE ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE MATERIAL IN GREATER DETAIL WITH LOTS MORE HANDS-ON, OVERHAUL OF COMPONENTS, ADVANCED DISC BRAKE MATERIAL, FREEHUB OVERHAUL, FIT BASICS, SPOKE REPLACEMENT, AND ALL THOSE EXTRA THINGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL MORE CONFIDENT. SPECIAL PROJECTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. MOUNTAIN, ROAD, TOURING, WHAT-HAVE-YOU IS ALL WELCOME FOR THIS CLASS.

FEE: $975, FIVE DAY CLASS

MARCH 28-APRIL 1, APRIL 15-19, MAY 27-31, JUNE 24-28,

JULY 18-22, AUGUST 12-16, SEPTEMBER 12-16,

SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 4, NOVEMBER 7-11, DECEMBER 2-6

FOX MASTER SUSPENSION CLASS

Event Details

FOX MASTER SUSPENSION CLASS

3 FULL DAYS OF ADVANCED TECHNICAL TRAINING, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FOX RACING SHOX, THIS IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE FOX CLASS AVAILABLE. CLASS COVERS BASIC FORK OVERHAUL & ADVANCED DAMPER CARTRIDGE SERVICE FOR FORKS AND SHOCKS, INCLUDING NITROGEN CHARGING, DETAILED FIT & GRIP BLEED PROCEDURE, SEAL HEAD REPLACEMENT, BUSHING REPLACEMENT, & MORE. INCLUDES MANY SPECIAL TIPS AND TRICKS ON TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES. THIS CLASS INCLUDES CHOICE OF 2020 FLOAT FORK TO KEEP. CONTACT ABI FOR DETAILS.

*please scroll to details on classes for additional information*

FEE: $900, THREE-DAY CLASS

MARCH 2-4, MARCH 19-21, SEPTEMBER 3-5

WHEEL BUILDING CLASS

Event Details

WHEEL BUILDING CLASS

THIS CLASS COVERS THE BEST, EASIEST-TO-LEARN BUILDING TECHNIQUES FOR THE STRONGEST WHEELS. THEORY, TIPS, TRICKS, SPECIAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES WILL BE DISCUSSED AS WE GO TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND UNDERSTANDING. A FULL SET WILL BE BUILT UP DURING THIS CLASS.

FEE: $250, ONE DAY CLASS

JUNE 6, OCTOBER 24 (additional dates may possibly be added)

DISC BRAKE CLASS

Event Details

DISC BRAKE CLASS

THIS CLASS ADDRESSES BOTH HYDRAULIC (DOT-FLUID AND MINERAL OIL- BASED) SYSTEMS AND MECHANICALS. PAD REPLACEMENT, BLEED TECHNIQUES, CALIPER MAINTENANCE AND OVERHAUL, AND HOSE REPLACEMENT WILL ALL BE COVERED, AS WELL AS BRAND-SPECIFIC SPECIAL ISSUES, TOOLS, AND TIPS.

FEE: $250, ONE DAY CLASS

OCTOBER 25 (additional dates may possibly be added)

More Events

a bit about ABI

Jenny Kallista, head instructor

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

accumulated professional shop employment since 1992

BSE Certification, 2004 Barnett Bicycle Institute

2014 USAC WOODUL RACE MECHANIC CLINIC

Park Tool Tech Summit 2011 & 2013

SRAM Technical University, 2007, 2011, 2018

Official Team Mechanic for Ironman Races 2011-2013

2012 Mechanic for ROGER C. PEACE PARACYCLING TEAM

TREK University

Specialized University

Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo, Magura, Rock Shox, FOX,

Enduro Bearings, FSA, Rotor, SR Suntour, Cane Creek, Mavic,

and many other manufacturer-specific trainings

Development and implementation of the

Level One Mechanics Certification Program for the PBMA

Currently serving on the Board of Directors of the

Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association

TEACHING BICYCLE MECHANICS SINCE 2003:

Outdoor Program Bicycle Class, Garrett College, Maryland

Asheville School Bike Club

UNCA Asheville Bike Club

U of SC Bicycle Shop Program

Asheville Women’s Prestige-Subaru Racing Team

Pure Velo Women's Race Team

Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, NC

Asheville Mountain Sports Festival

+ COUNTLESS BIKE SHOP CLASSES

Served as race technician for many local camps and races including famed Blue Ridge Adventures’ ORAMM & SWANK65.

Conceived and co-sponsored the WNC Bike Expo 2010, featuring local shops, manufacturers, and seminars on bicycle topics.

a little more about me, Jenny

I fell in love with bikes very early in my life (I was 4 when I learned to ride a bike). My papa taught me how to fix a flat tire when I was 8 years old. He also taught me how to keep my little bike running well. I rode my bike everywhere! I am 100% Czech, and love the bike culture there...everyone rides. I have a degree in philosophy from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, my hometown.

Asheville, NC beckoned to me in 1997 to come take advantage of the beautiful mountain landscape and to pursue glass art. I worked as a professional furnace glassblower and also as a professional welder and steel sculptor in my early years in WNC.

These days in addition to my passion for bicycles, I have been pursuing ceramics, gardening, birding, travel, and adventure motorcycling for fun. My dogs Louisa and Ruby are constant companions who love being out on the trails as much as I do.

Having written many articles for various bicycle-oriented magazines over the years, and as a founder and board member of the Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association, I enjoy working towards developing professional bicycle mechanics in every way possible.

services

consulting & on-site training

I am pleased to offer my services as a consultant to any new or existing bike shop, organization, or institution. These services have included employee technical training, shop layout, University course instruction, tool acquisition AND consultation, service department organization and pos set-up, customer service training, and much more. my services have been utilized locally and i have (happily!) travelled out-of-state for these purposes. please feel free to inquire on rates and requirements.