While riders seem to get all of the love these days, it’s the mechanics working behind the scenes that keep us all rolling. Whether you are a pro, or someone that gets out with the family, we all have our favorite mechanics that we’ve probably all bought a 6-pack for at the end of the year asa thank you for all of their hard work and dedication. Enduro Bearings is stepping up with an Ambassador Program to show these behind-the-scenes heroes some appreciation and help continue to develop and bring diversity to the position.
The goal of the new mechanic ambassador program is to offer technical, logistical, and additional support to select professional mechanics across the US, and those aspiring mechanics. The new program starts immediately with an initial group of seven of the country’s top mechanics, with plans to add more in the future.
Another goal is to get more women into this longtime male-dominated profession, by equally including highly experienced female mechanics, starting with four of the inaugural seven members.
- Tim Nicholls: Founder, Cycle Chvrch Cycles; Yuri Hauswald’s mechanic
- Dan Large: Owner, XL Velo; Volvo NRS Pro Race Mechanic
- Danielle Castelli Strader: Owner, Torrenti Cycles; PBMA Board Member
- Ana Garushyants: Owner, Circle Cycle Bike Shop; PBMA Board Member
- Jenny Kallista: Owner, Appalachian Bicycle Institute; PBMA President
- Katie Colesberry: Giant-Liv USA Quality Control Manager
- Drew Esherick: Maxxis Factory Racing Manager/Mechanic
“It’s high time the industry starts appreciating and rewarding the extremely talented women and men who fix and maintain our bikes, enabling us to be the best riders we can be,” says Chris Feucht, Enduro Brand Manager. “Our industry is quick to reward the great athletes, but without their mechanics’ support, their success is much less probable. Through our new Mechanics Ambassador Program, we’re acknowledging and rewarding key existing mechanics and programs that teach future wrenches.”
And to help ensure future wrenches will get the base training they need, Enduro will also be supporting mechanic training programs like the Appalachian Bicycle Institute (ABI). As a fully accredited program recognized by many brands and retailers across the country, ABI instructs and certifies new and current wrenches. These certifications bring confidence to shop owners and customers alike that mechanics have been properly trained and will provide professional service.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that Enduro will be supporting Tim (Nichols, his longtime mechanic and friend),” says renowned gravel and MTB racer Yuri Hauswald, one of Enduro’s supported athletes. “I’m extremely grateful for Tim’s expertise and dedication; he’s a huge contributor to my success in day-long races.”
“Thanks to our partnership with Enduro Bearings, our curriculum includes a deep dive into bicycle bearing engineering and manufacturing,” says owner and instructor Jenny Kallista – also president of the Professional Bike Mechanics Association.
Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Scott joined Bike World News as the Cyclocross Editor in 2012 before taking over as Tech Editor in 2016. He has also worked as a photographer for various pro teams and shoot races along the east coast of the US, including the 2012 US MTB National Championships, 2013 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, and 2016 UCI Road World Championships. Scott has a passion for performance and technology, with 35 years of riding and mechanic experience. He also enjoys soccer, running, teaching group fitness classes, and is the founder of Lancaster Beard Company.
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