Even if you don’t know his name, the likelihood is you’ve seen his moustachioed face and even followed his maintenance advice. That’s because Park Tool’s director of education, Calvin Jones, has become cycling’s most famous mechanic since he began at the company way back in 1997.
But Park Tool announced yesterday “with gratitude and a little sadness” that Jones is retiring after 28 years at the cycling tool company.
Park Tool said Jones is probably best known for his work on the company’s YouTube channel, where he has presented bike maintenance videos for 15 years. But his role at Park Tool has extended far beyond presenting.
“In addition to his contributions to product development and thousands of hours logged fielding customer feedback, Calvin has applied his deep knowledge of bikes and his aptitude for instruction to projects large and small,” an official press release said.
“I think the thing I admire most about Calvin is that to this day he lives and breathes what he teaches,” said Eric Hawkins, Park Tool’s CEO.
“He’s passionate about the science of bikes and is a gifted teacher who can clearly explain even the most complex concepts. Through his writings, videos, and personal interactions he’s helped millions understand how their bike works and how to best keep it working. It’s been an amazing run, and now, nearly 29 years later we owe a lot to Calvin for his unique ability to demystify bike repair and maintenance.”
Jones joined Park Tool with a wealth of experience already under his belt. He got his first job in a bike shop in 1973 and worked as a team mechanic for USA national teams. He was also a mechanics’ instructor for the US Olympic Training Centre and a chief instructor at Barnett Bicycle Institute.
“Moving on from Park Tool, there are some educational projects that I would like to be part of. Plus, I am looking forward to focusing more on my riding,” Jones said.
Jones will continue to be involved in the Stillwater chapter of the Minnesota Cycling Association and will stay on the board of Project Bike Tech. He’ll also attend *iceBike 2026 in London and Frostbike 2026 in Minneapolis for anyone in the industry who would like to wish him well.
Jones might not be disappearing from our screens forever. In a video announcing his retirement, he said: “If I think of something I think you need to know, you may find me here at this YouTube channel.”
