Our Community Bikes: 5 Week Mechanic Course

This 5 week mechanic's course offers participants an introduction to all the major systems on the bicycle through 15 hours of course instruction. Structured classes are taught by experienced bicycle mechanics and combined with supervised hands-on practice. Small class sizes ensure that the program is tailored to the needs and current skills of participants. From beginner to intermediate this program is sure to elevate your skills.

Courses are offered in cohorts, on Monday and Friday evenings:

Monday 6:30-9:30pm

• Nov 24, Dec 1, 8, 15, 22
• Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb 2
• Feb 9, (no course on Feb 16 for family day), Feb 23, Mar 2, 9, 16
• Mar 23, 30, (no course on Apr 6 for Easter Monday), Apr 13, 20, 27

Friday 6:30-9:30pm

• Nov 21, 28, Dec 5, 12, 19
• Jan 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb 6
• Feb 20, 27, Mar 6, 13, 20
• Mar 27, (no course Apr 3 for Good Friday), Apr 10, 17, 24, May 1

Night 1 - Intro to bikes + flat fixes

• This session covers different types of bikes, a little bit of bike anatomy, frame materials, and bike fit.
• The basics of flat fixes.

Night 2 - Intro to cup-and-cone bearing systems

• This session offers an introduction to bearing systems including hubs, bottom brackets and headsets.
• Specific focus of this evening is hub overhauls.

Night 3 - Brakes

• Introduction to the various styles of cable actuated brakes, and how to adjust them.
• Participants will be familiarized with the processes of cable and housing replacement, and pad replacement and adjustment.

Night 4 -Shifting

• The fourth evening offers students an introduction to drivetrains and how derailleurs work.
• Participants will go over the ins and outs of derailleur adjustment and how to dial in shifting.

Night 5 - wheel mechanics

• The final evening will offer an overview of how wheels work, and the importance of wheel function to overall performance.
• Includes an introduction to radial and lateral wheel truing, dish, and spoke tensioning.