Women/Trans/Non-Binary Bike Mechanics 101

The Thursday night class is reserved for students who are woman/trans/nonbinary identifying. We ask that folks who do not hold these identities sign up for the Wednesday night series.

There are a million reasons to learn how to fix a bike! You can get yourself out of a jam out in the woods or on the side of the road, prevent the decay of your favorite ride, help a friend, or feel the empowerment of fixing a problem on your own.

It can be hard to know where to start. Bikes are pretty darn complex after all, with their various bolts and cables adjusters and standards and compatibilities and……. phew!

Fear not! We’ll break it all down for you in this six-week course, and you’ll leave with a better understanding of how your bike works, and what you can do when it doesn’t. Bike Mechanics 101 is intended to prepare you for common roadside repairs and basic at-home maintenance, and provides a foundational that you can continue to build on (if you choose). This class is designed for beginners but will benefit more seasoned mechanics who want to freshen up their skills or review the basics.

Classes are held in Old Spokes Home’s Community Workshop at 664 Riverside Ave. We will provide bikes for practice and instruction. Each class will start with instruction and a short lecture and lead into hands-on practice and guided repairs.

Please note that this is an introductory course. The curriculum will not cover hydraulic components or more advanced and difficult topics like tubeless setup and wheel building.

Approximate schedule of topics:

Class 1: Intro (Bicycle Anatomy, Fit, Tools, Fixing a Flat)

Class 2: Bearings (Front Hub Overhaul, Headset Adjustment)

Class 3: Wheels (Overview of Wheels and Wheel Truing)

Class 4: Brakes (Brake Cable and Pad Installation)

Class 5: Shifting (Derailleur Adjustments and Shifting Troubleshooting)

Class 6: Drivetrains (Assessing Drivetrain Wear and Chain Installation)

Class tuition is $300 (plus fees) for 12 hours of instruction. Workshop tuition supports Old Spokes Home’s nonprofit mission to create access to bikes and the opportunities they provide for our community. Special for all class participants – a 20% discount on all tools purchased at Old Spokes Home for the duration of the course. For interested students who cannot cover the full tuition fee, scholarships are available – please email sarahcamille@oldspokeshome.com

**** This is not a Pride Center of Vermont Sponsored Event