These workshops cover in-depth bicycle maintenance, and bicycle mechanic training. They will dive deep into subjects that we do not have the time for during normal shop operation. Completion of all workshops will earn you a certification from WEAB, and serves as the bike highway on our Apprentice track. We are especially interested in candidates who identify as non-male and non-white, as we want to change the belief that bicycle mechanic skills belong to one sex, gender, or ethnicity. Workshops are free if you are earning a bicycle. No-one is turned away for lack of funds.
Please sign up for our Fall LAB Workshop Series on Eventbrite.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/learn-a-bike-tickets-48227805665
Bicycling 101
 What is a Bicycle? Seriously, what is it…? If you’ve just started riding or even are a seasoned rider who doesn’t know your chain stay from your drop-out, this workshop will demystify “The Bicycle†in all its many forms. Starting with a light history of cycling (first paved road was built for cyclists, not cars!), we will go on to explore the components of a Bicycle, and how they all work. We will also fix a flat tire and patch inner-tubes.
Braking
The two most important things a bike does, is roll, and stop rolling….In this workshop you’ll learn all about the many kinds of braking systems; including disk brakes, modern dual pivot caliper brakes, pedal brakes, and many more! be prepared to STOP on in for this BREAKING information.
Cranks, Chains, and Cassettes
Whats the difference between a 7,8,9 speed drive system? –9 ate 7 in the dust…
Learn how your bicycle moves forward, the difference between freewheels and cassettes, and all the crazy math and engineering that goes into designing the drive-train of your bicycle. We will build a cassette, replace bad a chaining on a crank, replace a bad chain link, and differentiate between 5,6,7,8,9,10,11, and BMX chains.
Derailleurs (front and rear)
When else can you put on a french accent for two hours? Say it with us de·rail·leur! The contraption that moves your chain up and down your sprokets and makes shifting so easy. Cable actuated drive systems! If you don’t know that that means, you should still come in and tune your shifting. Shifting on bicycles is done via a pulley system In this workshop we will dive deep into the mechanical underpinnings of shifting, and set up and tune both front and rear derailleurs.
Steering Assembly (Headsets)
First week of a three week section of Ball Bearing systems. Little secret you have dozens of tiny ball bearing hidden throughout your bicycle, everywhere something spins, there are tiny bearings hidden in there. In this first week we will talk about the simple mechanics of ball bearings, take apart a headset, clean and rebuild it.
Ball Bearings
First week of a three week section of Ball Bearing systems. Little secret you have dozens of tiny ball bearing hidden throughout your bicycle, everywhere something spins, there are tiny bearings hidden in there. In this first week we will talk about the simple mechanics of ball bearings, take apart a headset, clean and rebuild it.
Bottom Brackets
Week two of the three week section of Ball Bearing Systems. The Bottom Bracket uses the same mechanical principles as the headset in its physical construction. So this week we will learn all about Bottom Brackets, the diversity of BB systems on current bikes (88 different standards), and take a crank off a bike, remove the BB, clean, and rebuild it, and bring the drive system to working order.
Wheel Hubs
Week three of a three week segment on ball bearing systems. Onto the most challenging bearing system on your bicycle! the wheel hub, you’ve got two at least of them! Learn the difference between a spindle and axle, and challenge your self to rebuild a wheel hub!
Wheel Truing
Have you ever wanted to start any sort of meditation, or zen practice? If the answer is YES, you will enjoy truing wheels. Some say the most challenging aspect of bicycle maintenance. Wheel truing is a fine craft that takes dozens, if not hundreds of hours to master. Come learn the basics of how to true a wheel. You’ll get to use cool words like spoke tension, rim truing, radial truing, and many more!
Safety
Law enforcement interactions, knowing your rights as a citizen and as a cyclist and riding in traffic. Did you know The Massachusetts State Legislature has supported An Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities? Learn all about your hard fought protections and requirement as a cyclists!
If you have an idea for a class or want to learn a specific skill email us Info@worcesterearnabike.org