Note - we are floored by the incredible response to our Mechanics 101 offering. Given this interest we are going to figure out how to add additional courses in 2023. If this course is full and you would like to be notified about future offerings, please fill out this form - https://forms.gle/XyctiT9KbtGdoNwi9

Announcing our 2023 Mechanics 101 course for women, trans, femme and non-binary identifying people. WTFNB Mechanics 101, like the usual course, offers a safe space, but it is exclusively reserved for WTFNB folks. For this course WTFNB cyclists will have the opportunity to work on their bikes and learn about bike maintenance from WTFNB mechanics.

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, do a kind favor for a friend, or simply feel the gratification of fixing a problem on your own.

But we know that it can be hard to know where to start. Bikes are pretty darn complex after all, with their various bolts and cables and lockrings and adjusters and standards and compatibilities and....... phew!

Fear not! Mechanical competency is within anyone's reach. 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, basic at-home maintenance, and provides a foundational skill set from which you can learn a lot more. This class is designed for beginners but will benefit more seasoned mechanics who want to freshen up their skills or review the basics.

Classes will be held in Old Spokes Home's Community Workshop, which can be accessed from our back door 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 such as disc brakes or suspension, nor more advanced and difficult topics like tubeless setup or wheel building.

Check out our typical schedule:

Class 1: Intro (Bicycle Anatomy, Fit, Tools, Fixing a Flat) ... February 21

Class 2: Bearings (Front Hub Overhaul, Headset Adjustment) ... February 28

Class 3: Wheels (Overview of Wheels and Wheel Truing)... March 7 

Class 4: Brakes (Brake Cable and Pad Installation) ... March 14

Class 5: Shifting (Derailleur Adjustments and Shifting Troubleshooting)... March 21

Class 6: Drivetrains (Assessing Drivetrain Wear and Chain Installation) ... March 28

Class tuition is $260 (plus fees) for 12 hours of instruction. Workshop tuition fees support 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 get in touch with Jon: [email protected]