Upcoming Womens' classes at Community Bikes

We'll be having two mechanic classes in the women only format at Community Bikes this fall.

Saturday October 6th, 10am-noon: Basics class
Sunday October 28, 10am-noon: Adjusting shifters and derailers

In the basics class we cover the things that all bike riders should know:
1.tire pressure- how to know the right amount of air to put into your tires, how to know when you've got that amount, and what to do about it when you don't;
2.keeping your chain happy;
3.how to fix a flat tire;
4.what to carry in your on-the-road tool kit.

In the shifters and derailers class I introduce the basics of how most bicycle shifting systems work. We'll go over the parts of your drivetrain, needed maintenance and adjustments, common problems and troubleshooting. We will not cover shifting systems that are internal to a hub.


These classes are women only times at the shop. Women who have no experience working on bikes are welcome, and those with some basic knowledge of working on bikes will likely still be able to get something out of the class.

These are hands-on classes, you are encouraged to bring your bike for the hands-on portion of the class, but it’s not required. Please come expecting to get dirty, and prepared to be patient with yourself and others. You do not need to bring any tools, but feel free to bring tools you have that you would like to learn to use.

If you are a woman with some bike mechanic experience and would like to help out during the hands on portion of the class, we'd love your help. E-mail me or just show up.

You do not need to sign-up beforehand and the classes are free.

What to carry when you ride- March 17th at noon

The class will be a basic overview of the most common road-side repairs and what to carry to be prepared for them. The class will begin at noon on Saturday March 17th, and is open to anyone interested and will be less than an hour. If the weather is nice, we'll have the class outside.

I will begin with some suggestions for what to carry with you on bike rides, and then will overview what each of those tools are good for. I will not go into depth on any of the specific repairs.

Thanks to a student at one of our February classes for requesting this "what's in your toolkit" class.

Women's class March 17th- shifters and derailers

The Community Bikes women's classes have been a great success and we keep getting requests for more. So...

Saturday March 17th 10am to noon -- Adjusting shifters and derailers

I'll go over the basics of how most bicycle shifting systems work. We'll introduce you to the parts of your drivetrain, needed maintenance and adjustments, common problems and troubleshooting. After I go over these things the rest of the time will be hands on with students practicing on bikes.

This will be a women only time at the shop. Women who have no experience working on bikes are welcome, and those with some basic knowledge of working on bikes will likely still be able to get something out of the class.

These are hands-on classes, you are encouraged to bring your bike for the hands-on portion of the class, but it’s not required. Please come expecting to get dirty, and prepared to be patient with yourself and others. You do not need to bring any tools, but feel free to bring tools you have that you would like to learn to use.

If you are a woman with some bike mechanic experience and would like to help out during the hands on portion of the class, we'd love your help. E-mail me or just show up.

You do not need to sign-up beforehand and the classes are free.

Photo by Frances Hamilton of a February shifters &brakes class