Courses

---

For info on classes and programs for young people ages 9-18, check out the Youth section of the Bikes Not Bombs website.

---

We run hands-on bike fixing courses for adults several times a year. Our popular Basic Mechanics course meets 5 times and covers fixing a flat, adjusting brakes, derailleurs and rotational systems, and an "open" class that can include wheel truing or other topics by request.
Our Wheelbuilding course teaches you the art of building a fine custom wheel. See detailed course descriptions at the bottom of this page.

Current courses:
Basic Mechanics Class
5 Tuesdays, 7/14/09 thru 8/11/09, 8:00-10:00 PM, $120

Queer-only Basic Mechanics class
5 Thursdays, 7/16/09 through 8/20/09 **skips 8/6/09**, 8:00-10:00PM, $120

Free Clinics

New for 2009! We offer free, single-evening clinics on topics relevant to the urban rider. These sessions will last 1.5-2 hours and attendees may want to bring a notebook, though notes will be made available online if you can't make it in person. Come to one or collect them all. Registration isn't necessary, but feel free to call the shop at 617-522-0226 on the day of the class to confirm the time.

Thursday May 7, 8-9:30 PM Bicycle Commuting for Beginners
Just in time for Bike to Work Week, a discussion of the hows and whys of riding your bike to work or school. We’ll talk about some accessories that will make it easier, clothing tips, panniers and racks, and basic maintenance and security. This class is intended for those who want to start riding to work but aren't sure how to start, as well as those who are already doing it and want to share ideas or learn more. Free.

Thursday June 11, 8-9:30PM Introduction to Braking and Shifting
A lot of people with geared bikes don’t bother shifting as much as they should. Do you? Come find out. We’ll talk about proper braking and shifting technique: how to brake quickly and safely and how to use your gears to make you more efficient--and make your bike happier. Free.

Thursday July 9, 8-9:30PM Fixing a Flat If you don’t know how to fix this most basic of breakdowns, here is a chance to learn for free. We’ll cover patching a tube and installing it, proper quick release use, and prevention tips. Save time, money and rubber! Free.

Thursday August 6, 8-9:30 Pre-ride Safety Check
Learn to quickly assess the basic riding condition of your bike. Are your brakes working? Quick-releases properly secure? Handlebars/stem tightened? Tires up to pressure? This class will help you get familiar with essential parts of your bike so you can identify when something is amiss, and we’ll go over the basics of routine chain maintenance. Free.

Thursday September 17, 8-9:30 PM Bicycle Touring
A discussion of self-supported cycle holidays for beginners and seasoned cyclotourists alike. We’ll talk about gear, packing lists, and share routes near and far. Fall is a nice time for a few cycle camping overnights in New England! Free.

Thursday October 22, 8-9:30PM Bike Fit
Learn the basics of bike fit and sizing. Saddle height, stem length, standover. We’ll go over the basic guidelines that help ensure the bike is roughly the right size. Then we’ll show you how to make small adjustments that could solve a nagging ache or pain when you ride. Free.

Thursday November 5, 8-9:30PM Winter Commuting
Get ready for winter riding. Learn what to expect and get ready for the first arctic blast. We’ll go over gloves, hats, and clothing; tire options, fenders, maintenance, route changes and other winter tips. Free.

Check back for updates or call the bike shop at 617-522-0226

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

BASIC MECHANICS

$120
Learn to repair your own bike! This basic mechanics course gives you the skills to maintain your own bike. Classes cover fixing a flat, adjusting brakes, gears, sizing a chain, and overhauling a hub. The final session gets into the basics of wheel truing but can cover other topics depending on the needs of your bike.

The course meets at the Bikes Not Bombs Bike Shop once a week for 5 weeks, and you bring your own bike to work on and improve.

There are only six spots per class and you must enroll in advance. Call the bike shop at 617-522-0226 to pay by credit card over the phone, or stop by the shop. You can send a check, but note that we'll reserve a space for you only AFTER we receive payment, and classes fill quickly.

WHEEL BUILDING

$120

The first session is a consultation where we’ll help you pick out and purchase hubs, rims, and spokes for your new wheelset (estimate ~$60-80 for rims, $64 for spokes and ~$50-100 for hubs; all students receive a 10% discount on all parts bought for the class, including any tools you want for home). We’ll also cover some wheelbuilding theory and time permitting do spoke length calculations. The second session will focus on lacing. The third and fourth sessions will focus on tensioning the spokes. The final session will give students time to focus on finishing their wheel(s) and to discuss other aspects of wheelbuilding.

For a wheel to be perfectly round, the tension on each spoke must be adjusted and balanced, each slightly different to account for the flex response of the rim. These days most wheels are built by machines, which do an alright job, but can't achieve the finesse that a human set of hands and eyes can. A hand-built wheel is substantially more durable and will last longer, ride smoother, and need truing less often. When you build your own wheels, you can choose the quality and type of your hub, spokes, and rim. Learning to build your own wheels will also give you the skills to understand problems in used wheels and to true them by adjusting spoke tensions.

Apprenticeship Job Training In Bike Mechanics

January 19th - March 21st, 2009check back for winter 2010 dates

Interested in the bicycle industry but don’t know where to develop your skills? Bikes Not Bombs is offering an 80 hour bike mechanics apprenticeship course designed to graduate participants into jobs at local area bike shops upon completion. BNB offers 9 class placements, for teens (15 and up) and adults that are serious about becoming professional bike mechanics, but don’t have formal training. In past years graduates have taken jobs at Bikes Not Bombs, Broadway Bicycle School, Ferris Wheels, Community Bike Shop, Cambridge Bike and other bike related businesses. For more information, see this page.

---

All of the above classes for adults are held at the Bikes Bombs Not Bombs Retail Shop and Training Center located at 18 Bartlett Sq. Jamaica Plain, 02130.