Free Ride is now offering Advanced Bike Mechanics Classes

Photo by flickr user wild_man_dh

Six individual classes that offer an in-depth look at Single Speed Conversions, Bottom Brackets, Headsets, Frames and Wheel Building.

To expand upon their Adult Basic Mechanic’s classes, Free Ride has now added Advanced Classes to their repertoire.

Single Speed Conversions

Want to strip down your multi-speed bike to one gear?  Learn how to measure and align your chainline, re-spacing your rear hub and dish your rear wheel.

Bottom Bracket

Learn how to measure all aspects of the bottom bracket for compatibility.  We will remove and replace cartridge bottom brackets and re-pack adjustable bottom brackets.

Headsets

Learn how to measure and cut a fork to fit and how to repack and replace both threaded and threadless headsets.

Frames

Learn how to measure and correct bent drop-outs and asymmetrical chainstays and how to recut and re-face bottom bracket shells.

Wheel Building 1

In the first class we will measure hubs and rims to determine spoke length, order class materials (hubs, spokes and rims) and review basic principles of wheel construction to prepare for the second class.  All students will need to either bring their own class materials, order them, or find appropriate used class materials at our shop in preparation for the second class.

Wheel Building 2

In this 3 hour follow-up we will lace up and tension the wheels.  All students will need to either bring their own class materials (hubs, spokes and rims), order them in the first class, or find appropriate used class materials at our shop prior to this class.

Schedule 2010

  • Saturday, May 27th  @ 10:00 am -12:00 pm  Single Speed Conversions
  • Saturday, June 12th  @ 10:00 am -12:00 pm Bottom Brackets
  • Saturday, June 26th  @ 10:00 am -12:00 pm  Headsets
  • Saturday, July 10th  @ 10:00 am -12:00 pm  Frames
  • Saturday, July 24th  @ 10:00 am -12:00 pm  Wheel Building 1
  • Saturday, Aug 14th  @ 10:00 am -1:00 pm  Wheel Building 2
  • Saturday, Aug 28th  @ 10:00 am -12:00 pm Single Speed Conversions
  • Saturday, Sept 11th  @ 10:00 am -12:00 pm  Bottom Brackets
  • Saturday, Sept 25th  @ 10:00 am -12:00 pm  Headsets
  • Saturday, Oct 9th  @ 10:00 am -12:00 pm  Frames
  • Saturday, Oct 23rd  @ 10:00 am -12:00 pm  Wheel Building 1
  • Saturday, Oct 30th  @ 10:00 am -1:00 pm  Wheel Building 2

Registration and payment

A 2 hour class costs $15 or 2 volunteer hours.  A 3 hours class costs $25 or 3 volunteer hours.

To register for a class, simply go to Free Ride’s Advanced Classes website and follow the instructions.

Not a member of BikePGH? Join today! We need you to add your voice! Bike Pittsburgh works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership

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