Classes

The Community Bike Project has teamed up with Metro Community College and Omaha Bikes to offer classes in both bicycle maintenance and repair, as well as bike safety. Check out the class descriptions below and sign up for the classes you want on Metro’s website (choose “Continuing Education,” the quarter, the “Sports and Games” topic, click the “Search for Classes” button, and then choose your class)!

Here’s the skinny:

• All bike maintenance and repair classes taught by experienced bike mechanics
• All bike safety classes taught by League (of American Bicyclists) Certified Instructors
• Classes are taught at the Community Bike Shop, 525 North 33rd Street
• Most classes are Tuesday nights, with some on Saturdays
• Cost is $19/class; discounts available if you sign up for the whole series at once.

Bicycle Maintenance and Repair Classes

Learning to fix your bicycle—from patching a flat to building a new bike from its component parts—can be very gratifying and liberating. It can save you money and may even land you a job at a local bike store. The Community Bike Project is pleased to offer a set of 12 2-hours classes Tuesday nights at our Community Bike Shop in Gifford Park that will include both instruction time and hands-on practice in every lesson. Bring your own bike or we’ll have parts to work on. Students who complete all 12 classes will receive a certificate of completion from CBPO.

Frames
Like the bones in your body, without a frame, all you’d have is a pile of parts. Bicycle frames need to be properly sized for a comfortable fit and then maintained and monitored for a safe and dependable ride. Learn how to measure and size a bicycle, how to determine if a frame is bent, and the difference between an unsightly dent and a disaster waiting to happen.
November 1, 6-8pm

Tires and Tubes
Learn how to fix a flat and how to avoid getting one in the first place. Identify and understand the difference between the large variety of tires and tubes that go on bicycles and how to choose the best combination for your situation.
December 20, 6-8pm

Pedals, Saddles, Seatposts, Handlebars, and Stems
The human body normally only contacts the bicycle at three places: the handlebars, the pedals, and the seat. Knowing the right components at these critical points, how to adjust them, and how to make the bicycle fit, is t he key between comfort and pain, or even injury.
January 3, 2012, 6-8pm

Brakes
Squealing, rubbing, ineffective brakes are a common problem and can be dangerous. Learn how to set up and adjust your brakes properly, whether they’re rim or drum, side-pull, center-pull, cantilever, or v-brake.
January 17, 2012, 6-8pm

Freewheels and Cassettes
Whether you have a freewheel or cassette, that hunk of cogs on your rear wheel allows you to shift gears and coast. Like many things in life, they need attention, some care, and eventually replacement. Learn how to tell the difference and how to fix them appropriately.
February 7, 6-8pm

Derailleurs
Shifting is usually one of the more mysterious aspects of a bicycle: Why doesn’t my bike shift right? What’s all that noise? Why does my chain keep falling off? Never fear! All your questions about shifting and derailleurs will be answered in this 2-hour class.
February 21, 2012, 6-8pm

Chains and Chainrings
How do you take care of your bike’s chain? Should it be wet or dry? Greasy? How do you know when your chain is worn out and needs replacing? And what is a chainring anyways? With few exceptions, all of our bikes have chains and chainrings that make them go and without them, we’re pretty much stuck to going downhill. Come learn how to take care of these vital components, how to tell when they need replacing, and what to do when the time has come.
Spring 2012

Hubs and Quick-Releases
Hubs are more than just the center part of your bicycle wheels: they’re how your bike rolls and without them, you’re not going anywhere. Learn how to maintain and fix your hubs, the proper adjustment of quick releases, and why it’s all so important.
Spring 2012

Headsets
Don’t be soft in the headset. Loose, worn, or improperly adjusted headsets can affect steering, cause unnecessary wear and tear on your bike, and be downright dangerous. We’ll teach you about the different kinds of headsets, how they work, how to know when they need some loving care, and how to fix them.
Spring 2012

Cranks, Bottom Brackets
Cranky cranks and busted bottom brackets making pedaling difficult, if not impossible, and cause unnecessary wear and tear on your bicycle. Learn the tell-tale signs that your cranks and bottom brackets need some attention and how to fixed them, whether your bottom brackets are sealed or cups & bearings, and whether your cranks are splined or cottered.
Spring 2012

Wheelbuilding
Wheels wobble, even if they don’t often fall down. Learn how to straighten your wheels, the importance of dishing and proper spoke tension, and even how to build a new bicycle wheel and why you’d want to. Learn how to build a 3-cross, 2-cross, or radial spoke wheel and the advantages/disadvantages of each.
Spring 2012

Suspension
If you want to learn how to fix hardtail fork shocks or full-suspension bikes, then this is the class for you. Working on cable-actuated or hydraulic suspension systems can be a tricky business, but we’ll sort things out and get you on the right path.
Spring 2012

 

Smart Cycling:  Traffic Skills 101

Whether you bicycle for transportation, recreation, or health, riding with confidence is the key to enjoyment. This series of classes conducted exclusively by Omaha Bikes, utilizing local League of American Bicyclist certified instructors, will help you gain the confidence you need.  The program combines classroom discussion and parking lot activities with on-road practice of the principles of vehicular bicycling.  Classes may be taken individually or in any order; completion of all four classes plus an instructor led group ride will result in a formal certificate from the League of American Bicyclists.

Smart Cycling 1: Bicycle Basics
Smart cycling begins with comfort and safety, whether you are just learning or have been riding for years.  This course covers the basics of bike selection and will teach students how to adjust a bike for maximum comfort.  Students will also be able to perform a basic safety check on their bicycles after this class. Please bring a bicycle to the class. (one session)
Spring 2012

Smart Cycling 2: Bicycle Maintenance and Handling
Yes, you can fix it!  This course provides a basic overview of gear needed for cycling and demonstrates simple bike repairs that be done at home or in a pinch during a ride.  Basic bicycle handling skills will also be reviewed in this class. Please bring a bicycle to the class. (one session)
Spring 2012

Smart Cycling 3: Urban Bicycling
A bicycle is considered a vehicle, and cyclists fare best when riding accordingly.  This course covers the principles of traffic law and how to bicycle safely and confidently in traffic.  Students will also learn and practice hazard avoidance maneuvers. Please bring a bicycle to the class. (one session)
Spring 2012

Smart Cycling 4: Enjoying the Ride
Bicycling is an activity that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.  This course will provide the information on the little things that can make a big difference: gear shifting, hydration and nutrition, and group ride etiquette, and common cyclist errors than can be avoided. Please bring a bicycle to the class.
Spring 2012

Smart Cycling 5: Applying Lessons Learned
Prerequisite:  Smart Cycling Workshops 1 – 4.
Complete the full Smart Cycling program by participating in a group ride with the instructor and completing a review exam.  A 4-5 mile route featuring a variety of urban settings will be used to give students the opportunity to experieince vehicular cycling while being evaluated.  Please bring your bicycle, helmet, bicycle lights, water/nutrution as needed, and wear weather appropriate clothing.  Students successfully completing all five courses will have earned a certificate from the League of American Bicyclists and be eligible to take courses required to become a League Certified Instructor.
Spring 2012

One-Day Complete Smart Cycling Class
This full day workshops covers all 4 sections of the Smart Cycling Series, including Bicycle Basics, Bicycle Maintenance and Handling, Urban Bicycling, and Enjoying the Ride. Join us for one day of Smart Cycling. (one session)
Spring 2012