August 2014 - TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike mechanics workbook
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 20 Aug '14

20 Aug '14

Brakes before gears is also good because while they're both cable systems operating under mostly the same simplified concept (pull the cable, something happens), the brakes are much more simple of a concept and easy to grasp for someone who's not familiar with either. On Wed, Aug 20, 2014 at 8:11 PM, Eric Brozell <brozells(a)verizon.net> wrote: > Christopher, > > I really like this simple idea! > > Eric > > > On 8/20/14 7:28 PM, christopher(a)holisticcycles.com wrote: > > Years ago I had a kid on a bicycle under the front end of my car lifting > my front wheels off the ground as I slid down a steep hill bouncing off the > curb. When the kid was asked why he did not stop at the intersection, he > replied that he had only had time to fix the gears before a test ride. For > years I would kidnap a youths bike if it did not have brakes, I would > install the brake for free, and tell him about the kid that was under my > car and I would not not let another kid end up under there as long as I had > the skills to do something about it. > > My advice is teach them brake systems first. In a safe parking lot have > two kids at the same speed see who can stop more effectively, one who only > uses a front brake or only a rear brake. Physics says a object moving > forward and being pulled down by gravity will have the best braking force > from the wheel that is forward and down. Test and find out for your self > > Christopher Wallace > Holistic Cycles/ Bicycle Guild > 140 Harrison St > Oak Park, IL. 60304 > > > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike mechanics workbook > From: Ron Kellis <ron.kellis(a)velocitycoop.org> > Date: Tue, August 19, 2014 6:36 pm > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > > Be sure you have thought out what your goal is. The ability to take care > of most of the basics, Air (tire, tube, wheel truing), Brakes, > Chain/cable/crank arm, derailleurs adjustment including hanger alignment in > a month class, or longer course to cover things they may not see at their > stage of learning/experience. > > A-B-C-D covers 80% of what comes through our co-op doors and I think of > it as Mech 102, 101 being righty-tighty, tool use & care, etc Take a look > at Primitive Pete for that. > > The remaining 20% is bearings/advanced and if you can do a hub, then > head sets and bottom brackets are just a variation. That can be an "add-on" > or a shadow type deal for the first couple. Then let them practice on a > shop bike. Wheel building is a separate deal, some may not be interested > plus it's a parts cost for a co-op even if it is just spokes. > > By teaching the A-B-C-D everyone learns the basics and can lean on each > other as trouble shooting becomes necessary. > > A speciality per person seems to me to be a lot to coordinate to be sure > a full team is present. > > Use the Park Book for the basics and the many videos on-line as > necessary. If possible, let the kids research some of them as a recurring > project. > > I'm former military, and for many of the skills, the idea of get the > basics taught and then let them do OJT for the more advanced tasks has > worked pretty well. Not too different from a riding class then off to do it. > > Nothing's perfect, but I do the A-B-C-D in three hours twice a month. A > & B hands on their own bike, remove/replace both wheels and break > down/reasemble the front, then patch a shop tube, C & D as mostly show and > tell, if their derailleur needs adjustment it backs up what the limiting > screws don't do. > > They leave the class able to fix a flat and if their brakes aren't > working correctly, they now have an idea why and if they don't have the > tools or find they can't quite do it on their own, they know what they want > to do when they come back. It would be easy to do A-B-C-D in 4 90 min. > classes. Spice it up with horizontal vs. vertical dropouts, mounting a rear > wheel with the vertical derailleur mount so they learn to get the wheel > straight in the stays. Coaster wheel to learn about the brake. Add in the > advanced once a quarter. Any more I tell students to set aside 6 hrs on a > Sat with nothing else on their schedule and just come back to the co-op to > be walked through it. > > Take what you can use, just my thoughts. > > I posted some stuff to the wiki, including some open source anatomy > pictures. I'll send you my syllabus/class hand-out tomorrow. > > R > > > > > On Fri, Aug 15, 2014 at 6:57 AM, Dominik Zylka <domzylka(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> Hello People, >> >> Our developing high school bike program in Melbourne is in need of a >> fantastic workbook for our students to utilise. Our resources are >> completely outdated and participant numbers are increasing so we need a >> resource that will keep our students developing and learning. >> >> Contents we'd love: >> - Workshop rules and procedures >> - Worksheets on all the specific processes and anatomy's >> - Activities >> - Diagrams and explanations >> - you get the idea. >> >> We understand that these resources take a heap of time and effort to >> compile and we'd be so very grateful if someone was willing to help out by >> sharing theirs. >> >> Best Regards >> >> Dominik >> >> ____________________________________ >> >> The ThinkTank mailing List >> <a href=" >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe >> from this list</a> >> >> >> > ------------------------------ > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > Unsubscribe from this list > <http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…> > > > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…" <http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…>>Unsubscribe from this list</a> > > > > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > > >

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Anybody ordered from PropatchInc for customized patch kits?
by Bobby Brown 19 Aug '14

19 Aug '14

At our monthly meeting last night we discussed stocking some customized patch kits branded for our co-op to sell during open shop hours or give away as needed. Propatchinc and Bicycle Promotions seem like the two best retailers online for customized patch kits but Propatch's prices are half of the other stores. Which should be awesome for those of us closely monitoring costs. Here's a link to their page with the different options available: http://propatchinc.com/category.php?id_category=15 Is it too good to be true? When ordered in bulk, the Propatch kits cost the same as Park Tool patch kits but give us the opportunity to get our brand out. Thanks, Bobby -- Bobby Brown Sopo Bicycle Cooperative Cell: 770 851 0965 bobby(a)sopobikes.org http://www.sopobikes.org Hours: Tuesday 7pm - 10pm Wednesday 7pm - 10pm Thursday 7pm - 10pm Saturday 2pm - 6pm

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Twitter Help Please
by Biker Pat 18 Aug '14

18 Aug '14

Hi All, We just found out that we are one of three groups looking at a $3K Donation from Primal Loft (Synthetic down material) Stl Bicycle Works is one of three youth based groups and the only kids cycling group in the running. You can vote by tweeting: "@primaloft #tweetup2getout I Vote FOR #StlBicycleWorks" I dont normally do the public voting etc thing, but we kinda got tossed into it and we are guaranteed at least $1k. Hope you can help. Patrick in STL

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Bike mechanics workbook
by Dominik Zylka 18 Aug '14

18 Aug '14

Hello People, Our developing high school bike program in Melbourne is in need of a fantastic workbook for our students to utilise. Our resources are completely outdated and participant numbers are increasing so we need a resource that will keep our students developing and learning. Contents we'd love: - Workshop rules and procedures - Worksheets on all the specific processes and anatomy's - Activities - Diagrams and explanations - you get the idea. We understand that these resources take a heap of time and effort to compile and we'd be so very grateful if someone was willing to help out by sharing theirs. Best Regards Dominik

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike mechanics workbook
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 17 Aug '14

17 Aug '14

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Bike!bike! Workshops
by Darren Knox 16 Aug '14

16 Aug '14

Hi all (esp. Columbus and Godwin), I proposed a workshop for bike bike this year and I'm wondering if there's any way to confirm that it has been accepted. I would also love to be able to see a list of workshops and edit the title/description of my workshop. Please let me know if that's a possibility. Thanks, Darren

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike mechanics workbook
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 15 Aug '14

15 Aug '14

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Hiring Bike Mechanic Extraordinaire
by Hub City Cycles Community Co-op 15 Aug '14

15 Aug '14

Hub City Cycles Community Co-op is on the lookout for1-2 staff members. This position requires being much more than being a bike mechanic. As an employee with our co-op, you will be part owner and have a great opportunity to explore different ways to contribute to, and build this young organization into something even better. We need someone who is willing to commit to helping us grow in the long term. We strive to be a resource that nourishes the neighborhoods in and around downtown Nanaimo. We provide affordable bicycle-centric services and advocacy which builds, empowers and supports healthy and sustainable communities. We offer a safe and welcoming space for people to learn, share skills and network with other community members. The wage for worker members is currently $15.00 an hour, plus extended health benefits. We would also be willing to entertain the possibility of offering paid training at a bike mechanic school to a promising and committed candidate. An ideal candidate will... - Have at least 2 years of bike shop experience, or demonstrate very strong bicycle industry related knowledge. -Be a graduate from a bike mechanic training institute, or be willing to attend one - Be a fantastic communicator. This is the second most important quality after actually having the technical skills to do the this job well. There are 3 other employees who work together and it is imperative that everyone is involved and informed when making important decisions about shop operations, and day to day issues - Be reliable, responsible, committed and driven. - Be incredibly organized. There is a lot going on in the shop every day we need someone who thrives in a fast paced environment, can multitask & prioritize, follow through thoroughly with tasks with little supervision, and has a high standard of quality in all that they do. - Be patient, honest and compassionate. You will be teaching people how to repair bikes and interacting with customers all day in our small space. - Be passionate about bikes, riding them, fixing them, teaching people how to fix them and putting willing bums in saddles as much as possible If this sounds like you, please send us a resume and tell us why you'd like to work with us and what you can contribute to our operation. <http://www.facebook.com/hubcitycyclescommunitycoop> -- *Hub City Cycles Community Co-op* 12 Lois Lane Nanaimo, BC 250-591-2159 www.hubcitycycles.ca www.facebook.com/hubcitycyclescommunitycoop

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anyone know of adult Learn to Ride classes in Toronto?
by sheldon mains 14 Aug '14

14 Aug '14

Just got a request from someone, asking if we had any classes there (While many people in the US think Minnesota is or should be a part of Canada, this person did know we were not) ;-} sheldon .............. Sheldon Mains SPOKES Bike Walk Connect www.SpokesConnect.org www.fb.com/SpokesConnect Minneapolis, MN 612/618-7149 Three ways to donate to SPOKES: 1. Volunteer. 2. Donate repairable used bikes. 3. Financial donations always welcome. Check www.SpokesConnect.org for details.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Appraising the value of a bike
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 11 Aug '14

11 Aug '14

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