Like Reno, OCBC's classes are in the order you would do a tune up (or overhaul, in their case: Bravo!).  We just switched from a lecture/demo format to mostly hands-on, using bikes from stock, also like Reno, but we choose a variety (1 & 3 piece cranks, horizontal and vertical dropouts, and different types of brakes, derailers and shifters), and always bikes that do not need parts replaced (other than tires, pads, and perhaps a chain). Info on that is here:

http://ohiocitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=56

Our hands on curriculum is still in dev. but you can see our old lecture format (rough) lesson plans here:

http://ohiocitycycles.org/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=ShopClassCurriculum

 Much of that info is out of this new format, tho. We concentrate on just fixing the bike in front of us!  Someday we will probably bring that back as a companion lecture series; probably AFTER we add a hands-on overhaul, or "Build a Bike" class.

A couple years after that outline was written, modules for fixing flats, bike fit adjustments and other info for beginners were broken out into the first hour of the 4-class lecture series, for what could then be a 3-hour class for them. Too long!  We will probably bring those "Bike Basics" classes back, as they can be taught by less-mechaical volunteers, and are what we offer free with a refurbished bike (along with a 3-hour Traffic Skills intro ride).

Info on Bike Basics is here:

http://ohiocitycycles.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=127-bike-basics-classes&Itemid=52

Peace,
Jim 

Jim Sheehan
Director, Ohio City Bicycle Co-op
1840 Columbus Rd
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
216 830 2667
OhioCityCycles.org


On Fri, Feb 5, 2016 at 4:31 PM, Genevieve Parker <genevieve@renobikeproject.com> wrote:
Sarah,

At Reno Bike Project we offer a 9-week, 2 hour-long class on Thursdays to teach members the basics of bike repair. We use donated MTBs with rigid forks and braze ons for racks - good, sturdy commuters; and we try to select bikes either with caliper or V brakes only. When the class/bikes are finished. they are set aside for our create-a-commuter program.

We hit one component or component group a week in this order:
Week 1 – Bike Inspection, Strip Cables & Housing
Week 2 – Wheels: Inspection, Hub Overhaul
Week 3 – Wheels: Truing & Dishing
Week 4 – Bottom Bracket & Headset Overhaul
Week 5 – Makeup & Review
Week 6 – Cables & Housing
Week 7 – Brake Setup
Week 8 – Shifter Setup & Chain
Week 9 – Makeup & Review/End-of-Session Party

After several curriculum edits, we think this order makes the most sense. We start each class with a brief discussion and demo of what we're working on (including going over variations on the component to give students a more broad introduction than just what style of BB/brake setup/etc. their class bike has), then get into the hands-on work, overseen by two instructors for a class of ~10. Having a small student-to-teacher ratio ensures that everyone gets the one on one attention they need to absorb the lesson and get their work for the night done.

Genevieve Parker
RBP Program Director

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