Keep it very simple! How to get both wheels off, on, and fix a flat. My experience is that even with adults, more than 6 students is crazy. At least half will be standing around because they because they don't understand what we too often take for granted:

• They don't understand the vocabulary
• Not explained why a wheel may come off but no go back on because the

forks or frame moved. Or it came off around the fork wheel retention safeties, but the nuts will need to be loosened up more to get it back on.

• Why getting the bead into the bottom of the rim is critical
• If I see something dangerous, I will say stop and if necessary I will

take the tools from your hands. A tire lever flying across the room and hitting someone in the eye is much worse than either embarrassment or worry about the touch. Happens because they didn't understand why the bead must be in the bottom of the rim.

• Why inflate the tire to find the hole before the tube is removed from

the tire (saves running your hand inside the tire because the tire wasn't clocked to see if there is still something in the tire. A cut finger is no fun. And no, at least in much of the north, you aren't going to find a bucket of water on the side of the trail to look for leak. Ice maybe . . .

• Why over inflating the tube as it lays on top of the tire just isn't a

problem to find the hole.

• Maybe mention that by clocking the tire logo and inner tube stem, the

next time finding the leak will be much easier.

• How to get the rear wheel of a single speed coaster break back on

straight. Hint, pull the wheel all the way back on the brake side, lightly tighten the axle nut, straighten the wheel in the drop outs, and tighten the other side, fully tighten the brake side, Don't be surprised if it looks like the wheel isn't in the drop-outs all the way.

• Buy tools that fit, teach them to use the box end and if an adjustable

wrench is used, how not to strip the nut. Hint, adjustable wrenches with turn direction arrows aren't to prevent breaking the wrench, it's the best way to keep the wrench tight on the nut.

So much more than just a quick demonstration 1/2 won't be able to see, understand the vocabulary, or understand right to tight, left to lose.

Just an opinion.Good luck,

On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 5:52 PM Weogo Reed via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:

Hi Martin,

Almost anything you can do so the kids can physically engage will grab their attention.

For instance, take two kids bikes, one with a front wheel that is optimally lubricated and adjusted, and a second one with the bearings adjusted too tight. Turn the bikes over and have each child grab the front wheels and spin them. You might even want to have a third bike, with the front wheel bearings cleaned and greased, but adjusted way too loose - can they feel the wobble? This is an experiment they can try with their bike at home.

Thanks and good health, Weogo

...

There is a very motivated mom from a parents' committee in a nearby

elementary school that has reached out to our CBS to participate to a program they are conceptualizing and have received fund for (3K$).

...

They wanna make a small bike workshop for kids' bikes. The first

objective is to inspire confidence and autonomy through manual skills/labor in bike mecanic and maintenance.

...

I wanna know what kind of things you are teaching to kids. We're talking

elementary age (here in Québec it's 6-12 years old). Of course parents in the committee will be present throughout.

...

For the cursus, I am thinking about the cleaning and maintenance of the

transmission, the tube repair and maybe the installation of a few parts, which more be a way to make a better understanding of the bike in genereal.

...

I am thinking there should be an initial crash course with the parents

in our workshop, then we could go to their school with our mobile workshop.

...

Let me know what you guys think! Cheers BTW pardon my english! _______________________________________________ TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe send an email to

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The link in this post comes up as scamming email

On Thu, 19 Feb 2026 at 21:00, parkerharry0005--- via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:

Students face difficulties when they try to manage their academic duties together with their work obligations and their personal life requirements. The demanding nature of their studies leads some students to seek online class replacement services when their academic deadlines increase and their ability to perform decreases. The solution provides immediate benefits, but decision makers must assess its effect on academic honesty and its financial costs and all possible outcomes before proceeding. The examination of organized assistance systems will help students discover better pathways to achieving their academic goals. https://myassignmenthelp.com/take-my-online-class.html _______________________________________________ TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecol...