For the next seven weeks, the Albany Bike Rescue will be holding a series of instructional workshops that will cover a host of topics in bicycle repair & maintenance techniques. These workshops are open to the public and all ABR volunteers. Each week will feature a new topic taught by one of our mechanics. There is no charge for attending but your donations are always welcome and help to sustain our all-volunteer organization. All classes begin at 6:00 PM.
Bike Repair 101 Schedule
Jan 31 – Rules, Tools, Safety, Tire Removal and Flat Repair
Flat repair involves removing a wheel, using tire levers to remove tire from rim, finding and properly repairing the hole and then putting everything back together. Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Feb 7 – Brakes and Cables
Identify types of brakes (caliper, coaster, cantilever,v-brake). Adjust and repair brake pads and cables.
For example: remove and replace a caliper cable and demonstrate the use of a third hand tool for brake pad adjustment. Show the difference between the adjusting nuts (which hold the caliper arms together) and the “main” nut (which holds the brake onto the frame.)
Feb 14 – Hubs and Bearings
Take apart wheel hub, remove, clean, and repack bearings.
Feb 21 – Headset
Learn the functions of the headset. Learn how to select and properly use correct tools needed to repack bearings. Remove/replace handlebars, remove and repack bearings of a threaded headset. Demonstration of the differences between a threaded and threadless headset.
Feb 28 – Bottom Bracket
Learn the functions of the bottom bracket. Learn to identify a 3-piece cotterless crank, a 3 piece cottered crank and an Ashtabula, or 1 -piece, crank set. Learn how to select and properly use the correct tools needed to remove and replace a bottom bracket. Identify the difference between a bottom bracket sealed cartridge and a cup and cone style bottom bracket. Remove, clean and repack the bearings of a cup and cone style bracket.
Mar 6 – Derailleur and Chain
Learn how a bike shifts gears with a derailleur. Adjust and replace cables of a front and rear derailleur. Clean and lubricate the chain. Learn how to check for chain wear, remove and replace chain
Mar 13 – Basics of wheel truing
Learn why we true bicycle wheels and become familiar with Truing, rounding centering and dishing, pull of spokes, spoke nipples, spoke wrenches
Some of our volunteers from ABR will be at the Upper Madison Street Fair this Sunday (9/23) from 12-5 PM. The Street Fair will be held on Madison Avenue between S. Allen & W. Lawrence streets. We will be teaching how to do basic bike safety checks and minor tune-ups and adjustments. The street fair is a family-friendly event, so bring the kiddos! There will be music, dancing, art, food and fun. One of the highlights of the event is the Exotic Bicycle Show that Albany Bicycle Coalition is holding. There may still be space available for you to enter your unique and interesting bike, check the links for more details. See you there!
