Flats are the most common mechanical problem a bike rider will encounter. Learn by doing the steps involved in repairing a flat and getting back on the road quickly. You will practice removing wheels from the bike, removing the tube from the tire, finding and patching the puncture, removing the puncture's cause and putting everything back together. You will also learn how to "boot" a ripped tire, in case the flat also damages the tire.
We will be meeting in upper Manhattan on the Hudson River Greenway at 145th Street, just north of the Riverbank State Park platform. The annual Pride Ride will be taking place that day, and we will be meeting near the Pride Ride’s start and finish festival. There will be a tent so we should be able to do the class even if the weather is rainy.
It is highly recommended you work on your own bike to gain experience. You are welcome to come and watch, but priority support will be given to those who want to learn by doing. Bike Mechanic 101 instructor Steve Bauman is by far one of the best mechanics we know. This is a unique opportunity to learn from him and then if you want, work with him repairing bikes at Summer Streets in August.
Please bring the following to the class:
- Your bike.
- At least one extra tube that will fit your tires.
- Tire levers. (See photo below.) You can buy a set of 3-4 levers at your local bike store for about $5.
- Sanding and patching supplies:
- Sandpaper for sanding the tubes;
- Glue; and
- Patches.
- You can buy sandpaper, glue and patches separately, or buy all 3 in a tube patch kit at your local bike store for about $4 to $5 each. (See photo below.)
- If you have any old punctured tubes, bring them with you. You will repair them in the class and can use them later on future rides.
There won’t be a Club ride to this class, but you can go for a ride along the Greenway on your own, or with other classmates, before or after the class.
This will be the first of a series of four “Bike Mechanic 101” classes this summer. The other three classes will cover brakes, derailleurs, and bearings, and will be held in late June and July. We hope to announce the dates and locations of the other classes by the beginning of June.
We are inviting leaders and members to join us in these four “Bike Mechanic 101” classes to learn or improve upon your skill sets. After you take the classes, we hope you will be able to be a part of the Club’s mechanic volunteer group at Summer Streets in August, where Club volunteers fix and tune up the bikes of members of the public participating in Summer Streets. During Summer Streets, streets will be closed to motor vehicles and the Club will have a bike repair tent along the route. Even if you can’t help out at Summer Streets, after you take these classes you will better able to support yourself should you have a flat or mechanical, whether riding around the city or on long distance rides.
Flat tire: a cyclist's vision of dread Tire levers, tubes, patches, glue Typical tube patch kit
Mechanics 101 Instructor Steve Bauman