Everything that turns on a bicycle uses bearings to reduce friction.
Wheels turn; pedals turn; cranks turn, freehubs and freewheels spin and handlebars turn. All these use bearings. Bearings must be packed with grease to function properly. They must also be free of contaminants like dirt and moisture. They must also be adjusted to prevent play while minimizing friction. Bearings have changed the most of any bike part.
We'll cover the old fashioned cup and cone bearing surfaces and demonstrate how sealed bearings have made easier.
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.
This will be the last of the four “Bike Mechanic 101” classes being held this summer. The class in flats is taking place on June 9 and the brakes class will be held on Sunday, June 30. The derailleurs class will be held on Sunday, July 14.
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.
We will be doing an optional short ride from Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park to the class site. If you want to do the ride and stretch your legs, we will leave Grand Army Plaza at 10:45 a.m. If you want to meet directly at the class site, meet us at 11:30 a.m. at the Five Boroughs Brewing Co. at 215 47th St. in Brooklyn, between Second Avenue and Third Avenue (the Gowanus Expressway). Whether you are riding with us or meeting us at the class site, please be sure to register so we will know how many people to expect in the class. Five Boroughs Brewing is near the 45th Street and 4th Avenue R train stop.
Ride With GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47039951
Cue Sheet: Mechanic 101 - Cue Sheet GAP to 5 Boroughs Brewing via Prospect Park, Sunset Park, Bush Terminal Par
